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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View Comments
I really really really really hope Evans pulls this off. He has A LOT of time to make up over a short distance. Merckx, I want him to win.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Millar
3. Martin
4. Evans
5. Leipheimer
C'mon Aussie! It's now or never Cuddles.
VSP PICKS:
1. Der Panzerwagen
2. Spartacus
3. Cuddles
4. Porte
5. Millar
@Marko
Couldn't agree more about this being such a great race. With Rolland winning today, youth (and France) has even been served. What a great kid! (Though I fear he'll lose out to Taaramae"”another great young rider). Doesn't matter to me who wins"”it will be an afterthought after such great performances. Thor over l'Aubisque; Voeckler over just about every other mountain. And this, from Rolland, today:
Beautiful.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. T-Mart
3. Millar
4. Petey V.
5. Oo Alberto
Three Super Prestige stages in a row?! I'm tapp'n out.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Martin
3. Cancellara
4. Millar
The suspense is exquisite!
VSP PICKS:
1. Good Cadel
2. Bad Cadel
3. Bumchin
4. Cadelephant balls
5. Cuddles
My dislike of Cancellara won't stop me from tipping him for the win. I hope Millar takes this one though. Evans for yellow and let it be a lesson for Andy to work on becoming a more complete rider.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. T. Martin
3. Millar
4. Leipheimer
5. Evans
Wow... a little flame fest from my comments huh? LMAO... did I offend some aussies or wtf?
What issue could you possibly have with what Andy did? He went from a long way out and left it all on the road and then followed every big move today until he couldn't... did about 40% of the work with Alberto off the front and then about 85% of the work chasing late today when Cadel was sucking his wheel into the last km. He was tested TWICE between that victory and the start of today's stage so, if he comes up clean, you can stick the "testosterone fueled" talk right up your ass. As for me not knowing tactics... I'd rather see men race like men than more of the same Armstrong style of racing that Cuddles is pulling. He throws a hissy fit that Voeckler wouldn't sacrifice himself and Roelandts in the chase yeseterday and then similarly refuses to work in the chase today. You say he's deserved and he's led chases and led the TTT across the line and blah, blah, blah... I say whenever it's been mano a mano among the GC boy's he's sat at the back and sucked wheels waiting to attack at the end. If Andy loses, he can say he left everything at the Tour an have no regrets... if Cadel loses, he can thank his refusal to take hold of the race and always wonder what might have been.
And as for the 'find a new sport' comment, whomever that one was from... GO FUCK YOURSELF. What kind of douchebag, dumbfuck, dickneck, asshole comment is that?? No one's here telling you to go buy a Segway cause you've got a mouthful of Cadel's cock you fuckin prick. Way to make shit personal over nothing...
Talk all the shit you want, hate on Andy and jock Cadels nuts as much as you like but I for one have had enough of the bullshit Armstrong style of tactics that have been common for the last decade for the next ten lifetimes. Cadel may get the jersey and it may even be called well earned but he won't be a worthy champion with the way he rode the race in comparison to the two men who were willing to lay everything on the line. I'd say the same about Frank or Basso but neither has a realistic shot. I guess we'll see who's wearing yellow tomorrow night...
VSP PICKS:
1. Faboo
2. Martin
3. Simple Jack
4. Evans
5. Millar
@Jamin
I'd agree actually... I'd be crushed for Andy if he pulled up second again but I sure couldn't hate on Cadel. He's been the definition of steady this year. I couldn't be mad as long as it's Andy, Cadel, or Alberto pulling on yellow tomorrow. I just think that, with their dramatic long shots to take hold of the race the last couple days, it'd be tragic to see 'slow and steady' win the race.