Photo below: F.Pellizoti (Polka Dot Jersey), T.Hushvod (Green Jersey), A.Contador (Yellow Jersey) and A.Schleck (White Jersey)
The just concluded Tour De France saw Alberto Contador (Spa) claiming his second Maillot Jaune-yellow jersey. The tour started with questions over who is the leader of the Astana team. Is it Contador or is it Armstrong (Usa)? In the end, the exceptional performances by Contador answers it all. The win on Stage 15 at Verbier in the Swiss Alps virtually sealed his victory and a second victory in Stage 18 - Annecy (Individual Time Trial) put him in an unassailable lead and finally the yellow jersey win. Despite the controversy surrounding Contador's performances, I still he is damm good rider overall.
Andy Schleck (Lux) tried to pile on the pressure on the infamous Mt Ventoux stage but his effort came in vain as Contador all his surges. Schleck finished 2nd in the GC and also claimed the white jersey - best young rider. He appears to be the only one who can challenge Contador throughout the tour. Watch out for him next year, he says he is coming back stronger to grab the yellow jersey.
The much anticipated comeback in sport, Armstrong, did well to finished 3rd and was looking good on the climbing stages too. However, he too, could not stop his compatriot, Contador. Armstrong came close to claiming the yellow jersey from Fabian Cancellara (Swi) but was just 0.02 slower when the Astana team won the team time trial in Stage 4.
Mark Cavendish (Gbr) won the final stage - Champs-Elysees and claims his 6th stage victory (a record). However, he lost the green jersey to Thor Hushvod, as points he gained from Stage 14 were removed. The organiser deemed he pushed Hushvod too close to the barrier during the sprint. But 6 stage wins prove Cavendish is the best sprinter in the world!
The polka dot jersey - mountains classification was won by Franco Pellizotti (Ita). He went on an attack alone on the the 2 runaway leaders at Mt Ventoux stage but ran out of steam and was caught by the yellow jersey group near the end. He could have capped his polka dot jersey with a win at Mt. Ventoux.
No chance of seeing Contador being in the same team with Armstrong in 2010, as the American will be racing for the US-sponsored team, RadioShack. Contador don't seem to be interested at all to race for RadioShack. I think it's better that way. Having to co-leaders in the same team are just not good. Anyways, the war of words between the two continues after the tour came to a close (look at Armstrong in the photo! Haha!).
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