Lanterne Rouge

Tusher

Stage 16. I have a problem. According to the Tour's official site, the last rider today was Julian Dean on 15' 25", which was the same time as the autobus. But I'm assuming that he's been relegated for some heinous crime as both Jonathan Hivert and Johann Gene came in at 15' 51". So I'm not sure who will be awarded the red jersey by French TV this evening.

In the overall, Amorous Audrey is still holding on- his lead is now 9'49" over Fabio Sabatini with Danny Pate third.

RichN95.

Well Tusher, your Mills & Boon Latin dreamboat screwed up. He got in the break. What a moron.

So now you're lumbered with Fabio Sabatini (aka Forresti Gumpo) as your lantern rouge:

Tusher

Actually, I thought that getting in a break was a cunning move to gain attention, yet still cross the finishing line last, after being regurgitated through the peloton, as breakees often are.

Still, he's only 2' 6" behind.

90 riders in the autobus today, Mikhail Ignatyev 20 seconds after them, and then one Rui Alberto Costa who was today's Lanterne, coming in a good 6 '3" behind the Russian.

RichN95.

Tusher, there's hope yet for your Costa Rican Casanova. He's had a lot of team support. Ventoso and Rojas have both cleverly made accusations against your true love, thereby ensuring no help from the HTC descending masterclass.

Tusher

Sigh. He has to fight against The Whole World sometimes. And yet he never complains.

What can I say about today (apart from the fact that I was working and therefore missed the greatest stage race EVER, and then the highlights show as well?) More riders missed the time cut than arrived inside it. So, in the face of one of the toughest days possible for a Lanterne, who won it today?
Well, Marcel Sieberg of OPL took the honours. Impossible to loose time off the back today, and tomorrow may be similar.

Read that the autobus miscalculated the time cut today. A frightening mistake if it's true.


Fabio Sabatini leads the overall, 2' 6" ahead of Audrey. I think he might just make it.

Tusher

Great. Another finest day of stage racing ever and I've been out of the house since 8am. Just away to catch up on the highlight show, but today's Lanterne was David Millar with Fabio Sabatini 2' 6" ahead of Audrey in the overall. I'm too tired to check up on their time trialing abilities, although the Lanterne Rouge for 2011 may well not be decided until Paris.

Still, a British winner today, a Scot from the Highlands of Buckinghamshire as has been said by someone wiser than myself.

RichN95.

Tusher, here's an article I saw today that may interest you:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9134/ ... -seen.aspx

Tusher

A hero amongst a peloton of heroes. Thanks for the link- I just hope he doesn't do his ankle any long term damage by continuing to ride on it.

I wish that the Lanterne had a higher profile, as it did years ago, when there was much money to be had in the subsequent Belgium crits, because it might just encourage Audrey to really go for it tomorrow. He's trailing Fabio Sabatini by 3' 8" now, but he could still gain the time if he needs on the Champs.

Today's Lanterne is Jeremie Galland of Sore-Soldierson. Let's just say he clearly had a sticker of a time trial, and came in 11' 19" after the winner, Julian Clary of HTC, who'll be back on Mr Darcy's chain-gang tomorrow afternoon.

nevman

Enjoying the thread Tusher,will you be able to post from the exciting end of the peloton as I will be switching from here to Pro Race Spoiler 21 and dont want to miss anything?

Tusher

Alas, I'm only just getting a chance to post this evening Mr Nevman, but thank you most kindly for your praise. I always appreciate compliments, deserved or otherwise.

HTC managed to bookend this afternoon's stage, with a completely knackered Lars Bak traipsing in on his own, 1' 43" behind Mr Cavendish, MBE. And I'll bet that Lars will be a hero in the team bus for his sterling work on the Champs. Looking at him as he pulled over, you just wanted to tuck him into bed.

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for.............the winner of the Lanterne Rouge for the 2011 Tour de France is......................(trumpet please)...........



FABIO SABATINI


By winning the Lanterne, Fabio spent longer riding the route than any other cyclist and is therefore deserving of the highest admiration. He Kept On Keeping On.


Although I must confess that I'm rather disappointed that Andrey didn't win it. He's sounds a genuine character who has persevered through adversity and pain, which is what I most admire in a Lanterne. Apparently, he's on the postage stamps in Costa Rico and although I knew he was the first Costa Rican in the Tour, he's actually the first Central American too.

Additionally, he's highly shaggable.

Strangely, there were only 3 Lanternes in the overall GC of this Tour- Vincent, Audrey and Fabio. But let's raise the Little Red Lamp to every rider who defied the broomwagon and made it across the finishing line each day, frequently arriving alone and when the podium presentations were over, and the crowds and media folk engrossed in the more prominent riders. These men personify everything this sport is about.

Each one of them personifies exactly the spirit that Henri Desgrange was looking for.

Tusher

And for those who haven't seen these yet- one of the greatest Lanternes, in my opinion, who was unable to complete the 2009 Tour due to a crash- Kenny Van Hummel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV259aVutq8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3chFwY6d ... re=related

Tusher

Just in case anyone's interested, the Costa Ricans have quite rightly made a huge fuss of Andrey on his return home-

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/amador- ... -president

derbygrimpeur

fantastic thread, looking forward to your reports next year

Mad_Malx

Tusher wrote:

Just in case anyone's interested, the Costa Ricans have quite rightly made a huge fuss of Andrey on his return home-

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/amador- ... -president

Rather a contrast with British recognition - imagine the reception they would have given a Cav.