The Tour Day 14

Well, finally. What a difference a day in the mountains makes.

Today’s GC:
1) Voeckler (BLB)
2) Armstrong (US Postal) at 5’24”
3) Sandy Casar (FDjeux.com) at 5’50”
4) Richard Virenque (Quick Step) at 6’20”
5) Andreas Kloden (T-Mobile) at 6’33”
6) Ivan Basso (CSC) at 6’53”
7) Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) at 6’43”
8) Jakob Piil (CSC) at 6’53”
9) Santos Gonzalez (Phonak) at 7’23”
10) Carlos Sastre (CSC) at 8’11”
16) Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) at 9’01”
17) Bobby Julich (CSC) at 9’11”
20) Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) at 9’46”
26) Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) at 10’42”
32) Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at 12’06”

Hmmm….four Team CSC riders in the top 20. Team CSC is also leading the Team standings. The big dogs are predicting that Ullrich, Hamilton and Heras might still be able to contend in this year’s race, but I think it’s all over for them. Cyril Guimard said in his Round up of Week One article that the podium will likely have two Americans and one German.” He was thinking Armstrong, Hamilton and Ullrich. Based on today’s stage, is it possible that his prediction was right and the names were wrong? How about Armstrong, Julich and Kloden.

Thomas Voeckler has been added to my hero list. Watching him today, especially in the last kilometer, you could see the courage and determination he possesses to become a future champion. If he gets a good coach to work on his riding style, Voeckler could be a great contender in the years to come. I look forward to watching his racing style mature.

Mickael Rasmussen of Team Rabobank is another impressive young rider. He attacked on the slopes of the Col d’Aspin and held the lead to the final ascent up La Mongie. Stage winner Ivan Basso of Team CSC is another rider who at one time wore the white jersey of best young rider in the Tour.

Hamilton blames his poor showing today on a back injury. Ullrich blamed his legs. For the sake of the race I hope they can recover enough to give Armstrong a challenge. If they can’t, there is plenty of other talent around.

Mikel Pradera of Team Illes Balears-Banesto did not start today’s stage. There are six teams intact: US Postal, Phonak, Euskaltel-Euskadi, CSC, Quick Step-Davitamon and Rabobank.

Today’s “Meow Corner” entry is a quote by none other than George Bush. Unfortunately for Armstrong, there is no Supreme Court in France willing to rule the race in his favor. He’ll have to win on his own merits.

Today’s Tune to the Tour contest word is “Hors Category”.

CKS/bl Tridiot Rating today is 123.5%, plus the 5% penalty, for a final score of 131.5%