Written during a lull in stage 16 🙂
- As of this writing, I think the race is now down to Menchov vs. Leipheimer, with the advantage clearly in Menchov’s favor. Will Leipheimer’s powerful team and historical third week strength allow him to put an advantage on the cool Russian over the last three mountainous stages or will Menchov follow wheels all the way to Roma? Only time (including the next 45 minutes of stage 16) will tell. I’m pulling for Levi, but I won’t be upset at all if Menchov wins. I’ve always been a fan, but I’ve had a real soft spot for him ever since he was undermined by “The Chicken” in the 2007 Tour. He’s ridden so well thus far, I have to wonder how much he’ll have left for the Tour. Riding like this he’d be a force to reckon with and I’d put him ahead of Evans as Contador’s main rival (non-teammate division.)
- Cavendish is a beast. For as long as they have him Columbia High Road can simply send him to any race with significant sprint stages to contest and they can pencil in a few victories. He’s really good at what he does. Can we pencil him in for the points jersey in the Tour? I think so.
- Watching Basso go on the attack yesterday was fun, if fruitless for him. I’m hoping he continues to be aggressive this week. I’d love to see a fourth combatant for the final podium.
- Di Luca isn’t going away. I still don’t think he’ll win the race, but it’s still a lot of fun to watch him battle it out with aggression. It’s funny what hunting for stage wins and time bonuses can do to a man’s GC chances in a tight race.
- The Cinque Terre time trial, by the way, was probably the best ITT I’ve ever watched. It was tough, dramatic and set against a beautiful backdrop. That’s everything I like about bike racing as a fan.
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