Stage 15: Marvelous Mark

“Boom! Number4!” So Mark Cavendish celebrated his fourth stage win at the 2011 Tour de France on Twitter. At the Stage 15 sprint finish into Montpellier, the American team of HTC-Highroad drove hard all day, then launched their Manx Missile to yet another victory. After three days in the mountains, the sprinters delivered a hotly contested race, while the overall contenders plotted their strategies for the Alps.

Early in the day, the race passed the city of Carcassonne, which Cavendish called "one of the most stunning and historical places in France."

Carcassonne

For over 100 kilometers, HTC set the tempo at the front of the peloton, as rival teams did not contribute until the end. In the last 3K, the white and yellow jerseys of Tony Martin, Matt Goss, and Mark Renshaw led Cavendish in the bright green jersey as leader of the points competition. Attacks by Philippe Gilbert of Omega Pharma-Lotto and others were meant to break up the rhythm of the HTC lead-out train, but HTC remained solid. Garmin-Cervelo organized for Tyler Farrar, Lampre for Alessandro Petacchi, and Team Sky for the youngster Ben Swift.

Less than 200 meters to the line, Renshaw launched Cavendish, who was immediately shadowed by Daniel Oss of Liquigas and Farrar. With all his wins, Cavendish is a marked man, and his competitors tried to ride in his slipstream before jumping ahead of him. Yet the Manxman was too fast for them. He crossed the line first, followed closely by Farrar and Petacchi.

The win was the 19^th career stage victory for Cavendish, as well as the 50^th Grand Tour stage victory for HTC-Highroad since its launch in 2007. Headquartered in San Luis Obispo, HTC is considered the most winning pro cycling team in the world with nearly 500 victories to date. Cavendish is honing in on the record of Andre Darrigade, the most winning sprinter ever at the Tour de France with 22 wins over 14 years.

Tomorrow is a rest day. While fans watch a recap of the race on Versus in primetime, the cyclists will be on the road to keep their muscles loose. Lead-out master Mark Renshaw is looking forward to a beer. Racing resumes on Tuesday, and Stage 16 features a steady uphill ride with a moderate climb and fast descent at the end. The overall contenders will try to stay safe and prepare for the decisive stages in the Alps on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

View Stage 15 sprint finish: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/43785331#43785331

Stage 15 top finishers:

1. Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)

2. Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo)

3. Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD)

4. Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale)

5. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)

Complete Stage 15 results: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1500/classement/index.html

Stage 16 map & profile:

http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1600/etape_par_etape.html

Stage 11: Good Day at the Office

HTC-Highroad is celebrating tonight. The American team drove the peloton all day, finally launching Mark Cavendish for his third stage win at the 2011 Tour de France. Despite another day of lousy weather, Stage 11 delivered an exciting sprint finish before the race moves into the big mountains tomorrow.

Hesjedal

With their sights on the stage win, HTC took responsibility for keeping the six-man breakaway under control. They were joined by riders including Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin-Cervelo, whose team had hopes for their sprinter, American Tyler Farrar. Yet the break lasted longer than expected, and HTC squeezed its riders to the limits amid growing wind and dark rain clouds. Lars Bak and Matt Goss were among those who spent their energy in reel in the break, dropping back several kilometers before the finish.

With 2K to go, German Tony Martin and Australian Mark Renshaw led Cavendish, the 26-year-old from Britain’s Isle of Man. For Garmin, Briton David Millar and Norwegian Thor Hushovd shepherded Farrar toward the finish. At the same time, Team Sky worked for Edvald Boasson Hagen, and Omega Pharma-Lotto for yesterday’s winner, Andre Greipel. Sky tried to cut through the HTC and Garmin lead-outs, then Garmin appeared to launch Farrar too early. He could not keep pace. Cavendish soared to victory, ahead of Greipel, his former teammate and rival. The top two places were a switch of yesterday’s results, not surprising given Cavendish’s dislike for losing.

“Good day in the office,” tweeted Cav’s lead-out man, the 28-year-old Renshaw who resembles Prince Harry. “Even if it was a little wet everybody on the bus is happy. We used everybody & everything to win today. Very happy!”

With the stage win and more intermediate sprint points in the bank, Cavendish donned the green jersey, while the other jerseys remained in place. The Manxman tweeted, “(F)inally got my grubby little Manx mitts on the Green Jersey. We will try & keep it until Paris. 2 more sprints.. Montpellier & Paris!” He dedicated his win to a boy facing leukemia and was cheered on by students visiting from the Isle of Man.

The general classification (G.C.) contenders stayed out of trouble again today, and Stage 12 will mark their first true battle. Cadel Evans leads the pre-race favorites with 11 seconds ahead of Andy Schleck and 1 minute, 41 seconds ahead of Alberto Contador. Aiming to win his fourth Tour de France, Contador is eager to shake off the spate of bad luck from the first week of the race, including multiple crashes for him and his teammates. “After many troubles finally the mountain is coming!” he tweeted. “My knee is going better.” It is unclear whether the Spaniard is posturing or if the knee is actually injured.

Tomorrow, it will be Contador’s responsibility to attack. He is the defending champ, but more importantly, he is 00:01:41 behind Evans. It is up to him to take back that time. The next three stages are in the Pyrenees, and all the G.C. men will be looking for opportunities to snuff their rivals’ hopes. In addition to the Big Three, Andreas Kloden, Ivan Basso, and Robert Gesink are elite contenders, who are unlikely but still able to win.

Do not be surprised if a breakaway wins the stage. Many riders are already so far behind the G.C. contenders, that they have no chance of winning. Even if they ride ahead and gain many minutes of time, they are still no threat, so there is no reason to waste energy to chase them. On the other hand, some wildcard riders are within reach of a win, so Contador and the boys will not let them get away; examples include Peter Velits of HTC-Highroad. The general classification men are focused on the yellow jersey more than the stage win.

Stage 12 is relatively flat in the first half of the 211 total kilometers. Around 70K to the finish, the climbing begins with a Category 1 climb at 7.5% grade. (Climbs are rated from 4 for easiest to 1 for difficult and Hors Categorie for “beyond category”) The remaining two climbs are Hors Categorie. The Col du Tourmalet is over 17 kilometers, and the rapid descent will be a nail-biter. The final climb at Luz-Ardiden is 13.3 kilometers at 7.4% grade, and it will be painful to even watch on TV.

To catch the heart-stopping descent and brutal final climb, tune in to at least the last hour of racing. Each pedal stroke will be brutal.

Post-race interview with Cavendish: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/43742904#43742904

Stage 11 top finishers:

1. Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)

2. Andre Greiple (Omega Pharma-Lotto)

3. Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo)

4. Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha)

5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky)

Complete Stage 11 results: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1100/classement/index.html

Stage 12 map & profile: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1200/etape_par_etape.html

Sprint Finishes: An Introduction

Run a marathon, and then in the final stretch, start racing in a 100-meter dash. Drive 40 mph, and at the same time, play chess with the guy in the next car. Then throw in a hand of poker. This is the world of the sprinters.

Sagan wins sprint into Paso Robles at Tour of California

The most dramatic discipline in professional cycling, the sprints are high-speed, dangerous, and exhilarating. While at first glance, it looks like a wild, solo effort, a successful sprint finish depends on solid teamwork and precise strategy. Here is an introduction to sprint finishes.

When does a stage end up in a sprint?

The profile of the route indicates the finish. Flat stages with few or no hills are most conducive to sprints. Courses with rolling hills or an incline at the finish are less suited to the true sprinters but not impossible. Mountains are a different animal. Race organizers publish map profiles in advance, so we can anticipate which stages will conclude with a sprint.

What is a lead-out train?

When it works, the lead-out train is a beautiful demonstration of teamwork. A sprinter’s teammates line up, one in front of the other, with the sprinter riding in last place. The rider at the front of the line sets the tempo, prompting the entire peloton to ride faster and eliminating some slower competitors from the mix. The teammate up front also cuts the wind, saving the rider behind him precious energy.

In the lead-out train, the teammates take turns doing that harder work at the front, and when they are spent, they pull off to the side. The next man starts his turn, and so on, until the last rider in front of the sprinter. The last rider’s job is to stay up front until the last possible moment, so that the sprinter conserves his energy until his big solo finish. When the last man pulls off, the sprinter is launched, and then he is on his own to make it happen for the win. It is part high-speed chess match.

Sprinter Mark Cavendish has said that while one man is awarded the sprint stage victory, it really should be awarded to the whole team. After his second stage win this year, Cav tweeted, “I crossed the line 1st, but I was absolutely nothing today without 8 of the most amazing guys I'd ever wish to be associated with. So proud.” Perhaps the most precise lead-out trains were the HTC-Highroad squads of 2008 and 2009 working for Cavendish, and while there have been some hiccups since then, the Briton continues to credit his successes to the support of his team.

Isn’t the last lead-out man racing as fast as the sprinters?

Indeed, the last lead-out man rides so fast, he could contend for the sprint himself. Case in point is HTC’s Mark Renshaw, Cavendish’s final lead-out man. On another team, Renshaw is so fast that he would be the sprinter the team would work for. Yet on HTC, his job is lead-out man—a helper to Cavendish—and he does it well. This is an example of the humbling roles assumed by magnificent athletes in the sport of cycling.

What is the sprinter doing in the final moments?

This is the fast-paced game of chess/poker/chicken. He is tracking where everyone is and what they are doing, identifying holes between riders where he can accelerate to the line, and deciding what is the last possible moment to launch the acceleration. He waits until the last moment so that he can fire that energy over the shortest possible distance, and if he can add an element of surprise to throw off his competitors, all the better. And all of this is happening at 40+ mph.

When does the sprint action start in a stage?

While it appears that sprints begin in the final few kilometers, sprinters’ teams are working right from the gun. As nearly every stage features a breakaway, the sprinters’ teams must keep the break within their reach, and usually in the second half of the course, they take responsibility for reeling in the break. This is part of the cycling code which says that if you want to win, you have to do the work.

At the Tour de France, the sprinters’ teams often begin to take control of the race around 50K to the finish, sometimes as early as 100K out. They gather riders at the front and set the pace, with a faster speed keeping the peloton calmer from the greater effort it demands. The quick tempo eliminates some weaker riders from the sprint when they cannot keep up. The lead-out trains are visible from at least 10K to the finish.

What makes a good sprinter?

Like their track and field counterparts, sprinters on the bike need power combined with fast-twitch muscles for the rapid accelerations. Most are big guys, like Belgian Tom Boonen who is 6’3½”, 180 lbs, and Edvald Boassen Hagen, who is 5’11½”, 170 lbs. Australian Robbie McEwen (5’7½”, 150 lbs.) and Briton Mark Cavendish (5’9”, 150 lbs.) are notable exceptions. Cavendish sprints with a lower profile, using a more aerodynamic position that compensates for the limited power output from his smaller frame.

Beyond size, it is extremely difficult for sprinters to have successful careers without a strong team behind them. So they also must work seamlessly with their teammates and keep those teammates inspired to help them. A bit like the lead singer of a band, the sprinter may be the flashy front-man, but he needs the guys on guitar and drums to make the music that sells the records.

Why all the smack talk?

Sprinters are known for their brash personalities and are the most prolific smack talkers among the peloton. Perhaps this style comes with the power and the fast-twitch muscles. Their performances and their language are the most dynamic aspects of sprinting, as even Tour winners usually keep their commentary low-key.

Cavendish talks big about his own skills, and he has the results to back it up. However, he rarely gets credit for shutting up when he is not producing or for thanking and crediting his teammates for their role in the wins. His colorful tweets will crack you up, such as: “Just pondered during massage on why #TourDeFrance makes me more emotional than a menopausal woman. It just means SO much to me. I love it.” On the other end of the spectrum, sprinter Tyler Farrar is as soft-spoken as an I.T. guy.

Why do you keep talking about Cavendish?

As of 2011, Mark Cavendish (aka “The Manx Missile”) is the best sprinter of all time and rightly called the fastest man in the world. His tally of 17 career stage wins at the Tour de France represents the fifth most stage wins of all time, behind legends Merckx (34 stage wins), Hinault (28), Armstrong (22), and Darrigade (22). Frenchman Andre Darrigade competed in the 1950’s and secured his 22 wins over 14 years. Cavendish racked up 17 since 2008 and will likely best Darrigade’s record. Cavendish’s wins at Milan-San Remo, stages at the Giro d’Italia, and other accomplishments are remarkable for a 26-year-old with no signs of slowing down. His record is so far ahead of his rivals, it would take any other sprinter years to top him.

Who are the other hot sprinters at this year’s Tour de France?

American Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Cervelo won Stage 3 on the Fourth of July, finally adding a Tour stage win to his Vuelta a Espana and Giro d’Italia stages, among other victories. His teammate Thor Hushovd, the Norwegian, is a former winner of the green jersey and current world champion. Also from Norway, Edvald Boasson Hagen rides for Team Sky and won Stage 6, his first Tour victory. Alessandro Petacchi, the Italian known as Ale-jet, rides for Lampre and won the green jersey in 2010. German Andre Greipel beat Cavendish to the line at Stage 11, securing a win for Omega Pharma-Lotto. Spaniard Jose Joaquin Rojas of Movistar is in the mix for the points competition. Other younger riders such as Ben Swift of Team Sky and Matt Goss of HTC-Highroad are also sprinters to watch into the future. Belgian Tom Boonen withdrew from the Tour due to injuries.

When does a sprint finish get thwarted?

On rare occasions, no team comes forward to take responsibility for reigning in the breakaway, which ends up getting too far ahead to be caught and the sprinters in the peloton miss their chance to compete. This is quite rare, as teams with good sprinters are usually strong enough and committed enough to man up and take responsibility.

What does the green jersey represent?

The green jersey is the prize awarded to the winner of the points competition, a race within the race. The scheme rewards consistent performance with highest emphasis on the flat stages suited best for sprints. Points are awarded to the first fifteen riders crossing the finish line, as well as a set point along the course (known as the intermediate sprint). The most points are given for flat stages (45 points for the first place finisher), followed by medium mountain finishes (30 points), high mountains (20), and time trials (20). The intermediate sprints feature 20 points for the first cyclist, as race organizers still want to save the hottest contest for the finish line.

A focused effort is required to win the green jersey, and as Cavendish has found, winning lots of stages is not enough. It is necessary to compete for the intermediate sprint points, a decision which may sap energy needed for a finish line win, as well as high placement at lots of stages. This year, Belgian Philippe Gilbert announced he is seeking the green jersey and is therefore racing hard at the intermediate sprints and trying to place in the top group of riders at the finish. It is certainly an accomplishment that Farrar and Cavendish would like to have on their resumes.

Where is the best place to watch a sprint finish?

At home on TV. Preferably with slow-motion replay. In person, it happens so fast, you won’t know what happened. 

For those watching cycling for the first time, what is the best kind of stage to watch?

A sprint, of course. The speed and power of the sport are on full display. In the last 100 meters, you know exactly what is going on: these guys are riding like hell to be first across the finish line.

When are the remaining sprints for this year’s Tour de France?

Stage 11 on July 13^th and Stage 15 on July 17^th will be great sprint finishes, but the ultimate sprint win is always on the last day of the race. Every year, the finale stage is a sprint on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Cavendish won the sprint into Paris in 2009 and 2010 and will aim to repeat for a third annual victory, though his rivals have other plans. Versus airs the race, while NBC sports offers coverage online. While the lead-out train plays out over the course, the last 10 kilometers of a sprint finish will keep you on the edge of your seat. Or jumping out of it, yelling GO, GO, GO!

Stage 10: Manx Missile Misfires

German Andre Greipel took his revenge on former teammate Mark Cavendish by beating the Briton to the line at Stage 10 of the Tour de France. The overall race favorites stayed out of trouble, leaving the day to a sprinters battle with another to come tomorrow.

With four categorized climbs, the route was difficult for true sprinters like Cavendish and Tyler Farrar who prefer the flats. Philippe Gilbert, the Belgian currently leading the green jersey competition, enjoys days like this, as the hills provide an opportunity to attack and speed ahead. However, Alessandro Petacchi was the only leading sprinter dropped by the climbs, though Cavendish’s teammates Mark Renshaw and Matt Goss also fell behind. As this year’s winner of Milan-San Remo, a long, fast race with an uphill finish, Goss’ performance was a disappointment for the Australian.

Cavendish was first among the sprinters to the intermediate sprint, though Vacansoleil complained that he and Renshaw blocked their acceleration. On the road, Omega Pharma-Lotto drove hard for Gilbert and Greipel, while HTC-Highroad was in front most of the day to set up Cavendish, known as the Manx Missile. In the last 10K, the teams of Sky and Garmin-Cervelo joined in to set a fast tempo, but an attack by Gilbert set five riders ahead and shook the nerves of the peloton.

The last kilometer featured narrow roads with two sharp bends. Without his favorite lead-out men, Renshaw and Goss, Cavendish fought his way through a crowd of players including Jose Joaquin Rojas and world champion Thor Hushovd. It looked like the 26-year-old from the British Isle of Man would again claw his way to the win, as on Stage 5, but Greipel had more firepower and beat him by one wheel. Farrar was missing in action, though teammate Hushovd came in fourth.

A powerful sprinter, the 28-year-old Greipel won his first stage at the Tour de France in his first appearance in the race. For years, he was Cavendish’s teammate on HTC and was frustrated when the team focused first on the Briton’s prospects. They had some personal animosity, which may have added to the team decision not to bring Greipel to the Tour. This season, he switched to Omega Pharma-Lotto, a Belgian team composed mostly of Belgian riders, and finally realized his dream of competing at the world’s biggest bike race. Greipel and teammate Gilbert have brought home most of the team’s honors, including Gilbert’s Stage 1 victory on July 2^nd.

With a body like a G.I. Joe action figure, Greipel is a strongman. His wins include stage wins at the Vuelta a Espana, Giro d’Italia, and Tour Down Under, plus Tours of Belgium, Britain, Turkey, and others. The confidence of today’s win will inspire Greipel to go for back-to-back victories on tomorrow’s flat stage to Lavaur. However, a frustrated Cavendish will be raring to go, and Farrar also seeks his second Tour win. Stay tuned in the last 10 kilometers at least. With just a few sprint finishes left in this race, it’s going to be a battle royale.

In other news, RadioShack’s Yaroslav Popovych did not start due to a fever, leaving the team with just six riders. Teammate Andreas Kloden is suffering from a back injury, probably reducing the team’s prospects to stage wins, a big disappointment for a squad starting with four possible general classification contenders. Covered in bandages and 33 stitches, John Hoogerlund impressed all by competing and completing the race today. He was catapulted onto a barbed wire fence when a television car hit a nearby rider on Sunday, but his earlier riding had earned his the polka-dot jersey of the king of the mountains, which he proudly wore today.

The first rider has left the 2011 Tour de France due to doping results. Alexandr Kolobnev of Katusha tested positive for a diuretic, where penalties range from no penalty to a two-year ban. He withdrew from the race.

Finally, defending champion Alberto Contador is complaining of a knee injury, cause by one of four crashes he has suffered thus far. The Spaniard’s comments may be a classic strategy of playing possum, hoping that competitors will underestimate his form. The truth of the matter will be revealed when the race heads to the Pyrenees on Thursday.

View Stage 10 sprint finish: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/43727136#43727136

Stage 10 top finishers:

1. Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto)

2. Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)

3. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)

4. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo)

5. Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil)

Complete Stage 10 results: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1000/classement/index.html

Stage 11 map & profile: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/1100/etape_par_etape.html

Stage 6: Sky Shines

On rainy day in Normandy, Team Sky shined. Edvald Boasson Hagen took his first stage win at the Tour de France in a hotly contested bunch sprint. At 220 kilometers, the course was the longest of this year’s Tour, and bad luck continued to plague a number of overall favorites.

Defending champion Alberto Contador of Saxo Bank suffered problems with his bike, borrowing teammate Daniel Navarro’s bike for a time. The two Spaniards are of similar size with Contador at 5’9 ½” and 140 lbs. and Navarro at 5’9” and 130 lbs. It is Navarro’s responsibility to assist Contador as team leader in any way possible, including giving him his bicycle.

At the intermediate sprint, the Movistar team of Jose Joaquin Rojas was giving it full gas at the front, but HTC pulled Mark Cavendish through. The Manx Missile coasted in first among the sprinters and secured the most points. Rojas was next, followed by Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Cervelo. Only Rojas remained in the mix at the finish line.

With around 20K to go, teams including HTC-Highroad and Omega Pharma-Lotto were leading the peloton, working for the stage win. Among the general classification contenders, BMC was keeping Cadel Evans at front and out of trouble, as was Liquigas for Ivan Basso. Contador popped up in the final 3 kilometers to avoid another crash. Geraint Thomas, leader of the best young rider competition, was leading out teammate Boasson Hagen for the victory, while David Millar worked for fellow Garmin rider Thor Hushovd. At 2.3K to go, Jurgen Van den Broeck shot ahead but was overtaken by Thomas Voeckler, and attacks by teams Astana and Rabobank were also not enough. Boasson Hagen crossed the line first, followed by Matt Goss of HTC, Romain Feillu of Vacansoleil, and Rojas.

Today’s victory was the sweetest of Boasson Hagen’s career to date. The 24-year-old Norwegian is the five-time national time trial champion of Norway and has won the Tour of Britain and Gent-Wevelgem. Formerly riding for HTC, Boasson Hagen joined Team Sky at its launch last year and has delivered today what may be the squad’s most prestigious win thus far. In more good news for Norway, Thor Hushovd retained the yellow jersey as race leader.

The inclines of Stage 6 may have been too much for Farrar and Cavendish, but Stage 7 is the flat course they dream of. The finish in Chateauroux is the site of Cav’s first-ever victory at the Tour de France, and he will be eager to repeat. Farrar will give him a run for his money, as will Rojas and other teams looking for results, such as Quick Step with Tom Boonen and Lampre with Alessandro Petacchi. Be sure to watch the final 5 kilometers.

Speaking of Rojas and Boonen, the two were stripped of the points won at the intermediate sprint on Tuesday’s Stage 5. Race rules require cyclists to drive straight ahead once they accelerate for the sprint finish, to stay in an invisible lane ahead of them. Rojas veered hard to the left, and Boonen followed. The maneuvers blocked Cavendish from pulling forward and shut him out, and they could have caused a dangerous collision. The judges rightly took back the points from Rojas and Boonen, particularly after they had penalized Cavendish and Hushovd for leaving their lines on Stage 3. Nice to see the rules being fairly applied.

Interview with Stage 6 winner Edvald Boasson Hagen: http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=tour+de+france+stage+6+edvald+boasson+hagen

View Stage 6 results: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/600/classement/index.html

View Stage 7 map and profile: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/700/etape_par_etape.html

Stage 3 Postscript: Unfair Punishment?

Was it too much argy-bargy, or biased judges? Tour de France organizers stripped Thor Hushovd and Mark Cavendish of points as punishment for contact between them at the sprint finish of Stage 3. They claimed Hushovd left his line, which is dangerous to fellow riders at the high racing speeds. Organizers said that Cavendish “forced his way in,” also a potentially unsafe move. The Manxman can be seen using his head to touch Hushovd, keeping a distance between their bikes. Both cyclists lost the points they earned earlier in the stage at the intermediate sprint.

While punishments for dangerous behavior are important for the safety of the peloton, it appears that the imposition of these penalties may not be fair. Cavendish, riding for HTC-Highroad, seems to get punished quite a bit. It may be argued that this is the case because he is particularly aggressive, or that as a frequent winner, he is more often in the mix at the feisty sprint finishes. However, other sprinters seem to avoid punishment, despite being caught on camera making questionable moves, or even the same moves.

Cavendish has complained about competitors breaking the rules to no avail, most recently at the Giro d’Italia in May. But he is not the only cyclist to suggest riders get away with shady strategies. At the Tour of Romandy, Mikael Cherel of Ag2r Mondiale shouted down Astana’s Alexandre Vinokourov, accusing the Kazak of blocking his line. Vinokourov received no punishment.

Are race organizers biased against Cavendish because of his nationality? Team? Stardom? Big mouth? Or are they imposing fair punishments based on the rules of play?

Rough play is a hallmark of bunch sprints, and Paul Sherwin refers to the touchy back-and-forth among the sprinters as “argy-bargy.” It is common enough that imposition of penalties and relegation of wins or points by the organizers appears highly subjective, if not arbitrary. Assuming race organizers believe they are following objective rules, they also have a duty to the appearance of fairness. They should use video and other technology to dissect their decisions and provide evidence of objectivity.

While we hold our breath for that, we also dream of a statistical analysis from a neutral party. Economists aren’t just for the economy anymore. Let them employ objective examination of the judgments by race organizers to determine if those judgments are fair or if bias appears present and where. (See also post: Scorecasting)

To this observer, today looked like argy-bargy. Nothing more.

Watch for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLmKTpRXAao

Stage 3: American Wins on the Fourth

Tyler Farrar burst over the finish line, bringing home his first Tour de France stage win and the second consecutive victory for Team Garmin-Cervelo. The win came fittingly on the Fourth of July for the American riding for an American team, while the British were disappointed with the miss for favorite Mark Cavendish, known as the Man from Man.

The intermediate sprint was again exciting, a new focus this year after a change in the rules for the points competition. Cavendish of HTC-Highroad was first among the sprinters, earning 10 points, while Farrar was not a factor. Garmin has stated that their goal is to win stages, not to pursue the green jersey awarded to the rider earning the most points at designated spots over the route.

Once a five-man breakaway was caught by the peloton, the sprinters’ teams organized at the front, and HTC laid out its famous lead-out train of riders escorting Cavendish until the last possible moment. Peter Velits drove the HTC train, then pulled off for Bernard Eisel, then Tony Martin, who appeared surprised by Eisel’s short turn at the front. Matt Goss followed Martin, but a crack in the train occurred at the 2K to go mark. The team was unable to reorganize, and Cavendish was left on his own, stuck in the middle of a group of riders and about five men back. In the meantime, Garmin gathered its lead-out men for Farrar, including Thor Hushovd in the yellow jersey as current race leader. While Hushovd will not keep the jersey for long, it was an unusual sight to see the man in yellow at the front of the brunch sprint, as race leaders normally stay out of the fast, dangerous sprint finishes.

It was a great victory for Farrar, the 27-year-old from Washington. With stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta de Espana, he was hungry for a piece of the Tour de France. As he crossed the line, he formed a “W” with his hands, a tribute to his friend Wouter Weylandt who died in a crash at the Giro in May.

The competition between Garmin and HTC is a compelling storyline for American Independence day. These two American teams, along with BMC and RadioShack, demonstrate the flourishing world of professional cycling in the U.S. We have come a long way from the days when Lance Armstrong’s U.S. Postal and Discovery teams were the only players and were focused solely on his victories. Now, American teams are competing at sprints and time trials as well, plus a number of American cyclists are bound to impress in the mountains and the general classification (G.C.).

Indeed, the American climbers like Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner may come out to play at Tuesday’s Stage 4. The 172.5 kilometer stage will be distinguished by the final climb into Mur-de-Bretagne. Not long, but as steep as 15% in some areas, the last few kilometers are considered as fun as riding up a wall. The G.C. contenders must stay in the front here, and someone may lose his chance for a win if he cracks. Cadel Evans is motivated to maintain his high standings, while Alberto Contador may take this opportunity to bring back the time he has already lost on his rivals. The last 5 kilometers, especially the last brutal 2K, will be the highlight.

Stage 3 Top Finishers:

1. Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Cervelo)

2. Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil)

3. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)

4. Sebastien Hinault (Ag2r La Mondiale)

5. Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)

View complete Stage 3 results: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/300/classement/index.html

View map and profile of Stage 4: http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/LIVE/us/400/index.html

Sagan Wins Sprint Finish

Peter Sagan raises arms in triumph

Another exciting sprint finish signaled the end of Stage 5 at the Tour of California. The route from Seaside to Paso Robles had originally been set to flow south along the coast and Highway 1, but mudslides earlier this year required the course be moved inland, setting the scene for a sprint into the town’s central plaza. Team Radioshack started the day determined to maintain Chris Horner’s overall lead, which at over one minute from the rest of the pack, may be enough to carry him through the finale on Sunday.

A breakaway was pulled back to allow the sprinters to duke it out on the line. Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale inched out Leigh Howard of HTC-Highroad and Ben Swift of Team Sky. It was a bit of payback for Sagan, who was bested by Swift on Stage 2. HTC and Garmin-Cervelo are still itching for a stage win at this race. With the time trials set for tomorrow and a tough mountain stage on Saturday, the final circuits in Thousand Oaks on Sunday may be a sprinters battle.

Second-place finisher Leigh Howard

Tejay Van Gardaren of HTC-Highroad took the new lead in the competition for the best young rider, while Oscar Freire of Rabobank was awarded the most courageous rider jersey. Chris Horner successfully stayed out of trouble and kept the overall lead.

With the gloomy weather behind them, the cyclists are heating up the competition under sunny skies as they head south to Solvang tomorrow. The men’s race will be preceded by the first women’s international time trial featuring 13 competitors, invited by race organizers and competing for a prize of $10,000.

See you in Solvang!

Sprint Finish Surprise

Sprint Finish Surprise

The sport of cycling continues to surprise me. I thought I loved the sprint finish because of the elegant displays of teamwork. Like a flock of birds gently flying over the ocean, or an orchestra coming together for the perfect symphony, teams winning a sprint finish coordinate their efforts seamlessly. They are beauty in motion. But not today. Today, at the Tour of California, I enjoyed the mess.

In the last two years, San Luis Obispo-based HTC-Highroad has dominated sprint finishes. Squads including Garmin-Cervelo gave them a run for their money, but HTC seemed to have mastered the lead-out train. That is the team’s coordinated effort to control the pace in the final kilometers, stay at the front, and take turns in cutting the wind. They shepherd their big finisher, the one with the most explosive final drive, to the last possible moment. Then he is launched to cross the line on his own for the stage win.

Thanks to this combination of teamwork and explosive power, HTC sprinter Mark Cavendish quickly racked up the most stage wins of any Brit at the Tour de France. The squad was pocketing sprint wins all over the world. Soon enough, they looked unstoppable. I would watch those final K’s hypnotized by that lead-out train, following their white jerseys drive at the front, pull off, next one at the front, and again, and now the next guy is at the front, and then comes the launch, the big finish, and the win. Gently hypnotizing and exhilarating at the same time.

But not today. Mark Cavendish and other members of the infamous lead-out train are competing in Italy, and back here in California, the HTC team featured Matt Goss, who won a great sprint finish earlier this year at the Tour Down Under in Australia. Goss just missed the win yesterday, bested by Team Sky’s Ben Swift. Swifty won the day, making him the overall leader of the Tour of California.

Given today’s stage profile, another sprint finish was anticipated. Ben Swift and Team Sky Procycling aimed to defend his overall lead and rake in another stage win on top of that. ProTour squads including HTC, Garmin, and Liquigas also focused on the stage win and snatching the leader’s jersey for themselves. Game on.

But in the final kilometers, Canada’s Team Spidertech was at the front of the race. When they ran out of steam, no solid lead-out train emerged. The birds were not flying in formation! A string broke on the cello and the flutist lost her place in the score! Swift’s teammate Greg Henderson was trying to lead him out for the win, but Swift got separated in the confusion. Henderson kept pushing forward and with about 100 meters to go, he realized no one, not even his teammate, would catch him. He pushed all the way to the win.

Team Sky is thrilled. They keep the overall jersey, and Henderson gets the stage win. Not what anyone expected, but they kept in all in the family. HTC (and everybody else) is thwarted again.

I have been accused of being a perfectionist, and I am surprised that I didn’t miss a classic, precise lead-out train. I enjoyed the unexpected win from Henderson, and I look forward to watching HTC get it together. Today’s sprint finish wasn’t a symphony, but it was a pleasant surprise.