So we’re a week into the Tour de France and what have we learned so far? Well, it’s probably safe to say that after four stage victories Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) is the fastest man on two wheels at present. His victories this week have been displays of sheer dominance; no one has been able to even challenge the flying Italian.
Five times winner of the Green Points jersey, Eric Zabel, said of his rival, ”Petacchi is the sprinter. He is the best sprinter in the world at the moment.” I just hope that his abandonment yesterday on the way to the finish at Morzine isn’t the start of a trend for Petacchi; a rider of his talent should fight to make their way over the cols back to Paris at the end of July.After each victory, he reiterated that he was not the new Cipollini. This was not the way to prove it.
Taking over the green jersey from Petacchi is Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com). Winner of one stage already in this year’s TdF, Cooke now has the full support of former yellow jersey wearer Brad McGee - for the rest of this year at least. ”We’re putting it together for the next few years to go for the complete GC,” said McGee.
Of the other Aussies, Stuart O’Grady (Credit Agricole) stared in the longest break of the race so far, over two hundred kilometers in Friday’s stage. His DS, Roger Legeay later said, ”He is really part of the team family, having been with us since the age of 19. He’s a man built for the Tour.”
Fellow Aussie Sprinter, Robbie McEwen, seems more interested in wallowing in his own self-pity following his inability to score a stage victory thus far. ”If you can’t finish better than fifth or sixth all the time, you don’t deserve the Green (jersey). You have to be honest with yourself.”
One rider to continue watching with interest, and fourth on yesterday’s stage to Morzine is the rapidly improving Michael Rogers. Don’t be surprised to see him up there in at least one other stage in the mountains.
Rider of the race so far must surely go to Tyler Hamilton. Suffering two hair-line cracks in his collarbone in the stage one crash into the finish at Meaux, the gutsy rider has continued in the race firstly with the intention of helping his team mates do a ride in Wednesday’s team time trial and now with the intention of getting a result for himself. ”I’ve done the Tour six times. I want to finish this one but finish it well. If I’m not able to attack in the mountains then it’s over.”Hamilton added, ”I guess time will tell if I made the right decision.” X-rays so far show that the break certainly isn’t getting any worse so we’re likely to see the CSC leader in the action throughout the Alps and Pyrenees.
Race favorite Lance Armstrong has so far had a quiet race, not having to put his team to work until yesterdays stage to Morzine to control the winning break.
A win in the Team Time Trial and three days in yellow for Columbian teammate, Victor Hugo Pena will have done wonders for team morale but question marks still hang over the form of Armstrong. After the team time trial he said, ”I never had the sensations. It was going around but not supple enough.” But before any of us judge, I want to remind you of a previous event. Think back two years and the stage to L’Alpe d’Huez where TV pictures showed a struggling Armstrong hanging on to the back of the lead group before that look at Ullrich and that attack which propelled him into yellow.
As for Ullrich, the German commented, ”I’ve been feeling good at the end of stages. Everything has gone smoothly so far. My time gaps have never been so small to Armstrong. I’m ready to attack the Alps and I’m waiting to see how he handles himself. Even if we already know that US Postal is strong, we don’t really know anything about Armstrong’s actual form.”
Joseba Beloki (ONCE) continues to talk up his chances although on past evidence that’s all it is - talk. ”I will attack on the Cols. The yellow is still within reach.”
The two big losers so far are Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) and Santiago Botero (Telekom). Both suffering disastrous first day’s in the mountains, they now find themselves several minutes down on the other race favourites.
Transfer rumors have also begun with a possible location for Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) being the Dutch Rabobank team.One rider almost certain to leave his present employer is David Millar following the prologue debacle, which has continued throughout the week. ”Bondue chooses the team’s equipment so he has to take responsibility,” said Millar before later admitting that, ”In the end, I’m perhaps a little Poupou (Raymond Poulidor).” Following a crisis meeting between Millar and team sponsor Francois Migraine, Alain Bondue was later demoted within the team and replaced by Francis Van Londersele as Head Director Sportif. At the end of stage one Millar said, ”Today, not yesterday, was the most painful day in my career. It really hurt not to ride in yellow today. It will take me a few more days to get over this.” Millar later admitted that he had been told by Bondue to change his chain-rings although this had been ten minutes before his prologue ride. ”I have no time to lose, but in this team at present I’m wasting my time,” said the Scot before adding that his Cofidis team were on probation for the following three weeks.
Now this was how this was going to read but having just watched the Alpe D’huez stage, I’ve got to add a bit more. What a stage; what a climb! For those of you, who haven’t watched it, let me relive it for you. US Postal hit the climb and blow the race apart, Beloki attacks, Armstrong brings him back. Mayo goes. Hamilton attacks, Armstrong pulls him back. Vinokourov attacks. Beloki, Hamilton. Hamilton, Beloki. Armstrong certainly didn’t look himself. There was none of the usual show of domination we’ve come to expect and as the stage went on, the challengers grew in confidence. Armstrong looked comfortable to just sit there and mark Beloki. Tomorrow I’d suggest he probably looks at marking Mayo as well. At the finish Armstrong jumped from the group and claimed the 8 seconds bonus available for third place. Yes, he’s in yellow but it wasn’t convincing. Beloki is second at forty seconds and Mayo third, just a minute behind. One more day like this and the little Basque rider will be taking over. And what a ride by Hamilton - grande cajones Tyler! A good ride by Millar as well finishing just five minutes behind and there was the young Aussie, Rogers, pulling Virenque up to the top of the climb. A good day all around for the Americans, Aussies and Brits but this Tour is far from over.
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