Stage 9: Arc-et-Senans – Besançon (ITT)

A time trial usually provides some good variety in the middle of a three-week race.  In this race, though, a time trial becomes a battleground, a chance for one or other of the favourites to stamp their authority on the yellow jersey. That’s exactly what it became, the 41 kilometre 9th stage from Arc-et-Senans to Besançon turning into a huge game of tug-o’-war as the world’s best time triallists tugged on the advantage of the maillot jaune.

The early starters provided no real surprise, Vacansoleil’s Lieuwe Westra holding the early lead before it was claimed by World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep).  The German had another jinxed run, a flat tyre ending his chances at a stage win, but still managing to top the leaderboard in a time of 53’40”.  Martin’s reign lasted until the ride of four-time former World Time Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Nissan-Trek), who ousted his younger successor with a time 1’19” faster.

The locals of the département of Doubs were providing the entertainment of the day with several Nazca Lines-style patterns carved into the fields surrounding the race.  A particularly elaborate one featured one of the renowned local clocks as the rear wheel of a time trial bike complete with rider, massive in comparison to the pro cyclists passing along the road beneath.  It wasn’t until the final two and a half hours of racing that things really got exciting; the better time triallists hitting the course in the final 30 riders.  Riders like Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Denis Menchov (Katusha) lived up to their reputations, putting in top 10 performances, while Radioshack’s riders filled in the gaps, with six riders in the top 20.

The real surprise of the day came from Cadel Evans’ young American teammate, Tejay van Garderen (BMC), who caused a stir when he raced through the first time check three seconds ahead of Cancellara.  The 23-year-old was still going strong at the second time check, two seconds ahead of the dominant Swiss, and managed to maintain enough of a lead to cross the line just eight seconds behind ‘Spartacus’ and reclaim his white jersey from Cofidis’ Rein Taaramae.

Naturally it was the last few riders of the day who generated the most interest, the focus on the battle for yellow raging between Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and Cadel Evans (BMC).  Evans had more to worry about than just the Briton in the yellow jersey, with Wiggins’ Sky teammate Chris Froome posting a 23-second best time at the first time check.   Evans was unable to keep up, falling outside of the top 10 at the 16 kilometre mark, but he found his rhythm in the second third of the race and placed 6^th at the 31 kilometre time check.

It wasn’t going to be enough, though, Froome second at each time check and Wiggins dominating in 1^st place, over a minute ahead of the Tour de France defending champion.  Not only was Evans sacrificing precious seconds in the race for yellow, but Froome was now jeopardising Evans’  hold on second place as well.  Though Evans managed to reach Besançon just 1’08” behind Froome, Wiggins was showing why he’s known as a specialist in the discipline, storming over the line in a stage-winning 51’24”, solidifying his lead on yellow.

The GC has been turned upside down yet again as the time triallists are catapulted up the ranking, Wiggins still leading the classification ahead of Evans at 1’53” and Froome at 2’07”.  Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Denis Menchov round out the top 5.  Tomorrow is a rest day before the race heads into the mountains again, so watch the top 5 riders as well as riders like Jurgen van den Broeck (Lotto Belisol) and Team Radioshack-Nissan-Trek.  Cadel Evans in particular needs to make up time on Wiggins, so Stage 10 could be where we see if the Australian can seriously defend his title.