Tour de France 2009: Stage 20

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January 1 - July 26, Montélimar, France, Road - GT

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Good morning and welcome to coverage of the penultimate stage of the Tour de France. It's the big showdown, the final frenzy in this three week event; while the race will conclude tomorrow in Paris, today is the day when the GC will be settled. With high winds forecast and the hugely punishing ascent of Mont Ventoux on the menu, we are sure it's going to be a fingernail-chewing few hours ahead. So, drag up a comfortable chair and stay with us while we relay all the action!

Garmin Slipstream CEO Jonathan Vaughters told Cyclingnews that he thinks the climatic conditions are going to play a big part. "The wind today is going to be a huge factor," he said. "It's going to make it very hard for the riders, and especially for those with aspirations of trying to attack."

Today's stage is going to be a cracker - it's a relatively short (but very tough) 167 kilometre race from Montelimar to Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. There's a total of five climbs - three category three ascent, one cat 4 hill plus the big one, the gruelling ascent to the top of the Ventoux. Factor in those winds and there are going to be some very tired riders this evening.

Some Twitter comments are pretty interesting. "On our way second last TDF stage," wrote Cadel Evans. "It's a BIT windy. This will be interesting! Me? My legs will probably be 'bien cuit' after yesterday."

Today's stage also has two bonus sprints, at Les Piles (km 48) and at Mormoiron (km 138.5), in the shadow of the final climb. Mark Cavendish had a great win yesterday but said afterwards that he had given up thoughts of taking the green jersey this year; he is 25 points behind Hushovd in the standings. It will be interesting to see if either of them go for the points today.

The Ventoux has played a huge part in Tour history and legend, and is probably the most feared climb in the race. You can read more about it here: www.cyclingnews.com/features/mighty-ventoux-set-for-tours-final-battle

There were 156 riders at today’s start; two finished behind the time limit yesterday, the ever-active Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel-Euskadi), who had been one of the most aggressive riders earlier on in this Tour, and his team-mate Alan Perez Lezaun.

13 riders went clear after just three kilometres of racing. The names? Hayden Roulston (Cervélo Test Team), Juan Manuel Garate and Joost Postuma (Rabobank), Tony Martin (Team High Road), Christophe Riblon (Ag2r la Mondiale), Aleksandr Kuschynski (Liquigas), Anthony Geslin (Française des Jeux), Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis), Daniele Righi (Lampre), William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom), Maxime Bouet (Agritubel), Cyril Lemoine and Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano).

Three others set off in pursuit, namely Mickael Delage (Silence Lotto), Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel Euskadi) and Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d’Epargne). After ten kilometre of racing, the thirteen leaders were 45” ahead of the three chasers, and 2’10” over the peloton.

150km remaining from 167km

Albert Timmer was first to the top, followed by Kuschynski, Garate and Martin.

Cyclingnews got some very interesting predictions from some people on the Tour about today's stage. Bonnie D. Ford (ESPN - USA) said that she thought that things might not be as dramatic as some suggest.

Peter Cossins (Freelancer and former editor of Procycling magazine - UK) went for a rider who had a great Giro but was a non-GC contender here:

Juliet Macur (New York Times - USA) said: "I don't want to be boring but I think Alberto will win both the stage and the yellow jersey. I'd like Bradley to win tomorrow so that it’s more exciting with Lance, but I think he'll get the final podium place."

You can read another seven tips/predictions, as well as each person's tips for top three on the stage and top three overall here: www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-journalists-offer-ventoux-and-gc-predictions

The chasers joined up with those up front, so there are sixteen leaders. They are: Hayden Roulston (Cervélo Test Team), Juan Manuel Garate and Joost Postuma (Rabobank), Tony Martin (Team High Road), Christophe Riblon (Ag2r la Mondiale), Aleksandr Kuschynski (Liquigas), Anthony Geslin (Française des Jeux), Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis), Daniele Righi (Lampre), William Bonnet (BBox Bouygues Telecom), Maxime Bouet (Agritubel), Cyril Lemoine and Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano), Mickael Delage (Silence Lotto), Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel Euskadi) and Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d’Epargne).

125km remaining from 167km

These riders are in for a tough day in the saddle...they'll be dealing with strong winds while they try to build their advantage and then, with plenty of effort in their legs, will have to get up the climb at the end. If all goes to plan they'll have a big enough lead to hold off the climbers behind, but there's no guarantee of that.

This morning, there was a very interesting scrap shaping up for the final podium positions. Unless he crashes, has a dramatic form collapse or gets isolated by the winds, Alberto Contador looks set to win. But second and third is very much up for grabs, and those placings will be settled today. Here's the overnight GC:

Lance Armstrong is in third place but there's three other riders within 38 seconds of him; he's been fragile at times in the mountains this year, so will have to fend off those attacks.

This gap grows and grows; it’s now seven and a half minutes.

According to the Tour de France’s website, out of the 151 riders who finished the Ventoux stage in 2000, six will be riding the stage nine years later. They are Armstrong, who has placed second and third on the mountain, Christophe Moreau (Agritubel), Grischa Niermann (Rabobank), Jose Luis Arrieta (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Andreas Klier (Cervélo Test Team).

Today's stage will see a chunk of mountains points being awarded, but Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) looks set to stand on the podium tomorrow in Paris. He's got a huge lead:

In case you are worried that we can't count here, high up in the Hindenburg IV blimp, we realise we left out a name in our list of Ventoux riders 2000/2009. The missing rider is George Hincapie (Columbia HTC).

The young rider classification looks set - barring any unexpected developments - to go to Andy Schleck. He won the white jersey in the 2008 Tour and also in the 2007 Giro, where he was second overall. That was his first ever Grand Tour...no wonder many see him as a future winner of this race.

Roche isn't a pure sprinter, but more an all-rounder. He thinks that he might be able to aim for the green jersey in the future: www.cyclingnews.com/news/roche-harbors-ambitions-for-green

Here's the points totals for the green jeresy contest. We don't expect many changes to that today!

102km remaining from 167km

Here's a list of today's climbs:

On the Ventoux, we understand that winds of 110km/h have been recorded earlier today... It's going to be very tough for the riders - the sheltered section is early on during the climb, while the last few kilometres are exposed. Tactics are going to be crucial into what is expected to be a strong headwind.

84km remaining from 167km

83km remaining from 167km

The riders are passing through the feed zone, grabbing bags of goodies...it's like Halloween, only no scary masks (just grimaces - the pace is on).

Filippo Pozzato sits at the back of the bunch, wearing a greatly modified Italian champion's jersey when compared to the one he had on two weeks ago. The Italian federation wasn't happy with Katusha's redesign of it, insisting that it was changed. Personally, it'd be nice if the bands of colour were thicker.. Maybe it's a work in progress.

Juan Manuel Garate and Joost Postuma lead the break on the next climb, the category 4 Col de Fontaube. The Rabobank team hasn't had much to show from this year's race and we've little doubt that they were told to get up the road pronto today.

Of interest were the next placings:

Righi, Timmer and Garate were first riders over the cat 4 climb. The previous ascent, the Col d’Ey, went to Kuschynski ahead of Garate, Martin and Timmer.

Matthew Lloyd (Silence Lotto) sits at the back of the bunch. The Australian has had a fairly quiet race...he was injured earlier this year, crashing heavily with Frank Schleck in the Amstel Gold Race. He broke three vertebrae but has got over that...he'll hope to have a good end of season.

O'Grady's tearing along, lining out this bunch. They want to keep the pressure on the Astana team. Andy Schleck will undoubtedly attack today, hoping to finally crack Alberto Contador, but he's a long way back. Still, he'll want the stage win and to copperfasten his second place overall. He'll also try to help his brother Frank move to third.

68km remaining from 167km

Mikel Astarloza has had a problem - probably a mechanical - and is chasing back on wtih some team-mates. They are sitting behind a team car...not far from there to the peloton, should make it back okay.

In contrast to the lush mountain areas we've seen earlier this Tour, parts of this region are very dry and rocky... a little like Spain in places.

Hushovd has a puncture and has to stop...He's chasing back on now after getting a rear wheel change..

The break thunders onwards....the penultimate climb is coming up, the third category Col des Abeilles (km 121.5km). After that, there's a 17km descent to the bonus sprint in Mormoiron, then very soon afterwards the final climb to the wind-blasted summit of the Ventoux.

52km remaining from 167km

That puncture will of course have broken up the Saxo Bank chase, giving the break the chance to increase the lead again.

It's been a good Tour for French teams - Thomas Voeckler, Pierrick Fédrigo (BBox Bouygues Telecom) and Brice Feillu (Agritubel) won stages, while Ag2r La Mondiale lead the race for over a week thanks to its Italian rider Rinaldo Nocentini.

This gap remains pretty healthy - it's almost nine minutes with 47 kilometres to go.

The break is almost at the top of the Col des Abeilles; the peloton is 5km further back.

Gutierrez also has a bit of fun, going past the TV moto smiling as he lunges the bike forward a few times on the descent. Overhead, a fire plane gets ready to dump some power on the blaze...watch out for the riders :)

The peloton is now less than 1km from the summit of the climb. O'Grady STILL leads, doing a huge amount of work today. Once he's burnt all his matches the others will take over.

34km remaining from 167km

32km remaining from 167km

7'47 for the break...they are flying... But the bunch is going even quicker, gradually whittling down the lead.

Kuschynski took that bonus sprint, ahead of Delage and Dumoulin. The climbing starts now, gradually getting steeper until the Ventoux start proper.

27km remaining from 167km

Cancellara is driving now...the Garmins are there too, sitting back.. No indication yet if any names are missing. Hushovd, Roche and others are in the next group.

22km remaining from 167km

Astana really are pushing hard...the riders are pulling at a tough place, trying to thin out this group before the climb.

The Contador group has only about 30 riders left..wow.. The break is now just 4'39 ahead.

20km to go for the breakaway. Garmin are also riding hard behind, showing that they too can put the pressure on.

The Roche group is now 1'05" back...that's a pity, he had a chance of getting into the top 20 in his first Tour.

Posthuma leads the break, 18.6km from the top of the climb. They have just 3'57" now, so it's very unlikely any of those will win today.

Garate, Riblon and Martin are together now. They have a sidewind but it's just 14km/h at this point.

Garate goes again....he gets a gap on Martin and Arrieta. They get him back.

15km remaining from 167km

14km remaining from 167km

Vande Velde, Karpets, Astarloza (Euskaltel), Jurgen Van Den Broucke (Silence Lotto) are with the Contador group...so too the Schlecks, Wiggins, and about 20 others..

This is going to be absolute mayhem...the group will explode on the climb.

Chris Anker Sorensen is dropped, so too Cyril Lemoine (Skil Shimano). Karpets is also gone now...

12km remaining from 167km

Frank Schleck attacks! He's jumped...Armstrong goes with him...

12km remaining from 167km

Vande Velde is gone...  The two Schlecks, Contador, Nibali, Wiggins and Armstrong are there...

Andy Schleck goes....Contador marks him...they've left the others. Armstrong is trying to get across.... he's doing it...

Andy Schleck goes again! He's got Contador on his wheel...

Andy Schleck still leads, Contador on his wheel. Wiggins, Niballi, Armstrong, Armstrong, Frank Schleck are there...

Schleck's attacks have been followed by a regrouping each time, but what he's done is put the others into trouble.

Frank Schleck goes, Armstrong marks him... Contador, Wiggins and Nibali are there....and Andy Schleck, of course...

10km remaining from 167km

Wiggins looks good...he's just followed so far, saving his energy....

9km remaining from 167km

8km remaining from 167km

Martin and Garate continue to lead. 1'46 back are Andy Schleck, Contador, and Nibali is flying up to them!! Very impressive.

Here was the GC this morning:

Nibali was just 1'54 behind Armstrong this morning....He's 20 seconds further up the road now... Kloden is leading the Armstrong group.

7km remaining from 167km

The group behind Schleck and Contador contains Frank Schleck, Armstrong, Wiggins, Van den Broek, Bouet, Kloden and Pellizotti. Kreuziger is also there.

Andy Schleck might be holding back...looks like the urgency has gone out of this. He might be hoping his brother gets across and goes for third overall.

5km remaining from 167km

These crowds are absolutely huge!! Wow...

Situation:

4km remaining from 167km

Andy Schleck goes!! Frank is with him this time.....could this be it? Kloden dropped....

Now Andy Schleck leads, from Frank S., Armstrong, Contador, Wiggins... They are 1'34 behind the leaders.... Pellizotti is chasing hard.

The problem for Andy S. is that he has a 30km/h headwind now....he's going to find it hard to get rid of those on his wheel...

2km remaining from 167km

Wiggins face is full of pain...he's drifting back slightly....

Wiggins looks like he's cracked....that's a pity.. come on Bradley!

He's back up again...good ride... Seven in this Contador group... No attacks for a while...

Schleck is facing a 41km/h headwind...he's doing himself no favours by sitting at the front and towing the others along.... This is frustrating to watch, he and Contador were the strongest but have been joined by those they dropped at the bottom. The tactical play has affected the racing at this point....

Andy Schleck attacks again! Contador, Armstrong and Frank Schleck go with him...Wiggins is dropped once more..

Pellizotti is close to being caught by the others. Meanwhile Martin gets up to Garate! They are close to the top...who will get it?

Will Contador go? He's looking frisky....

Martin leads Garate...don't forget that headwind...

Pellizotti has been caught...Andy S. and Contador sige by side...

Andy Schleck leads them around the last bend.....he's going for third place on the stage....

He gets third, with Contador on his wheel...looking very comfortable. He waves at the crowd. Armstrong is gapped but is next across the line, securing third in Paris. Frank Schleck was also there, but Wiggins lost time... He was perhaps 30 second back...

Here's the first five...

Andy Schleck and Contador were by far the strongest on the climb, but the tactical battle for third meant that the younger Schleck brother eased back. Contador made no effort to attack, even though he looked very strong...

Congratulations to Garate, who rescued Rabobank's Tour. He and Martin were out front all day and even if they benefited a little from the chess match behind, they deserved to stay away...took a lot of courage to attack so early with a finish like that on the horizon.

Martin lost out as he probably led too much into the wind towards the end... He got back up to Garate but went by and kept riding. With the strong wind, it gave the former Spanish champion the chance to have a breather and prepare for the sprint.

When Andy Schleck attacked early on, he quickly realised that it was going to be impossible to drop Contador. His focus then appeared to change from going for the win to helping Frank Schleck chase third. But Frank doesn't appear to have the strength today...he lacked that little bit of ooomph to get away from Armstrong. Every time he moved, he was marked by the American.

Here's the top ten on the stage.

Here's the GC....so Wiggins equals Robert Millar as the best ever British finisher in the Tour, superb result for a rider who has never been considered a GC contender before. Kloden was overtaken by Schleck for fifth place. Le Mevel is overtaken by Kreuziger and drops one place to tenth.

Pellizotti made a good bid for the stage win but cracked into the wind. He will take a very dominant win in the mountains classification tomorrow, though...nice result.

So that's the action for stage 20....it was a very good day's racing, and the action amongst the GC favourites at the bottom of the climb was dynamite. Speaking at the end of the stage, Scleck said that Contador was the strongest today and there was nothing he could do. He decided then to help Frank - that's certainly how it looked.

We'll leave it there for today - that's for reading! You can get a report and results here www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-22/results - more later, as well as all the news. Over and out from an increasingly wind-buffeted Hindenburg IV...it's picking up here, so we'd better skedaddle while we still can..

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Situation:

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