One of the most exciting days we have seen in a long time transpired today on the roads of the TDF provided by the attacking Schleck brothers and, of course, the terrain. 5 big climbs were out on the race course today, Finishing off with the Col de Colombier and the Col de Rome. The Col de Rome has never been used before in the Tour de France but it was a big part of the Schleck brothers strategy. They attacked like savages taking Contador and Kloden with them, but dropping Lance. He was hit on the wheel of the two Garmin men throughout the stage. Christian Vande Velde trying to help Bradley Wiggens preserve his spot in the top 3 and a potential podium in the TDF but Wiggins could not maintain the tempo. Vande Velde pulled off on the last climb and it was Wiggins trying to close the gap down to the 3 men in front. Contador attacked and it did only one thing which was losing his team mate, Andereas Kloden. Contador then went to the wheel of Frank and Andy Schleck and maintained a incredible tempo throughout the last climb of the day. Frank and Andy would go over the top of the last climb together and then streak to the finish town of Le Grand-Bornand after a 14 and a half kilometer descend. Contador had no trouble at all keeping up and those three would finish together. In the meantime, lance was able to drop Vincenzo Nibali and Bradley Wiggens . Then lance began his own breakneck dare devil descent, taking time out of 3 minute gap. He was joined by Vincenzo Nibali. Eventually he would fight his way back onto the wheel of Andreas Kloden.
At end it was 3 against 3, with Frank Schleck taking the victory in front of Contador with Andy Schleck 3rd. But in the chase group, Nibali and Armstrong would come together with Kloden and Lance would lead out the sprints for a long time. Perhaps he was hoping that Kloden could hold on for 4th place. But it was Nibali just getting about half a wheel in front of Lance at the finish line. It was an incredible recuperation for the 37 year old Lance Armstrong. He’s the most exciting bike racer in this bike race. It’s hard not to cheer for lance, especially when he puts in these huge accelerations. He waits for his moment, he waits for when the others can’t respond and then he attacks. Mont Ventoux is still to come. Time trial is also ahead tomorrow. It’s a question of weather lance will be able to make up some time again Andy Schleck. But weather or not he can catch up to Contador remains in question. The podium is still completely up for grabs. Watch for more sparks to fly from the Tour de France.
At the end of the day Lance Armstrong remains a titan in the sport, using in a huge acceleration to distance him self from Bradley Wiggins and close the gap down to our three leaders Contador, Andy and Frank on the stage. Andy and Frank now sit 2nd and 3rd in the GC with lance looking ominously dangerous considering tomorrow is the time trial. Watch for lance to bring himself back into the 2nd position, Contador to consolidate his lead against all his rivals except lance, and for Kloden to do a good time trial as well and move back into the top 3. The people who nominated today’s stage may have a different story to tell at the end of tomorrow’s stage. But Lance Armstrong the time trial is one of his specialties. But it was nice to see him lighting up the road again.
