A coworker asked why I was yawning this morning, I explained that the live coverage of the tour didn’t finish until 02:30. Then came the question that dumbfounded me; “Have you ever ridden in the Tour de France yourself?” laughing I tried to explain that it was like asking me whether I’d ever competed in the Olympic games — they shrugged.
What can I remember about this year’s tour? The rain and crashes in the first week. Robbie McEwen in green, always seeming happy and personable on camera. Jan Ulrich looking very serious and very Germanic — what would have happened to him and team T-Mobile if Cadel Evans had been included? Tyler Hamilton and Team Phonak looking promising, but then not doing much. Euskaltel seeming to do little. Richard Virenque again being the hill-climbing darling of France. Thomas Voeckler the surprise leader for ten days, a surprise it seemed, as much to him as to everyone else. Ivan Basso looking able to challenge Armstrong in the hills, but not enough determination to keep up the challenge. Oh, and I guess Lance won, but there really didn’t seem to be any real competion.
