Well, it has certainly been quite a Tour. Aside from Lance Armstrong stunning the critics with his podium finish, Wiggo and Cav have done the Brits proud. Although, I’m not sure how much Mr Cavendish appreciates being called a Brit, I know how tetchy the Manx can be. But, this tour has set 2010 up nicely. Particularly as Contador and Armstrong could no longer hold their tongues and unleashed hell on each other today.
Next year, we’ll have team Astana with the 2009 champino Alberto Contraception going head to head with team Radioshack (classic) led by seven time Tour winner Lance Armpit, who will no doubt have poached his long term Directeur Sportif, Johan Bruyneel from Astana, as well as his US Postal and Discovery Channel running mate and tour hard-man George Hincapie from Columbia.
But, we shouldn’t be fooled into focussing our attentions on these two teams alone– although there will be fireworks between them – the brothers Schleck will, again, be a handful in 2010. Andy Schleck demonstrated what a class act he is in the mountains this year and when he attacks, Christ, everyone knows about it, he will definitely win the Tour, it’s just a question of when. And, lest we forget the new 100% British team which should be gracing the Tour next year. It is truly amazing that a British team will contain one of the favourites for the general classification as well as the favourite for the Maillot Vert.
However, if anyone is going to challenge Contador for the yellow jersey next year they need to man-up in the mountains. Armstrong didn’t have his old bite, Schleck needs one more year to hone his strength and Wiggo, well, Wiggo now knows he can mix it with the best of them. If he can use this year as a bench mark, improve further and get a decent team around him, he could be a real contender.
Bring on Rotterdam, 2010.
Next year, we’ll have team Astana with the 2009 champino Alberto Contraception going head to head with team Radioshack (classic) led by seven time Tour winner Lance Armpit, who will no doubt have poached his long term Directeur Sportif, Johan Bruyneel from Astana, as well as his US Postal and Discovery Channel running mate and tour hard-man George Hincapie from Columbia.
But, we shouldn’t be fooled into focussing our attentions on these two teams alone– although there will be fireworks between them – the brothers Schleck will, again, be a handful in 2010. Andy Schleck demonstrated what a class act he is in the mountains this year and when he attacks, Christ, everyone knows about it, he will definitely win the Tour, it’s just a question of when. And, lest we forget the new 100% British team which should be gracing the Tour next year. It is truly amazing that a British team will contain one of the favourites for the general classification as well as the favourite for the Maillot Vert.
However, if anyone is going to challenge Contador for the yellow jersey next year they need to man-up in the mountains. Armstrong didn’t have his old bite, Schleck needs one more year to hone his strength and Wiggo, well, Wiggo now knows he can mix it with the best of them. If he can use this year as a bench mark, improve further and get a decent team around him, he could be a real contender.
Bring on Rotterdam, 2010.
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