Today was supposed to the Le Tour’s version of judgement day–the 21 switchbacks of L’Alpe D’Huez, each corner named after a victor, loomed over the peleton as it does so many years. This would, finally, separate the wheat from the chaff, and provide a bit of the drama that this year’s race has generally lacked. Many a Tour has been won or lost on the narrow ribbon of tarmac. This year’s batch of contenders stood within a few minutes of one another in the general classification, and it was expected that someone, perhaps Kloden, or Menchov, or Landis, would put his mark on this race.

But it wasn’t to be. A large break escaped early, and Frank Schleck held off the rapidly approaching chasers and took the stage win. Behind him, Landis, Kloden and Garzelli left a rapidly splintering group of riders, with Landis’ ride just good enough to take the maillot jaune. Dennis Menchov, despite being paced by Rabobank’s fleet of mountain goats, could do not stay on Landis’ wheel, and so went his hopes for victory. Landis never attacked, and Kloden stayed glued to his rear wheel. While Schleck’s attack high on the slopes made for an exciting finish, Landis’ ride left something to be desired. It lacked that moment, like Armstrong, looking back at Ullrich and speeding off. Or Armstrong turning to his lieutenant Savodelli, and the pair speeding away from the bunch. Yes, Armstrong’s victory was always sure, but even in the easiest years, he owned the peleton, and put his stamp on the victory.

Operación Puerto stole the Tour from us before it even began. Lost to the doping allegations where Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, who, in the absence of the Texan, could fight it out in the Alps and in the time trials, bringing an excitement and uncertainty to an event that had become little more than a 21 day celebration ride. Gone also was the fiery Khaz rider Vinokaurov, who only knew how to attack, attack, attack. We were left with Floyd Landis, a strong rider who has just started to come into his own, and a bunch of riders who, before the start, might have been content with a top five finish.

There was hope. Landis had a strong early season, winning the Tour of California and Paris-Nice. But he lost two critical climbers to the Spanish doping sting, and that left Phonak open to attack. Could they defend the yellow jersey? We found the answer to that question after the Pyrennes. Landis was content to watch Oscar Pereiro and Jens Voight put 30 minutes between themselves and the peleton, thus putting Pereiro in the yellow jersey. Landis and Phonak contended they took a conservative approach, thus forcing Pereiro’s Illes Balears team to control the peleton. This tactic has been criticised by many within the cycling (led by no less than Bernard Hinault), and if Landis is not atop the podium in Paris on Sunday, it will be questioned for years to come.

It is hard to imagine Armstrong and the Discovery “Blue Train” allowing a break to get so far ahead, especially when it challenged the maillot jaune. Armstrong and his Discovery teammates took the leadership role very seriously, and Armstrong did not take dissension within the peleton very kindly (his arrogance being one of his strengths, and weaknesses).

It is worth noting the effort that Pereiro put forth today on the flanks of L’Alpe D’Huez, as the wearer of the yellow jersey. He very nearly held it one more day, which would have been three more days than anyone expected. Illes Balears should be commended for the effort, and Periero proudly defended his prize. It also provides fodder for Landis’ critics, as a slightly more superhuman ride from Perreiro would have kept the jersey on his shoulders and forced Landis to work even harder tomorrow. Take the race when you can, Floyd! Don’t wait ’til Paris. Make it yours.

Will someone make a race of it tomorrow? T-Mobile, with Kloden, Gonchar, and Rodger at their disposal, should send each off in separate attacks, forcing Phonak’s rather weak hand and, more importantly, forcing Landis to counter. Menchov’s Rabobank squad is equally flush with climbers. Send Flecha, then Rasmussen, off to attack. It will difficult for someone to unseat Landis now. Even if they could get the yellow jersey, with an individual time trial looming on Saturday, the rider would need a minimum of two minutes on Landis to hope to wear the jersey in Paris.

So indeed, where have you gone, Lance Armstrong? We thought your leaving would be a better, more exciting Tour. Instead we’re left with this–watching breaks go away, and hoping one will stick, just to make things interesting. I wanted someone to control the Tour, to impress his mark upon it, to seize it and say “this is mine.” What we have, however, is a rider who wishes the jersey to fall on his back in Paris, and nothing more.

Posted on 18 July 2006