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Not too much to say today. Almost everyone, including me, was still hung over from the Tourmalet. Just a couple of thoughts. First Cavendish is just really fast. No Renshaw? no problem. Chest congestion? No problem. People hbunting for the green jersey? no problem. He just puts his head down and rides away from the fastest road sprinters on the planet. For those of you not familiar, Cav's victory today was not unlike Secretariat crushing the field in the Belmont nearly 40 years ago. It was mind blowing how he could have such a crappy lead out, have to swing around Petacchi and still win by so much he could pull up BEFORE THE LINE. He might be cocky, but he earns it.
Second, I have very mixed feelings about the green and KOM jersey competitions. Thor Husovd is a good guy, it seems, but man he is not even close tot he best sprinter. I know I made the point earlier in the race that it is a points jersey and not a sprinters jersey, but still, shouldn't he at least be able to make the top ten in a flat bunch sprint when his jersey is on the line? It is interesting to note that Contador, Schleck and Sanchez are all in the top ten of the points competition, btw.
As for the KOM, Charteau and Moreau are BOTH ahead of Contador and Schleck?!? Really? I don't know how that jersey can have much meaning this year when those latter two guys are so clearly the best climbers. Moreau, the oldest rider in the race, has had a nice career, but to my recollection he was off the back on every final climb of a mountain stage this year. And Charteau is the same. At least the French will be on the podium in Paris. Long may they be proud.
(you know, the funny thing is, I really like France and the French; I just don't type that way)
The French call the ITT the Race of Truth. No team, no hiding, no excuses. Just the rider and the clock. Schelck is still talking pretty big today aout how the prologue meant nothing and he is much better than last year. We'll see. that is the beauty of this sport, this race and the ITT in particular. There will be no ambiguity. The strongest rider will win. And don't look now, but the highest placed french rider is Jean Gadret in 17th. Will he hang on to it after the ITT?
I cant' wait.
Second, I have very mixed feelings about the green and KOM jersey competitions. Thor Husovd is a good guy, it seems, but man he is not even close tot he best sprinter. I know I made the point earlier in the race that it is a points jersey and not a sprinters jersey, but still, shouldn't he at least be able to make the top ten in a flat bunch sprint when his jersey is on the line? It is interesting to note that Contador, Schleck and Sanchez are all in the top ten of the points competition, btw.
As for the KOM, Charteau and Moreau are BOTH ahead of Contador and Schleck?!? Really? I don't know how that jersey can have much meaning this year when those latter two guys are so clearly the best climbers. Moreau, the oldest rider in the race, has had a nice career, but to my recollection he was off the back on every final climb of a mountain stage this year. And Charteau is the same. At least the French will be on the podium in Paris. Long may they be proud.
(you know, the funny thing is, I really like France and the French; I just don't type that way)
The French call the ITT the Race of Truth. No team, no hiding, no excuses. Just the rider and the clock. Schelck is still talking pretty big today aout how the prologue meant nothing and he is much better than last year. We'll see. that is the beauty of this sport, this race and the ITT in particular. There will be no ambiguity. The strongest rider will win. And don't look now, but the highest placed french rider is Jean Gadret in 17th. Will he hang on to it after the ITT?
I cant' wait.
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