CyclingRevealed's First Impressions '05

Stage 9 - Gérardmer to Mulhouse, 171 km

Brilliant

With his long thin legs, Michael Rasmussen's (Rabobank) brilliant exploit today was in the style of Coppi. He claimed all six climbs with the most notable being the Cat 1 Ballon d'Alsace which celebrated its 100 th anniversary of being the very first major climb to be included in the Tour. On that day Rene Pottier climbed at an average of 20km/h and was the only rider in 1905 to finish the climb (which then was no more than a dirt track) without walking any part. Today Pottier would have been totally impressed with Rasmussen who took a very firm hold of the Polka Dot Jersey. Will Rasmussen emulate Pottier who, in 1906, not only outdistanced everyone on the ‘Ballon' but also went on to win the Tour? If Rasmussen continues to climb the way he did today it could be very possible.

Michael Rasmussen can surely climb [ Image ©: CyclingRevealed.com ]

Rasmussen was the lone leader for the second half of the stage. Behind him former break colleagues Jens Voight (CSC) and Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) could not chase him down and finished 3min 4secs down. The main bunch containing Armstrong was a further 3mins back. Voight thus gained the Yellow Jersey.

Back in the bunch Le Patron (Armstrong) had firmly restored order in the peloton. After yesterdays astounding climb up the Col de la Schlucht which saw Armstrongs team eliminated from the front of the race and most of the favorites attacking him every few moments, we saw the Discovery boys fully back in control. Especially all the way up the 22kms of the Grand Ballon and then all the way up the Ballon d'Alsace, the entire Discovery team was riding line astern. Nobody disturbed their formation. It almost looked as if the bunch had been chastised and dare not attempt any unruly behavior!

Lance had made it clear that he wanted to send the Yellow Jersey elsewhere for a while. Voight was the lucky recipient today and now CSC will be obliged to protect it as they enter the Alps . We wait in great anticipation to see Rasmussen on the big climbs and observe, as we have for six years, Armstrong and his team dictate the overall result.

With his long thin legs, Michael Rasmussen's (Rabobank) brilliant exploit today was in the style of Coppi. He claimed all six climbs and the most notable of these were the Cat 2 Grand Ballon and the Cat 1 Ballon d'Alsace which celebrated its 100 th anniversary of being the very first major climb to be included in the Tour. On that day Rene Pottier climbed at an average of 20km/h and was the only rider in 1905 to finish the climb (which then was no more than a dirt track) without walking any part. Today Pottier would have been totally impressed with Rasmussen who took a very firm hold of the Polka Dot Jersey. Will Rasmussen emulate Pottier who, in 1906, not only outdistanced everyone on the ‘Ballon' but also went on to win the Tour? If Rasmussen continues to climb the way he did today it could be very possible.

Rasmussen was the lone leader for the second half of the stage. Behind him former break colleagues Jens Voight (CSC) and Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) could not chase him down and finished 3min 4secs down. However with the main bunch containing Armstrong a further 3mins back Voight gained the Yellow Jersey.

Back in the bunch Le Patron (Armstrong) had firmly restored order in the peloton. After yesterdays astounding climb up the Col de la Schlucht which saw Armstrongs team eliminated from the front of the race and most of the favorites attacking him every few moments, we saw the Discovery boys fully back in control. Especially all the way up the 22kms of the Grand Ballon and then all the way up the Ballon d'Alsace, the entire Discovery team was riding line astern. Nobody disturbed their formation. It almost looked as if the bunch had been chastised and dare not attempt any unruly behavior!

Lance had made it clear that he wanted to send the Yellow Jersey elsewhere for a while. Voight was the lucky recipient today and now CSC will be obliged to protect it as they enter the Alps . We wait in great anticipation to see Rasmussen on the big climbs and observe, as we have for six years, Armstrong and his team dictate the overall result.

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