The front yard is an embarassment, the house a disaster. My co-workers have run out of patience with me coming in late and blogging in the afternoons. It’s a good thing tomorrow is the last day of the Tour. I wonder if I’ll still wake up at six friggin’ thirty every morning.
Jan Ullrich should have the number sixty-one tattoed on his arm to remind him to train in the off season. In both individual time trials this year, Armstrong beat him by that many seconds. The irony is that is the same time gap he lost to Armstrong in the 2003 Tour. Ullrich rode an incredible time trial today, and if he hadn’t performed so poorly in the Pyrenees the outcome would have been better for him. Better luck next year, Jan, and don’t forget: sixty-one.
Thomas Voeckler lost the White jersey to Vladimir Karpets of Illes Balears-Banesto. After all the work Voeckler did in the earlier stages of this race, it’s no wonder his legs were gone. A most memorable moment of this tour will be the image of his face in stage 12, when he came around the corner and saw the clock. I wish him much success in his career.
Three US Postal riders finished in the top ten of today’s stage, with Landis in fourth at 2’25” and Azevedo in tenth at 3’49”. Ekimov held top position for much of the stage with his early time trial ride of 1 hour 9 minutes. Bobby Julich of Team CSC placed fifth overall. Andreas Kloden of T Mobile placed third but that was enough time gain on Ivan Basso to move him up to second in the GC.
With all the jersey’s decided but the Green sprinter’s jersey, tomorrow’s ride into Paris could have some action. Robbie McEwen holds a tenuous 11 point lead over Thor Hushovd and 17 points over Eric Zabel. T Mobile has not had a stage win in this year’s Tour, but Zabel could change all that tomorrow. Rumor has it that Lance has a new bike for tomorrow’s ride.
Eurosport reports increased security for Lance Armstrong at L’Alpe D’Huez time trial because of death threats received by race officials.
Andy Hampston has written an open letter on the issue of doping in professional cycling.
Today’s Tune to the Tour contest word is “Armstrong”.
CKS/bl Tridiot Rating today is 106.61%
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