2009 Tour de France - Stage 17.

More of the same from yesterday…up down times five. Four of the climbs are cat 1with a cat 2 thrown in to give the racers a rest. Can you feel the pain? There will be destruction today. More than likely, all the meaningful action will occur on the last climb.

It looks like Cadel has dropped anchor. The teamless one is talking to someone in a “team” car. Perhaps Cadel is confused. We all know he doesn’t have a team. I think Cavendish may even finish ahead of Cadel today!

Speaking of sprinters, Thor is getting an early start on the downhill side of the first hill when he attacks near the crest. He will probably finish in front of Cadel and Mark. Thor is a loner today. He’s getting climber’s points so tomorrow he can wear a green polka dot jersey. Thor is showing us why he was voted the best downhiller. He’s literally on the edge while cutting the apexes. Alas, Thor is finally caught by the peloton and gracefully fades away.

Menchov crashes! Menchov crashes! You can’t keep a good man down. He should be awarded the crash test dummy jersey. It would have the international Red Cross symbol on it. He’ll be licking his wounds later.

Sastre attempts to damage the GC leaders but doesn’t have the gas. Saxo takes control. The Schleck’s, AC, and Kloden nervously take the lead. Lance marks the counter from Wiggens. Eventually, Wiggens wigs out and Lance says bye bye. Kloden is out in no man’s land while Saxo Schleck’s are putting as much time as possible between themselves and Wiggins. I’m sure they think it would have been nice to do the same to Alberto but that just isn’t going to happen.

I praise Saxo for their attack and effort. Frank should enjoy his stage victory and I’m sure Andy is happy for that and the time against Wiggins.

Lance should get the most aggressive racer award today. He covered Bradley until it didn’t matter anymore. He then burned up the remainder of the climb and caught Kloden and Nibali on the descent. He carried them to the finish. Lance helped his team leader and himself. He showed why he is a seven time winner of the Tour. I applaud him.

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