CyclingRevealed's First Impressions '05

Stage 4 - Tours to Blois, 67.5 km Team Time Trial

Enough to Make You Weep

While watching the stage up to Luz Ardiden a couple of years ago I literally leaped up from my seat when Armstrong hit the deck. I experienced the same shock wave today when Dave Zabriskie suddenly hit the ground with just 1.5km to go in the TTT. Watching him ride in battered, and his Yellow Jersey torn to shreds was enough to make you weep.

The race itself was a thrilling battle between CSC and Discovery with T-Mobile and Liberty Seguros definitely adding to the drama. Phonak was also in the mix but they started losing riders faster than most teams. At the finish Discovery finished intact and just 2 seconds ahead of team CSC which was in shock following the crash. At the time of writing Zabriskie still had to undergo medical examination.

Unlike last year's TTT which was run in apocalyptic conditions, today's race was dry and with a favorable wind. The combination of the conditions and the intense rivalry between teams produced the fastest average race speeds ever seen at the Tour. Discovery covered the 67.5km at an astounding 57.324kmph (35.62mph). No stage of any type has been run at a faster speed.

Jan Ullrich was happy with his teams ride (3 rd at 35 seconds) and still considers himself very much in the race. Particularly pleasing was to see Joseba Beloki finish together with his teammates (4 th at 53 seconds). It has been a long and difficult return to the top level since his horrific crash two years ago.

The Tour opened with the “race of truth” and already after that stage it was clear who was in form. The team time trial further emphasized the pecking order. Armstrong is now in Yellow and few will bet against him continuing his winning campaign once they head into the mountains. Team Discovery looks unbeatable.

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