Sylvain Chavanel's second stage win at this year's Tour de France also earned him a triumphant second day in the Maillot Jaune. Chavanel's mighty solo effort to take the win atop yesterday's category two climb at La Rousses continued a dream run for Patrick Lefevere's QuickStep team, a run that has included two Yellow Jerseys, the Maillot Pois, and two stage wins.
Unfortunately for Chavanel, his second stint in yellow ended up being as short as his first: just one stage. The stage got off to an inauspicious start when the polka dotted Jerome Pineau went down in a massive crash. Pineau was treated by the race doctor and was able to rejoin the field, but it was an omen of the struggles to come.
The early break leapt clear 30 kilometers into the stage, and at that point, QuickStep took control of the bunch. As the race hit the huge ascent of the Col de la Ramaz, the teams of the overall contenders took to the fore, and it was time for race leader, Chavanel, to do all that he could to hang on for as long as possible.
Unfortunately for Chavanel, that ended up not being a very long time. The Maillot Jaune suffered up the classic alpine ascent and eventually lost 11 minutes, coming in just ahead of Lance Armstrong's group of woe.
"As often happens to me after an extraordinary day like yesterday, today I paid for my efforts. I was already not brilliant at the beginning of the stage. These things happen in cycling, we're not robots."
Chavanel's disappointing showing dropped him to 32nd overall, 10:05 behind new leader, Cadel Evans. For Chavanel, however, the result was not too surprising.
"I was half expecting this result. Each time, after the great efforts I've made, I feel gutted the next day. I had no right leg in today's stage. I did not insist in my efforts, but I pushed forward to respect the Yellow Jersey."
While he could not defend his yellow jersey, Chavanel nonetheless enjoyed his ride through the Alps with the golden fleece on his back: "I'm thrilled with the reception I got from the public that supported me along the route. It was an unforgettable experience. I was riding between the two sides of an enthusiastic crowd. This is the power of the yellow jersey."
Up next for Chavanel is a hard earned day off, and then it's back to business, "Tomorrow, I'll get my energy back, and then I'll get ready for the second part of the Tour, in which I'd like to continue doing well. The conditions are good, and so is the terrain to attack."
Chavanel is happy with his two stage wins, but is dreaming about a third win, and justifiably so. The Frenchman is enjoying incredible form and could well be a major factor in the breakaways in the major mountain stages to come.
"I want to try to slip into another break. Why not seek a third stage victory? That's my goal anyway."
Even after the difficult first day in the Alps, QuickStep still occupies the top two spots on the mountains classification: Pineau leads Chavanel 44-36, while stage winner, Andy Schleck, follows in 3rd with 30 points. Pineau and Chavanel will be looking to defend their lead in the mountains in the final two days in the Alps following Monday's rest day. The rest day couldn't come soon enough for the aggressive pair, especially for Pineau after his spill today: "I slid to the ground together with some riders. I have some scrapes on my knees, my right elbow, and on my back, and I've got other pains as well. The rest day will arrive at just the right moment, and it will be perfect to recuperate."
The two-pronged attack of Pineau and Chavanel should be a formidable force in the race for the Maillot Pois. If the duo can recover sufficiently, expect to see one or both in Tuesday's daylong break. Tuesday's stage to St. Jean de Maurienne should play a crucial role in the battle for dotted supremacy. The stage includes one hors categorie climb, as well as two category one ascents, a category two, and a category four. Pineau does not seem confident in his chances to keep the jersey to Paris though, so the burden could end up squarely on Chavanel's shoulders in Stage 9: "The good news of the day is that I kept the polka dot jersey, but I do not see how I can keep this up to Paris. I will have to get into a break in the mountains, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get that opportunity."