Categories: Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France, Stage 20

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.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

Next Who's your Poppy? »

Previous « Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France Stage 19

View Comments

Minion says:

Jul 22 2011 at 6:48 pm

@mouse
+1. IIf anyone Tommy Voclker a beer, it's good Cadel. Followed by bad Cadel. Followed by everyone waking up in the morning with raging Cadelehpantitis. He's been the one to control the race this year, no doubt about that.
Oli says:

Jul 22 2011 at 6:51 pm

@Leroy
Hahaha! It's like you were watching some other race.
xyxax says:

Jul 22 2011 at 6:53 pm

Got nothing, not even milk.

VSP PICKS:

1. Martin
2. Faboo
3. Millar time
4. Cuddles
5. Kneehigh eggtimer
Jamin says:

Jul 22 2011 at 6:55 pm

@Leroy
You're out of your brain.
Cadel has taken responsibility for his own race this year and let the Schleckette do the whinging.
Lead them in from the front waaaaay back at the TTT. Stage victory, chasing down breaks (up hill) mostly on his lonesome.
He deserves it.
But to be fair, Andy rode a great St18 and if he hangs on, this little one-eyed Aussie will be enormously disappointed but will applaud the winner (so long as it's not Fronk...)

VSP PICKS:

1. Faboo
2. Martin
3. Cadel going into yellow
4. Millar
5. Cuntador
il ciclista medio says:

Jul 22 2011 at 7:18 pm

@Oli

@Leroy
Hahaha! It's like you were watching some other race.

Agreed. The race I was watching I saw a very strong Cuddles asking and gesticulating to the Brothers Swivelneck to put some effort into getting away from the fast closing peloton containing one TV and then shaking his head in disgust at their lack of doing anything. Even Andy hung his head in shame from what I could see (which in his defence was probably under instruction). Then later Asleck has the audacity to try to get Cuddles to work to help him bring back Bertie due to brother Fraulein Schleck, after performing what is now their trademark neck pirouettes, realised he had nothing to offer!

@Jamin
and another on the same page/stage too!

VSP PICKS:

1. Good Cadel
2. Faboo
3. Asleck
4. My Favourite Martian
5. He ain't thommo
Rob says:

Jul 22 2011 at 7:18 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Cancellara
2. Evans
3. Contrador
4. Martin
5. Millar
brett says:

Jul 22 2011 at 7:49 pm

@Leroy

"In my eyes, Andy's long solo yesterday was the best moment the Tour's seen in decades"

At least since Floyd's remarkably similar escapade in 2006... did anyone else notice the same aggression in their victory salutes? One could almost say 'testosterone fuelled'?

(Puts on flame retardant suit...)
Marcus says:

Jul 22 2011 at 7:53 pm

@Leroy
Find a new sport champ. You have no idea.

VSP PICKS:

1. Fabian
2. Tony martin
3. Cadel
4. Leipheimer
5. Contador
Marko says:

Jul 22 2011 at 8:01 pm

Vive le Tour. Best one I've watched in the 10 or so years I've been following. It almost doesn't matter who wins to me it's been such an outstanding race. But who would I really like to see on the top step? Go Cuddles, we have the same dog and bike.

VSP PICKS:

1. Millar
2. Faboo
3. Cadel-inside out
4. Bertie
5. Martin
benjamin says:

Jul 22 2011 at 8:07 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. David Millar
2. Spartacus
3. Tony Martin
4. Levi
5. TJ Van G