Yes, there’s a bike race going on in France. Many pundits thought this could be the most exciting race in some time, with Alberto Contador serving a doping ban, and Andy Schleck nursing broken bones. Cadel Evans looked primed to go for a second consecutive win, while Bradley Wiggins, Vincenzo Nibali, and a host of others legitimately could be called contenders for the general classification. The course was, on paper, perfect for riders like Evans, Wiggins, and Denis Menchov–steady climbs and lots of miles against the clock (individual time trials). Exciting!

Then the race started.

Every contender lost a handful of seconds to Wiggins in the prologue. “Not to worry,” they said. “We have plenty of miles to Paris.” Fabian Cancellera wore the yellow jersey for a week, some sprinters won, and Peter Sagan announced to the world he is actually a pretty good bike racer. Then came the first time trial. Wiggins blew everyone out of the water, aside from his teammate Chris Froome (who pipped Wiggins at the Spanish tour last year for second place), who finished roughly thirty seconds off the pace. Evans lost over a minute and half. “Not to worry,” he said. “We have plenty of miles to Paris.” The race headed toward the Alps, and excitement was sure to ensue.

Then it didn’t.

Wiggins’ Team Sky absolutely controlled the race, much like the Lance Armstrong-led Postal and Disco teams. No one could get away, and often, Wiggins had three or four riders with him on every climb. The only moment of excitement was when Froome “accidentally” dropped Wiggins for a few moments. No doubt, the Sky director was yelling in Froome’s ear, and he sat up ’til Wiggins made contact again. Again, there was some hope that Pyrennes would offer a chance for Evans or Nibali, at least, to make up some ground, but even on today’s queen stage, Sky absolutely controlled the race (though Evans did blow up, and is now seventh on the GC). It was also pretty clear that once Evans cracked, Nibali was riding for the podium and only put in one concerted attack on Fr-iggns (Froome/Wiggins). Yes, there’s another mountain stage tomorrow, and Nibali may attempt to overtake Froome on the GC, but given that Van Den Broeck is nearly two minutes behind in fourth, why should Nibali risk anything?

So, yeah, aside from some heroics from the stage hunters ( chapeau, Thomas Voeckler), this race has been pretty boring. I optimistically think someone like Andy Schleck or Contador would very much shake things up (see Contador’s antics last year, when he wasn’t a factor for the GC after crushing the hardest Italian tour EVER). Sky is obviously a strong team (hear those whispers about doping?), and Froome (perhaps rightly) complained in the press about being Wiggins domestique when it has been clear he could win the whole race. Richie Porte and Mick Rogers also had impressive races as mountain goats, and I can’t help but think on a reasonably strong team, they could at least factor in to the podium discussion. But…if this is what stage racing is to become, then you can have it. It’s just not interesting to me.

Finally, what of poor Frank Schleck, he of the positive drug test for a controlled diuretic? He is claiming he was poisoned (taking a page from Contador’s defense), and the best conspiracy theory out there at the moment is that Radio Shack-Nissan (his own team) slipped him the mickey. This sounds far-fetched, but consider: Johan Bruyneel was indicated by the USADA for running a doping operation during the US Postal/Discovery Channel days. His best riders (Frandy Schleck) essentially quit on the team (though, in Andy’s defense, he did break his hip). RSN couldn’t pay some of their riders, and Frank Schleck was complaining loudly to the press about that. Would Bruyneel stoop that low? Eh, maybe? In any case, this only means the Schleck soap opera will contain for the rest of the season, as Frank fights the doping charge, and he and Andy try to create yet another team will clearly be the key for Andy winning the Tour de France.

Posted on 18 July 2012