Posted By Orange Crush on 07/13/2021 10:57 AM
Matthews and Colbrelli are still lurking for green. Cavendish has his work cut out for him to bring it home but two more opportunities to score major points so as long as he survives the next two days he should be good. Either of those teams may send out guys on long-range escapes next two days to make for sharp cut-off times for Cav's grupetto.
This take me back 44 years to my heyday (for that that's worth!) of my racing; summer of '77. Many weeks I would ride to Mt Wachusett for my mid-week long ride. Often my training partner would join me. (I passed her house 20 miles out.) We'd ride a moderate pace to the base, then I would do the 1000' hard. She'd take her time, we'd eat lunch then return via two tough climbs.
What brought this thought on was Cav being helped over the Pyrenees by his comrades. Of course there is only so much they can do when the road gets steep (legally). But the ultimate gift to a non-climber or spent rider? The sustained push.
One week back then, I had use my day off to rebuild a wheel that had been trashed by a car the day before. That meant riding early and being at work by 2pm. (Bike shop Friday - all hands on deck.) So we left early. Usually Kate would simply ride toward my home easy, then turn around and join me. Not that day. I arrived at her house and gently knocked on her bedroom window. A sleepy Kate appeared. She was game so a quick breakfast and we were off. She'd ridden the club race the night before, hence the sleep-in. Lunch at 10am at the mountaintop. Headed home. Got to the first of the two tough hills and it was very obvious she didn't have the legs. OK, I need to be back. I can leave her and do it. But it's 40 miles on tired legs for her, starting with these climbs. I wouldn't exactly be a gentleman!
So I rode-up beside her from behind, put my hand on her butt and pushed. (Not pre-planned. Seatpost or brake cable never occurred to me.) So, my left hand at the stem, me pushed back on the seat and powering the pedals for all l was worth. OMG hard! Next hill, same thing. Up there with the hardest climbs I have ever done. The gift that I wasn't going to appreciate until years later when I tried to push someone else was that Kate was a very skilled rider. Rode rock solid while I pushed. I didn't need to steer, just follow her and power like a tandem stoker.
So, back to Cav. Yes, that push would be highly illegal and very visible if there is anybody around. At the same time, if Morkov or Declercq were to do such an illegal act - wow would that be an effort/sacrifice for a teammate!
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