Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France, Stage 20

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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266 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France, Stage 20”

  1. Can’t help but root for Cadel today. Won’t mind seeing Andy win if he does, but watching Cadel put in all of that amazing work the last week really won me over.

  2. And what is going on with Evans’ interviews? I know he has been riding like a madman, but his press agent needs to let him catch his breath before he speaks. His voice is wild, as is his huffing for air. He seems deranged!

    This is going to be close, but not looking good for Andy.

  3. hmm.. trying to see on the letour.fr or cyclingnews sites to see if there is any splits from Cadiesel’s ITT in the dauphine, but no luck..

    Doesn’t seem to matter atm, taking chunks of time out of the Swivelnecks..

    Wonder if Clembutador will put enough time into Frank to podium..

  4. Damn, Big George going to be on yet another Tour-winning squad.

    Not bad for BMC either, maybe we’ll see a few more on the road instead of all those Treks…

  5. You know, Andy would be flying down the course if he hadn’t picked out an all yellow skin suit.

  6. Cadel’s going to win the time trial if he can keep this pace up – I think he will…

  7. get ur umbrella’s ready.. there will be tears at the presentation! :D

    Go Son!!

  8. Cuddles is just kickin ass! If you lose the Tour 2years in a row on the TT, do you think there’s something you might want to work on?

  9. I think there is some type of strange quantum entanglement between the Swivelnecks. Their time gaps are the same. They both can’t ride their bikes downhill. They both swivel. They might be the same rider in some highly unlikely way.

  10. @Erik

    Well, they TT better than Rasmussen.

    That one TdF TT is worth watching with the Benny Hill theme music playing. Good fun, if not good clean fun.

  11. YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

    *cough*

    I mean; well done old chap. Jolly good show.

  12. Q. What is the second letter of this year’s TdF winner’s surname?

  13. @Collin

    I think there is some type of strange quantum entanglement between the Swivelnecks. Their time gaps are the same. They both can’t ride their bikes downhill. They both swivel. They might be the same rider in some highly unlikely way.

    Invisible tandem?

  14. Amazing that an Aussie will win & he’s not a manly bloke, just a wee fella with the dimple chin & that high voice…

    Will the blokes in their Canterbury shorts and Blundastone boots still cheer him on?

  15. @Collin

    I think there is some type of strange quantum entanglement between the Swivelnecks. Their time gaps are the same. They both can’t ride their bikes downhill. They both swivel. They might be the same rider in some highly unlikely way.

    Too many baths together as kids

  16. Cadel: courage and class.
    Congratulations to everyone in Australia, New Auzeland, and Ausmania.

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