Reach for your recovery drink of choice, grab a little massage if you can, load up on carbs tonight, and get ready for the ultimate showdown for final Tour glory tomorrow to be contested in 41 kilometers contra la montre. I’m talking about the fans, not the riders, obviously. Because these last two days have nearly killed us.
This is anyone’s time trial. At 41km, it’s just long enough for Cadel to pull one out, and it’s just short and hilly enough for Andy to retain enough of his lead. Sure, Evans will certainly beat the Grimplette, but by how much? In last year’s final ITT, Andy almost pulled out the upset, until the wind kicked up and the youngster’s sit up and beg TT position had him more sail that sailor. It’s hilly enough to give the climbers a chance of staying in it, and the long descent to the finish will play to the fastmen against the clock.
Will his new Maillot Juane play Redbull to Andy and give him wings? Or will the scent of Yellow drag the Cadelamonster to his prize? Both Andy and Cadel know what it’s like to stand on the second step of the podium. Neither wants to stand there again. And both riders are different men than they were the last time it happened. Both have been hardened by the bitter taste of defeat that lingers long on the tongue.
I, for one, can hardly take it any more. Vive le Tour.
You know the drill, get your picks in by 5am Pacific tomorrow morning. Good luck.
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@Leroy
I've been thinking on this and I still can't quite figure it. Are challenging him to some sort of daylight brothel-crawl roadtrip challenge?
@Oli
Feel free to email me your contact info at the email address above and I'll forward you a copy of the email exchange... You can read it for yourself.
@Chris
I do agree about Alberto. Up to yesterday, there was nothing going there but there was a moment yesterday that it looked like he might just turn things completely on their head and, even in his failure, he drew out the field and really changed the race. I just have a tremendous respect for the defiance of his go down swinging last gasp. As for the drivel, can't disagree there either... I'm an admitted hot head and quick to get sucked in. I'm not gonna go back and forth on the internet all night though about whos opinion is more awesome though so, if he's willing to put his money where his mouth is I'm willing to risk getting my ass handed to me. And, no not very rule 9 at all... in fact, there is so little rule 9 to be found in SoCal that I actually get excited when it rains.
@Leroy
Hmmmmm...
@Alpin
Sir (and this is said with sarcasm and jealousy that can't be conveyed over the 'net), you suck!
Thanks for the great photos! Wish I was in your camera bag.
Well, I'm doomed already. Faboo was poo poo today.
If it's close at the end of today, will they race to the death?
Richard Moor, author of Slaying the Badger "Even if there's only a second between Cuddles and one of the Schlecks, I don't see any racing on the Champs-Élysées. That'll be it. Game over"
Frandy is frantically appealing to the UCI right now to let them ride the course together.
@alpin
As ever, stellar work. Thanks.
@marko
When they retire, they'll start showing up at local races riding in the Masters Tandem category.
OK Faboo is not having a very good year. lame.