2014 Tour de France Lanterne Rouge Awards
by Robert Warren Hess
The Tour de France is, without question, the toughest bicycle race in the world. The 2014 edition of the Tour de France lasts 21 days and covers 3,664 kilometers – that’s 2,276.704 miles! Just finishing the Tour de France is an incredible feat. The journey of a lifetime for a professional cyclist.
But, as is almost always the case, the focus is almost soley on the most talented riders – the race leaders, CG contenders, king of the mountain contenders, and the sprinters. There’s even a special category for the best younger rider and the most courages rider of the day. But there is no recognition for the riders at the end of the 198-man strong peloton. Until now, that it.
We award King and Queen of the Mountain jerseys to the fastest climbers in their age category. But we also created something very special for the last person to finish the ride. The person that just ‘gutted it out’ and made it happen. The Lanterne Rouge Jersey. So this year, just for fun, we’re keeping track of each stages Lanterne Rouge rider. Our hat is off to them!
The PCAP 2014 Tour de France Lanterne Rouge Awards
Stage 1 – Allesandro Petacchi | Omega-Pharma-Quick Step
Stage 2 – Ariel Maximiliano Richeze | Lampre-Merida
Stage 3 – Ariel Maximiliano Richeze | Lampre-Merida
Stage 4 – Ariel Maximiliano Richeze | Lampre-Merida
Stage 5 – Ariel Maximiliano Richeze | Lampre-Merida
Stage 6 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 7 – Edward King | Cannondale
Stage 8 – Edward King | Cannondale
Stage 9 – Edward King | Cannondale
Stage 10 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 11 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 12 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 13 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 14 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 15 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 16 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 17 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 18 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 19 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 20 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano
Stage 21 – Il Cheng | Team Giant-Shimano +6:02:24 [362 minutes and 24 seconds] That’s just 5.9 seconds per kilometer slower than the winner, Vincenzo Nibali. Congratulations to Il Cheng for a great effort!
Question for Comment
Do you think Phil and Paul should spend a little more commentary talking about what’s happening at the tail of the peloton?
1 comment
Barry Sherry
July 9, 2014
Of course the Lanterne Rouge goes not to the guy that guts it out and finishes but finishes within the cutoff time for that stage — incredibly difficult. Well done!!!