Rogers Wins First Pyrenees Stage!

Michael Rogers of Australia won his first Tour de France stage today with an impressive performance in this race's first foray into the Pyrenees.  Riders endured arduous climbs and dangerous downhills.  The scenery was incredible.  Check out a sample below (click on the image for a larger view).

I love the green grass and the evergreen trees.  Check out the scene when José Serpa crossed the peak of today's final monster climb (click on the image for a larger view).

I challenged cyclists to come in under six hours today.  Rogers and the elite cyclists right behind him almost did just that.  Below is Rogers's winning time and a comparison with our prediction.

• Stage 16:  6h 07' 10" (actual), 5h 59' 36" (prediction), 07' 34" fast (-2.06% error)

With just over six hours in the saddle in a tough stage through the Pyrenees, and with two more to come, I'll take a 2% error!  Rogers was ecstatic to win today, as the screen shot I took shows (click on the image for a larger view).

Not a bad day's work for the 34-year-old!  Below is his average speed.

• Stage 16:  10.78 m/s (38.81 kph or 24.12 mph)

Cyclists face another mountain stage in the Pyrenees tomorrow, beginning in the commune of Saint-Gaudens.  The 124.5-km (77.36-mi) stage contains three category-1 climbs before the hors catégorie climb that finishes the stage at an elevation of 1654 m (5427 ft) at Saint-Lary  Pla d'Adet, which is close to France's border with Spain.  Below is our prediction.

• Stage 17:  3h 38' 06" (prediction)

Vincenzo Nibali will once again don the yellow jersey tomorrow.  Can anyone catch him?