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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@frank
A-Merckx to that. As they say, there's a reason we play the games.
I am just beside myself at how well Cuddles played that game. He's a hard, hard man.
Cadelephantitus:
Riding in yellow with a fractured elbow last year.
Coming second twice.
Sticking to his guns in terms of riding style despite his distractors.
THAT stage win at the Giro (Stage 7 2010)
World Champion 2009.
Being a tour contendor on Omega - Pharma with limited team support.
Having the common sense to give up mountain bikes to ride with the grown ups.
And he's ben knocking on the door for a decade, riding through the Lance/Lance V2 era, Contador's dominant performances. Get me to a doctor cos I'm raging with it.
@Abdu Whereareyou
Tomo went a little Daryl Somers on us, and I'm sure he held back a man cry of joy!
So happy for Cadel and his team, and so happy for Australian cycling for what Cadel and all aussie riders, past & present to lay down the path of respect aussies have in a friggin tough as sport.
How many Pro teams now have a aussie in its management?!
I'm up for a proud man cry in Paris!
@Alpin
He will be introducing the mirror to FrAndy so they can keep their heads facing straight down the road!
Did Cadel ever really look over his shoulder this whole tour?!!!
@frank
Well said, Frank!
@ Minion - spot on. Don't forget pipping c-odor on the line at Fleche W, too!
That Giro stage is still perhaps the greatest I've watched.