The race that started at Rotterdam in Netherlands on 3rd July is about to conclude tomorrow along the historical avenue of Champs-Elysees in Paris.
The 52 km Stage 19 time trial today will be the ultimate deciding factor as Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck race to the finish line with only eight seconds of difference between them. Alberto Contador is in the lead with 88h 09′ 48″.
It’s interesting to learn that the first ever Tour de France took place on July 1, 1903 on a 471 km route with 60 riders, 21 of which reached the finish line! This year, the tour covered 3642 kilometres with 22 teams comprising of over 200 contenders participating from around the globe.
Le Tour’s inception took place in an office meeting of French magazine L’Auto. To thwart the falling sales of the magazine, journalist Géo Lefèvre, suggested a six-day nation-wide cycle race, an unprecedented event at the time. The editor, Henri Desgrange, was bold enough to believe in the idea and to throw his backing behind the race. Today, over 500 towns and villages have hosted the Tour (about 2,000 stages and prologues). More than 10,000 riders have taken their chance on the Tour and over 6,000 have completed the race.
An entire century ago, in 1910, the tour included the treacherous and demanding range of mountains – The Pyrenees. Commemorating the 100 years since their inclusion, the Pyrenees held a special focus this time around. 4 of the 20 stages this year crossed through the Pyrenees with an uphill finish on stage 17. And true to form, the week was full of thrills and controversy. The stage passed through the Col du Tourmalet, considered to be the toughest part of the route, covered in dense fog with thousands of fans struggling to get a good vantage point and cheering on the racers.
The talk of the stage was Alberto Contador who took advantage of a mechanical fault in Andy Schleck’s bike to gain lead on him. Contador was heavily criticised for breaking a cardinal Tour rule – you don’t attack the yellow jersey when he has a crash or a ‘mechanical’. The stage ended with Schleck fuming as Contador gained 39 seconds and got ahead of Schleck by 8 seconds, a lead which could very well bring the title home for Contador.
For Lance Armstrong, 7 times Tour De France winner, this was his last run. Doping allegations, illnesses, age and a key accident at stage 8 have all been working against the cycling star. But there was no dearth of supporters wearing his yellow band supporting the Lance Armstrong foundation for cancer and cheering their star through his last feat.
Even though his last effort for a stage win on the Pyrenees at Stage 16 didn’t show result, his performance on one of the most challenging routes and his determination to get one last stage win did win a million hearts. Even at an unbecoming 23rd position, there is no denying that Armstrong still remains king of the roads with a remarkable career that scans almost 2 decades.
Another favourite at the tour has been Mark Cavendish. Even without his most important teammate and lead out man, Mark Renshaw, Cavendish showed yet again that few can touch him when it comes to sprinting. Stage 18 was his 4th stage win this year and his 14th in just 3 years in the Tour. He won the stage with a stunning sprint with time enough to turn back to look at the other riders and raise his fist into the air as he crossed the finish line.
Stage 19 of Tour de France 2010 started today in Bodreaux. It takes the racers through the streets of the beautiful city and the heart of France’s wine country. With the time trial today, all eyes are on Schleck and Contador. But Contador’s lead is only expected to increase as Schleck has lost to Contador in every time trial in which they have competed. The mountain stage was considered a decisive factor for the entire tour. With Contador gaining an eight second lead on the stage, can Schleck catch up?
Fans around the world would be waiting today for this very answer. The riders are to race in inverse order of their standings, which means Contador will be the day's final rider to take the road, just after Schleck. Alberto Contador’s win would hoist Spain into an unbeatable sport nation what with the FIFA 2010 win, Nadal’s Tennis World No.1 as well as Spanish wins in rugby and Formula One.
So who will the fans be cheering on along the Champs-Elysees this Sunday? As the decisive moment arrives, we wait with bated breath.
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