Bernucci shakes things up ... Vino strikes!
Ask Professional riders why the Tour de France is so hard and most will say "The Tour is the Tour."
It is crazy and full of surprises. Just when things were in order on the flat stages with the sprinters prevailing -- the Tour strikes. Part of the Tour phenomenon and excitement is how quickly things can change. There are the two extremes in victory and heartache with a little bit in between.
Take Alexandre Vinokourov for example. He set off to win today's stage but was unlucky with Christophe Mengin slipping in front of him. On the other hand, he didn't crash and gained valuable seconds in coming back on Lance Armstrong's lead. This attack by Vino is a sign of more to come.
It was heartbreaking for Christophe Mengin. He put in an incredible effort today, only to fall within meters of becoming the Lorenzo Bernucci of the day. Bernucci was certainly looking for an opportunity and when it presented itself in the form of Vinokourov's express -- why not climb aboard? And with Fassa Bortolo having announced they will pull out of professional cycling, Bernucci's victory is well timed. This will help as his team manager works to sign a new sponsor for the team.
The Sprinters hit the deck.
Sprinters, wet roads, corners and the finish in sight can be sketchy. Sprinters have no fear -- at least they never show it. They ride the Tour mostly throwing caution to the wind. The key is to follow a wheel -- hopefully the right wheel -- and at 40mph there is not much room for error. During my first Tour de France in 1997 I crashed in each of the first 10 stages. And it's amazing how fast it happens. One second you're moving along at 60 kmh and the next you're on the pavement scrambling to find your bike among the tangled bodies and bicycles. Not fun.
Stage 7
Wilkommen to Deutschland. A long stage into Karlsruhe. I see this as an opportune time for a break to finally succeed. Many in the peloton are going to want an easier day and the right break of riders could have an advantage.
It is crazy and full of surprises. Just when things were in order on the flat stages with the sprinters prevailing -- the Tour strikes. Part of the Tour phenomenon and excitement is how quickly things can change. There are the two extremes in victory and heartache with a little bit in between.
Take Alexandre Vinokourov for example. He set off to win today's stage but was unlucky with Christophe Mengin slipping in front of him. On the other hand, he didn't crash and gained valuable seconds in coming back on Lance Armstrong's lead. This attack by Vino is a sign of more to come.
It was heartbreaking for Christophe Mengin. He put in an incredible effort today, only to fall within meters of becoming the Lorenzo Bernucci of the day. Bernucci was certainly looking for an opportunity and when it presented itself in the form of Vinokourov's express -- why not climb aboard? And with Fassa Bortolo having announced they will pull out of professional cycling, Bernucci's victory is well timed. This will help as his team manager works to sign a new sponsor for the team.
The Sprinters hit the deck.
Sprinters, wet roads, corners and the finish in sight can be sketchy. Sprinters have no fear -- at least they never show it. They ride the Tour mostly throwing caution to the wind. The key is to follow a wheel -- hopefully the right wheel -- and at 40mph there is not much room for error. During my first Tour de France in 1997 I crashed in each of the first 10 stages. And it's amazing how fast it happens. One second you're moving along at 60 kmh and the next you're on the pavement scrambling to find your bike among the tangled bodies and bicycles. Not fun.
Stage 7
Wilkommen to Deutschland. A long stage into Karlsruhe. I see this as an opportune time for a break to finally succeed. Many in the peloton are going to want an easier day and the right break of riders could have an advantage.
3 Comments:
Can you explain in more detail how Lance controls the peloton? You mention riders have to ask permission to ride up front in their hometown and that he punished someone in an earlier Tour. Is it because he is so strong he'll ride faster, make everyone keep up with him, tiring them (but not him) out?
Kevin - Vino gained only a few seconds on Lance, and sure, the roads were dangerous and wet, but do you think Discovery made a mental mistake at the end by not watching someone as dangerous as Vino? I know that a few guys like George are assigned to stay glued to Lance at the end of flat stages, but what are the other guys' roles? Are they assigned to watch specific riders?
Ed.
Lance and the boys have to weight the risk to try to catch Vino (he'll only gain some seconds) or risk a fall.
The main objective of the team (no matter which team is) is to protect the team leader from wind and from hazards.
Eduardo
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