TightyRighty.net

This morning I was updating my lovely and vivacious wife Jenny on Floyd Landis’ incredible blow-up on the road to La Toussuire and I told her Floyd lost the Tour yesterday.  Was I wrong as hell or what?

There is nothing other then EPIC to describe Floyd’s ride today to Morzine.  He took off on the first mountain, became the leader on the road, and held most of his lead until the end.  He is now within 30 seconds of the Maillot Jaune and only 18 seconds behind Carlos Sastre.

In the Stage 7 ITT, Floyd beat Pereiro and Sastre by 1:27 and 1:57 respectively.  Is it possible that Floyd will come back and win the yellow jersey?  It is closer to probable.

I think Floyd proved today he is the strongest man in the race, as we all suspected.  Can he prove it on Saturday and reclaim the maillot jaune?

Go Floyd!!

Although I couldn’t watch the Tour live, I followed closely via the TdF webiste and cyclingnews.com.  It was an incredible day!  I feel bad for Floyd, but when you have just one bad day in the Tour, it can be disastrous.  Ask Alex Zuelle or Jan Ullrich.

Who do you pick now?  Can Periero wear the maillot jaune into Paris?  Can Sastre, Kloden, Menchov or Evans put any time into Periero tomorrow?  My guess is not enough to make the ITT on Saturday decisive.  In the ITT in stage 7, Kloden, Menchov or Evans finished roughly together, about 30 seconds up on Sastre and a minute on Pereiro.  That would not be enough time to disloge the jersey from Periero unless they take back some time tomorrow.

Has this been a great Tour or what?

Floyd Looked very strong yesterday, as did Levi Leipheimer.  I am sure that Levi is just kicking himself for such a poor time trial on Saturday.  With just a decent performance in the TT, Levi would be in a podium position right now.

I am still very confused by the timing of Floyd’s hip replacement announcement.  What a weird time to announce it – even having the doctor in France for the announcement.  Is it part of the psychological battle between the GC contenders?

Whatever the reason, you have to be impressed by Floyd.  He is clearly the man to beat.  If he can hold his lead thru the Alps, I don’ think any GC men can beat him in the final TT and another American will be wearing yellow in Paris.  How cool will that be?

There were many who thought the Tour would only be a shadow of itself with the DQ of Ullrich, Basso, Mancebo, Vino, etc.  I disagree.  I think it has made for a wide-open event with significantly more riders having opportunities for glory.

There is talk of an All-American podium with George, Levi and Floyd (from more than just the American-homer Bob Roll).  Wouldn’t that really chap the French??  The potential for that only increased today with the unfortunate injury to Valverde on the run-in to Valkenberg.  Last year it was the knee and this year the shoulder – you have to feel sorry for Alejandro.  But he is young and very strong so I would not count him out in future years.

It is going to be an interesting race, and if booting those guys was necessary to clean-up our sport – so be it.  I don’t think I will notice if the average speed is 40 kph instead of 42.  There will always be a cloud hanging over cycling until the sport is rid of the cheats. 

I hope Ullrich, Basso, et al were not cheating but it does not look good for them.  I’ll be watching closely to see how it turns out – both the race and the off the road drama.