Having managed at least to stay awake for last night’s stage, I’ll admit that until the last 20km I was wondering why.
A flat stage, with an inevitable breakaway of riders of no great consequence, followed by an inevitable but pedestrian pull back of the breakaway and a flurry for a sprint finish. Cue Mike Tomalaris looking inexplicably haggard and the short annoying guy managing to use the phrase “monkey off his back” and actually making me think of a monkey.
For some, Mark Cavendish’s emotional display on the podium will be the highlight story of this stage; the bad boy of cycling is capable of genuine emotion not just destruction. Whatever. Men cry. I know this, you know this, Kevin Rudd knows this. I appreciate when men show emotion and feel they should do more of it, but it’s not the most exciting thing in the stage for me.
The most exciting thing in the stage for me was the Garmin-Transitions team.
Remember when I said pick a team, nay, pick two? Well, Garmin-Transitions are one of my two (I’m loyal if not exclusive) and despite the loss of Christian Vande Velde with broken ribs, I for one have been appreciating the utter credibility with which the team have been riding since his departure. No sense just doddling about in the peleton, pretending you deserve your entry ticket.
Yesterday, despite several members of the team nursing injuriers, Millar, Hunter and Dean put the pressure on the sprint pack, pushing for sufficient momentum for Farrar (I love refering to men by their last names; feels so very private school). Despite him crossing the line at tenth, I wasn’t watching Cavendish’s raw/adolescent power, nor Ciolek’s grit, I didn’t see Hushovd’s imposing frame, nor did I leap with sentimental hope at the idea that McEwan might get up over the lot of them. I was watching the unbalanced but determined line of Tyler Farrar, obviously unable to pull up as strong on his elbow and wrist yet still sprinting in the bunch nonetheless.
Nor do I feel that it undermines Farrar’s manliness or athleticism if he cried after Stage 2. Every time I fall off my bike, I have a good cry too. It proves I still respect gravity and bitumen.
Oops… I almost forgot. Mr Cavendish is wearing a lovely Uvex helmet in a suitably matching palette of yellow, black and white. I’ve not really heard of Uvex, but such is the wonder of my world that I can learn new things all the time. Mainly Uvex make winter helmets and teaming up with the lovely people at HTC has involved providing them with a “a great looking and great performing helmet that our athletes really like”.
Feel the passion.
eleanor j jackson 