TdF '06: Game On
I've tried to write this entry as a narrative, then using a sense of journalistic style and finally just throwing up my hands and letting the words come.
Basically, this years race has left me pretty flat. Gone are the days when Armstrong would dominate the Tour using his signature low-gear spinning style to climb the toughest mountains in all of France. You never knew exactly at what point the attack would come but eventually Armstrong would lay down the law and when he did there was no doubt about it. His cadence would decimate the peloton, forcing riders to lift their tempo or risk falling further down the standings. In a word, it was smashmouth.
Now contrast it to this years tour, where leaders almost change daily because the times between riders are so close that the slightest undulation in terrain causes a change in the general classification (GC). The one true favorite, Floyd Landis, seems to be more content by winning with finesse, not taking chances and instituting cyclings version of the prevent defense in hopes of taking the yellow jersey into Paris.
But all of that changed yesterday on the stage 16 into La Toussuire. Tour leader Landis had a "bonk" of such proportions that he lost over 8 minutes in the standings and found himself in eleventh place in the GC. By all intents and purposes, Floyd's 2006 Tour was over.
Mark Twain was once quoted; "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." In Floyd's case, the report of his death - at least as it relates to the 2006 Tour - might even be considered an understatement.
One things for sure, Floyd must not have read the press clippings this morning before the start of stage 17. For today, Floyd left his indelible impression on Tour de France history.
With about 150 kilometers of racing to go and all five of the climbs still in front, Landis launched an attack that by most cycling standards would be considered suicide. But Landis was not to be denied and he crossed the finish line at Morzine first, five minutes over his closet rival, and enough to move him back into third on GC.
With the time trial set for Saturday and Landis only 30 seconds behind his two nearest rivals, I think it's safe to say that the game is back on!