By Chris Brewer

Rest Day 2 literally is the calm before the storm, but the reality is that it’s an isolated thunder boomer, set directly at Teams Astana and Saxo Bank, with a secondary front aimed at Euskaltel, Rabobank, and Lotto.  But before we head there, what about yesterday?  That was a great stage, and one Team RadioShack, and of course Lance Armstrong, should be really proud of.

Stage 16 – the day that was: The heads-up that the day was going to be full gas from the start was foreshadowed by Lance and Andreas Klöden actually going out on the bike BEFORE the stage and warming up.  Suffice to say that NEVER happens before a road stage, the riders preferring to use the neutral start and then spin up as things get going.  But if you’re going to give it one last shot, and from the gun it’s an 11km 7.4% ascent, you better be loose and ready.

And that’s just what happened, with several experienced riders saying it was “the fastest / hardest start in a Tour stage of their career.”  That’s saying something.  Lance and Nicholas Roche initiated the fireworks, and the 7-time Tour winner was not going to be content to just give it a go and say, “Well, I took a shot.”  With the first break containing too much horsepower and contenders the Contador / Schleck peloton wasn’t going to let it go, the gap less than a minute over the summit of four big Cols.

Over the “easy” ascent of the Tourmalet on the third climb (harder tomorrow!) and Lance finally had a 10-rider group that the GC leaders were content to let go, but they had earned their escape in spades.  The final climb was in reality two climbs, first the Col du Soulor that quickly lead to the Col d’Aubisque.  Looking at the group LA had with him, I really thought his best chance was for either he or Chris Horner to attack and try and go solo to the line.  (What would have been better than Lance winning a stage?  I say sacrificing himself for his faithful lieutenant, but we’ll never know.)

But it was Spaniard Barredo who took the initiative from 44km out, and while the chasing group never panicked, it wasn’t until 3-4kms to go his shoulders started rocking and the capture was inevitable, literally right at the 1km to go kite.  Such is cycling…  kudos to Lance as he sat on the back of the group and tried to take a flyer on the left hand side, but it was not to be, sprinting certainly not his forte, even in his dominant days.  Fedrigo would get the win, and France its sixth stage win of the race.

Truthfully, I think the French fans loved Lance’s work today.  I was told several years ago that it was his systematic way of winning that bothered them most, that there was no drama, no “dying beautifully.”  Yesterday was a stage where most certainly he left it all on the road, and for that he can have no regret.

The Days Ahead: Some will say that it’s risky for Schleck to leave it all down to one day, but the reality is, what choice now does he have?  Will he try and attack and attack until he no longer can?  Or will he test the water a few times, and then if he can’t break Contador ride side-by-side for second place like he did on Ventoux last year?  And then there’s the battle for the 3-spot on the podium between Sanchez, Van Den Broeck, and Menchov.  Arguably the harder of the two storms to predict, with most favoring Contador for the win.  I think if Menchov is smart he’ll mark his two rivals, then claim his prize on the final Time Trial from Bordeaux.

As we enter the final days of the 2010 Tour de France, we have most likely witnessed Lance Armstrong’s “swan song” on the five Cols leading to Pau.  And while he didn’t get the win, at the end of the day he can hold his head high and know he gave it his all, and that’s all that you can ask for in life, ever.

Ciao for now, we’ll talk soon – Cb…

PS – I didn’t forget about Chris Horner, either.  He promised to be there for Lance when it counted, and he was there all the way to the line, battling back time and again to ride for his team leader.  That, my friends, is what being a domestique is all about.  Service above self, and getting the job done.  Bravo!