The much anticipated attack from Andy Schleck never materialized along the route of the classic 16th stage through the Pyrenees. While it never seemed likely that time could be gained on the route, which finished its climbing 60 kilometers from the finish in Pau, the possibility seemed to be there over the two category one, two hors categorie climb day.
For Schleck to make a heroic bid for time, he would need the full support of his team. Unfortunately for the white jersey wearer, his team fell to pieces on the opening ascent and descent of the Peyresourde.
The entire team save for Andy Schleck was dropped on the opening 11 kilometer, category one ascent of the Peyresourde. Bjarne Riis admits that he was a bit surprised by the development, and the extent to which the entire team save for Andy Schleck suffered through a jour sans.
Team Saxo Bank owner and manager, Bjarne Riis, admitted that the outcome wasn't what he had expected. "It surprised me that almost the entire team was dropped by the hard pace set on the Col de Peyresourde. Even Chris Anker Sorensen, who rode brilliantly yesterday, exploded very quickly. The pace was simply too hard from the beginning."
Fortunately for Saxo Bank, second place overall, Andy Schleck, managed to forge his way through ok. He would eventually be joined by Jakob Fuglsang, so he wasn't completely isolated at the front.
"Jakob Fuglsang fought up to Andy and stayed with him the rest of the way, but generally, we had to admit that we were not strong enough for a challenge of this nature."
The calamity on the opening climb of the day wasn't reserved for only the ascent either. The descent claimed a victim as well: Jens Voigt. Voigt, who crashed almost a year ago to the day, went down on the descent of the Peyresourde. Unlike last year, Voigt appears to be ok and should continue on to the finish in Paris.
"There are no alarming reports about Jens, but there is no doubt he took some bad knocks," says 2011 Team SunGard manager, Riis.
Riis and the team knew what was coming from the start before the race even got started, but there was nothing to be done.
"It didn't surprise me that the beginning of the stage was so fast. Many teams have not yet achieved what they expected in this Tour, so it was pretty obvious that they would try something immediately. I had hoped the team would come around, but they had no energy."
Once the dust had settled, it was evident that the day would not be one for attacking, but rather for just getting through. Andy Schleck and Jakob Fuglsang eventually finished in the group of favorites, just under seven minutes down on French winner, Pierrick Fedrigo. Chris Anker Sorensen and Stuart O'Grady followed just over a quarter of an hour later, whilst the rest of the team came in over a half hour down.
"Afterwards, when the pace slowed down, it was clear that the goal was just to get Andy through unscathed. There was absolutely no basis to try something under those circumstances. So it would seem that the general classification battle would have to wait for Thursday."
Though an opportunity to take up the Contador/Schleck duel for overall supremacy might have been lost on Tuesday, there still remains the King Stage of this year's Tour de France following tomorrow's rest day.