Rodriguez rode such an outstanding race to that point, but the final climb belonged to Nibali. The image below shows Nibali just after he crossed the finish line (click on the image for a larger view).
Below is Nibali's time and a comparison to our prediction.
- Stage 10: 4h 27' 26" (actual), 4h 25' 53" (prediction), 01' 33" fast (-0.58% error)
My research student, Chad Hobson, and I were quite happy watching Nibali make his move because we knew we would have a great prediction. We'll take 0.58% error any day! Below is Nibali's average speed.
- Stage 10: 10.06 m/s (36.23 kph or 22.51 mph)
That's an impressive speed to have been in the saddle nearly four-and-a-half hours and endured so many categorized climbs.
France looked to be enjoying Bastille Day. Fans lined the route. Check out the image below (click on the image for a larger view).
Look at what Rodriguez was staring at with about 5 km (3 mi) left in the stage. It's a wonder there aren't more crashes than there are.
Today's most notable crash was that of Alberto Contador who badly injured his right knee and had to bow out of the stage and the Tour de France after about 95 km (59 mi) into the race. Now that Contador is out, the various teams' mountain strategies will surely change.
Tomorrow is a rest day, and cyclists will need it after today's grueling stage. I'll have our prediction for Stage 11 posted sometime tomorrow.
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