Le Tour Day 18 - Up and Down and Heading for Pau

Congratulations to yesterday's stage winner - Nairo Quintano. This Columbian rider has impressed me for several years now - he loves the high mountains. Nothing ever seems to change his expression as he's riding ahead in the peaks. He's like a diminutive Olmec statue as he focuses on his goal and give passing attention to everything around him. When he wins a stage or gets onto the podium in Paris, however, he smiles broadly. It's rather like sunshine through clouds - unexpected and wonderful. Yesterday, Nairo won on the slopes of the steepest climb and hardest mountain stage ever faced by riders of Le Tour de France, and it was a wonderful thing to witness. His win pulled him from 8th place all the way up to 5th place - quite incredible. 

Nairo Quintana, who had unexpected difficulties in the Alps, regained
his balance on this harsh day in the Pyrenees, and won the stage. 

Chris Froome broke on the last two kilometers of the final climb, leaving Geraint Thomas to forge ahead of him and cross the finish line still firmly holding onto the Yellow Jersey. Unless something crazy happens or he really messes up the individual time trial, he'll be standing on the top step in Paris and Froome, although he still has a chance because he's an excellent time trial rider, might be a step or two down (or even off the podium altogether). I'm just fine with that. Of course, we still have to make it to Paris, and there's some tough riding still pending. 

Today isn't filled with killer climbs, but it's not the flats of
central France either. The riders are merely moving across from
one section of the Pyrenees to another, ending up in storied Pau. 

I'm really looking forward to Friday's storied mountain - the Col du Tourmalet, but today's stage won't be flat and easy riding either. Today's route is long and hilly, as the riders make their way to Pau - a storied jump-off location for Friday's final assault of the high mountains. It's odd to have an "easy" stage in the middle of the mountains, but given yesterday's punishing climb, it'll be nice for the riders to have a day for their legs to recover slightly. Today is no cake walk, but it isn't Friday's profile or Saturday's individual time trial, either. 

Amazingly, there was only a single rider listed as a withdraw yesterday - Gilbert Philippe (Quick Step) did not start. It turns out that Tuesday's horrible crash actually cracked his patella. Serious ouch! 

Geraint Thomas, wearing the Yellow Jersey he has worn
since the Alps, pulls ahead of his teammate, Chris Froome
on yesterday's killer slopes. Froome won the Giro d'Italia
shortly before beginning Le Tour de France, which might have
led to him overstretching himself for Le Tour. Still, I've
really been enjoying watching Thomas soar. He's a
wonderful young rider, fully capable of taking over the
top spot on Team Sky. 

Late yesterday, Chris Froome conceded his position in Team Sky to Geraint Thomas, saying in an interview that he'll support Thomas getting the win for this year's tour and touting the fact that it is a team move. Right now Froome is standing in third position, down almost three minutes from Thomas, with Tom Dumoulin standing second between the two Sky riders, almost two minutes behind Thomas. If Thomas wins this year's Tour, then once again the adage of "He who wears yellow at Alpe d' Huez wears it into Paris" will prove true. It will be one more step into the storied mythology of this amazing race. The next two days in the mountains and the Time Trial on Saturday will determine the winner and it's nail biting time! 

Have an excellent Thursday. It was wonderful to have a day off yesterday. I got lots of things done, and Aearwen and I actually had time to catch up in our weekly phone chat - something we've missed for most of July. I feel balanced once more, and quite happy. Enjoy your Thursday and I'll be back tomorrow.