Knocked Out Of The Top Ten

After six stages and no general classification stages there are already several top ten hopefuls who have flown home or are missing key teammates. Belkin, Lotto, Cofidis and Astana are all looking weaker in the claims to place a rider in the top ten after being struck with misfortune.

Stage 5 was a horror stage for Astana and team captain Jakob Fuglsang. Early in the stage Fredrik Kessiakoff pulled out the race with his injuries taking their toll on the Swede. In last year’s Tour Kessiakoff wore the polka dot jersey from stages 8-10 and 12-16 as he battled Thomas Voeckler in the KOM. He will be a big loss for the hopes of Fuglsang who is back at the Tour after his failing out with the RadioShack team. The Dane has the team working for him but Kessiakoff is a big loss.

Janez Brajkovič crashed out in 2011 before coming back the next year and finishing ninth overall in 2012. He crashed in the final 10kms of stage and ripped open his knee. Although he didn’t finish the stage he won’t be pinning a race number on tomorrow. On the one day Fuglsang lost both of his key mountain domestiques and with Astana down to six riders it will be tough for him to crack the top ten after doing nothing wrong.

Another unlucky rider from today was Damiano Cunego who punctured in the final kilometre and lost 1 minute to his rivals. After Lampre-Merida put in a decent effort during the TTT the little prince was in a good position heading into the mountains.

Although Cunego and Fuglsang were unlucky, Rein Taaramäe and Robert Gesink have been going backwards since Corsica. Both have worn the white jersey in the past and were touted as future GC contenders. Gesink has performed the better of the two so far but he is almost 10 minutes behind Daryl Impey. He is riding in support of Bauke Mollema but the Dutchmen having lost this much time on the flat may not be much help in the mountains. Perhaps then he’ll crash out again saving face.

Cofidis on the other hand came into the Tour with Taaramäe their hope for some podium time. The newly crowned Estonian champion may be looking resplendent in his national kit but he has been very underwhelming so far. Teammate Dani Navarro impressed at the Critérium de dauphine so perhaps Contador’s former domestique may lead the team from now on. Taaramäe has one Vuelta victory to his name but a stage win is probably beyond him at the Tour.

It is not only riders having conceded time after the first six stages that have cost their chances for a top ten finish but several big injuries. Although his palmares is very bare with a stage win at the Dauphiné his only pro victory, Jurgen Van Den Broeck was hoping to improve upon his two fourth overall results at the Tour. A crash in the finale of Stage 5 saw the Belgian succumb to a knee injury and once again his Tour is over before it really begun. Since 2009 the Belgian has ridden 7 grand tours, withdrawing three times but finishing inside the top ten three times. Perhaps the Vuelta will see a return to form.

Lotto can focus on winning stages with Andre Greipel so not all is lost for the team. Astana may try for stage wins now as will Lampre to rescue their Tours. With only six stages completed there are several riders who have pinned their hopes on July only to see them dashed in seconds. The mettle of Geraint Thomas to continue riding with a fractured pelvis that he sustained on Stage 1 demonstrates that at the Tour, rider’s pain thresholds are enormous and its takes something special to pull the pin and quit.

It’s a shame to see riders crash out as the spectacle of the race is diminished as every rider wants to prove themselves against the best. Let’s hope there are no more injuries and mechanicals that decide the top ten. Thankfully none of the big contenders’ have some unstuck yet and their ability to stay upright is demonstrating why they are the favourites.