Jul 21 2012

2012 Le Tour – Stage 19

Bonneval / Chartres (33.25 miles)

Le.  Tour.  De.  France.

The last Time Trial.  The last stage before tomorrow’s Champs-Élysées parade.  I don’t know about you, but I get all nostalgic and sentimental at the end of events like this.  This is the only 99th Le Tour there will ever be.

That said, I’ll also be covering Hockenheim, which will conflict today but not tomorrow since the parade will be live on Vs. (NBC Sports) at 8 am and I’ll do it it while taking lap notes.

It seems the sporting news is coming fast and furious with The Stars Hollow Gazette Olympic coverage starting Wednesday (Women’s Soccer).  We’ll be providing schedules and results and may live blog some of the more obscure events (Fencing, Team Handball).  It’s not Curling, but what can match the excitement and majesty of sliding around big rocks on ice?

Despite their apparent obscurity there are reasons I indulge myself in the diversion of sports.  For one thing the defined time element, things are over when they are.  There is no argument about the score, though the officiating may be questionable.  Their study provides insights into other things AND they have the benefit of novelty.  When you sit down you have no idea how things will turn out.

General Classification

Place Rider Team Time/Delta
1 WIGGINS Bradley SKY PROCYCLING 83:22:18
2 FROOME Christopher SKY PROCYCLING +02:05
3 NIBALI Vincenzo LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE +02:41
4 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM +05:53
5 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC RACING TEAM +08:30
6 EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM +09:57
7 ZUBELDIA Haimar RADIOSHACK-NISSAN +10:11
8 ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR +10:17
9 BRAJKOVIC Janez ASTANA PRO TEAM +11:00
10 PINOT Thibaut FDJ-BIGMAT +11:46

Keep in mind that according to his form in the 2 previous Individual Time Trials Wiggins is expected to gain 5 minutes on this course which is essentially flat.

Coverage is customarily on Vs. (NBC Sports) starting at 8 am with repeats at noon, 2:30 pm, 8 pm, and midnight.  There will be some streaming evidently, but not all of it is free.

Sites of Interest-

The Stars Hollow Gazette Tags-

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  2. Headwinds.

  3. before we see the race leaders.

  4. Bonneval

    Bonneval Abbey Referred to as the Little Venice of Beauce for its green environment and surrounding ditches, Bonneval is a perfect town for resting your body and mind. On one of the Saint-

    Jacques de Compostela routes, this pretty green resort has many vestiges of the Middle Ages: a former Benedictine abbey founded in 857, fortifications from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the gate from the fifteenth century. Main town in the Canton and seat of the Community of Bonnevalais Communes, Bonneval is located one hour from Paris. Close to the A10 and A11, it is served by the RN 10 and the SNCF line Paris-Tours. Bonneval has many schools (from nursery to college), shops and businesses, a children’s centre, squares, new housing and a rich network of associations. Soon, a new swimming pool will complete the lineup of facilities necessary for the lifestyle and comfort of its residents while preserving the calm and tranquility to the delight of tourists who enjoy the unique charms of a ride on an electric boat on the Loir river. What could be better than silently sailing down a river and taking in the unspoiled flora and fauna …

    Chartres

    Chartres Cathedral Built on the site of an ancient Gallic city, Chartres owes the origin of its name to the Carnutes who occupied the region at the time. Later, during the Middle Ages it underwent major economic activity which developed especially on the banks of the Eure River, which crosses the city. Today, Chartres owes its international fame to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art, nicknamed the Acropolis of France by Auguste Rodin. Given UNESCO World Heritage status it is famous for its stained glass windows and their unique blue colour, the “Chartres blue”. But, throughout the medieval streets of the old town, you can also discover other architectural treasures that are lit up every evening during the summer. Tied to its history but resolutely looking towards the future, Chartres, thanks to its proximity to the capital, is home to a quality cosmetics industry with perfumers Guerlain and Paco Rabanne. It also welcomed the 21st century by acquiring ultramodern sports and culture facilities.

    Click on images to enlarge

  8. Wiggins

    Froome

    Sanchez

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