Tour de France: Nibali finally! The “Shark” won the stage of La Toussuire and is 4th in the overall standings – Reuters

It ‘s the hardest stage of the Tour of the Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in La Toussuire, not so much for the 138 km to go, but for the 4000 meters in altitude to overcome. Beautiful stage, with the hill start doing immediately show, with attacks Purito Rodriguez, Contador and Nibali. Then 30km of plan to attack the climb of the Croix de Fer.

On the ascent of the Croix de Fer, Rolland attacks that goes away by itself, behind the yellow jersey group is put to the whip dall’Astana , until the Vincenzo Nibali at 50 km from the finish. And here begins the undertaking making the “Shark of the Strait” gives to himself and to all his fans. It goes all downhill and down what seemed to the course of the general group of the top ten. Frenchman Pierre Rolland reached on the third climb, descend together to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, for the final climb to La Toussuire. Almost immediately detach Rolland and goes away gradually increasing the gap up to 2’30 “. Then to -6 km Quintana attacks the yellow jersey Froome, who does not respond right away and finally the small Colombian climber shows what he is made of. But today is the day of glory by Vincenzo Nibali, an Italian and world cycling champion.

These are his statements to RAI.

“It ‘was a pain. Concencentrati morning we left, we had the pace with Scarponi and Kangert, then I attacked and I wanted this victory. I thank my fans and the many French fans who supported me “

Nibali dates back to 4th place overall, at 1’19″ from Valverde, who occupies the third place.

And tomorrow is the stage of the legend, with the arrival of the Alpe d’Huez.

Ranking of stage

1 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Team Astana 4:22:53

2 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:44

3 Christopher Froome (GBR) Team Sky 0:01:14

4 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ.fr 12:02:26

5 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale

6 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team

7 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing

8 Robert Gesink (Ned) Team LottoNL-Jumbo

9 Alberto Contador (Spa) Saxo-Tinkoff

10 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team

Overall Ranking

1 Christopher Froome (GBR) Team Sky 78:37:34

2 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:02:38

3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:05:25

4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Team Astana 12:06 : 44

5 Alberto Contador (Spa) Saxo-Tinkoff 00:07:56

6 Robert Gesink (Ned) Team LottoNL-Jumbo 00:08:55

7 Mathias Frank (Swi) IAM Cycling 00:12:39

8 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing 0:13:22

9 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R The World 12:14:08

10 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar 12:17:27