Majka wins Stage 11 of the Tour
July 15, 2015
Last year's king of the moutains, Rafal Majka, has won Stage 11 of the Tour de France for Team Tinkoff-Saxo.
The Polish rider dedicated his victory through the 188km trek from Pau to teammate Ivan Basso, who was forced to quit the Tour having been diagnosed with testicular cancer this week. Tinkoff-Saxo also announced after the racing that Basso had undergone successful surgery on Wednesday.
"I want to thank my team and my family, who have always been with me," Majka said. "It has been a difficult time for us recently, but this victory is sweet."
Majka finished ahead of Irishman Daniel Martin of Team Cannodale and German BORA rider Emanuel Buchmann.
Chris Froome finished ninth after the days racing and wasn't able to extend his lead over Tejay van Ganderen, but he didn't lose any time either. Nario Quintana remains in third place, 3 minutes and nine seconds behind the British race leader.
It felt like almost a warm-up for the main event, as the riders prepare for what is known as 'judgement day' on Thursday. Stage 12 of the Tour from Lannemezan to Plateau de Baille contains four tough moutain climbs during the 195km stage. The race winner could emerge from one of the races most brutal sections.
apc/ (Reuters/AFP)