NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES, France, July 7 -- It was all about the 213.5km stage for a 0.0003 second finish.
Things could not be more dramatic than that as German rider Marcel Kittel took that advantage to secure his record-equalling 12th stage victory at Tour de France, the world's most prestigious road cycling tournaments.
After finishing a back-to-back title winning in the past two flat stages here on Friday, Kittel has equalled Erik Zabel in the most stage victories by a German rider. It was his third win in this year's tournament.
Four riders had a breakaway after the start of the 213.5km stage from Troyes to Nuits-Saint-Georges, but they were finally caught by the peloton with six kilometers remaining.
Kittel was not quite sure about his stage win after he almost crossed the finish line head-to-head with Norweigen Edvald Boasson Hagen, before that was confimed by the photo finish. Perhaps nothing could tell more about the stage than the 0.0003-second gap.
"It's definitely the closest win I've ever had in my career," said the 29-year-old Kittel.
With 50 sprint points from the top finish, the Quick-Step rider also got back the sprinters' green jersey from the Frenchman Arnaud Demare. Coming from a 27-point deficit, Kittel built a 15-point lead against Demare.
British Christopher Froome had another comfortable day with a 12-second gap over his Sky teammate Geraint Thomas to wear the yellow jersey.
Italian Fabio Aru sat on third after trailing Froome by 14 seconds, and possessed the polkadot king of the mountains jersey.
The best young rider was still Simon Yates, who led by 24 seconds. Team Sky faced little challenge for their top position on overall team standings.
Riders prepared to embreace the challenges from mountain stages in Jura and Alps this weekend. For Froome, the results from this weekend might make a big difference.
"In terms of my rivals, Fabio Aru is threatening," he commented.
Saturday's 187.5-kilometer eighth stage will start from Dole and finish at the Rousses ski station in Jura, and riders have to experience a 11.7km uphill road with an average gradient of 6.4% before the finish.
三国故事:横槊赋诗
三国故事:水淹七军
少儿英语故事视频大全 第1期:白云 Clouds
英文睡前故事 第99集:What Does Daddy Do
三国故事:曹操献刀
安徒生童话:阳光的故事
三国故事:计取陈仓
三国故事:刮骨疗毒
少儿英语故事视频大全 第6期:春天之歌
英文睡前故事 第87集:The Magic Shoebox Farm
三国故事:回荆州
英文睡前故事 第95集:Tiny Rannosaurus and Big Footasaurus
英文睡前故事 第98集:Wendells Workshop
小鹰的故事
故事还在里面
三国故事:夜战马超
少儿英语故事视频大全 第11期:当地上有雪时
三国故事:单骑救主
三国故事:击鼓骂曹
三国故事:马跃檀溪
三国故事:吕布戏貂禅
英文睡前故事 第78集:The Big Dark
三国故事:设连环计
伊索寓言之《农夫和蛇的故事》
少儿英语故事视频大全 第5期:春天来了
三国故事:诸葛亮吊孝
三国故事:三英战吕布
三国故事:义放曹操
英文睡前故事 第97集:Twinkles, Arthur and Puss
英文睡前故事 第67集:Six Dinner Sid
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |