MONDAY JULY 23TH
STAGE THIRTEEN
ALBI TIME TRIAL, 54 km
A LIE-IN, the first one since we started the Tour in London two weeks ago,
reminded me that my Tour de France has finished - for the short-term, at any
rate.
The lads were off early from our base in Toulouse to drive to the time trial
course in Albi and they rattled off the 54 kms in a little over two hours while
I took it easy back at the hotel.
It sounded a tough route as time trials go, with even a three and a half
kilometre cat four climb near the end. But, as has been the case for the past
few days in this beautiful part of France, it also sounded like a picturesque
route with plenty of spectacular views.
The fact the guys finished so quickly meant that this afternoon was
effectively a bonus rest day which meant glamorous tasks like a trip to the
launderette. A gang of us went down the road with our filthy kit and enjoyed a
couple of cups of coffee and some snacks while the washing was being done. I bet
Lance Armstrong never had to do this!
The decision for me now is whether or not I attempt to ride tomorrow?s stage,
the first in the Pyrenees, which covers nearly 200 km from Mazamet to
Plateau-de-Beille. It looks terrifying and is the start of three Pyreneean
stages which will be the toughest section of the whole Tour.
I watched bits of stage 15 on the television today and even the pros were
struggling like mad. I have sat out the last two days but I wouldn?t describe
either of them as particularly hard.
Two years ago, we faced a similar back-to-back stage in the Pyrenees which we
dubbed the "48 hours from hell." I have a feeling that when the alarm goes off
at 6.30am tomorrow, we will be facing this year's version of that same thing.
If there is anyway at all of me being able to ride tomorrow, I want to be
there to be with the lads as they take on the business end of the Tour.
