Norwegian demonstrates that it takes more than stage wins to take the points jersey to Paris
An unusual member of the breakaway during the early kilometres of today’s mountain stage between Morzine-Avoriaz and Saint Jean de Maurienne was green jersey wearer Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam). The big Norwegian stayed with the group over the 4th category Côte de Châtillon, took first place in the intermediate sprint in the town of Cluses, then sat up and waited for the peloton.
“It was another hard stage. It was very hot again,” said Hushovd after the stage. “I was able to take the points in the first intermediate sprint. I am looking forward to some easier stages after the Alps. The mountain stages are very hard. Maybe there will be a sprint before the Pyrénées, so I hope to be there.”
Hushovd increased his points total to 124; 10 points ahead of Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), 19 ahead of Robbie McEwen (Katusha) and 39 ahead of Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia).
How important those six points will be in the race for the green jersey by the time the Tour reaches Paris remains to be seen. It was a similar move by Hushovd in last year’s race, in the same part of France, which saw him cement his victory over six-time stage winner Cavendish.
Hushovd’s crazy solo break in last year’s 17th stage between Bourg Saint Maurice and Le Grand Bornand showed his rivals, especially Cavendish, that it takes more than just stage victories to win the green jersey.
In 2009 Hushovd beat Cavendish by 10 points, making the 12 he took on that day in Praz sur Alry and, coincidentally, Cluses vitally important. His attack that day, that saw him cross a 1st and a 2nd category climb on the way, was a reaction to comments from Cavendish that the green jersey would be “tainted” after the Manxman was disqualified on stage 13 for irregular sprinting.
There has been no such comment from any of Hushovd’s rivals this time, but he was visibly upset at being denied the chance to sprint for points as the peloton was neutralised in the Ardennes on stage 3 to Spa.
With Cavendish and Petacchi both taking two stages to his one, and with McEwen also closing in on his total, the Norwegian champion will take any points he can get.