Catching a break …
Just a fairly flat stage with a couple of lower tier teams sending a rider into the break to make it an easy slowish cruise in with a comfortable catch and bunch sprint. That was the script. However none of that happened on Stage 13, with four strong riders working together well out front, then near-panic as the peloton worked hard to bring them back, with both break and chasers setting a furious pace. But the catch was eventually made in the last half a kilometre, and once again FDJ got it just right for Arnaud Demare. What an exciting stage to watch!
Second place went to Phil Bauhaus who appears in just two teams run under the same roof: Brighstone’s own “Kenny” household, Sir Martin and Dame Linda Edge. Was there collusion around the kitchen table? (Well no: there’s only Bauhaus and Carapaz who are shared between them.) That was the 5th appearance in the top 10 for TBV’s Big Phil, but his first podium. Martin’s Stay upright, damn it! now lead the tally of top ten finishes:
Top of the velopoints however were the Brownlow syndicate of teams, with Team Ciclominaccia just outscoring It’s all downhill from here. Stephen’s squad are Team of the Day for the second time (see Stage 9: Isernia to Blockhaus).
… or catching a bug
This proved easier than catching the break, at least for Romain Bardet who had to step off his bike with sickness, and distress that was evident as they eased him into the team car. Once again some very fine form and grand tour hopes are dashed. One Frenchman triumphs while another has to nurse his disappointment. This was another blow for the Bardet fans – that’s five of our minileague teams including Paul’s Don’t ruin it for me (was the team name tempting Fate?) who are now left with just 6 riders with 8 stages remaining. They are leading the league, but the bunch is closing fast…
Flag of the Day
Today’s flag is that of Piedmont, the region which includes Cuneo with today’s stage finish. My 10-year-old self would unhesitatingly describe it “gules a cross argent with label azure“. I didn’t get out much. The “label” is the superimposed shape which indicates an eldest son, which was added to the flag in the 15th century by Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy, who made his eldest son the Prince of Piedmont (like our Prince of Wales). Amadeus retired to become the last historical Antipope (as Felix V), not an option that really crossed my mind last November – I rather think spending more time with the grandchildren is a worthier aim.