2009 Tour de France - Stage 13.

Although 13 may be unlucky for some, 12 was unlucky for Levi. Leipheimer is out of the Tour with a broken wrist. His fall yesterday didn’t seem that serious. Now, he’s facing surgery. Levi was a contender to win. An incident he had no control over suddenly ended his hopes. Obviously he and his teammates must be disappointed. He has every right to be upset but I hope his normally optimistic outlook carries him through his recovery.

My guess is Astana is feeling a bit blue today and will be sitting in. I know I’m one to be a bit impatient and would like to see some action to at least stir the pot. Maybe Lance and Alberto will bond. Wait, I can’t believe I just said that! It must have been a flashback from my days of writing romance novels. What I meant to say was maybe MC and Thor will bond.

Everything seems weird today. Maybe because the racers are stiff, cold, wet, tired, hungry, and afraid of crashing on slippery roads. Not so much for Heinrich Haussler.
He and six others formed the first break from the peloton. Henry continued to keep on the gas and left all but Chavanel. Haussler then let it all hang out on the decent and solo’d over 40 km to a fantastic stage win. He said it best “I didn’t exactly chose this stage as one for me before the Tour but it’s special. On the last hill it was absolutely amazing, I was getting goosebumps all over me and this is what you do cycling for: to get these feelings and these emotions.”

Haussler’s efforts must have influenced his teammate Hushovd. Thor was able to maintain contact with the peloton and steal the green jersey from MC. Of course, “can’t touch this” Cavendish only wants to win in Paris.

Superstitious or not, 13 was a lucky day for Haussler. I hope his luck rubs off on Levi for a speedy recovery.

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