2009 Tour de France - Stage 20.

It won’t begin until the end. It doesn’t really matter who is out front until the climb begins. I’m sure there will be a few people from Astana and Saxo Bank that will keep everything in check. We’ll have to wait until 21 km to go at the bottom of Mont Ventoux.

Three racers in the front aren’t even in the spotlight. To give them a little credit, they are Juan Manuel Garate (RAB), Tony Martin (THR), and Christophe Riblon (ALM).These were some of the racers who initiated the first attack hours ago. Garate jumps out of the saddle and Martin is able to stay with him. Look at their faces. I think Martin is racing unconscious! His eyes are rolled back in his head. Juan looks like he’s staring down death. Something has to be burning. I had a burning sensation once after I got back from shore leave in Singapore. Nothing that 30 days of penicillin didn’t cure.

Back to what we want to see... The gloves come off when Frank is the first to swing. Lance counters without a hesitation. Andy repeatedly jabs but misses Contador every time. Andy doesn’t want to drop Frank and constantly hesitates while waiting for a response from his brother. Too bad Alberto and Lance can’t learn from the Schleck’s brotherly love. There’s some rubber banding going on as the two “A” men gap and regroup with Lance, Frank, and Bradley. Wiggins finally cracks after a phenomenal effort.

Garate and Martin complete their grueling escape with a one-two finish in the stage. Somebody needs to pull Martin’s eyes out of the back of his head. The A duo sputter a few seconds ahead of Lance and Frank. Alberto knows he has won the Tour.

Garate comments after his stage win saying this is paradise. Others would say it was hell.

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