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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VSP PICKS:
1. Cancellara
2. Tony Martin
3. David Miller
4. Contador
5. Cadel
I'll be wearing my Leopard Trek cycling cap rally cap style tomorrow morning. what ever it takes to keep and in yellow. Can't wait!
Delerious from lack of sleep. As long as Cadel wins overall, I'm happy.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sylvain mother fuckin Chavanel
2. Faboo
3. Ayyy, Big Tony (Martin)
4. Cadel
5. MIllar
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Tony Martin
3. Boasson Hagan
4. Millar
5. Cadel
@Oli
Most of the harshness there wasn't actually toward you Oli, sorry about that... that assumed doping BS and the 'find a new sport, you have no clue' set me off though. I agree that he's been tactically sound and, if not for the incredibly bold moves by Alberto and Andy the last two days, I'd have no issues with him at all. He has done a ton of work chasing guys alone... but he's been alone because he wouldn't/couldn't follow moves and had to laydown that slow and steady diesel chase. When it's been time to put on the gloves with the other GC boys, he hasn't made any big moves. Wheelsucker is addmitedly a bit harsh but he just hasn't done as much to take the race, he's been more focused on not losing it before the TT which is just too 'Lance' for me. How epic would it have been today if he'd been dieseling along after Alberto and managed to dislodge Andy instead of sitting on his wheel until the final 100m and managing to do nothing? He's shown tactics and great form but the last two stages brought out historic efforts and guys like Tommy V, Sanchez, Berto, Andy.. they rose to the occasion and, win or lose, they took their shots on the road. Guys like Cadel, Frank, Basso, their efforts just pale in comparison to the brilliance of the efforts launched by others. If Andy wins, it comes from an historic climbing performance... if Cadel wins, it comes from another Armstrong style tour strategy. It's certainly been proven effective, I'm just over it... especially after seeing the big guns racing with old school guts the last couple days.
@Leroy
Hahaheeheehohohaja
Hissy fit of the season. Way to go nuts :-)
@Leroy
...and the most gratuitous use of the word 'FUCK' in a post reply goes to...
Ok, seems we're all of this getting a bit 'passionate' about all of this.
You like Andy. You're right, His attack on the Iozard Galibier was fantastic, well executed and ballsy. Got no qualms about that.
Equally, from where I stand, Cuddles response to drag the ENTIRE peloton single handedly back was equally amazing.
Those of us in AUS may be a be a bit one eyed about Cuddles and so are more likely to defend him, but, we (I) must respectfully disagree that he's a wheelsucker. He is a very smart rider and will not ride aggressively when he has nothing to gain. Years in Lotto taught him that if you are showing form with no team support others will ride defensively and rely on Cuddles to make moves to drag back breaks because he has more to lose (GC ambitions). Whats more annoying in my mind is others throwing away their tour because they think Cuddles should pull.
It reminds me a bit of the scenario this spring in Ronde Van Vlaanderen where everyone was so intent on shutting down Faboo, they made him lose the race even though he was clearly the stongest.
Lets just strap ourselves in and enjoy the show tonight, yeah?
VSP PICKS:
1. Millar
2. Cancellara
3. Evans
4. Martin
5. Contador
@Blah
Wow... if that gets 'season' honors, this is an easy field. I love that my opinion sparked flames in a half dozen users yet I'm the one on hissy fit status, lmao.
Apologies if it's a hissy fit where you come from but where I come from, you don't back down and sit quietly in the corner just cause a few ignorant dickheads want to gang up on you and exert their opinions as some sort of fact. Let's keep in mind here, I'm not the one that started insulting others because they're hoping Cadel pulls it off. It's pretty simple really... If you can't be respectful of other opinions, shut the fuck up.
VSP PICKS:
1. Spartacus
2. Millar
3. Martin
4. Bossen Hagen
5. Lepheimer