Dave's Dogmatic Dribbles
By Dave Osborne
Jul 17, 2004, 11:50

Tour de France - Stage 13

There were 160 racers who started today and several of those were unable to continue. I am saddened the most by the withdraw of Tyler Hamilton. It wasn’t that he couldn’t endure the pain, but he wasn’t able to get the power to his legs with his lower back injury.

I guess mountain stages have their ups and downs in many ways. The Tour will be empty without Tyler. Zubeldia, Menchov, Glomser, and Wegmann also left. Mayo wanted to quit but was convinced otherwise.

Although Lance may not be wearing the yellow jersey, USPS drives the peloton like he is. This team is no doubt the strongest in the field. They controlled every aspect of the race. Every postal rider is truly dedicated to sacrificing themselves for Lance’s glory. The pressure they apply is unmatched and their efforts drain the opposition slowly but surely.

Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso working hard on the final climb. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

In the end, it was the Lance and Ivan (does he ride a Basso) show again.

Azevedo was the last domestique to lead for Lance before he left the two of them alone. Who cares whether or not Lance let Basso win yesterday. He showed today he wanted the stage win…then again, maybe Basso let him win! Ullrich had to ride a painful solo to the finish.

With Tyler gone and Jan struggling, its time to think about some new contenders. Can you say Ivan, 2^nd place Basso? Or does Kloden the 3^rd come to mind. What if Ullrich has to face the same fate of another rider becoming the team leader as he did with Riis?

More on Voeckler. “he’s been dropped, he’s back on, he’s been dropped, he’s back on, and he keeps the yellow jersey!” Wow! At one point on the climb, he was wobbling like a drunk. This guy has guts and a will to match.

Finally, the spectators are just getting too damn scary for the race to progress safely.

Something is going to happen and it won’t be good. Ride safe guys!

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com as the Tour continues!

Dave Osborne

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