The King is Dead
Long Live the King!
Alberto Contador ended all questions today about who is the best rider in the tour, and who is the leader of Astana. 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong climbed to third place today while losing 1 minute and 30 seconds and finishing 16th on the stage to time trial and apparent Tour de France winner Alberto Contador. As I said yesterday, Lance continues to be a great athlete, but time and age catch up with everyone. In going for his seven Tour victories, Lance won six out of seven final time trials. Contador completed his coronation by beating the entire field, including stage one time trail winner and specialist Fabian Cancellara by 3 seconds. Contador has proven that he now possesses all the talents that made Armstrong the King for almost a decade.
Even though the Yellow jersey is no longer in doubt, the other 2 podium spots are still up for grabs. Astana is going to do everything they can to displace Andy Schleck, and move Lance to second and Kloden to third to sweep the podium in the final 2 contested stages of the tour. Astana may even try to give Lance his long sought stage win at the top of Mont Ventoux.
On the other hand, Saxo Bank is going to try their hardest to out climb Astana, and gain 6th place Frank Schleck the 34 seconds he needs to displace Armstrong from third and have the two brothers from Luxembourg share 2 spots on the podium.
Lastly, 4th place Bradley Wiggins is going to try and gain the 11 seconds he needs to displace Armstrong from the podium. What a battle for the last 2 contested stages.
Stage 19 may end up being a breakaway stage as the 6 top riders save energy for the Saturday showdown on Mont Ventoux. But even if it is not for the stage victory, the team tactics, and cat and mouse game between the three teams will be fascinating.
Expect to see Astana try to fast tempo the climb to try and gain time for Kloden and Armstrong.
Expect to see team Saxo Bank sacrifice everything to put acceleration on the climbs to try and displace Armstrong and Kloden, as both riders have shown that they cannot respond to the Schleck brothers attacks.
Expect to see surprise climber Bradley Wiggins, aided by Christian Van de Velde, look for opportunities as Astana and Saxo Bank battle it out.
The next two stages could be some of the best cycling races up hill in a long time, with the outcome in doubt until the final climb of the tour.
If I were betting, the determination that Andy Schleck put into today’s time trial will leapfrog Frank to the podium, as team Astana can’t match the Schlecks in a race to the top.
There may be a Spanish King, but Armstrong has been moost impressive to get this far, this high in the order over so many world class riders.
Great race Lance!
Contador is a young Lance, but not as good a teammate. Ask Kloden.
Alberto certainly has shown to be the strongest rider, but he has to work on being a champion.
Bradley Wiggins has got to be the biggest surprise of the tour.
The Schlecks are for real!