Wines of the Tour de France Stage 20: Domaine Dupasquier Mondeuse & Quintana

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-20

125km Annecy to Le Semnoz

From LeTour: Jean François Pescheux's view
A rider from the top rank: "There is one last chance of glory? This was what we wanted to offer in putting together this stage, which is going to surprise many. It's only 125km, but what a parcours! There is barely any chance to rest. The riders will have to be on their mettle from the start to the finish at the "nearly new" summit of Semnoz. Although the yellow jersey may be safe, the podium places could well be decided on this climb, which measures 10.7km in length with an average gradient of 8.5%. We could end up with the same winner we had on Alpe-d'Huez... Rodríguez, for example. Or Froome? Or Contador. Whoever it is, it will be a rider from the top rank who will finish things off in style."

More tired legs today after yesterday's stage. Barring any accidents, Chris Froome should be the winner of the Tour de France as they ride into Paris tomorrow. But the other podium spots are still close, so we should see some attacks from the men behind to secure or gain podium spots. Rodriguez in fift h place is only 47 seconds behind Contador in second!, with Quintana and Kreuziger in between.
Plus Rolland will make every possible effort to gain King of the Mountain points. He has no gc hopes, so the polka dot jersey means much more to him than time. That competition is also oh so close: Froome 104. Rolland 103, Nieve 98, Quintana 97 and Riblon 93.
Meanwhile, as I have said all week, spare a thought for the grupetto. Their job is simply to survive the climbs today, so they can sprint tomorrow in Paris.

MarkCavendish 1:40am via Twitter for iPhone

How can Paris, with just 125km today, seem so far away....?
PhilippeGilbert 3:05am via Twitter for iPhone

Annecy-annecy. Aso can I wait here? I promise to finish in the last group!

 
My Podium Cafe Stage Predictor Picks of the day: Rodriguez, Quintana, Valverde and Contador.

Off they go in the bright sunshine and Rolland attacks immediately. He is followed by Jens!, quickly joined by Burghardt and Flecha. Next to go, Brutt, Gautier, Riblon, Clarke, Anton and Astarloza. The start of our break of the day, or a false alarm? 
Rolland gets what he wants from the move, taking the points at the top of the first climb and moving into first in the King of the Mountain/Polka-dot jersey competition. But there are more hills to climb.
Indeed, the climbs of the day:
Km 12.5 - Côte du Puget5.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.9% - category 2
Km 17.5 - Col de Leschaux3.6 kilometre-long climb at 6.1% - category 3
Km 43.0 - Côte d'Aillon-le-Vieux6 kilometre-long climb at 4% - category 3
Km 51.0 - Col des Prés (1 142 m)3.4 kilometre-long climb at 6.9% - category 3
Km 78.5 - Mont Revard15.9 kilometre-long climb at 5.6% - category 1
Km 125.0 - Annecy-Semnoz10.7 kilometre-long climb at 8.5% - category H

With just over 109 kilometers to go, the two lead groups merge. The nine riders in the lead have a 1:27 gap on the peloton, with Movistar leading the chase. 96 kilometers to go and the gap is stable. Short leash for the break today. 
85 kilometers to go and Rolland grabs a few more kom points. The gap to the peloton is around one minute. 75 kilometers to go and still around a minute advantage for the breakaway group. 
Pretty shady move by Rolland to grab a few more points ahead of Anton on the climb. Will they relegate a Frenchman so close to the polka dot jersey? 
63 kilometers to go and Jens! attacks and splits the break. Say it with the announcers "Shut up legs" 60 kilometers left and he is in the lead alone with 1:30 over the peloton. There is no response from that group as Tejay and Gilbert attack. Gilbert has really had an invisible Tour.

50 kilometers to go and Jens! is still out ahead. The Rolland/VanGarderen is two minutes back and the peloton three minutes behind Jens! 
At the top of the climb, 30 seconds for Jens! over Anton. 2 minutes back to the Rolland group. Rolland grabs some more points there, but will not know until after the stage to know if he has done enough to win the polka-dot jersey. Current standings in that competition:Rolland 119, Froome 104, Nieve 98, Riblon 98, Quintana 9. 50 points go to the first rider at the finish today.
Kreuziger  mechanical, but with 20 kilometers until the final climb, he should make it back to the bunch. 
Heading to the foot of the last climb with 23km to go, Jens! has about 1.45 on Burghardt, Gilbert, van Garderen, Rolland, Gautier, Riblon, Brutt , Clarke, Vuillermoz, and Anton with 3.11 on the yellow jersey group. 20 kilometers to go and the gaps are 1.21 and 2.54. Time for the Semnoz climb.

Here comes the Sky train! 

Ahead:

Sky has decimated the peloton as they reach the bottom of the climb. Very small main group now. 10 kilometers to go. Porte continues to ride behind Froome. Stage win for him today? Tejay and Rolland caught by that group. Jens! still ahead, up about 50 seconds. A very small yellow jersey group remains: Porte, Froome, Valverde, J-Rod, Contador, Quintana and Kreuziger. First to crack, Kreuziger. 8.5 kilometers to go and they catch Jens! J-Rod attacks, followed by Quintana. Froome follows, passes them but then they catch back on. Contador behind with Porte, 10 seconds back.

Continuing up the hill. Kreuziger catches Porte and Contador.  At the moment, Contador is losing his podium position.
inrng 8:03am via Web

5km to go and Rodriguez, Quintana and Froome lead. Valverde chasing behind at 38 seconds. Not far back Contador, Kreuziger + Porte

J-Rod continue to set the pace at the front. As expected, large gaps behind. Contador now 1:20 back. 4 kilometers to go. Behind, Talansky catches Contador. Really nice riding from him today. 2 kilometers to go and the top three finishers on the day will be our podium in Paris. Polka dots will go to either Quintana or Froome, depending upon which rider finishes first today. One kilometer to go and Froome attacks. Quintana latches on to him. There goes Quintana, as J-Rod catches Froome. Quintana! Second on the stage, plus the white jersey and polka dots!

Stage: Nairo Quintana

Yellow: Froome
2 Quintana
3 Rodriguez   

Wine: 2008 Domaine Dupasquier Mondeuse
From Selection Massale:
For serious winedrinkers one of the biggest problems has always been to find those increasingly rare bottles to set down in their their cellars without paying a fortune.  So many of the world's classic ageworthy wines have either been priced out of reach for most people or they have been so manipulated that they are no longer the same wines that brought them to such prominence in the first price.  People have started looking elsewhere, finding the best producers in Beaujolais, Muscadet, Touraine, or the Languedoc doing serious work and making wines that not many people would think of sitting on.  To that list we are adding David Dupasquier's Mondeuse.

Mondeuse is a Savoyarde grape that is little grown anymore and one that many people write off as "rustic" (generally my ears perk up at this word).  In 2000, after years of decline, there were estimated to be only 200 hectares grown.  Like many grapes in the region it is often overcropped, leading to a watery, simple wine where the rusticity becomes an ephithet, rather than a promise of character.  At its best, however, it produces a high acid, nicely tannic wine that still has a bit of that rusticity that set it apart.When we visited the domaine of David Dupasquier we found many of the things we were looking for in the Savoie.  Light mineral driven reds and whites, wonderfully rocks and water Rousette, structured Marestel, things read about in Madeline Kammann's terrific Savoie: The Land, People, and Food of the French Alps.  What we didn't expect was to be so leave so utterly in love by the back-vintages and current release of Mondeuse that David generously pulled out from his cellar near the end of our visit.  We opened several bottles from the early 2000s and late 1990s and they were all singing.  Dupasquier's Mondeuse blew us away because while they're real, slightly tannic, almost rustic in a sense, there's a sense of freshness, drinkability that isn't always found in other wines that have these characteristics.  The highlight was an aged 1997 that still had plenty of secondary aromas and quite a lot of life left in it.  It didn't merely taste like an old wine, it tasted like a wine that had plenty left to go.  Sadly we couldn't pry any of these out of David's hands, so instead we bought the recent vintages so when you open them in 2020 (or beyond) you'll know what we are talking about.  The current releases are drinking well right now due to their high acid content and fruit that gives them some freshness and the tannins are under control, not extracted like so many other wines that claim to age well.  The elevage on Dupasquier's Mondeuse is traditional Burgundian elevage, there is no carbonic done to soften the wine as many (some excellent) producers are doing right now. 

I say:  Another easy to drink wine from Selection Massale. Lots of acid on the finish to go with the flowers, plums, raspberries and meaty-savory notes. Day two: more savory with musky and earthy notes. 

Wines of the Tour de France Stage 19: Two for Costa & Danilo Thomain Enfer d'Arvier

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-19

204.5 km Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Grand-Bornand

From LeTour: Jean François Pescheux's view
A day for the bold: "What was true in the Pyrenees is also true in the Alps: although the Tour de France is coming to its end, we wanted to offer bold riders the kind of terrain that will allow them to have an impact on the outcome. The first name that comes to me when I think of a rider of this type is Pierre Rolland: he loves the Alps and this run of consecutive cols, notably the Glandon and the Madeleine, seems likely to suit him. It remains to be seen if he will have any room for manoeuvre or if it will come down to a question of who is the strongest if the overall classification is very tight? I would like to see the former scenario. I don't like to think of us already knowing the name of the final winner on the summit of Alpe-d'Huez."

The Alpe was fun, wasn't it? The French finally had a stage winner, Tejay Van Garderen showed why a lot of people see great things in is future and Froome showed his first real moments of weakness in the race. Also, the grupetto made it in. Adam Hansen even had a beer. Also, video of a crazy fan chasing Tejay and tripping.
Today, up we go again, almost from the very start of today's stage. And with a lot of tired legs from yesterday's struggles, it will be a hard day.
 I recommend this detailed look at the route from WillJ at Podium Cafe. He knows a lot more about the route than I do and thinks there is the potential for a very exciting day of racing.  I'll post his "final words" on the stage here: "This is a stage with the potential for excitement throughout, from the very early steep slopes of Col du Glandon, until the hair-raising descent to Le Grand Bornand. It's impossible not to expect compelling story lines throughout in a stage that will be far harder for Sky to control than at the Alpe or Le Semnoz. And don't forget the Grupetto. This is the stage to keep an eye on time cut-offs. 
The Lanterne Rouge will earn his stripes."
My Podium Cafe Stage Predictor Picks: Quintana, J-Rod, Valverde and Talansky. 


3 a.m. again and tv coverage kicks in a bit after the race start. The situation on the road:  after 21 km: Izaguirre and Hesjedal have 40" on group of 41 chasers, peloton follows at 3'08. After a Tour dominated by good weather, in contrast to this year's Giro, some rain. 

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/7/19/4537420/tour-de-france-stage-19-live

Hairpins again today. 
Also again today, Sky at the front of the peloton, controlling the favorites group. 171 kilometers remaining and Hesjedal and Izaguirre continue to have about 3 minutes over that very large chasing group and 6 minutes over the yellow jersey group. 
At the top of the first climb, Hesjedal takes the points over Izaguirre. The first chaser over at 3 minutes back is yesterday's stage winner, Riblon, from that 41-man group.  The peloton behind is over 7 minutes back, but as we saw yesterday, time can be made up quickly. Word that Jack Bauer has fallen and abandoned the race. Yikes, apparently a barbed wire fence was involved. I always hate hearing about riders who get this far into the race and have to abandon so close to Paris. 

I love Straw Dog's handy status update screencaps

Group 4, by the way, contains Mark Cavendish. Startling to see him up ahead of the yellow jersey on a day like today. Perhaps he is looking for a headstart on the next climb. As mentioned above, on a day like this, time cuts can be a real concern.  Word of a second abandonment, Tom Veelers, the race's Lanterne Rouge, as Hesjedal drops Izaguirre ahead. Sounds like Svein Tuft at the back of the race is in trouble and may soon abandon. Still over 132 kilometers to go.

Christian VandeVelde in studio for some thoughts on NBCSN. Nice timing, with Ryder, his teammate, up the road. Perhaps he has a future as a commentator?
Meanwhile, the Cav group has been passed by the peloton and Cadel Evans has once again been dropped. I think his great Giro performance took too much out of him to thrive in this last week of the Tour. He is now in the grupetto with Cav, Kittel and others.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/7/19/4537420/tour-de-france-stage-19-live#_=_

121 kilometers to go and Rolland and Hesjedal have almost 12 minutes over the peloton. Rolland takes the king of the mountain points and is close to regaining the polka dot jersey. That competition has gotten tight in the last few days:

1 Froome (Sky) 104 points
2 Quintana (MOV) 97
3 Riblon (ALM) 93
4 Nieve (EUS) 89
5 Rolland (EUC) 88
6 Moser (CAN) 72 

Gorgeous scenery as the peloton are descending off the Col de la Madeleine now. No attacks yet from any of the gc contenders. Vichot crashes into a shallow ditch, but is quickly up with lots of hand waving, trying to walk it off. He gets back on and starts riding again. 

With 95.5 kilometers to go, the gap is 11'30" to the peloton and  4'13" to the chasers. Amazing to read that one of the race moto guys, descending at 105 km/h just got passed by Gilbert. Word of another abandonment,Marcel Sieberg, who apparently crashed somewhere off camera and broken his collarbone. 

84 kilometers to go and Saxo-Tinkoff has come to the front. Another Contador attack on tap? Either that or they are hungry and in a hurry to get to the feed zone. Or, less fun, the tv commentators suggest that they are defending their lead in the team competition. Ahead a flat tire for Rolland, but Hesjedal waits for him. 70 kilometers to go and they have 2 minutes over the closest chase group and 11 minutes over the peloton. As soon as I typed that, Rolland drops Hesjedal. Saxo still leads the peloton.

Still to come today: Cat 2 Col de Tamie (8.6km, 6.2%), Cat 1 Col de l'Epine (6.1km, 7.3%), Cat 1 Col de la Croix Fry (11.3km, 7%). Two more abandons:
Christophe le Mevel and Kris Boeckmans.  As Rolland continues alone in his quest for kom points, the lead chase group just 1'47" behind with 59.7km to go.
That group apparently contains: De Marchi (CAN), De Clercq (LTB), Burghardt, Moinard (BMC), Bakelants, Didier, Kloden (RLT), Geniez (FDJ), Bardet (ALM), Hernandez (TST), Izaguirre, Nieve, Perez, Sicard (EUS), Costa, Plaza, Rojas (MOV), Coppel, Navarro (COF), Cunego (LAM), Gesink, Nordhaug (BEL), Dumoulin, Geschke (ARG), Flecha, Hoogerland (VCD), Feillu (SOJ). 
Soon though, word that Hesjedal, Cunego, Rojas, Izaguirre, Didier, and Hoogerland have been dropped from that group.  Weather alert: It has apparently begun pouring at the top of the Col de La Croix Fry climb. 

Rolland is starting to look tired, but he pushes on.

History, culture and some really cool roadside art along the route. Even Willow is impressed. 
Kennaugh and Thomas from Sky drop off the bunch behind, but still no attacks in the yellow jersey group. 
30 kilometers to go and Rolland has almost 2 minutes over the chase group. 9 minutes back to the peloton.

It looked unlikely a few minutes ago, but Rolland may have a chance. 
Behind, Siustou and Stannard are also dropped for Sky. The peloton is getting smaller, but will we see any action from them today? Lots more climbing on tomorrow's stage, plus they must be tired from yesterday.

More of a weather update: Thunder. Heavy storms predicted in the next 40 minutes with 30km left. 23 kilometres to go and Rolland has only one minute over the chasers now. The peloton is 8 minutes back. The chase members are attacking each other now, sensing the possibility of a catch of Rolland and stage victory. 
22 kilometers remaining and here comes the rain. Heavy rain and picture break up on the chase group and peloton. Just under 20 kilometers left and Rui Costa catches and passes Rolland.Can Rolland hang on for the kom points? No. He is caught by more of the chasers. Costa still ahead. 16 kilometers to go and Costa has around 30 seconds over a chasing group og Kloden, Bakelants, DeClerq and Navarro. Still very wet. Valverde attacks the yellow jersey group, Gadret bridges to him. No other response.

Costa goes over the top with about 1 minute over the chasers, probably wondering what could have been if he did not stop for the Valverde mechanical last week. Just about 14 kilometers to go and the gap to the yellow jersey group is still 9 minutes. 10 kilometers for Costa, 15 for the group.
inrng 7:52am via Web

Costa is going downhill too fast for the TV cameras. He leads by one minute. He's got this as long as he can stay upright

J-Rod attacks. Quintana, Contador, Froome go with him. They catch Valverde and Gadret. Porte dropped. Small group of most of the top riders, minus Kreuziger. 3 km to go for Costa ahead and he still has 1 minute over Kloden. He does it! Second stage win of the Tour for Rui Costa. 
5 kilometers still to go for the yellow jersey group. Rejoining at the back, Richie Porte. Froome 104 on king of the mountain points, Rolland 103.

Stage: Rui Costa
2 A. Klöden RadioShack +48
3 J. Bakelants RadioShack +1:44
4 A. Geniez FDJ.fr +1:52
5  D. Navarro Cofidis +1:55
6 B. De Clercq Lotto +1:58
7  R. Gesink Belkin +2:03
8  A. De Marchi Cannondale +2:05
9  M. Nieve Euskaltel +2:16
10  R. Plaza Movistar +2:44

Yellow: Chris Froome 
2. Contador +5:11
3. Quintana +5:32
4. Kreuziger +5:44
5. Rodriguez +5:58
6 Mollema +8'58
7 Fuglsang +9'33
8 Navarro +12'33"
9 Valverde + 14'56"
10 Kwiatkowski + 16'08"

 

Wine:  Danilo Thomain Enfer d'Arvier 2011
From FranklyWines

Description from the importer, Neal Rosenthal:
The vineyards of the Enfer d’Arvier appellation are situated in an amphitheater-shaped site on steep slopes in a high-altitude valley, which receives ample sun.  The shape of this “bowl” of vineyards effectively concentrates the heat of the sun, thus giving birth to the “hell of Arvier” moniker.  Danilo Thomain is the only independent vigneron working this tiny appellation only five hectares in size.  The Thomain family works one hectare of vineyards here in the shadow of Mont Blanc.
A traditional wine made from the Petit Rouge grape and vinified in cuve, it has a compelling rusticity with a wild berry impression and a lively freshness on the palate.  Production at the Thomain estate is approximately 2500 bottles per year, approximately two-thirds of which is shipped to us for the US markett! 

From the Frankly Wines website: A great wine for wine geeks and non-wine geeks, alike. Open this bottle and enjoy a nose that boasts of fruit leather and black pepper... first sips give you round dark red, plummy flavors, and earthiness...let it linger a bit for some jammy, rounder fruit and a finish that leaves you wanting more! But wait - dare we say it...? DON'T FINISH THE BOTTLE! (unless, of course, you are not looking to "geek-out", then by all means, drink away.) Save some for tomorrow, and savor the evolution that this wine shows: that plummyness of yesterday gives way to a surprising tingle of wild strawberries (those tiny french ones, s'il vous plait), and the earthiness is brightened by some sagey notes. Black pepper and leather, too. The devil will keep you coming back for more. - JEANNA

You can learn a lot more about the wines of the region from this Eric Asimov article in the New York Times. A teaser: "The Valle d’Aosta is a winding network of vineyards, some on dizzyingly steep slopes at the highest elevations of any in Europe. The wines are by both tiny producers and bigger cooperatives, coming from a few familiar grapes (pinot noir, nebbiolo, gamay) and a whole host you rarely see anywhere else, like fumin and cornalin, petit rouge and prié. . ."

I say: I've skipped across the border to the Val d'Aoste. The importer's description includes the phrase “hell of Arvier”. Seemed like a good fit for another day of climbing. I'll dedicate a glass to the grupetto.  

Very deep color. Earthy with black pepper and black currants. As ordered, I did not finish the bottle on night one. I don't know if I would agree with wild strawberries, but certainly brighter fruit and less earthiness. Very glad that I read and planned ahead.

Wines of the Tour de France Stage 18: Pierre Gonon Chasselas & Riblon

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-18

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-18

172.5 km Gap to Alpe-d'Huez

From LeTour: Jean François Pescheux's view
Something special:  "The frisson of excitement that went through the auditorium when we presented this stage at the Palais des Congrès in Paris last October proved we were spot on with our expectations: the double ascent of Alpe-d'Huez will be a sensation! This innovation comes at the end of a short stage that we wanted to be both nervous and dynamic. It's an ideal parcours for attackers, like the one that enabled Contador to turn things around at last year's Vuelta when everyone thought he was beaten. And, just as it suits him, it will also suit Purito Rodríguez? Climbing the Alpe twice for the first time in the 100th Tour will be something special..."

This stage set up for drama: Alpe d'Huez not once but twice, something never before done in the Tour. Plus, lots of hairpins, a descent that there is much concern about, and tv coverage starting at 3 am in my time zone. The dream of many fans is Froome isolated on one or more of the climbs, as his rivals attack. 
Lots of great Alpe d'Huez trivia at Podium Cafe. I'll mention just one: "Alpe d'Huez made its first Tour appearance in 1952, almost a half century after the first Grande Boucle -- but was still the very first Mountain-Top finish in Tour history." I also recommend taking at look at this article from Inrng on "Fear and Safety in the Tour de France."

My Podium Cafe Stage Predictor Picks:  Froome, Quintana, Rodriguez and Contador. 

  millarmind 1:32am via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Dear Greenedge Bus, please can you park yourself under the finish line today, BEFORE we pass for the first time. Much appreciated. David

Dark and early, the alarm worked and it is time for the start of the stage. Feeling kind of like a child on Christmas morning: "Is it time to open the presents yet?" Really delighted that they are showing things from the start today. Note: the grupetto has not yet formed as they ride through the neutral section.
As soon as that section ends, the fight to get into a break begins. I wish we got to see this more often, as various groups form and are re-integrated into the peloton. At the same time, Tuft drops from the group to start a very early grupetto. Going to be a real fight to make the time cut. 
Lots of attacks already from the big guns. Chris Froome is already out of teammates in the front group and is chasing down moves on his own. Still 157 kilometers to go and the action has been non-stop. Sad to see that Cadel Evans has already been dropped, along with many others. As they go over the top of the Col de Manse, there is a small regrouping and Froome gets a couple of teammates back.
inrng 3:59am via Web

Lively start but the route flattens out to cross the Valbonnais, the race should calm down and let a move go away if it's not threat to GC

Nine riders appear to be clear of the field: Amador, Tejay, Chavanel, Jens!, Boom, Jeannesson, Riblon, Moser & Danielson. Their gap is 1 minute 22 seconds with 146 kilometers to go. Behind them, SKY has regrouped and are leading the peloton. 

Quintana is in a good mood to start the day.

Lots of chatting now in the main group as Contador goes back to the car for a quick bike repair. 
Ahead, the gap is over 4 minutes with 138 kilometers to go.
What to expect on the road ahead, besides cycling: crazy fans: 
Doctor_Hutch 4:19am via Web

If you run a village, and you're short an idiot, there is a breath-taking selection on Alpe d'Huez right now. 

From twitter, a look at the crowds at the so-called Dutch Corner on the Alpe. Huge crowds, most of whom have been camped out there for days now. Some more great images here. 
Reports say 700, 000 people on the Alpe.
Speaking of twitter, this is awesome. It is, to quote "Live Twitter mentions for every rider at the Tour, counted in realtime during each stage and visualised in their position on the road."

The gap to the nine men up front continues to go and with 100 kilometers to go is up above six minutes. Poor Roche and Paulinho continue to ride somewhere in between the break and the peloton.
The upcoming climb is the Col d'Ornon which lasts 5.1km with a 6.7% gradient. There a sprint section at end of that descent, and then Alpe d'Huez begins at km 123. As the peloton hit the top of that Col d'Ornon climb, with 70k to go, the gap to Group Roche was 6:06 and the gap to peloton was 8:05. 
Just as they hit the bottom of the first  Alpe climb, the break splits but quickly regroups. Looks like the crowd numbers were probably not exaggerated. Wow.
Behind, in the peloton, Griepel takes the remaining sprint point. Ha!

Bonnie_D_Ford 6:11am via Twitter for iPad

World's longest, rowdiest, most claustrophobic reception line. Driving it multiple times qualified me for anything in life. #alpedhuez

Ahead, Tejay! Behind, the sad images of riders falling off the back of the peloton as they begin the climb. Included among them, of course, Mark Cavendish, but also Dan Martin and Cadel Evans. Dear drunk and crazy fans: please get out of the road. Tejay looks very good at this point.

inrng 6:44am via Web

Van Garderen joined by Moser and Riblon. 50km to go, now they climb through Alpe d'Huez to the Sarenne. Still leading by >8 mins

Behind, Sky continues to lead the peloton. Slightly ahead of that main group, a chase group has formed with Schleck and Rolland, Voeckler, Poels and Nieve. In that yellow jersey group, Sky have 4 riders left, Saxo 4, Movistar 2 and Belkin 2. Keep in mind as well, that there are still a few breakaway riders up ahead. Including Jens! 

The break ahead is on the Col de Sarenne, which is a total contrast from the Alpe, with narrow roads, no crowds, and wild pastures. The road has apparently been closed since July 14th, with no public cars allowed. Moser takes the climb at his own pace and gets dropped by Tejay and Riblon.

opqscyclingteam 7:07am via TweetDeck

#TDF: 6'15" to the Schleck group, 8'20" to the peloton. 39.8km to go.

Mechanical for Tejay on the descent. Oh no. He pulls to the side of the road. TV coverage references "the demise of Tejay." Ahead, Riblon riders off the road, luckily into a slight ditch. Moser alone.Word that Tejay is riding again and 42 seconds behind Moser.

Behind, Contador attacks on the descent. He is not getting a lot of time, but you have to applaud the effort. Ahead, Riblon catches Moser. Nice riding from him to get back on.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/7/18/4534546/tour-de-france-stage-18-live-second-thread

Froome still has Porte and Kennaugh with him. That main gc group is coming together again as Contador, Kreuziger sit up. Up front, Tejay catches back on to Moser and Riblon. The three have 7 minutes over the main peloton. Bike change for Contador.
inrng 7:37am via Web

Contador changed his bike. UCI has announced a "surprise" bike control at finish line to check all bikes meet the 6.8kg min. weight rule

Time to climb the Alpe again. 14 kilometers left for the leaders and the gap is still over 7 minutes. Moser drops quickly, so now there are two. Behind, the peloton catches the Schleck group.  12.5 kilometers to go and a Movistar team time trial driving the peloton, the gap is still 5:30. Ahead Jens! catches Moser. Wow. We haven't seen him in hours. Tejay still gaining ground ahead. 10 kilometers to go and he still has 4 minutes. 

The remaining peloton: Quintana, Froome,  J Rod, Contador Kreuziger, Moreno, Serpa, Valverde, and Porte. Kreuziger the next to drop. Quintana, Froome and J-Rod pull ahead of the others. 7.5 kilometers to go and J-Rod attacks, chasing a podium position.

Bonnie_D_Ford 8:03am via Twitter for iPad

Dutch Corner = mosh pit for van Garderen. #tdf

Tejay still has about 37 seconds over Riblon behind, as a running man pushes/falls into him. Nice stiff arm by Tejay. Behind, Richie Porte has somehow gotten back to the Froome group. 

opqscyclingteam 8:06am via TweetDeck

#TDF: 5.5km to go, 40" to Riblon, 3'37" to the Froome group. Quintana, Froome, Rodriguez, Porte together.

Porte drops back and grabs a snack for Froome. Such great riding by support by Porte today. He'll be fined for sure. Ahead of them, Quintana attacks. Froome really suffering now. 3 kilometers to go for Tejay up front. He has 24 seconds over Riblon. Riblon is closing quickly. 2 kilometers to go and Riblon passes him. Keep in mind, the French have not won a stage yet this Tour. 

Riblon does it! Behind, Tejay followed by Moser.

First signs of weakness from Froome today, but is it too late for his rivals? Keep in mind as well that there is more climbing to come tomorrow and Saturday. 

I wonder where the grupetto is?

Stage: Christophe Riblon

2. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC at 59"
3. Moreno Moser (ITA) CAN at 1'27"
4. Nairo Quintana (COL) MOV at 2'12"
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) KAT at 2'15"
6. Richie Porte (AUS) SKY at 3'18"
7. Christopher Froome (GBR) SKY at 3'18"
8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) MOV at 3'22"
9. Mikel Nieve (ESP) EUS at 4'15"
10. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) AST at 4'15"

Yellow: Chris Froome

 

Wine:  Pierre Gonon Chasselas  2011  
From Dig Wine

From the importer, JoliVin:
“The benchmark Saint Joseph domaine.”
John Livingstone-Learmonth - Author “The Wines of the Northern Rhône”
The appellation of Saint Joseph has certainly had challenges since the time of its inception in 1956, when it was launched from vineyards surrounding 6 villages in what is now known as the southern sector. Thirteen years later it was dramatically enlarged, bringing much indifferent production under its name.  Thankfully, that trend was reversed when in an effort to repair the damage, the INAO began a multiyear project to declassify questionable vineyards to vin de pays status.
One name, however, in the southern town of Mauves for many years prior to the creation of this appellation is that of Pierre Gonon. In fact, Pierre Gonon, founder of the domaine that still bears his name even though sons Jean & Pierre are now in full command of the winery, sat on the council which drew the original lines creating the appellation. He planted, by massale selection, many of the vines which today are still bearing the fruit used in their production. Pierre was also far sighted in his commitment to white wine and planted Marsanne in 1958, soon after the appellation was born. Today, thanks to dad, the domaine has some impressive older vines on the most revered site for white wine in the appellation, Les Oliviers. In total, there are 7 hectares planted to Syrah and 2 to Marsanne/Roussanne.
The soils are fertilized only with their own composts and plowed for aeration. Only natural treatments are used in the vineyard, including sulphur to treat odium and plant extracts and tisanes to treat pests. Yield are kept very low by short pruning and green harvesting in July, resulting in yields of 30 hl/ha for the reds and 38 hl/ha for the whites. Grapes are harvested by hand (anything else is impossible on these steep slopes) and fermentations take place in the presence of naturally occurring yeast.
Although they profit from many old vine parcels which surround the historic center of this appellation, the Gonon brothers are uninterested in the current trend toward single vineyard bottlings at the expense of the “entry level” cuvées. Rather, they choose to draw from all of their historic parcels, each lending a distinct character to craft only a single white and a single red Saint Joseph cuvée and uphold the best virtues of the appellation system for which it was created, with the intent to promote the entire appellation.
A look upon or a drive through these steep vineyards immediately humbles the viewer: the work is physically challenging with little or no possibility of any tractor navigating these slopes and so much is done by hand, vine by vine, 9 hectares in all. Unadulterated, unfiltered, respectfully and traditionally made. It remains nothing short of a pleasure and an honor to represent the hard working Gonon brothers and their unmistakable reference wines for this historic appellation.

From Dig:  A new wine from Pierre and Jean Gonon, this Chasselas is made from vines planted in 1920 on granite slopes. Aromatics express melon, white flower, peach skin and ginger-spice. Richly textured and spicy on the palate. A bit exotic, but focused and with bright acidity. Only 75 cases produced.

I say : Having a little fun with my wine choice today for the trip to the mountains. A swiss grape, Chasselas, grown in the northern Rhone. This wine surprised me, though I've had Chasselas before. The pale yellow, lemonade like color had me anticipating light and crisp. Instead, this is full and lush. Quince with some acid on the finish.

Wines of the Tour de France Stage 17: Clos St Jospeh Villars-sur-Var 2011 White & Froome

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-17

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-17

32km Embrun to Chorges

From LeTour: Jean François Pescheux's view
No miracle comebacks: "The riders will have the blue waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon as a backdrop. It is a picture postcard setting. But don't imagine this is going to be a bucolic day? Indeed, this stage could turn out to be one of the turning points of the Tour. It has been conceived with the idea of spicing up the duel between the rouleurs who can climb well such as Froome and Contador, although on paper the likes of Wiggins and Quintana should not be excluded from consideration. I think that Belgian King of the Mountains Lucien Van Impe would have loved this course? One thing is sure: those riders who don't perform well on this stage will have some real problems on the next one to Alpe-d'Huez. There won't be any miracle comebacks."

Short with climbing is the simple description of today's route. On a flat course, Tony Martin would be the clear favorite for almost any time trial. However, with his TT performance last week and his climbing ability, Chris Froome is the clear favorite for this stage. Though, weather may be a spoiler:

John Wilcockson @johnwilcockson

Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the later starters in tomorrow's TT at Tour and the course has 2 long, nasty descents.
EuroHoody 

Drove TT course; climbs are steeper than road book suggests; first descent is crazy technical, lumpy road, off-camber cornering

As you may remember, in time trials, racers start based on the reverse of their gc standings. So the favorites group may be riding in bad weather. My Podium Cafe Stage Predictor picks: Froome, Chavanel, Porte and Kwiatkowski. 


On the road: A few pre-video early finishers with very good times. The top 5 are: Westra in 54:02, De Gendt, De Marchi, Tony Martin and Moser. Taaramae finishes and he is now in second place, 12 seconds behind Westra. Some riders are changing their bikes mid-way through the course, to compensate for the ups and downs on the course. News that Peraud, 9th on GC crashed during his course reconnaissance and will ride today with an injured collarbone in an effort to stay in the race. 
Weather update: okay so far. Plus, a new leader: Izaguirre with a time of 53:58. Tejay Van Garderen on course looking very good. He has had a very disappointing race so far and it would be great to see a good result here. While he rides, I learn a new French phrase: orage menace = storm threatens.
Tejay does it! First and the rain has started. Roads will be slippery when wet. Here's hoping that everyone makes it through the course upright.
EuroHoody 6:21am via TweetDeck

Van Garderen in with fastest time; and likely winner - heavy rain now at the line - no way will late-starters take risks on these descent

nedboulting 6:24am via Twitter for iPhone

Massive clap of thunder over finish line. Raining hard up on the climb

Bonnie_D_Ford 6:42am via Twitter for iPad

Have driven roads of today's #tdf ITT & they're sketchy enough in a car, even dry. Also hard not crashing craning neck at view of that lake.

Indeed, lots of images of riders riding through very wet roads. Chavanel may not take the win today, but I must admit that I have grown to really like his orange bike. That bike, by the way, was painted to match his Camaro.
More bad news for the riders:
inrng 6:46am via Web

Rain and hailstones out on the TT course now

Peraud is now out on course. The best-placed Frenchman in the race, he crashed this morning during his course reconnaissance and was rumored to be out of the race. But, instead, he starts with what is reported to be a clavicle injury.

Apparently the course is drying out a bit now, so perhaps the late starters can get good times after all.

Valverde on course and he has the the best time at the first time check. Word from Twitter is that Contador is warming up to music from Rocky. I'm hoping it is Eye of the Tiger.

Having abandoned their usual viewing spot of on top of the race, the cats are not very impressed with today's stage. 

Checkpoint two and Valverde is almost a minute ahead of Tejay's time! 

At the line, Andy Schleck in 3rd. That is truly shocking. Montfort comes in fats to take second. Everyone is out on the course now and the times are fast as the roads really do appear to have dried in most spots. At the first time check, Contador has the best time by 18 seconds. 

Ahead, Valverde is in with the new best time: 52:03. Wow!

Froome second at that first check, 2 seconds behind Contador.

Talansky in at second. Nice day today for the young Americans. Cadel Evans, by the way, finished even behind Cavendish. Not a good day for him.

Kwiatkowski in at second now. 

Those done early in the day are watching: 

AndreGreipel 7:57am via Twitter for Android

Like to watch the race I am taking part in. Recovery and watching riders suffering....is this fair??? pic.twitter.com/0L3Z2NSArI

 

51:43 for Joaquim "Purito" Rodriguez with the new best time. Sad news that Peraud crashed again on course and did not finish. 

Contador in at first by one second: 51:42. Rain again with Froome still on course. Mollema hits the barriers on a corner, but does not fall. Still, he is losing time to his gc rivals. 

Only Froome left on course. 51:33! Best time of the day.

Tomorrow they climb.

Stage: Chris Froome

2	Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff	0:00:09
3	Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha	0:00:10
4	Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff	0:00:23
5	Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:30
6	Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team	0:01:11
7	Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step	0:01:32
8	Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team	0:01:34
9	Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp	0:01:41
10	Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team	0:01:51

Yellow: Chris Froome

2    Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff    66:11:43
3    Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff    66:12:00
4    Bauke Mollema (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team    66:13:32
5    Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team    66:14:07
6    Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha    66:14:30
7    Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team    66:15:32
8    Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team    66:16:05
9    Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step    66:18:19
10    Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Sharp    66:19:59

 

Wine:  Clos St Jospeh Villars-sur-Var 2011 White 
From Franklywines $35.99 

From the importer, Blue Coast Wines: Although not contiguous with the rest of Cotes de Provence, Clos Saint Joseph is considered to be a part of that appellation. The Sassi family has been making wine here for four generations and the winemaking effort is led today by Roch Sassi. The vineyard consists of approximately 4 hectares of vines dedicated primarily to the production of red and white wine, with a tiny amount dedicated to rose. The farming is organic. The white wine of Clos Saint Joseph is extraordinary. A pale golden color. A citrus nose with notes of honey and tea, this wine is round and full with an excellent balance of fruit and acidity. Lots of minerality and a touch of oak. Very Chablis in style, in the very best sense.  Blend of Rolle, Semillon, Ugni-Blanc, and Clairette.

Online profile: http://www.rivieragrapevine.com/closstjoseph/

I say:  Wines like this are why I value Christy at FranklyWines recommendations. She looked at my maps and spreadsheet and suggested this, a wine that I had never heard of. To quote: "Closest wine region looks like the little outpost of Villars-sur-Var, near the town of Sisteron. I know a producer there that I've carried - they do a gorgeous white, sort of Simone-like but a little less expensive. I will bring in with the Bellet - even if you don't want it, I do!!!"

Pale golden with honey, peach and almond with chalk and acidity on the finish. Round and full, but not heavy. Good when first tasted, even better on day two.