2009 Tour de France Top 5, Bottom 5  

This years version is proving to be one of the most memorable in recent history. Notwithstanding the obvious return of Lance, and the much talked about dispute between Lance and last years champion Alberto Contador. Personally. Even though Albertos explosive dart up the swiss alps seems to have quieted the chatter for now, I still think we are in for an epic finish on day 20.

Let me just give you a little taste of why I think this years tour will be remembered as one of the best ever.

1. Return of the team time trial. Always entertaining, this is a fast event, and forces teams to work together. When finalizing their roster, teams must decide between a domestique who can climb and possibly help pull the team No one up the alps into a good GC standing, or a Jack of all trades who can ride fast in the Peloton, climb, Time trial, and recover quickly to do it all the next day.

2. Tour de France, and de Spain, and de Switzerland. My non cycling friends can’t understand why the Tour de France has a stage finishing in Barcelona or a journey into the Suisse Alps. I think it’s awesome. It makes the tour unique, as if it needs to be. The tour routinely crosses into Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and has even started several times from England including 2007 with the prologue starting in London.

3. Battle of the sprinters. This has been an epic between Columbia’s Mark Cavendish, and Garmin’s Tyler Ferrar. Cav has been the man to watch, with Ty closing in fast, and experts predicting he will beat Cav, and claim a stage win in a sprint finish in this tour. It hasen’t turned out that way, but it has been fun to watch. All the while, big Thor has been quietly placing in all the sprints, collecting points, and staying ahead in the Green Jersey competition. This side story is keeping all entertained while waiting for the battle of the alps.

4. Cool team uniforms. I am not sure which I like better, Team Columbia with the 6 pack abs on the front, or Garmin with their argile. I plan to have one by the start of next years tour. In honour of George, maybe I’ll buy the six pack. It’ll also motivate me over the winter to work on a set for under the jersey.




5. Mont Venteau. When I hear Tour de France, and Mountain stages this is what I picture. The switchbacks, the crowds lining the narrow roads. The cyclists struggling up the steep inclines, and the finish at the tower that marks the summit. This will be a fitting end to this years tour. If you have never watched a race stage, this will be the one to pop your cherry on. BTW did you know that venteux means windy in French




What I don’t like about this years tour.

1. Having to wait 4 hours to watch the sprint finish between Mark Cavendish, and Tyler Ferrar.

2. Having to wait nearly two weeks for the Alps.

3. The internet coverage. Yes, it interupts my work, and spoils my evenings viewing. It’s not as much fun watching when I already know the outcome.

4. Trying to watch the Tour de France while training for my own events. So far, I have watched the end of one, yes one stage. By the time the race reaches the last 10k, I am snoring like my uncle Joe.

5. Actually there are only 4, and they aren’t that bad. I Can’t wait for Mont Ventoux.