There is an expression, “You had to be there.” Today’s stage was beyond description. It was the one predicted as the most difficult in this year’s tour with three category one climbs, one category two climb and one hors category climb in 204 kilometers of racing.
Some riders, however, made it look like a pleasure ride on a Sunday afternoon. One of those riders was Richard Virenque, who swept up enough of the remaining points in the King of the Mountain competition to cinch the jersey. He now has won the jersey seven times, a new record. All he has to do is make it to Paris. Congratulations, Richard.
We are all used to riders who breakaway from the peloton in order to win sprint points or stages. Usually the breakaways consist of five to ten riders who work together to distance themselves from the peloton. Often there are riders in the breakaway whose names are unfamiliar. Today was the exception. The five riders to first cross the top of the last climb of the day, the Col de la Croix Fry, were Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis, Jan Ullrich, Andreas Kloden, and Ivan Basso. After the summit was crossed the following conversation took place between Armstrong and Landis:
“How bad do you want to win a stage of the Tour de France?
“Real bad,†came Floyd’s reply.
“How fast can you go down a hill?
“Real fast!
“So,†concluded Armstrong, “run like you stole something!
Floyd ran, but he didn’t count on Ullrich, who latched onto his wheel. The five riders regrouped with two kilometers to go. Kloden attacked at the one kilometer kite and took an impressive lead. Everyone thought he had the stage win. But Kloden didn’t count on Armstrong, who started sprinting at three hundred meters, closed the gap and rolled over the finish line one bike wheel ahead, to take his fourth stage win in a row in the mountains. Reportedly, this is a record for consecutive mountain stage wins. Armstrong dedicated today’s win to Landis.
The two words I said to my husband when Armstrong took the win sound like “plucking” and “shell.” Today’s stage was outstanding, the stuff classic races are made of.
This Velo News posting is a comprehensive account of today’s stage.
Thomas Voeckler rode defensive today trying to protect his white jersey. He has only forty-five seconds on Vladimir Karpets. Hang on, Tommy! After his performance this year in yellow, I hope he’s able to hold his lead until Paris. There was only one sprint in today’s stage and none of the Green jersey contenders took the points, so McEwen still has that lead.
Roberto Heras did not start today. I had great hopes for Roberto on his new team, Liberty Seguros. He just didn’t ride well this year, and had injuries to boot. Two other riders did not start, and five abandoned during the stage.
The only change in the top five GC spots today were time gaps. Armstrong just keeps on extending his lead.
Tyler Hamilton writes a tribute to his dog Tugboat. Bring a hankie.
Today’s shameless plug is to my husband’s website.
Today’s “Meow Corner” entry explains bike racing to sports jerks.
Today’s Tune to the Tour contest word is “Alps”.
CKS/bl Tridiot Rating today has gotta be, it’s just gotta be, an impressive 86.32%
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