Where does this tour rank amongst recent tours?
Thought this was a great tour. Mainly because a few different riders really were in with a shot and it wasn't decided till the very end. How much more could you ask for?
Did the third week make up for the first two?
Thought the flow of the tour was very good. A non-prologue gave a strong man or outside sprinter a shot at wearing yellow. Some technical stages leading to ho-hum pyrennes then it just continued to get better from there.
What was your favourite stage?
Stage 13, Hushovd v Roy. Edge of the seat stuff really. Marvelling at Hushovd setting off early from the breakaway to try and get over the top without too much time to pick up on any of the climbers. Roy's heartbreak, but how could you deny Hushovd that victory. If ever there was a case for a dead heat, this stage was it. Oh, and about the most interesting ITT for a while.
Were the parcours suitable to a GT?
Of course. It was I thought a great mix and great culmination through to the very end. As Prudhomme says, the course is there for the riders to use. I thought it was pretty well used this year.
What was your favorite Non-GC Competition? Did the changes in these competitions work?
Nice to see polka dot get a mini revival going to consistency across many MTF stages.
What riders made the Tour special?
Top 5-ish, plus special mention to the Norwegians, Roy, Phil at the start. Plenty of others. Evans of course for a very well measured tour. Shows what good prep and a level head can achieve. Lessons there for the up and coming riders in the peloton.
Who surprised you?
Voeckler. Not initially, but by his 9th day in yellow was pretty much gobsmacked by what he managed.
Who disappointed?
Schlecks. No, not hating. But they struck me as a bit underdone when they started, had to do too much in the Alps and were left wasted by the ITT.
How many minutes would a fresh Contador have won by?
Not sure. A win for sure, but by the looks of it, he would have been doing it on his own in the mountains much like Evans. Where were his team this year?
Who made the best stage preview??
Didn't really keep up with this, sorry.
