Arrieta is now the only rider ahead of the peloton. Voigt and Laruent have just been caught. The pace of the pack is being set by a rider from the Liquigas team.
They are coming. You could feel the excitement in the air. Those around us told us that the riders were near. The helicopter overhead was the telltale sign. First the motorbikes come with politie and race officials.17:03:03 - 45" Lead With 5km To Go
Arrieta leads the peloton by 45" with 5km to go. The final challenge of the stage is the Cauberg climb that peaks 2km before the finish.
17:03:41 - Details Of The Cauberg
The final climb of the stage is just 800m long. It has an average gradient of 7.3 per cent.
The first rider is here: Jose Luis Arrieta. The crowd errupts. I have goosebumps from the excitement. It is thrilling seeing them come.17:04:35 - Arrieta Leads By 30"
The peloton is now being controlled by a rider from the Discovery Channel team but Thor Hushovd is also moving forward. This group is 20" behind Arrieta.
The peloton follows 20 seconds or so behind. The line of bicycles passes quickly, but slower than the flats since this is the beginning of the climb. The noise is unbelievable and the crowd just claps and screams wildly. I am screaming just to join in. The boys are on our shoulders. I can't see much except a blur of bikes whizzing by through the arms of the people between me and the road. Jim has a higher view and snaps pictures and video as the peleton passes. A minute or so later, it is over. The peleton is on up the hill. It wasn't until we got home that we discovered this most excellent picture Jim took of the peloton passing by. It has Robbie McEwen in the green jersey and George Hincapie behind in the white glasses and Discovery Team jersey. A fine picture indeed!
17:05:46 - A Credit Agricole Rider Attacks...
The stage leader is about to be caught by a rider from the Credit Agricole team.
17:06:30 - Boogerd Leads The Stage...!
Michael Boogerd has led the peloton past Arrieta. The latest attack has come from Kessler and Gilbert is right on his wheel.
Now come the team cars, including Discovery Team's car 4. Some people run to the window of the cafe to try and catch the end of the race on their TV. The crowd continues to cheer loudly as stragglers come through.
17:07:32 - 2km To Go
Kessler is trying to make amends for his last-minute loss yesterday. He has led over the Cauberg and is now racing ahead of the peloton with less than 2km to go.
17:08:19 - 1km To Go
Kessler looks like he will win the stage. He has spoiled the attack by Boogerd and raced to the lead. He is less than 1,000m from the line and you cannot see the peloton in the background...
17:09:25 - Kessler's Coup!
Matthias Kessler has won his first stage of the Tour de France. He finished about 50 meters ahead of a group that included Tom Boonen...
Less than 5 minutes after they passed, Kessler wins the stage. A few minutes later we still see a few racers and a group of riders coming down the hill - possibly to help teammates make the final hill to the finish line. Within 10 minutes of the first rider, the show is over. The road begins to fill with people filing out of the race barriers. We follow the crowd and see the official tour gear being sold. We buy a 20 euro souveneer bag that has a t-shirt, hat, magnets, and a key chain. We head for the park to eat a popsicle. It is still quite hot - around 5:45 pm. We catch the train back to Maastricht and are at the hotel for a beer by 6:30 pm.
posted by Whitney @ 2:20 PM
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