http://pointyhelmetcoaching.com Personalized, affordable triathlon coaching in Gainesville, Florida. Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:32:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://pointyhelmetcoaching.com/2009/07/27/pointy-helmets-tour-de-france-commentary-the-rest-of-the-tour/ http://pointyhelmetcoaching.com/2009/07/27/pointy-helmets-tour-de-france-commentary-the-rest-of-the-tour/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:55:39 +0000 Marty McCrory http://pointyhelmetcoaching.com/?p=339 Toward the end of the second week, after Alberto Contador had pretty much sealed up his victory (even though he may not have even been in yellow at that time), I got bored posting daily updates.  For that, I apologize.  Without further ado, here’s what I missed:

1. Alberto Contador won the Tour de France by over 4 minutes over Andy Schleck (2nd) and teammate Lance Armstrong (3rd).
2. Mark Cavendish won SIX individual stages, but missed the green jersey, which went to Thor Hushovd.
3. The summit finish on Mont Ventoux did not provide as much drama as the Tour organizers had been hoping for.  Contador had gotten into some mountain breaks in the previous stages and put time in on everyone.  He also won the last ITT, which was mildly surprising.  By the time they reached the base of Ventoux, all Contador had to do was match any accelerations by Andy Schleck (which he did) and he had the tour in the bag.
4. Lance Armstrong demonstrated good form, especially toward the end of the tour.  He was able to hold off Frank Schleck for 3rd place with a good TT performance and by marking Frank Schleck on the slopes of Ventoux.
5. Contador demonstrated super fantastic awesome form.  He made winning the Tour by 4+ minutes look very easy.  Some suspect him of doping, but I am witholding judgment until there is actually some evidence to implicate him either way.
6. Armstrong and Contador hate each other.  This was demonstrated through Lance’s passive-agressive Twitter postings, Contador’s lack of consideration for the team (though Contador claims otherwise) and both of their post-tour remarks.
7. Armstrong is going to start his own team next year, Team RadioShack Texas Fried Chicken America Lance Armstrong.  I can name at least one person who will *not* be on the team.
8. Mark Cavendish is kind of an ass.  But he did apologize to Thor for his inappropriate remarks, so as far as I’m concerned (a) it’s water under the bridge, and (b) when you’re as good as Cavendish you can afford to be cocky.
9. The Schleck brothers are awesome.  They’re funny guys and great cyclists.  Frank won an Alpine mountain stage, and the scene at the finish line was fantastic.
10. The 2010 tour is going to be filled with drama.  Probably more drama than bike racing, to be honest.  Armstrong will be 38 and probably a bit stronger than he was this year.  He’ll be angry at Contador for being a good cyclist.  Contador will be 27 and in the prime of his career.  He’ll be hard to beat by anyone, even a motivated Lance Armstrong.

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