Soler: Barloworld’s Colombian Hero

Soler: Barloworld’s Colombian Hero

Juan Mauricio Soler had given a hint of what he was capable of when the Tour de France first arrived at the Alps. In his debut in the race, the Colombian has been aggressive on the climbs but the favorites of the general classification had always been able to reel in his attacks. This time, not even an inspired Alejandro Valverde, Michael Rasmussen or Cadel Evans could spoil the Barloworld rider’s party. He attacked 10km before the summit of the Col du Galibier, reached a lead of over three minutes and arrived in the highest city in Europe with an advantage of 38 seconds over Valverde and the other title hopes.

The 159.5km eighth stage of the 2007 Tour de France – from Val d’Isere to Briancon – began at 12.36pm. There were 171 riders in the race. The itinerary after the first rest day included three climbs including the 94th edition’s highest pass, the ‘hors categorie’ 2,770m high Col d’Iseran (with the summit at 15km), then the cat-1 Col du Telegraph (at 99km) followed by the HC Col du Galibier (at 122km). The first rider at this summit wins 5,000 Euros for the ‘Souvenir Henri Desgrange’. The two intermediate sprints were in Le Villaron (at 33.5km) and Bramans (60km).

Popovych Makes His Move
At the 3km mark, Arrieta (A2R) rode ahead of the peloton. It was the first attack but no one cared. At 4.5km, Popovych (DSC) set off in pursuit and caught him at 6km. ‘Popo’ then rode ahead. With 5km to climb, the Discovery Channel rider led the peloton by 1’40”. Cardenas and Soler (BAR) were also aggressive early. Popovych led Lefevre and Soler by 30” at the top. Gusev (DSC) attacked the peloton in the last kilometer of the Iseran and he continued his escape on the descent when he was joined by Astarloza (EUS), Clements (BTL), Vaugrenard (FDJ) and Gutierrez (GCE). Popovych claimed first-place the intermediate sprint and was caught by the five chasers at the 38km mark. Rabobank led the peloton 1’25” behind. The Rabobank team then moved to the front of the bunch to take control. At the 45km mark, their group was 2’05” behind. The average speed for the first hour was 38.6km/h.
Burghardt (TMO) slammed into a dog at the 48km mark but remounted his bike and rejoined the peloton. It was the only accident in the early part of the stage. The points at the second sprint were won by Astarloza who was the best-placed on GC of the escapees. The peloton was 3’00” behind at the 60km mark.

Col du Telegraph
With 9km to climb to the Col du Telegraphe, Gusev accelerated and prompted an attack from Astarloza. Six kilometers from the second summit, Astarloza led Gusev, Popovych and Gutierrez by 25”, Clement by 35”, Vaugrenard by 50” and the peloton by 2’55”. Millar led the peloton for the first 8km of the Telegraphe then peeled off and Camano (SDV) took over. Clement caught Gusev’s group halfway up the climb.
Gusev, Popovych, Clements and Gutierrez caught Astarloza between the Telegraphe and Galibier. At the base of the third climb, the five riders were 3’05” ahead of the peloton. Vinokourov (AST) consulted the race doctor on the Telegraphe climb.

Col du Galibier
On the early slopes of the third climb Clement caught up with the four stage leaders. They were 1’10” ahead of Soler (BAR) and 2’20” ahead of the peloton. Mercado (AGR) attacked with 16km to climb. Soler caught the leading quintet 8km from the top and raced into the lead. Only Popovych could match the Colombian’s pace. With 6km to climb Soler raced into the lead. Valverde sparked up the action in the yellow jersey’s group with 10km to go and this blew the bunch to pieces. Evans was the first to respond, then came: Rasmussen, Sastre, Kloden, Kirchen, Mayo, Cobo, Leipheimer and Contador. Moreau was dropped but wrestled back to this group at the summit. Vinokourov lost contact and, at the top the situation was: Soler in the lead, Popovych then Contador at 2’05”, Evans at 2’20”, Astarloza at 3’00”, Valverde and the rest of his elite group at 3’15”.

Soler Gives Barloworld A Victory
On the descent there was the expected regrouping: first Evans waited for the yellow jersey group which split into two on the false flat leading to Briancon with five in the lead (Rasmussen, Valverde, Gutierrez, Astarloza and Kirchen) then seven (Evans, Arroyo, Sastre, Moreau, Leipheimer, Cobo, Mayo and Kloden). With 6km to go, Rasmussen’s group caught up with Contador and Popovych. And 2km later there were 14 together again. Try as they did to catch Soler, they missed the cut as the Colombian powered alone up the final rise and claimed his maiden stage victory and the first win for Barloworld in the Tour de France. Valverde and Evans led most of the way up the final rise and finished 38" behind Soler.
Rasmussen was sixth in the stage (at 42") but inceased his overall lead; he now has a 2’35" advantage over Valverde and will wear the yellow jersey in stage 10.