REUSSIR BIEN!!!

The tour has been so exciting. Lance and Cadel have never really been contendors and it is Reigning  Spain as it has for the last few years.
The French are also having a great race and I am so happy for them.
Sadly this blog must now come to an end for reasons above human understanding.  I shall remember this race, the country for always as it has brought to my life the greatest memories sweet like summer wine.

Reussir bien, nous ne rencontrerons jamais encore...

Long live Alberto Contador!

LE TOUR EST ARRIVE    

The 'Tour' has arrived, Aberto Contador is causciously optimistic, todays stage will be decisive with 13kms of cobbles and only 6kms to to the end from this point. The Schlecks have been on the tarmac and Cancellera proved that a great leader of the tour dictates how the peloton should race.

He put an end to racing after a dangerous descent, I don't recall anyone ever doing this in recent years and the only other rider that I do remember doing this is Bernard Hinault of France decades back.

Is this deja vu or what? Just the other day I was saying to my wife would it not be marvelous if the French could wear the Mailot Jaune as they have not won the Tour for such a long time. Chavanel may not win the Tour but he sure can hold on to that 'jersey' for at least 10days.

The old dogs like Sastre and Armstrong are in there with a shout but neither will win this year's race.
Cadel can't win this tour either and maybe the only jersey he'll be wearing for a while is the 'rainbow jersey'.

Tony Martin looks good but we will have to see and as always Spain looks to be the strongest.   This tour is going to be a great one.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!

There are only a few hours left to the greatest sporting event in world cycling; Le Tour de France.
We will congregate on mountain, hill, valley, flatlands, over radio, on television, and on world wide web where-ever it is possible to get a glimpse of this unequivocal event, we will shed tears, cheer and debate but most importantly we will get great satisfaction from this marvelous sport.

They say World Cup Soccer brings the World together for 31 days, well, we will not boast for fear of hypocrisy or pride, we will simply say; go to the Tour de France 'yourself' and you will discover that your life has been changed for-ever...Vive le France!

So as this countdown begins it is only fitting to quote the great Henry des Grange at the presentation of the 1906 Tour.

"Through torrid afternooons, entire populations will present themselves before you, their hands raised in applause, their eyes wide open to catch a lasting memory of the battle.
In the evening, as nature slumbers peacefully, tired after the long day, the peasant, burnt by the sun, will falll silent to celebrate your passing.  Then, after the pain, honour will follow. alive again, you will enter Paris in sporting glory.  And later, you will remember your exploits at the Tour de France, and you will be able to say with pride; I was there".