While in London and Paris with the CTRS crew I was not ready for an overseas tonsil and ear infection combo. No doctor visits meant creating freestyle cure potions with regular counter meds. Spending a good amount of time knocked out trying to recover. It is what it is.
No internet on the road either? Not good for updates.
Back in CAL so on with the show...
Stage 16 -------
Stage 16 - July 21st - 159km [98m]
Tuesday's race was the first of 2 High Mountain stages coursing thru Switzerland, Italy and back into France. The race started in Martigny ending in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
The yellow jersey was awarded to 29 year old, Mikel Astarloza of Spain. His final time was 4h, 14m, 20s.
In overall standings Contador still holds the top slot over Armstrong by a 1m, 37s.
Stage 17 -------
Stage 17 - July 22nd - 169km [105m]
The second High Mountain stage ran from to Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand.
Frank Schleck 29 of Luxemboug wins at: 4h 53' 54"
Stage 18 -------
Stage 18 - July 23rd - 40km [29]
Coming right off of a brutal mountain series, each rider now races in an Individual Time Trial. Start/Stop in Annecy.
With his second stage win Alberto Cantador wins. His time: 48' 30"
Stage 19 -------
Stage 19 - July 24th - 178km [110m0
The welcomed flat Plain Stage ran from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas.
With his 5th stage win Mark Cavendish take the day's yellow jersey. His time: 3h 50' 35"
Stage 20 --------
Stage 20 - July 25th - 167km [103m]
The last High Mountain stage is set thru Montélimar ending Mont Ventoux.
One time stage winner Juan Manuel Garate won with a time of: 4h 39' 21"
★★★★★ Stage 21 ★★★★★
Stage 21 - July 26th - 164 km [101m]
The final stage of the Tour. Starting in Montereau-Fault-Yonne and hammering into Paris, where the remaining take 8 laps [4km per lap] on the Champs-Élysées. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known in France as La plus belle avenue du monde ("The most beautiful avenue in the world"). I was able to to ride this stretch a day before the final race. It is the roughest cobblestone road I'd ever scene.
With his 6th stage win, Mark Cavendish takes the stages yellow jersey in on of the most amazing end sprints ever. His time: 4h 02' 18"
The overall winner of TDF 2009 was Team Astana's, Alberto Contador. His total time and distance on the Trek Madone was 85h 48' 35" and 3459.5 km. Absolutely amazing.
Andy Schleck came in 2nd and our very own Lance Armstrong came in at 3rd.
CTRS London to Paris updates next!
jb's undftd world of sport