Route du Sud (2011) Photos June 16 - 19

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In front of a big crowd in downtown Samatan, Stefan Van Dijk (Véranda's Willems-Accent) distances the field	The 35 year-old Stefan Van Dijk (Véranda's Willems-Accent) takes stage 1	Your stage 1 winner, Dutch rider Stefan Van Dijk (Véranda's Willems-Accent)
Winning the first day makes your the race leader as well, of course	France's Guillaume BONNAFOND (Ag2R) will wear the Sprint Jersey for Stage 2	France's Gael MALACARNE (Bretange-Schuller) earned the most aggressive rider jersey for his 180 km break

Stage 2:  Saint-Gaudens → Cauterets, 177 km  Full Results and Report

Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme (left) was on hand to follow today's stage. Tour de France commentator Daniel Mangeas (right) also works this event	Start in Saint-Gaudens: The jersey leaders including race leader Stefan Van Dijk (Véranda's Willems-Accent) in red	Break attempt at the start near Montrejeau with 190+kms and two big mountains ahead
	Next attempt to break at Pinas/Lannemezan	Laurent Mangel (Saur - Sojasun) and Kjell Carlström (Sky) with a small gap talking things over
The race is now heading to the High Pyrenees	Our photographer, Colin Flockton, who has a house nearby, was glad to know he's not the only one that suffers on this cat 3 climb near Capvern	Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) leading the chase
The break gets some quality help in Mauvezin after David Arroyo (Movistar), Peter Kennaugh (Sky) etc joined the front group	Intermediate sprint in Capvern	Col d'Aspin scenery
The top of Col d'Aspin	Typically picturesque scenery from the top of Col d'Aspin	Looking down at the caravan from Col d'Aspin as the race approaches
The break is down to Antonio Piedra and David Arroyo at the front while Peter Kennaugh struggles to stay in touch	Antonio Piedra (Andalucia Caja Granada) and David Arroyo (Movistar) at the front	Anthony Charteau (Europcar) took control of the chase group just before Aspin summit
La Mongie ski lifts	Donkey on the road at La Mongie	Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) now at the front as the lead group starts its way to La Mongie
That's Davide REBELLIN (Miche) and Anthony Charteau (Europcar) following Kiryienka	The top of Col du Tourmalet, the highest paved pass in the French Pyrenees at 2115m (6939')	The restaurant at the top doesn't look like it's up yet at this time of the year
2010 Tour de France KOM winner, Anthony Charteau (Europcar) was first to appear at the top of Col du Tourmalet	Charteau first to Tourmalet followed Kiryienka	Starting the long descent at speeds topping 90 kph
If descending Col du Tourmalet is part of your first moto photo ride then taking photos at 90 kph is not a good idea. So, here's a steephill.tv photo of the descent from a recreational ride in 2006.	Moving ahead to the finish, Anthony Charteau (Europcar) was first around the final bend	In front of a big crowd in Cauterets...
Anthony Charteau (Europcar) wins the Queen Stage of this year's Route du Sud	Giro stage winner, Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) was disappointed with second	Davide Rebellin (Miche) finishes 3rd + 47s ahead of Sandy Casar (FDJ) and others
Your stage 2 winner, 32 year-old Anthony Charteau (Europcar)	Anthony Charteau (Europcar) is also the new race leader	2010 Tour de France KOM winner Anthony Charteau (Europcar) is now the KOM leader as well
David Arroyo (Movistar)	The sprint jersey is the only one that didn't change hands today, Guillaume BONNAFOND (Ag2R)

Stage 3:  Pierrefitte-Nestalas → Bagneres-de-Luchon, 197 km  Full Results and Report

The pre-start activity in Pierrefitte-Nestalas	The jersey leaders lining up for the 3rd of four stages. Race leader Anthony Charteau (Europcar) is on the right	Early break
Europcar at the front of the chase for their race leader	Stage 3 of Route du Sud had the same Port de Bales climb and descent finish into Bagneres-de-Luchon as the 2010 Tour de France. I imagine that there weren't this many people for the Route du Sud stage ;-)	You may recall from last year's race, that Port de Bales is where Andy Schleck, while wearing the Yellow Jersey, dropped his chain and ultimately lost the Tour de France. More photos from stage 15 of the 2010 Tour de France
Finish panoramic in Bagneres-de-Luchon	The caravan	We have a successful solo break
10 year pro, Jurgen Van Goolen (Veranda's Willems-Accent) solos to his first win	The second win for Team Veranda's Willems-Accent at this year's Route du Sud after their stage 1 win	The sprint for 2nd place may also turn out to be the sprint for the 2nd overall podium spot
	Peter Kennaugh (Sky) wins the the bunch sprint for second, but the bonus seconds Davide Rebellin (Miche-Guerciotti) received for third moves him up to second overall	Your stage 3 winner, Jurgen Van Goolen (Veranda's Willems-Accent)
We don't usually see Vasil Kiryenka (Movistar) smile, but he's now the new race leader by a healthy 43s over Davide Rebellin (Miche-Guerciotti) with one flat stage remaining. Previous race leader Anthony Charteau was 18th today + 2:45 and slipped to 10th overall.

Stage 4:  Izaourt → Pau, 143 km  Full Results and Report

A Happy Father's Day sendout prior to the start in Izaourt	The jersey leaders in Izaourt with race leader Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) on the right	The rollout
Saying goodbye to the High Pyrenees on a gorgeous day... until the Tour de France rolls through in less than one month	The finish in the outskirts of Pau. Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis) looks around at his margin of victory in the five man bunch sprint
27 year-old Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis) celebrates his second win as a pro	Enrique Sanz (Movistar) led the rest of the field across for 6th + 27s. That's Stefan Van Dijk (Veranda's Willems - Accent) on the far right about to win the Points competition by one point	Your stage 4 break winner, Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis)
A pack finish today secured the overall win for Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar)	Roman Benitez (Andalucia Caja Granada) won the Mountains classification	Stefan Van Dijk (Veranda's Willems - Accent) won the points competition by one point over Davide Rebellin
Your 2011 Route du Sud overall podium: 2nd Davide Rebellin (Miche) + 40s, 1st Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) and 3rd Peter Kennaugh (Sky) + 43s	Team Movistar won the team competition