Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Finally, Lance and Discovery were attacked and we had an entertaining stage. Nothing better for the “TOUR, LIVE, LOUD” shown on the big screen.

T-Mobile took the Tour by the scruff of the neck and attacked. The result was Lance had no support riders around him leaving him vulnerable. They attacked on the penultimate climb as planned because there is no way to beat Armstrong on the final climb. The attack was enough to try and shake up the top categories, but Armstrong did not win 6 Tours by luck. Armstrong kept within himself and moved methodically to get to the front of the race. Eventually as the front group wittled down to Basso, Ullrich and Armstrong, Lance looked like he was in full control.

Vino gets no respect
Alexandre Vinokourov was a catalyst for several attacks, but each time was promptly chased down by his two T-Mobile teammates. This move did not look like it was planned, unless they had a tactic of having everyone go to the front. T-Mobile could have probably used the three riders more effectively if they did not waste time chasing down each other. That is part of the reason why Discovery has had a man at the top in the last six Tours, and not T-Mobile.

Basso moves up
Ivan Basso isn’t coy in interviews. He pointed to the Pyrenees and said that is where the race will be decided. When Basso was dropped by the lead group on Courchevel, everyone on CSC was probably nervous, but not Ivan. He knew his form would improve for this weekend, and he knows his form well.
Ivan actually attacks and drove the pace on the climbs. This is a marked change from years past when he simply followed wheels, and he is more aggressive than last year when he went mano-a-mano with Lance, but did not unleash an attack.

Ullrich shows up the critics
The critics were reaching a critical mass with their disses on Ullrich. Jan had enough and showed that he should belong on the podium and should still be considered one of Lance’s top challengers. Jan may be back, perhaps by default as Kloden and Vino don’t look to have the same form the did in the last two years. Either way, there is a reason why Armstrong always mentions Ullrich as the top challenger, and today he reaffirmed his ability. He did get dropped on the end of the climb, but he should at least get 3rd come July 24th.

Skeletor
Rassmussen will now be coined by the name “Skeletor”. Watching the lanky climber work his way up the climbs, this name just hit me. Skeletor gained enough Polka Dot points to keep the jersey to the end, but today he did not have the form he did in the Alps. He may sink down the overall standings in the next few days especially after the TT on Saturday.
Originally I thought that Skeletor would challenge Lance for the yellow jersey. Skelly did join in the attacks, but he did not have the same speed on the Pyrenees.