The anticipated fight for General Classification places lived up to its hype, but the day, which featured the ascent of the fabled Mont Ventoux, belonged to Rabobank's Juan Manuel Garate.Involved in an early break of sixteen riders, the 33-year-old Spaniard would launch an attack on the slopes of Ventoux, to which only the surprising Tony Martin (Team Columbia - HTC) could respond. The pair would stay away through the immense crowds that descended on this Tour's final proving ground, but one final attack by Garate with less than two kilometers to go would finally send the 2007 Giro d'Italia maglia verde winner over the top.
Martin would hang on for second just in front of the hard charging Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), who along with the other GC contenders had started the climb some three minutes after Garate and Martin. Astana teammates Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong would finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
Stage 20 Results
1. Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank)
2. Tony Martin (Team Columbia - HTC)
3. Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank)
Schleck Relentless, Spain's Other Treble
Because the final stage of the Tour de France is mostly ceremonial, the battle for podium placing and standings would be decided today on the slopes of Mont Ventoux.
Short of riding his bicycle in demolition derby like style, Andy Schleck would work every angle in the attempt to pull back some time from maillot jaune wearer, Alberto Contador, as well as propel his brother Frank Schleck to a podium finish in Paris. The younger Schleck was relentless on the slopes of Ventoux. His constant attacks followed each other so closely that it seemed like one massive and continuous effort.
The 27-year-old Contador was more than equal to the task, easily capturing Schleck's wheel after every effort. Brother Frank; however, did not have the legs that earned him the victory on Stage 17. At day's end, Frank was only be able to move up one place in the standings, to fifth, and Andy was unable to garner any time from Contador.
With his fourth placed finish on the stage, Alberto Contador capped one of the most eventful Tour's in history. He would win his second consecutive Tour de France, after being excluded in 2008, and his fourth consecutive grand tour victory overall. His victory also earned Spain it's third consecutive Tour de France championship, with Carlos Sastre (Cervelo Test Team) winning last year's Grand Boucle.
General Classification After Stage 20
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 81:46:17
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:04:11
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana - 0:05:24
4. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream - 0:06:01
5. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:06:04
6. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana - 0:06:42
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas - 0:07:35
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream - 0:12:04
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas - 0:14:16
10. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux - 0:14:25
Barring a major catastrophe, the final Leaders' Jerseys in Paris will be as stated below.
Jersey Leaders After Stage 20
Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana
Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
Astana - Best Team ClassificationNext: Stage 21 - Montereau-Fault-Yonne to Paris Champs-Élysées (164 km)
Outside of some of the one-day Classics, the most prestigious finish in cycling is on the famous Champs-Elysees. Can Cavendish take his sixth victory of this Tour?
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