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Alpe d'Huez (AP) – When the current tower king, Geraint Thomas, finished his historic Alpine double, Andre Greipel was frustrated and completely exhausted in the support car. The last stage of the Alps, more than 175.5 kilometers long, at Alpe d'Huez, could not be surpbaded by the tragedy.
"I can not believe everything," said Thomas, who is now in front of his captain Chris Froome after 1:39 minutes of Sky. For the Sprinter is the 105th Tour de France against the poison and decimated especially the contingent of German pilots quickly. After Marcel Kittel had to leave because of the time pbaded the day before, André Greipel, Marcel Sieberg and Rick Zabel gave up the queen stage well before the finish. In addition, he also took the two stage winners Fernando Gaviria and Dylan Groenewegen.
Thomas, the first winner of Alpe d'Huez in yellow jersey in the history of cycling, has increased his lead after the last alpine event in the overall standings ahead of the quadruple winner of the Froome tower. He was overwhelmed. "I do not know what to say, it falls in the story, this race is just for me." In the hierarchy of the team, but he left no doubt. "Froomey is our man, he is a legend and maybe the best of times," said the Welshman. "In my eyes, Froomey is our leader and you will only win the tour after three weeks."
The unfortunate runners of the twelfth stage were runners Steven Kruijswijk and co-favorite Vincenzo Nibali in addition to the sprinters. The Dutchman could still feel like the winner of the day halfway through the last 13.8-kilometer climb. But then came the Sky Express with Thomas, Froome and Tom Dumoulin trailer from the Netherlands.
Even the Italian Nibali was not lucky. He landed in the hot final in a confusing situation after a collision on the asphalt, but could continue immediately. "I do not feel well, I have back pain, we have to see how it goes," said Nibali, who won the 2014 Tour. Froome was also pushed by a spectator – without consequences.
At that time, Greipel and Co. were already in the escort to get to the hotel. "The energy reservoir at André was completely empty and it is clear that these three stages in the Alps were too extreme, many riders came out yesterday and yesterday and the organizer has to think a little bit ahead," said Arne Houtekier, spokesman for Lotto Soudal. and criticized tour patrons who are full of show.
Three days after his 36th birthday, Greipel had tried to fight his way through the pack in a group of four with the faithful badistant Marcel Sieberg and Zabel of the Katusha-Alpecin team – to no avail: all three were riding on the way to the second day 2067 meters altitude Col de la Cruz de Fer.
The triple champion of Germany Greipel, who had celebrated the last of his eleven stage wins in 2016, had a sad first. Until now, the native of Rostocker had always held Paris – 2017 for the first time without a stage victory. In Amiens, he was moved by a jury composed of Gaviria and Nikias Arndt by the jury of 90 places at the 92nd rank.
The myth of the tour L'Alpe d'Huez was the destination for the 30th time in the program. Once again, Ballermann's atmosphere was guaranteed with tens of thousands of fans in the 21 corners. The climb to the ski resort 1850 meters high is a magnet for spectators, the participants in the visit fear the dangers emanating from the crowd.
"The tour is always great, but Alpe d'Huez is still a little bit crazier," said former pro Jens Voigt, with 17 stakes in France, the German record holder.
Itinerary Tour de France 2018
Etappenwertung and appreciation
starting field
List of early failures
Tour de France home with news
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