bike shop Harlingen: Team Sky's win strategy makes its mark

As we followed the 2012 Tour de France from our bike shop in Harlingen, Texas, one thing that was memorable about this year's competition was the strategy of Britain's Team Sky. Sky's success reminds the world, that this is, for better or for worse, a team sport.

Bradley Wiggins took home England's first yellow jersey, no surprise to anyone who had been following the race. Wiggins held a comfortable lead for a good part of the race. The win was a virtual certainty by Saturday, after Wiggins won his second time trial. It would have taken something major to turn the tides on his win at that point.

Wiggins finished on Sunday with his teammate Chris Froome close behind. Froome followed just 3:21 after him, dramatically short, especially considering the team dynamics which had caused a stir in some of the previous stages.

Froome surpassed expectations with his outstanding performance on mountain climbs, putting Team Sky's winning strategy to the test. The team had put its money on Wiggins ability to win the time trials, and Froome was held back in several stages in order to ensure Wiggins' lead. The tension over this strategy erupted in an exchange of catty tweets between Froome's girlfriend and Wiggins' wife, starting in the 11th stage. 

 Team Sky's teamwork also made its mark when Mark Cavendish was supported in taking a fourth consecutive stage win on the Champs-Elysees. Wiggins was happy with Sky's teamwork. "It's magnificent," he said. "For us to finish like this as a team, helping Mark to victory and allowing him to defend his record here... it's incredible."

Tour de France stage 17

 Nicolas Bouvy / EPA / July 18, 2012

Our bike shop near Rio Hondo is following the Tour de France in its final exciting days!
Brit Bradley Wiggins endured the grueling, mountainous stage 17 of the race Thursday, and said he feels it is "pretty much over". With just three stages remaining in the 2012 Tour de France, Wiggins seems secure in his place as the yellow jersey holder. Wiggins finished 3rd in stage 17, with a 2 minute 5 second overall lead over his teammate Christopher Froome, who came in ahead of Wiggins in stage 17, in second place. 
The remaining stages in the Tour de France are two flat stages and a time trial, which Wiggins is expected to do well in. With any luck, Wiggins will, in three days, be the first Tour de France winner from Great Britain.
Alejandro Valverde of Spain enjoyed an emotional win in the 17th stage, after returning from a two-year doping ban, and a rough tour start, including surviving three crashes. A teary Valverde said of his victory, “It erases all of the past.”

Bike shop Mercedes: Tour de France 12th stage

Follow our bike shop bike shop Mercedes' blog updates on the 2012 Tour de France from now until July 22nd. 

Britain's David Millar claimed an emotional victory in the 12th stage yesterday after what has been a harrowing tour for the Garmin-Sharp team which has lost a number of riders including their team leader, Ryder Hesjedal. 

Bicycling.com asked David Millar about the 12th stage win in light of the team's difficulties. "It's massive. It's been a horrific Tour for us so far," said Millar. "I really wanted to do something...prove that we're still here and show that Garmin-Sharp is one of the best cycling teams in the world." 

France's Pierre Rolland took his maiden victory in the 10th stage, followed by another win in 11. 

Britain's Bradley Wiggins further secured his lead against Australia's defending champion Cadel Evans in the 11th stage. Evans had begun stage 11 in second place, only one minute, 53 seconds behind Wiggins, but dropped to fourth overall at 3:19. 

Tour de France 2012 from bike shop Rio Hondo

Our bike shop here in Rio Hondo will be watching the events of Tour de France all this month. The race has gotten off to an exciting start, with a few cringe-worthy bumps along the way.

There were a number of major news reports about the Tour de France in the weeks that led up to the race's start.  This year was marked by special situations such as rider injuries, changing of teams, and the doping charges brought against Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong, stripping him of his seven titles.

The first week of the race had plenty of action as well, with several notable crashes, including the multi-bike pile-up that included Mike Cavendish in the closing of Stage 4. Cavendish emerged from the crash uninjured, but unhappy.

Andre Greipel of Germany won Stage 4, and crossing the finish elated at his Tour de France maiden victory.

He then came in ahead again in Stage 5, coming ahead in the final 100 meters in what he called "the hardest sprint of my life."

Looking forward to what the Tour de France brings next. Stay with us for updates.