Austin Escorts: Tour de France: Wiggins on a high in the mountains
For a few moments, Armstrong looked like the invincible winner of old, out of the saddle and standing on the pedals as he blazed uphill. But on reaching Wiggins, Schleck and Contador, he eased back. Armstrong’s promise to help his team-mate Contador, rather than attack him, remains intact. Armstrong’s return effectively neutered any more attempts by Schleck to isolate Contador and a truce ensued for the rest of the stage.
The only rider to lose contact on the fast, technical descent to the finish in Bourg-St-Maurice was the German Jens Voigt, whose bike skidded out of control when he hit a rut in the road. Voigt went flying and was forced to quit the race with concussion.
Wiggins, meanwhile, finished in the main front group, and remains just 1.46 behind Contador in yellow. For a rider whose only previous Tour finish was 123rd, to be third overall with only five days remaining is exceptional. However, he recognised that today’s second Alpine stage may be more difficult. “Today was about control, tomorrow is a bit more of a brothel,” Wiggins said, referring to its likely hectic nature. “But physically, I feel good.”
See the full article from “Independent”