Where's Floyd?
We all know the game where's Waldo? Well, Where's Floyd Landis? Shades of the 1989 Tour de France and Pedro Delgado. That was the first year I ever watched Le Tour and as the final starter was scheduled to appear in the starthouse, the time went, and no Yellow Jersey. About TWO MINUTES AND FORTY SECONDS passed before Delgado appeared. Now today, Floyd only lost about eight seconds in the start house. But, that was, in that same year 1989, the margin of victory between Laurent Fignon and Greg Lemond. So, you never know what the significance of those seconds could be. Probably it won't matter over the 2000 mile plus race, but you never know. One thing is sure it cost him the stage win and the yellow jersey, as he finished about nine seconds behind the winner, the surprising Thor Hushvod of Norway.
David Zabriske, who was third in this race, once interviewed Thor Hushvod. The text of the interview follows: Dave Z: "Thor, do you mind if I ask you a one question interview" Thor: "No." Dave Z "Did you know that you have the coolest name in the Peloton?" Thor: "No." Dave Z: "You do." Thor: "Ok."
George Hincapie was the runner up, just .73 seconds behind Thor. So the Americans take a blow from Thor's Hammer and will have more room in their closets at home, without that souvenier Yellow Jersey. Levi was about 20 seconds back near most of the favorites. Bobby Julich and Chris Horner were back in that neck of the woods as well.
Good stage for Thor, going for the Green Jersey, he took out some points today. He isn't going to win very many sprints against guys like Boonen and McEwen, so he needs to do stuff like this, be consistent and take points when he can. It makes you wonder if George will try to steal the Yellow with a time bounus sprint? But I doubt it, he's going for bigger fish this year, the final Yellow Jersey.
posted by Mark @ 7:36 AM
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