Tour de France: Glorious win for Froome on Ventoux

Any doubts that anyone had about Chris Froome were crushed when he won the Ventoux stage of the Tour de France and increased his lead over all his rivals

Froome: victory in the Sky

A day that will go down in history – Froome wins on top of Ventoux wearing yellow. Photo: ASO/Tim De Waele

Anyone who doubted the strength of Chris Froome and his Sky team at the 100th Tour de France was reminded that although two men are no longer there as support, the Kenyan-born Brit is The Dominant rider of the 2013 race.

With great support from Peter Kennaugh and Richie Porte on the final climb – and a dream lead to the epic encounter on Mont Ventoux in the final 20km of the longest stage of this year’s Tour – the leader of the Sky team put on a display of climbing that will be talked about for a long time to come.

This was racing at its finest with clever, well-timed – and phenomenally strong – accelerations eliminating all of his rivals from the equation. A week of racing is yet to come but the overall leader is also the winner at the top of the mythical mountain in the Vaucluse department. Froome is the only rider other than Eddy Merckx to win a stage of the Tour de France while clad in the colours of the leader and he increased his advantage over Bauke Mollema who is still in second place, but 4’14 behind.

Chris Froome attacks Quintana on his way to an historic stage victory. Photo: ASO/B.Bade

On the final climb, there were several phases of cooperation: Quintana briefly worked with Mikel Nieve who had attacked early and would share turns with Alberto Contador before finishing third. And, of course, Quintana and Froome climbed well ahead of the rest. Froome was so impressed by the Colombian’s performance that he later explained how he told himself, ‘This guys is going to win the stage today and I’m going to have to settle for second’.

But it wasn’t to be. Froome is the strongest in the race. He has climbed to a second stage victory and continues to remind everyone that there was a good reason he was the favourite for the title of the 100th edition. Contador was good, but not able to match him; Mollema faltered only briefly but it cost him almost two minutes; Quintana can climb but the losses in the time trial cost him dearly…

Everyone else who was listed as potential winners – based largely on reputations earned from past years – were well-and-truly eliminated from the battle on Mont Ventoux. Cadel Evans: a winner two years ago, 31st in the stage over eight minutes behind. Andy Schleck: a challenger for the yellow jersey on the last visit to the Giant of Provence but the first team leader dropped this year and over 10 minutes behind Froome at the finish… This was a stage that many eagerly awaited and ultimately it became a one-man show ahead of a cast of stars.

An early attacker on the stage, World champion Phillipe Gilbert helps his team leader Cadel Evans limit his losses. Photo: ASO/C.Diais Â

The stage
The longest stage of the 2013 Tour de France started at 10.43am and there were 181 riders at the sign on. This is the highly anticipated race from Givors to Mont Ventoux on the national holiday for Bastille Day. The stage featured three categorised hills and the â€˜hors category’ climb at the finish which had double points on offer for the first 10 at the finish.

The climbs were: the cote d’Eyzin-Pinet (cat-4 at 20.5km), cote de Primarette (cat-4 at 26.5km), cote de Bourdeaux (cat-3 at 143km) and the â€˜hors category’ ascent of Mont Ventoux. The intermediate sprint was in MalaucÃ¨ne with 34.5km to go in the 242.5km stage.

The temperature at the start was 23 degrees Celsius but it reached the mid-30s in the heat of the battle.

10 escape in fast start: 50.4km/h for the second hour!
The first escape of the day came from Gilbert (BMC) and Westra (VCD) but they were caught at 7km. At 16km, Kloden (RTL), Reza (EUC) and De Gendt (VCD) escaped. Katusha led the peloton at an extremely fast pace and no early escapes were allowed any room to move.

De Gendt grabbed the first climbing point; Rolland (EUC) led over the second hill. At 30km a group of 10 broke free, the riders involved were: Sagan (CAN), Irizar, (RTL), Fedrigo and Roy (FDJ), Riblon (ALM), Losada (KAT), Chavanel (OPQ), Impey (OGE), Poels (VCD), El Fares (SOJ). By the third hill they were 35â€ ahead of the peloton, led by Sky.

The average speed for the first hour was 48.2km/h. At 52km, the 10 led two counter attacks â€“ Burghardt and Rolland, by 1’08; and Astarloza and Le Mevel, by 1’30â€. The peloton was at 4’05â€. Le Mevel and Astarloza waited for the bunch after 90 minutes of racing. The maximum gain of the 10 escapees over the peloton was 7’05â€ (at 70km). Europcar came to the front of the bunch and started to increase the pace of the chase (even though Rolland got to within just 15â€ of the front group, but not any closer).

The average speed for the second hour was 50.4km/h! By then Rolland and Burghardt had ceased their chase and were 3’30â€ behind the 10 leaders and the peloton was at 6’05â€. El Fares dropped out of the lead group at 125km. The peloton was at 3’30â€.

Sagan takes the points at the PMU Green jersey sprint. Photo: ASO/B.Bade

Movistar lead the pursuit of nine escapees…
Roy led Riblon and the seven other escapees over the fourth climb. By then Movistar had replaced Europcar at the head of the peloton that was 3’30â€ behind. The average speed for the third hour was 41.3km/h. Movistar was the only team doing turns at the head of the peloton. With 70km to go, the bunch was 3’50â€ behind. The average speed for the fourth hour was 46.6km/h.

Sagan led the escape over the line at the intermediate sprint and Greipel led Cavendish to get 10th place points, 3’10â€ behind the escape. After Malaucene, three Euskaltel riders moved to the front of the peloton.

The agony before the ecstasy for race leader Chris Froome as he nears the line for a historic victory.Â Photo: ASO/P.PerreveÂ

Sky leads to the bottom of the Ventoux
Chavanel attacked the lead group with 25km to go; at 20km to go, he was 20â€ ahead of the other escapees and 1’45â€ ahead of the peloton that was led by five Sky riders. Rolland (EUC) was dropped during the first kilometre of the climb. Nieve (EUS) attacked with 14km to go and shortly afterwards Quintana also went on the attack and quickly raced into the lead.

With 13km to go this was the group of the yellow jersey: Froome, Porte and Kennaugh (SKY), De Clercq (LTB), Evans and Morabito (BMC), Monfort (RTL), Fuglsang (AST), Peraud and Bardet (ALM), Contador, Rogers, Hernandez, Kreuziger (TST), Rodriguez and Moreno (KAT), Valverde (MOV), Kwiatkowski (OPQ), Gesink, Mollema and Ten Dam (BEL), Martin and Talanksy (GRS).

Those shorts will hopefully be banished now Rolland has lost the KoM jersey! Photo: ASO/B.Bade

Froome a dominant victory in the yellow jersey
Kennaugh finished his turn with 9.5km to go and then the group started to explode. Porte led long enough to eliminate almost all of the major rivals of his team-mate, Froome. Contador was able to hold on to the yellow jersey all the way through to the moment that Porte’s effort was over. By then Mollema and an elite selection that included Ten Dam, Peraud, Fuglsang, Rodriguez could still see the yellow jersey but once Porte peeled off it was only a matter of moments before Froome raced into the lead.

His initial acceleration with 7.5km to go was impressive but the second surge absolutely destroyed any hope of Contador following. It was an attack that lasted around a minute but in that time Contador was well behind and Quintana’s advantage that had been 30â€ was eaten up. Froome rode with the new leader of the youth classification for about a minute but then repeated the sort of surge that eliminated Contador with 6.5km to go.

The top of ventoux is a desolate place indeed! Â Photo: ASO/P.Perreve

The Colombian didn’t panic and paced himself back to the lead of the stage; the Sky and Movistar pair would ride together until 1.2km from the finish when Froome accelerated ahead to win the stage by 30â€. He took 50pts in the climbing classification and also claimed the polka-dot jersey.

While everyone else was battling to limit their losses, Froome was already off his bike and celebrating his second stage victory 2013 Tour de France â€“ this time the salute came with the yellow jersey on his shoulders. It’s the first time since Bradley Wiggins’ victory in the Chartres TT at the end of last year that the race leader has won the stage. Froome increased his lead over the rider in second place, Mollema (now at 4’14â€) and the Sky rider will wear the yellow jersey again on Tuesday after a day of rest.

Froome now also leads the KoM competition. Photo: ASO/P.Perreve

Chris Froome:Â â€œI think today has to be the most memorable and the biggest win Iâ€™ve had in my career so far – given that this is the 100th Tour de France.”

“To win a stage like that, at the end of 242km of racing, with the crowds that were out on the road and the way the team delivered me to the climb â€“ it was just a massive, massive victory for me. â€œThe team did a huge job in getting me to the climb in that first position.

“Kosta took it up at the bottom and Pete took over once Quintana had attacked. He held him there for a good 5km or so and then Richie did a huge pull, pulling back Quintana all the way and then in the process dropped most of the GC riders. Thatâ€™s when I knew that that was the moment to squeeze on a little bit more to try to get rid of Contador.”

Froome still in yellow and with a bigger lead than he did before! Photo: ASO/P.Perreve

“My main objective of the day was to try and get as much time on the GC as possible. I tried to gap Quintana several times but he just wouldnâ€™t budge from my wheel. I had actually almost surrendered the fact that I was going to have to tow him to the line.”

“I thought he would win today, honestly, but he just lost his legs in the final 2km. I was just pushing on to try and take as much time as possible. That was really a bit of a bonus, winning the stage as well as taking that much time on the general classification.”

“Iâ€™ve got quite a decent advantage now on the GC but Iâ€™m definitely going to welcome the rest day tomorrow to recover from todayâ€™s effort. Seeing the guys giving 110% of their energy to keep me in yellow it just motivates me that much more to do exactly the same to make sure I stay in yellow.â€

Froome in yellow solos to victory with the Union jacks flying proudly in the background.Â Photo: ASO/C.Diais Â

Nairo Quintana â€œI had the illusion that I would win the stage but at the end I lacked strength. I gave everything I had, but this was a very difficult climb and the whole day had been raced at a fast pace. I’m absolutely exhausted. I can see Chris Froome on the trainer now but I can only think about rest. I thought he’d be less strong than he was but he produced a violent effort and just could not follow.”

â€œI don’t want to chose between a place on the podium or the white jersey â€“ I want both. For now, I will defend the white jersey.â€

Andy Schleck: Â â€œI donâ€™t know what went wrong; I just wasnâ€™t good enough to go with the best today. Â I thought I would be a lot better and actually itâ€™s a stage that suits me well. Â I took care all day to conserve energy but in the end clearly I was not on a good day. Â When one door closes another opens, so perhaps I will be good on Alpe dâ€™Huez. Â I am far enough down now that I should be let go in a breakaway. Â Now it is like this. Â I am disappointed but I wonâ€™t hang my head. Â I will keep my head up and fight for victory in another stage.â€

Back in white, Quintata intends to defend the jersey while aiming for a higher place overall. Photo: ASO/P.Perreve Â

Cadel Evans: “What can I say? I was nowhere near where I wanted to be and had a lot of difficulties,” the 2011 Tour de France winner said. “I was feeling fine to start, a bit tired after the start and exhausted even before we started the climb. It’s hard to go in with big expectations when you’re exhausted before the climb even starts. As the climb went on, (I felt) worse and worse. When you’re popped out of the group, it doesn’t do much for your motivation.”

Stage 15
1 FROOME Christopher Sky Procycling 05:48:45
2 QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander Movistar Team 00:29
3 NIEVE ITURALDE Mikel Euskaltel – Euskadi 01:23
4 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim Katusha Team @ st
5 KREUZIGER Roman Team Saxo-Tinkoff 01:40
6 CONTADOR VELASCO Alberto Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ st
7 FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team 01:43
8 MOLLEMA Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling Team 01:46
9 TEN DAM Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling Team 01:53
10 PERAUD Jean-Christophe AG2R La Mondiale 02:08
11 DE CLERCQ Bart Lotto Belisol Team 02:12
12 ROGERS Michael Team Saxo-Tinkoff 02:26
13 VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro Movistar Team 02:32
14 MARTIN Daniel Garmin – Sharp 02:36
15 PORTE Richie Sky Procycling 02:49
16 MORENO FERNÃ¡NDEZ Daniel Katusha Team 03:06
17 GESINK Robert Belkin Pro Cycling Team 03:11
18 KWIATKOWSKI Michal Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 03:14
19 BARDET Romain AG2R La Mondiale 03:15
20 MONFORT Maxime RadioShack – Leopard 03:31
21 ANTON HERNANDEZ Igor Euskaltel – Euskadi 04:07
22 GADRET John AG2R La Mondiale 04:56
23 BAKELANTS Jan RadioShack – Leopard 05:04
24 HERNÃ¡NDEZ BLAZQUEZ JesÃºs Team Saxo-Tinkoff 06:13
25 TALANSKY Andrew Garmin – Sharp 06:38
26 VELITS Peter Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 06:44
27 MEDEREL Maxime Sojasun @ st
28 ROLLAND Pierre Team Europcar 08:39
29 GILBERT Philippe BMC Racing Team 08:46
30 MORABITO Steve BMC Racing Team @ st
31 EVANS Cadel BMC Racing Team @ st
32 ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar RadioShack – Leopard @ st
33 MOLARD Rudy Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits @ st
34 MATE MARDONES Luis Angel Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits @ st
35 NAVARRO GARCIA Daniel Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits @ st
36 VORGANOV Eduard Katusha Team 10:07
37 HANSEN Adam Lotto Belisol Team 10:29
38 KLÃ¶DEN AndrÃ©as RadioShack – Leopard 10:42
39 SCHLECK Andy RadioShack – Leopard @ st
40 TROFIMOV Yuri Katusha Team 11:16
41 SERPA PEREZ Jose Rodolfo Lampre – Merida 12:01
42 VOECKLER Thomas Team Europcar 12:02
43 FEILLU Brice Sojasun 12:23
44 AMADOR BAKKAZAKOVA Andrey Movistar Team 12:34
45 KENNAUGH Peter Sky Procycling 12:38
46 COPPEL JÃ©rome Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits 13:06
47 CLARKE Simon Orica GreenEDGE 13:16
48 NORDHAUG Lars Petter Belkin Pro Cycling Team @ st
49 OROZ UGALDE Juan JosÃ© Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
50 TANKINK Bram Belkin Pro Cycling Team 13:28
51 LEVARLET Guillaume Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits 14:08
52 VUILLERMOZ Alexis Sojasun 14:51
53 CHAVANEL Sylvain Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 15:29
54 ROCHE Nicolas Team Saxo-Tinkoff 16:39
55 RIBLON Christophe AG2R La Mondiale 16:47
56 GALLOPIN Tony RadioShack – Leopard 16:56
57 DIDIER Laurent RadioShack – Leopard @ st
58 HOOGERLAND Johnny Vacansoleil – DCM 17:14
59 DUMOULIN Tom Team Argos – Shimano @ st
60 DUPONT Hubert AG2R La Mondiale @ st
61 MOINARD AmaÃ«l BMC Racing Team @ st
62 ASTARLOZA CHAURREAU Mikel Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
63 GAUTIER Cyril Team Europcar 17:50
64 VICHOT Arthur Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr 17:57
65 DELAPLACE Anthony Sojasun 18:19
66 DE GENDT Thomas Vacansoleil – DCM 18:25
67 POELS Wout Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
68 ROJAS GIL Jose Joaquin Movistar Team 19:20
69 PLAZA MOLINA Ruben Movistar Team @ st
70 COSTA Rui Movistar Team @ st
71 WESTRA Lieuwe Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
72 DANIELSON Thomas Garmin – Sharp @ st
73 SIUTSOU Kanstantsin Sky Procycling @ st
74 GASPAROTTO Enrico Astana Pro Team @ st
75 GAVAZZI Francesco Astana Pro Team @ st
76 LAGUTIN Sergey Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
77 IRIZAR ARANBURU Markel RadioShack – Leopard @ st
78 LEMOINE Cyril Sojasun @ st
79 GESCHKE Simon Team Argos – Shimano 19:52
80 PINOT Thibaut Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr 19:56
81 BOOKWALTER Brent BMC Racing Team @ st
82 FEDRIGO Pierrick Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr 20:06
83 JEANNESSON Arnold Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr @ st
84 GENIEZ Alexandre Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr 20:30
85 GERRANS Simon Orica GreenEDGE 23:07
86 IMPEY Daryl Orica GreenEDGE @ st
87 O’GRADY Stuart Orica GreenEDGE @ st
88 MEYER Cameron Orica GreenEDGE @ st
89 MILLAR David Garmin – Sharp @ st
90 FROHLINGER Johannes Team Argos – Shimano @ st
91 GREIPEL Andre Lotto Belisol Team 24:49:00
92 BOOM Lars Belkin Pro Cycling Team 24:54:00
93 BURGHARDT Marcus BMC Racing Team 25:26:00
94 QUINZIATO Manuel BMC Racing Team 26:59:00
95 BENNATI Daniele Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ st
96 TOSATTO Matteo Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ st
97 ROY JÃ©rÃ©my Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr 27:13:00
98 NIEMIEC Przemyslaw Lampre – Merida 27:36:00
99 MORI Manuele Lampre – Merida @ st
100 KUSCHYNSKI Aleksandr Katusha Team @ st
101 SABATINI Fabio Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
102 DE KORT Koen Team Argos – Shimano @ st
103 CURVERS Roy Team Argos – Shimano @ st
104 SIEBERG Marcel Lotto Belisol Team @ st
105 VAN POPPEL Danny Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
106 ERVITI OLLO Imanol Movistar Team @ st
107 KOREN Kristjan Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
108 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC Racing Team @ st
109 CUNEGO Damiano Lampre – Merida @ st
110 GARCÃA ETXEGIBEL Egoitz Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits @ st
111 WILLEMS Frederik Lotto Belisol Team @ st
112 LE MEVEL Christophe Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits @ st
113 WYNANTS Maarten Belkin Pro Cycling Team @ st
114 HESJEDAL Ryder Garmin – Sharp @ st
115 VEILLEUX David Team Europcar @ st
116 BAK Lars Ytting Lotto Belisol Team @ st
117 VOIGT Jens RadioShack – Leopard @ st
118 SICARD Romain Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
119 MALACARNE Davide Team Europcar @ st
120 MURAVYEV Dmitriy Astana Pro Team @ st
121 MOREIRA PAULINHO Sergio Miguel Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ st
122 DUMOULIN Samuel AG2R La Mondiale @ st
123 VANMARCKE Sep Belkin Pro Cycling Team @ st
124 COUSIN JÃ©rÃ´me Team Europcar @ st
125 MARTIN Tony Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
126 DEGENKOLB John Team Argos – Shimano 27:46:00
127 THOMAS Geraint Sky Procycling 27:56:00
128 TERPSTRA Niki Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 28:05:00
129 GENE Yohann Team Europcar 28:16:00
130 SAGAN Peter Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 28:28:00
131 MARANGONI Alan Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
132 BOECKMANS Kris Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
133 MINARD SÃ©bastien AG2R La Mondiale @ st
134 STANNARD Ian Sky Procycling 28:39:00
135 TIMMER Albert Team Argos – Shimano @ st
136 LOPEZ GARCIA David Sky Procycling 28:56:00
137 TAARAMÃ¤E Rein Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits 29:08:00
138 LEEZER Tom Belkin Pro Cycling Team 29:48:00
139 DE MARCHI Alessandro Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
140 BODNAR Maciej Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
141 LOSADA ALGUACIL Alberto Katusha Team @ st
142 ARASHIRO Yukiya Team Europcar 30:23:00
143 BAUER Jack Garmin – Sharp 31:26:00
144 SIMON Julien Sojasun 32:09:00
145 GOSS Matthew Orica GreenEDGE 32:36:00
146 HENDERSON Gregory Lotto Belisol Team @ st
147 ALBASINI Michael Orica GreenEDGE @ st
148 FISCHER Murilo Antonio Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr @ st
149 LANCASTER Brett Orica GreenEDGE @ st
150 CAVENDISH Mark Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
151 PINEAU JÃ©rome Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
152 FLECHA Juan Antonio Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
153 VAN POPPEL Boy Vacansoleil – DCM @ st
154 NAVARDAUSKAS Ramunas Garmin – Sharp @ st
155 STEEGMANS Gert Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
156 PEREZ MORENO Ruben Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
157 EL FARES Julien Sojasun @ st
158 REZA Kevin Team Europcar @ st
159 ROELANDTS Jurgen Lotto Belisol Team @ st
160 IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI Gorka Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
161 VANDBORG Brian Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
162 IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI Ion Euskaltel – Euskadi @ st
163 VEELERS Tom Team Argos – Shimano @ st
164 MOSER Moreno Cannondale Pro Cycling Team @ st
165 KITTEL Marcel Team Argos – Shimano @ st
166 TUFT Svein Orica GreenEDGE @ st
167 LUTSENKO Aleksey Astana Pro Team @ st
168 BRUTT Pavel Katusha Team @ st
169 KRISTOFF Alexander Katusha Team @ st
170 BAZAYEV Assan Astana Pro Team @ st
171 FERRARI Roberto Lampre – Merida @ st
172 FAVILLI Elia Lampre – Merida @ st
173 SMUKULIS Gatis Katusha Team @ st
174 KADRI Blel AG2R La Mondiale @ st
175 CASTROVIEJO Jonathan Movistar Team @ st
176 MARINO Jean Marc Sojasun @ st
177 CIMOLAI Davide Lampre – Merida @ st
178 BONNET William Equipe Cycliste FDJ.fr @ st
179 TRENTIN Matteo Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
180 LOBATO DEL VALLE Juan Jose Euskaltel – Euskadi 32:50:00
181 HIVERT Jonathan Sojasun 50:21:00

OVERALL
1 FROOME Christopher Sky Procycling 61:11:43
2 MOLLEMA Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling Team 04:14
3 CONTADOR VELASCO Alberto Team Saxo-Tinkoff 04:25
4 KREUZIGER Roman Team Saxo-Tinkoff 04:28
5 TEN DAM Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling Team 04:54
6 QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander Movistar Team 05:47
7 FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team 06:22
8 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim Katusha Team 07:11
9 PERAUD Jean-Christophe AG2R La Mondiale 07:47
10 KWIATKOWSKI Michal Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 07:58
11 MARTIN Daniel Garmin – Sharp 08:28
12 ROGERS Michael Team Saxo-Tinkoff 09:54
13 TALANSKY Andrew Garmin – Sharp 12:32
14 MONFORT Maxime RadioShack – Leopard 13:47
15 VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro Movistar Team 14:42
16 EVANS Cadel BMC Racing Team 15:40
17 NIEVE ITURALDE Mikel Euskaltel – Euskadi 18:12
18 SCHLECK Andy RadioShack – Leopard 19:14
19 MORENO FERNÃ¡NDEZ Daniel Katusha Team 21:42
20 NAVARRO GARCIA Daniel Cofidis Solutions CrÃ©dits 23:36
21 ANTON HERNANDEZ Igor Euskaltel – Euskadi 23:50
22 BARDET Romain AG2R La Mondiale ,,
23 MORABITO Steve BMC Racing Team 28:45:00
24 BAKELANTS Jan RadioShack – Leopard 29:16:00
25 CHAVANEL Sylvain Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 30:26:00
26 PORTE Richie Sky Procycling 32:53:00
27 SERPA PEREZ Jose Rodolfo Lampre – Merida 33:02:00
28 GESINK Robert Belkin Pro Cycling Team 33:28:00
29 COSTA Rui Movistar Team 33:42:00
30 ROLLAND Pierre Team Europcar 34:12:00