Well, I'll bet there's lots of skinny guys in France who are pretty glad this week is almost over. I don't know if there have been more crashes than usual, but they sure have seemed to affect some pretty big names.
First, El Pistolero... on the first day, no TT but a lame road stage instead and our hero ends up the first guy standing behind a pileup with a perfect view of his competition rolling on up the road. Must have been a pretty crappy feeling, all fit and everything, but unable to go. Then a couple days ago, off his bike, on the pavement, adding speed holes to the back of his jersey. And by the way, what kind of example is he setting, tossing what was probably an eight thousand dollar bike in the ditch like it was a foul smelling science experiment in the back of the fridge. Most of us lay our expensive bikes down gently on cotton pillows filled with virgin goose down. Must be nice to get paid to ride.
Don't forget the great Brit hope. Probably another in that long line of guys who have been near the podium of a grand tour once or twice. But this was going to be his year. Fitter and leaner than ever, looking fierce, staying near the front and out of trouble... oh, never mind.
Classics specialists? Guys who are used to the cut and thrust of early season races? Bigger guys than the average skinny GC stage racer. Easily able to hold their own in the front when the elbows start flying in anticipation of the next brutal, slimy, narrow, cobbled torture device? Nope , not them either. Last seen sitting on the side of the road waiting for the bell in their head to stop ringing after the tarmac gave a good hard tug on the clapper rope. (oh, and speaking of Tarmac, doesn't that now seem like a very appropriate name for a bike model, although not for the reason the marketing geeks might have thought?)
Then we have the Americans. An unstoppable four pronged attack for them this year (well, to be fair, three Yanks and a German). They flew in California, squeeked out a heroic win in Switzerland, things were looking good. Unfortunately, armco surfing doesn't lead to good finishes, although it might make for good Youtube viewing. And even more importantly, if you smack your nose on the road, it will probably really hurt and you might not feel much like riding the next day. And now all that's left after the most recent carnage? The old German, too timid to pull the trigger when given the shot.
So who's left unscathed? Well, the two brothers for one (or two). Both kept out of trouble, safely ferried through the chaos by their big team mates day after day. Too bad the big guys couldn't help the favored son up the hill first time it got steep. The finish line picture of the Schleck The Elder looking over his shoulder, wondering why his little brother wasn't in the picture was priceless. After all, who doesn't like a family portrait?
That leaves the convict. Second place throughout the week, always present and accounted for, never in trouble. Something must be very wrong, he hasn't had a bad day yet. Oh, wait, we haven't hit the high mountains yet. Give it time, I'm sure he'll crack once before it's over, after all, it's his turn.
So thankfully, tomorrow some climbing happens. Not much but enough that The God Of Thunder will probably finally give up his lead. Not that it hasn't been a valiant defense. He's hung a lot tougher than he was expected to. Gotta suspect though that his team did so much to defend his jersey that they might have used up too much ammo and the next two weeks could be a bit disappointing. But at least they had the spotlight for a bit, hard to say this tour is anything but a success for them no matter what else happens.
And next week the real climbing begins. Expect El Pistolero to finally fly. Seems like everyone is getting their share of bad luck this year. He's had his, now it's time to kill...
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