So Nearly There

I wouldn’t dare to say it but the final mountain stage of the Tour was dealt with yesterday by Sky in the most commanding fashion we’ve seen so far.

Various back and forth moves in the early climbs and a crash in the feed zone that left Cavendish on the floor were just the build up to the final climb up to Peyragudes. There Valverde went clear alone and ultimately won the stage, as first Liquigas and then Sky attacked the elite bunch following him. When the Sky attack came it was in the usual form of Froome and Wiggins and they shed all the big names from the bunch. Evans went early as he showed once again he just isn’t really firing this year, and finally Van Garderen was left to try and hang onto the attack that stripped out Nibali and left just the two Sky riders powering forward.

Backing up the themes of earlier in the Tour, Froome looked to have the legs to go for more, but was held back, in spite of some eager begging, to shepherd Wiggins home. Both riders looked strong, but there are inevitable questions about whether Froome could have closed the 19 seconds he finished behind Valverde, set against the impact if Wiggins had been left and had cracked. It seems clear that Froome will be a massive force for the future and that must be a good thing to back up this year’s performance.

Today’s flat stage, and Saturday’s time trial are all that now stand in the way of Wiggins wearing yellow on the Champs Elysees and an historic result for Britain and Team Sky. Is it ok to dare to believe yet?

The ITV film summing up Bradley's career after the highlights last night certainly paved the way, giving a reminder of the ups and downs of a champion who's poised to be remembered for ever.

I'll be back on Monday with the round up of what will hopefully be a great weekend. I may even break tradition and give you something a bit extra if I can't resist.

Just for a bit of light relief, to break up the tension, here’s a clearly ridiculous idea from a hipster fixed gear type cyclist.



While you're in the mood for a laugh, how about Martin Söderström making it all look just so easy.



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