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STAGE 13: VITTEL - COLMAR, 200 KM: TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 13: HAUSSLER WINS IN RAIN-SOAKED MARATHON
By Chris Henry in Colmar
July 17, 2009
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Rain and tears for Heinrich Haussler
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam) came desperately close to winning two of cycling's major monuments this spring, but today he put those frustrations behind him with an impressive victory on stage 13 of the Tour de France. After second place finishes in Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders, Haussler decided to test himself against the elements, the peloton, and 197 out of 200 kilometres in a breakaway between Vittel and Colmar in eastern France.
Better known better for his sprinting capabilities, won with over four minutes in hand ahead of Amets Txurraka (Euskaltel-Euskadi) while Italian Rinaldo Nocentini held onto his yellow jersey for yet another day. Although listed as a German rider- Haussler's father is German but his mother is Australian- the young talent explained with his Aussie accent that he considers himself more Australian and will race next year registered for that country. With three kilometers to go he blew a kiss to the camera; as he crossed the line he was in tears.
"I haven't had time to speak to any friends of family yet but a lot of people have already asked me if this is the best day of my life," Haussler said following his victory. "It's the Tour de France and it's the biggest race in the world. It means a lot to me."
"You could see on the finish line that my emotions just went crazy," he continued. "I really did try hard today and that's why I just couldn't hold the tears back."
While not a day for the overall favorites of the Tour to attack, Friday's 13th stage proved decidedly lucky for Haussler. It was he who provoked the first attack of the day, just three kilometers into the stage, and steadily shed his breakaway companions over an undulating, daunting parcours that included five categorized climbs, the biggest of which was the Cat. 1 Col du Platzerwasel at the 138km mark.
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 Rinaldo Nocentin found reason to smile as he held his yellow jersey for another day
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
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Many expected Sylvain Chavanel to attack on this day, and indeed the Frenchman from Quick Step did join Haussler in the early move, forging ahead as the break dwindled to just a trio with Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Euskadi). Normally one to revel in the cold and rain, Chavanel's legs just didn't have the kick required to go the distance.
With Moreno dropped on the Platzerwasel, Haussler forced the pace over the summit with Chavanel in tow, then tested his companion's mettle on the descent. Chavanel did not respond, sealing his fate earlier than he would have imagined.
"On the last big hill I didn't know if he was bluffing or if he was really tired but I attacked and gave it everything on the descent," Haussler explained, surprised by Chavanel's weakness. "When I saw that the gap was going up, I decided to try to go all the way to the finish."
Orders from the team car behind indicated that waiting for Chavanel for the sake of assistance in reaching the finish would mean certain capture, as the peloton had closed to within three minutes of the leaders with 50km remaining. Haussler, familiar with these roads from his training base nearby in Germany, had long targeted today's stage and knew what it would take to stay clear. Chavanel would ultimately drag himself to the finish six and a half minutes behind the victor.
Waiting for the Alps
In the main field, the contendors for the overall title stayed quiet but other battles were heating up on the road. Thor Hushovd reclaimed the green jersey from Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC), while Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) once more rode an aggressive stage to take whatever mountain points he could from Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi). The Italian was successful and was clearly satisfied as he donned the polka dot jersey with a three point advantage over the Spaniard.
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Franco Pellizotti stayed aggressive and took over the polka dot jersey
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
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The lack of fireworks from the favorites made for another day in yellow for AG2R La Mondiale's Rinaldo Nocentini. The Italian d himself quite satisfied after a chilly, soggy day in his yellow kit. Nonetheless, he knows his glorious week in yellow will soon come to a close.
"Tomorrow should be another day to keep the jersey," he said. "I hope everything goes well and I hope to get to Sunday still in yellow. Sunday is going to be a tough finish and six seconds to Contador and eight to Armstrong isn't much to hope to keep the jersey. I know it's going to be tough."
With Levi Leipheimer out with a broken wrist, the Astana team of Contador and Armstrong still has several cards to play and a strong team to support whichever man is able to assert himself as the true leader. For now, it's a waiting game until the mountains return in force in the Alps.
Stage 13: July 17, Vittel to Colmar 200km
1. Heinrich Haussler (GER/Cervélo TestTeam) 4h 56min 26sec (40.481 km/h)
2. Amets Txurruka (ESP/Euskaltel-Euskadi) @ 4:11
3. Brice Feillu (FRA/Agritubel) @ 6:13
4. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/Quick Step) @ 6:31
5. Peter Velits (SVK/Milram) @ 6:43
6. Thor Hushovd (NOR/Cervélo TestTeam)
7. Vladimir Efimkin (RUS/AG2R La Mondiale)
8. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/Garmin-Slipstream)
9. George Hincapie (USA/Columbia-HTC)
10. Andy Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank)
Overall Classification After Stage 13
1. Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA/) 53h 30min 30sec
2. Alberto Contador (ESP/Astana) @ 0:06
3. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) @ 0:08
4. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 0:46
5. Andreas Kloden (GER/Astana) @ 0:54
6. Tony Martin (GER/Columbia-HTC) @ 1:00
7. Christian Vande Velde (USA/Garmin-Slipstream) @ 1:24
8. Andy Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank) @ 1:49
9. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/Liquigas) @ 1:54
10. Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA/Caisse d'Epargne) @ 2:16
Other Classifications
Green Jersey: Thor Hushovd (NOR/Cervélo TestTeam)
Polka Dot Jersey: Franco Pellizotti (ITA/Liquigas)
White Jersey: Tony Martin (GER/Columbia-HTC)
Teams: Saxo Bank
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