After two stages of inexplicably slow cycling, during which our model came up short, we got back on track today. Germany's John Degenkolb out-sprinted two Belgian cyclists, yellow-jersey wearer Greg Van Avermaet and Yves Lampaert. Check out the finish below (click on image for a larger view).
Van Avermaet obviously keeps the yellow jersey through tomorrow's rest day. I'm thrilled that our model did what it was supposed to do, especially with 15 cobblestone sections in today's stage. An example of a cobblestone section is shown below (click on image for a larger view).
It's a good thing it wasn't raining. Cobblestones can be dangerous, especially when wet. Check out how our model performed today.
- Stage 09: 3h 24' 26" (actual), 3h 27' 37" (prediction), 03' 11" slow (1.56% error)
I just LOVE it when predictions come in under 2%!
Tomorrow, Monday, 16 July, is the first of two rest days for the Tour de France cyclists. They will rest in Annecy, which is in southeastern France, near the Swiss border. The Alps await them! Stage 10 begins on Tuesday in Annecy. This first mountain stage ends in Le Grang-Bornand after 158.5 km (98.49 mi) of cycling. Climbers will shine and the general classification will shake up. There are three grueling category-1 climbs and one Hors catégorie climb. The finish has a slight uphill, but that follows what is sure to be a fast downhill as cyclists descend from the top of Col de la Colombière. Our prediction is given below.
- Stage 10: 4h 15' 27" (prediction)
I can't wait to see the scenery and watch elite cyclists do their thing in the Alps!
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