Warren's Place

Eddie Merckx was known as the "Cannibal", and Bernard Hinault was the "Badger". The two great cycling champions were so nicknamed because of their aggressive and punishing riding style. Merckx would often chase down potential stage winners even though his GC lead was already well in hand. When Hinault congratulated Armstrong today on the winner's podium, he told Armstrong approvingly, "Perfect! No gifts". So, we need an appropriate nickname for Armstrong. I've heard "Terminator", or the "Boss", or "Big Tex".

What do you think?

At the climax of today's stage, T-Mobile's Andreas Kloden was poised for his first ever TDF stage victory when he launched an attack with about 1 km to go. Floyd Landis, the talented USPS domestique was given the green light to go for a win, but on both of his breakaway attempts, he was chased down by Ullrich and Kloden. When Armstrong saw Kloden attack for an apparent win, Armstrong decided to go for the kill with only 250 meters to go in the stage. He edged Kloden at the line by just about half a wheel length for his 3rd consecutive mountain stage victory thus preserving the win for himself and Team USPS. The last time a rider won 3 consecutive mountain stages was in 1948. The last time anyone won 3 stages in a row was none other than the Cannibal himself, Eddie Merckx.

The final stage standings were:

Armstrong
Kloden
Ullrich
Basso
Landis

After the race, Armstrong dedicated the victory to teammate Landis, who was responsible for setting the torrid pace today to eliminate almost all other riders except for the elite few. Landis set such a blistering pace up the last climb that nobody was able to launch an attack. I was impatiently waiting for T-Mobile's Ullrich and Kloden to make their move, but it never materialized.

As a side note, Richard Virenque won enough KOM points today to clinch a Tour record 7th KOM title assuming that he finishes in Paris on Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

Warren