[Tour 2002]- Stage 14.5 (Rest Day)

[CycloFiend Tour Addict]

Second Rest Day - Stage 14.5

Thoughts from the 2002 Tour so far... in no particular order or context.

The whole of the USPS team has clearly refocused their training with a
specificity to this year's Tour route.  Obviously, Lance's preparation
was geared more for climbing success than time trial power, but it's
interesting to see a man like George Hincapie driving the pace high up
the mountains.  The stunning thing is the absolute shattering of the
supposed climbers by Rubiera, Heras and Armstrong.  They clearly are
working hard as they go up hill, but just as clearly have a  bit more
upper range in their throttle.  ONCE, Kelme and Euskaltel-Euskadi for
example, all possess strong climbers in their squads, but when the roads
begin to pitch upwards, they just don't have the goods.

This year has not seen an explosive attack the way Lance moved away on
Alp d'Huez.  Instead we've seen these steady increases of pace which
grinds the will of the other riders to a dusty paste.  It must be so
thouroughly demoralizing for every other rider - the pace begins edging
up, and again, and again, and suddenly you realize you're riding far
into your red zone, just before the pace goes up again. The image of
this the Tour so far has been accomplished mountain men scattered across
the roadway, zigzagging, searching for gears that aren't there, and
trying to find where the strength in their legs has gone.

Alhtough there's been no "look" this year, there have been the more
subtle and devious mind games: of waiting until the man who is just
barely hanging on behind you is suffering to the edge of his abilities,
and then reaching up to press the talk button in your microphone to the
team car, and carrying on a conversation while you continue to fly
uphill.  Just a will-crusher...

Aside from the obvious pummeling that Lance and the Posties are doling
out - I miss the Zebras from Aqua & Sapone and feel a sadness if it
proves to be true that Cipollini has really left the sport.  Team COAST
would have been an interesting inclusion in this year's Tour lineup as
well.  Maybe next yaer... Poor Jonathan Vaughters is being punished for
something which must have been very bad in a previous life.  Maybe next
year for him too, unfortunately "again"...  I probably will never refer
to Laurent Jalabert as Larry Jelebert - he gained my ultimate respect
last year with the efforts he made to gain the KoM jersey after breaking
vertabrae in his back, and after this year's efforts and repeated solo
attacks, it's clear he knows how to suffer. It's great to see David
Millar continuing to gain tactical sense to back up his obvious physical
skills - he reacted extremely well in the dicey bits played out on the
roadway into Beziers. The violence of the crashes is always stunning,
and it's a terrible way to have all of your efforts and preparation
ended.

On the stages ahead, don't count Ivan Gotti out - we've learned from
this year's Giro that you need to remain aware of quiet Italians who
appear into the last stages of grand tours.  With the climbing ahead, he
could steadily nip away at those ahead of him.   Lampre's Raimondas
Rumsas has certainly appeared from nowhere to sneak into the top ranks
of the race. There hadn't been any real press referring to his chances,
yet his efforts in the mountains show a strongly maturing rider. It's
nice to see Ivan Basso continuing to react well under the pressure of
the climbs, as he had to retire last year after breaking a collarbone
last year.  Encouraging too was the comeback of Levi Leipheimer on the
climb of Ventoux yesterday. He's certainly finding that the Vuelta is
not the Tour, but he clearly possesses the skills to be competitive in
the future.

There are still a number of climbs ahead, treacherous descents and whole
lot of variables which can only be reduced by the continued approach to
the Champs  Elysees. It will be interesting to see how the other riders
cover the final time trial, after the enthusiasm and energy sapping
climbs of this week.

The Tour is never dull, and this year is no exception.  On to the climbs
of  Stage 15.

GC -
Malliot Juane - Lance Armstrong
2 - Joseba Beloki - 4:21
3 - Raimondas Rumsas - 6:39
4- Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano - 7:04
5 - Francisco Mancebo - 10:49
6 - Jose Azevedo - 10:57
7 - Roberto Heras - 11:35
8 - Oscar Sevilla - 12:45
9 - Levi Leipheimer - 12:54
10 - Richard Virenque - 13:12

Tuesday - Stage 15 - Vaison la Romaine to Les Deux Alpes - 226.5 km
This year's longest stage, covering a succession of  7 categorized
climbs.  Although the only Category 1 is the finishing climb - up  11
km, average 6.5% gradiant Les Deux Alpes.  There's a steady diet of 2's
and 3's, but this entire stage could almost seem to be a warmup for
Wednesday, when the riders encounter the Col du Galibier, Col de la
Madelaine and La Plagne - all three HC climbs...  Still, it will be a
long, hot day in the saddle.  I would expect we shall be less one or two

riders signing in after the devastating climb of Ventoux.