Finally a stage for the sprinters, and after his team laid the groundwork Michael ‘Bling’ Matthews (Orica GreenEDGE) launched his sprint with 200 metres to go and held off Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Lampre-Merida) and Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) on the slight uphill ramp to the finish. Yesterday the 22-year-old was on the podium, today he was astride it claiming his first grand tour victory in some style.
Yes, the more I find out about this Vuelta, the more I think the organisers are having a joke with the sprinters. The official stage preview says this is a rolling stage with a sprint finish. Look at the profile, though …
Sheree brings us a pictorial diary from her recent trip to the 100th Tour de France.
The Tour came to me this year, landing in Nice for the team time trial after three stages on the idyllic island of Corsica. However, I was working all day on my friends’ stand selling the G4 Eurosport Centenary Collection to the many tourists in town for the Tour. Luckily one of my friends was happy to share a few of his photographs.
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