Well race fans welcome back to the 2010
Tour, we have finished the first stage and are about to start week
and stage two: The Wall. The Wall is a six mile race done with 6 loops of 1
mile. Each mile is 2/10ths at -8% , 6/10ths flat then 2/10ths of a mile at an 8%
climb. And let me tell you from having ridden the course by lap 4 and 5
that climb really really sucks. The legs are burning and the lungs can not get
any air. Conditioning plays a big part in this one, if you got it you will be
able to do well, if you don't: you will suffer greatly.
Last week was the Prologue where for the most part there were not surprises.
Francis Manfred for the sixth year will start this stage in the Yellow Jersey.
And like all the years prior, the question is how long will he keep his led and
who, if anyone, will take it from him. Francis has a 52 second lead going into
today's stage which seems like a nice margin over the rest of the field. That
being said this is the Tour and anything can happen in the Tour, plus if we look
at past years then this is a place where Francis has found himself time and time
again; out front with the pack chasing. Can he continue to run fast enough to
survive until the end? History tells us that the odds are not in his favor, yes
he is the returning champion from 2008, yes he is a powerhouse with tons of
speed. However you have to look at the 4 other years, 3
of which he finished 2nd so you would expect him to do well, victory though has
had the knack of slipping away from Francis in the final stages of the tour. Who
might dethrone him this year? One of our young riders like Kaleb Naegeli or
Stephen Sehr both whom have shown good speed and endurance. Maybe one of the other past Tour winners? Andrew Maibaum or Larry
Barnhart? Truthfully I think the second stage is far to early to start
predicting a winner of the Tour so let's just get to racing shall we? Just one
more thing I will be reporting on actual times not the handicap which will be
touched upon here and there only, I think.
Looks like the teams have gotten themselves all sorted out during the neutral zone before the start of this race. The riders are nearing the left turn that will drop them down onto the course today, I say drop cause as they enter the route they will be doing down an 8% grade hill for the first part of this course then once onto the flat they will make another left curving loop that will bring them around to the back side of this peak where they will climb up an 8% grade to the start finish line. Then as stated above will go do that again and again for six laps total. And they are under way. I see all the Majestic Moose team lined up on the left side of the peloton going down this hill, looks like they will be trying to control the race once they get to the flat section. They may have a hard time however as Francis Manfred slides out of the pack on the right side, Kaleb Naegeli of the Time Lords is on his wheel. Stephen Sehr is marking them both as they hit the flat section. Jeff Bell is tightly behind him. Well since the excitement is at the finish line which they will cross six times I think Ill just go there and wait. Oh I forgot I'm at that line just have to look the other direction and as I do I see none other then Francis Manfred coming to the base of the hill. He still has Kaleb on his left side along with Jeff Bell and Stephen Sehr. The rest of the field are strung out behind them as they finish the first lap. The race looks like its going to be predictable once again as Francis looks to be dominating but thats why we have the handicap system. So after the first lap its Francis, Kaleb, Stephen Sehr, Jeff Bell, Markus and Mitch Reeves in up front with Tom McMahan, Larry, Ryan R., Steve Brewer, Rob, Lee and Shawn Leonard in the second group. Not sure things will change a whole bunch so will wait until the 3rd lap to take another look. In the meanwhile just want to remind everyone that this is the 25th season for our bicycle club which is a good time to celebrate.
Ok looking at lap 3 Francis now has about 1 1/2 minutes over Kaleb who crossed the line at 9:29, Jeff Bell is now in 3rd just ahead of Markus and Mitch. Stephen has dropped back a bit and has been joined by Rob, Jim and Ryan Rossiter. The rest of the field is struggling behind. Yes race fans Francis looks to be trying to defend his lead once again. With 3 laps to go and the football games coming on soon I think its time to jump to the end.
At the finish line for the end of the race now, Francis comes screaming up the hill to take first place with a time of 16:26. Which by the way is only 4 seconds behind Kaleb Naegeli as he finished his 5th lap. Oh and did I forget to mention that Kaleb is still in second place and with him finishing his 5th lap before Francis caught him, makes him the only rider not to be lapped by Francis in this race. That's right folks Francis has lapped everyone else in the race so we have about 3 minutes until the next rider will finish the race however riders are coming by on their 5th lap, Kaleb already as mentioned then his father Markus, in 3rd place comes through to start his finally lap. Just behind him are Jeff Bell and Mitch Reeves, we are a little surprised that Mitch is there, he is not known for his climbing during the tour. A little behind them are Rob Land, Ryan Rossiter and Jim Glover, these tour rookies seem to be doing well today as they crest this hill for the 5th time. One of the early favorites Stephen Sehr has dropped off the pace today and is now sitting in 9th place here with 1 mile to go. And here come 2 former winners of the tour as Andrew Maibuam leads Larry Barnhart up this climb, they will have to do better then this later in the race if either of these men want to repeat their victory.
Kaleb is now coming to the line to take second place on this race today with the time of 19:38 looks like he has about 30 seconds on Markus who is about to finish 3rd today .... 20:03 is his time, a good ride but likely to cost him his second place in the GC. Jeff Bell gets 4th on the day ahead of Mitch Reeves. And in a surprise 6th is going to rookie Rob Land , that will help the Flying Squirrels team for both Rob and Mitch are on that team.
So as the rest of the field comes in lets take a quick peak at the Handicapped results (or adjusted times); Rob Land take the stage and moves up from 17th in the GC to 6th overall, Francis keeps the number one spot, Markus moves to 3rd behind his son Kaleb now in 2nd and Mitch Reeves sneaks in above Jeff Bell to for 4th place (Jeff remains in 5th where he was).
Ok I think thats enough for now so I'm out.
See you next week for the Stairway.
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