The End.

Whelp, as I predicted, Chris Froome will win.  But what a ride these last few days in the Alps.

By the time the stages would end, I was exhausted just from watching.  Makes it hard to get out of bed and go to work.

It's easy to play armchair quarterback, but I was really hoping Quintana and Movistar would have attacked sooner on the final climbs of the last two stages.  I'm not there and I don't know what the riders are thinking or feeling, but it seems to me that Quintana never seems to be completely out of gas when he crosses the finish line. 

I did like Quintana's attacks today on the L'Alpe D'Huez.  Two smalls ones to shed as many Team Sky riders off the front and then one hard hit.

For those who doubt, today's stage was an excellent example of teamwork from Movistar.  Putting Winner Anacona in the break and the attack from Valverde were the decisive moves on L'Alpe D'Huez.  When Team Sky didn't react to Valverde's move, Quintana attacked, and bridged to him, then together they set a tempo equal, if not faster than Team Sky.

Once Quintana bridged to Anacona, Valverde's job was done, and Anacona upped the pace with Quintana.  Perfect team tactics.


Barring any major incidents tomorrow, here's how we should finish.

3. Nobody!
     No one wins!  Yea!  Playing for third!  Woot!

4. Marc Deussault - Vincenzo Nibali
      I can here Manny now, "Guess someone got a blood bag before stage 19."  It was a pretty impressive win by Nibali on stage 19.  Some controversy on his choice of attacking when Froome had a mechanical.  Even more interesting to hear Bob Roll and Christian Vande Velde in the post show agree with the tactic.  All for another post I guess.

5. Manny Treeson - Alberto Contador
    I can here Manny now, "I would have been in 4th if it wasn't for a blood bag."

9. Craig Housenick - Romain Badret
    Impressive riding by Badret to get back into contention in the Alps.

16. Blaine Rainey - Thibault Pinot
     Surprised he didn't pick Rein Taaramae or Tanel Kangert.  Great end to a very trying tour for Pinot.  Winning on L'Alpe D'Huez has almost as much recognition as winning the entire tour.

40. Arnold Serame - Ryder Hesjedal
     Rough tour for the former Giro winner, but like the Giro this year, he seemed to recover in the final week.  A kilometer or two too far on L'Alpe D'Huez today.

48. Toby Fleming - Richie Porte
     Interesting fact: Peter Sagan finished in 46th, almost 2 minutes faster than Porte.  No matter, I'm excited at the possibility that next year he'll be in the black and red of Team BMC.  He still showed well throughout the tour shepherding Froome.  You can't buy loyalty like that.

2. Dan Boland - Nairo Quintana
     I blame my poor showing on Nibali not taking his blood bag sooner.  I always thought Froome was going to win, but after the showing of Astana at the Giro, would have thought they had the team to rally around Nibali and put him on the podium in 2nd.  No matter, at least I didn't pick...

1. Mike Jenness - Chris Froome
     It always seems like a real option for third when you see is riding style in the mountains.  How does anyone go that fast looking like that?

DNF stage 17 - David Fish - Tejay Van Garderen
   This was a real blow to the Tour.  What would have been if he didn't succumb to sickness?  He did not look good that day he dropped out.  He never would have won the tour.  He, like Froome, needs more CLM miles to contend with the pure climbers like Quintana.  Next year he'll have Porte with him.  Double pronged attack for BMC or will Porte play chief lieutenant?

DNF stage 4 - Tom Beck - Fabian Cancellara
     Fabian has had a rough season, let alone a rough tour.  Is this the first tour where two yellow jersey winners crashed out while still in yellow?  Hopefully Spartacus returns to form to challenge for the worlds this year.

My next day off is Tuesday.  Hopefully I can put in one last blog post to discuss the Nibali attack on stage 19.  After listening to Bob and Christian present a good argument for not waiting for Froome, I've had to re-evaluate my stand on the matter.  Perhaps a point/counter point with Manny?

Thanks again for anyone who read this.  And please do me the favor of commenting on this post so I know we are reaching someone with our random trains of thought.  I hate talking for no reason.

Safe riding and I'll see you all on the road!