This year's course covers 3,430 kilometers (2,126 miles) in 21 stages. It began on 1 July and will finish in Paris tomorrow, 24 July. Details of the various stages can be found at the main website here. In recent years, the Tour has been dominated by genuine biking legends such as seven-time winner American Lance Armstrong and three-time winner Spaniard Alberto Contador. In fact, most often by this stage in the race, the leader has built up an overwhelming lead over the pack and the final stage ride into Paris generally serves merely as a ceremonial prelude to the winner's coronation.
Not this year. There have always been several strong candidates who have finished well in previous years but who have had a bad day or two along the way, notably Andy Schleck from Luxembourg, last year's runner-up to Contador by 39 seconds. Others have included Andy's brother Frank, Spain's Samuel Sanchez, Australia's Cadel Evans, France's Thomas Voeckler and Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov. Armstrong himself made one last valiant effort in 2010, to finish in 23rd place, still ahead of many younger aspirants. But even he recognized that the younger cyclists are coming into their own and, at nearly 40, has retired since then.
Other than Vinokourov, who literally crashed out of this year's Tour after breaking a femur, and Armstrong, all of those mentioned are currently in the top seven after Stage 19 yesterday, separated by 4 minutes and 22 seconds. Technically, it is still a race that any one of these could win. Realistically, however, only the first four (in this order: Andy and Frank Schleck, Cadel Evans and Thomas Voeckler, who has worn the 2011 yellow jersey more often than any other rider) - separated only by two minutes and 10 seconds - and more likely only the first three, are likely to succeed. Odds are by far the longest for Voeckler because the first three are separated by less than a minute. The last two Alpine stages have been especially thrilling to watch, not least because of the breathtaking scenery shown on television coverage of this event, but also because of the slope of the ascents, the seemingly endless switchbacks on the climbs and the breathtakingly fast descents. Then there are the more unruly members of the crowds at the crest of the inclines who run alongside or actually reach out and touch the riders as they pass. Yikes!
So today's time trial in the area around Grenoble could seal the winner. Still, if there really is not a big difference in time or points won between the first and the second place winner after today's stage, as I understand it, it may be that for the first time in many years the winner of the race may not be determined until after Stage 21 in Paris tomorrow.
So, if you want some great drama and outstanding scenery, take a few moments out of the day today to watch some of the time trials when the Tour is shown in your time zone. I plan to and I also plan to enjoy the show very much.
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UPDATE: The time trials in Grenoble are complete. The standings are published here. Australian Cadel Evans has won the Tour with a breathtaking time trial, edging out brothers from Luxembourg Andy and Frank Schleck, who will share the podium with him in second and third places respectively. Frenchman Thomas Voeckler came in fourth and Alberto Contador, last year's Tour winner, came in fifth, just behind Voeckler. But for Contador's horrible day on Thursday, he could have won the Tour once again. Tomorrow, the riders will arrive in Paris for their triumphal laps. All must be looking forward to a good, long rest! I know that I would be.
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