Impossible Ride

I'm getting to watch the ride of the century from the tour! Floyd Landis, the American riding for Phonak, was in first place on Tuesday by a minute or so. On Wednesday he totally cracked on the last climb and lost just over 10 minutes putting him in 11th place, 8 minutes out of first. Once you are that far behind, your chances for the yellow jersey are virtually over. Yesterday, he did a ride they are calling the greatest ride of the tour of all time. He broke away from the peloton on the first hill, built up a lead of over 9 minutes, and ended up keeping his huge lead and won the day by 7 minutes over the yellow jersey. He now sits in 3rd at 30 seconds behind. Just amazing!

This has been the most exciting Tour in a long time. What is also as amazing is that the guy in first place now used to be in 47th place, around 28 minutes out of the lead. Landis and the Phonak team let him get into a break-away and let the breakaway win by 30 minutes, assuming he would crack in the mountains. Well, he has not cracked and is still in yellow. Who ever would have thought you could go for 47th to first and stay there until the last two days?!?!

Just two more days, an individual time trial tomorrow then the cruise into Paris. This has been a GREAT tour!