Time cuts into Cavendish's points lead

Cavendish in green today ©Graham Watson

Jul 22nd, 11. Mark Cavendish finished outside the time cut in today's tough mountain stage. He was not kicked out of the Tour, but he did get points docked from his green jersey tally.

Almost half of the peloton, including the French National Champion and World Champion, crossed the finish line at the top of the Col du Galibier 35m40s behind the stage winner, Andy Schleck of Leopard Trek.

The time-cut was 33m07s.

Organisers invoked a rule allowing them to ignore the cut-off if 20% or more of the peloton are affected meaning Cavendish and his companions can continue the Tour, but they each had 20 points deducted from their points total.

For most riders this is less than a slap on the hand. For Points Classification leader Cavendish, who has never made it to Paris in the green jersey, it is a significant setback.

In the Points Classification, 2nd placed Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) finished inside the time cut - his points tally is intact whereas for Cavendish, Gilbert and Hushovd they are reduced.  

The points differential between first and second is now just 15 points.

Points left in the Tour - all about Paris

While there are five sprints left in the Tour - two interim sprints and three stage finishes - the opportunity for the sprinters to earn these points are small.

Firstly, the sprinters have to make it through tomorrow's Alpe d'Huez stage to even get to ride into Paris. Given the aggressive ride expected by the GC contenders, the race will be fast and the time gap to the cut-off short.  

Unfortunately for the sprinters, tomorrow's interim sprint is towards the end of the stage, after the Hors Category Col du Galibier and just before the Alpe d'Huez.  The sprinters will not the amongst the first 15 riders here or at the finish line.

Likewise Stage 20's time trial has finish sprint points, but sprinters will not be in contention.

The final stage into Paris is where the green jersey will be decided - assuming the fastmen make it through tomorrow's stage. The interim sprint 59.5km into the dead flat stage offers 20 points for the winner and the finish sprint on the Champs Elysees offers 45 - and down on a diminishing scale. 

With four stage wins, Cavendish has proved the King of the Sprints, but time will tell how much his, and his teammates', legs have suffered from these mountain stages.

Although it is a long shot, Rojas could conceivably take the green jersey from Cavendish on the Champs Elysees finish line. But you would bet against a Cavendish win?

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