How Bout That?

Was that not the most intense Tour you've watched in years?  Granted, I haven't followed an entire tour closely before, but I hear that it was by far the most exciting in the last 20 years.  So, I'd say of all the years to really start following the pro races, it couldn't have been better.

Friday, of course, Andy Schleck had the yellow jersey after an incredible attack in stage 18 the day before.  Everyone knew, however, that he was going to lose it after the Individual Time Trial on Saturday to the strongest and most consistent rider that year, Cadel Evans of Australia and Team BMC.

Andy Schleck's performance on Col d'Izoard last Thursday got him the Yellow on Friday.

The Schlecks aren't time trialists and they know it.  Evans is.  


He ended up taking the Yellow Saturday after an incredible ride that overtook Andy's time and passed it well before he had completed the course.  Andy placed second overall (for the third time in his career) and his brother, Frank, placed third overall.  This is the first time in history that brothers have stood on the podium together.


But, the real story is Evans.  

He's the third oldest rider to win the Tour de France and the first from not only Australia but the whole southern hemisphere!  After years of coming up short, he finally accomplished the ultimate goal.  It really couldn't happen to a better guy.  By far, he was the most consistent rider in this year's competition and his domination on the time trial sealed the deal.  "Cadel did the time trial of his life, and he deserves to win the Tour," said Andy Schleck on Saturday. "We know we did everything we could do in the mountains and today. Both Fränk and I probably did the best time trials we have ever done, but it wasn't good enough. We don't have any regrets in this perspective."


Australia is, to put it mildly, is elated.

Meanwhile, Voeckler who managed his most impressive tour ever ended up in fourth.  He's still the hometown hero because of his incredible performance that even placed him above the favorite, Contador.  Contador, of course, still lurks in the background as plans for next years race are already in the works.  He announced he won't be riding the 2011 Vuelta de Espana or next year's Giro di Italia so he can focus on his comeback in the 2012 Tour.  We'll see....


No matter what happens next year, whether Contador makes good on his promise or the Schlecks finally conquer,  it will be exciting.  


The rest of us, however, must deal with the inevitable Tour withdrawl.  


How many days until the Vuelta?