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Tour de France, France

Stage 10, Grenoble - Courchevel, 192.5K

12 July

The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
The Green Arrow Out Shoots Big Tex

Stages and Maps, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Well, I guess we know who's bluffing now and who isn't.

T-Mobile looked like they're the big losers in today's stage 10. How somber it will be at the T-Mobile dinner table this evening. 24 hours ago they were looking to be the big favorites, so confident they had seen the weakness in Discovery Channel's mighty blue wall. Only to find the weakness was actually a little closer to home.

It would appear that Ullrich has to kiss his last opportunity to usurp Armstrong from victory goodbye. And the promising Vinokourov can also say goodbye to any hopes of even getting on the podium, let alone winning.

I can't exactly say I'm surprised though. Armstrong is clearly outclassing all his rivals, Pure and simple. Even the riders like Basso and Leipheimer the most serious GC riders to finish in near proximity to Armstrong finished a minute down. That's a big deficit to make up on the Texan, especially when you add it to the already minute plus they had at the stage's start.

Rasmussen however, was a big surprise today. I never expected to see him in there at the kill. I had him pegged for the typical KOM rider who rides out front to mop up all the points and sits up as soon as the last prime is taken. Now he finds himself staring down the barrel of a possible podium finish.

Valverde had to surprise everybody, the Double D included! Everybody speculated his ability to have a go in the high mountains. He gave a show today, showing Armstrong a clean pair of wheels, that is. Although, I'm sure if Valverde was a little closer on GC, Tex would've tried a little more earnestly to shake him in the final few K. The race is long, with lots of climbing left. Valverde still has yet to prove his ability to last over 3 weeks in the heat of the summer.

I'm a little disappointed though. I thought things might be heating up for an actual race down to the wire. But, barring accident or injury, Lance Armstrong once again looks like he has shown up ready to race and win. Nothing will stand in the way of this man and victory.
- The Dust Devil