While many cycling fans were hoping for Saturday's Stage 20 of the Tour de France to decide the yellow jersey race, instead the climb up Mont Ventoux will decide places 2 thru 7 in the this year's race. Barring a catastrophic turn of events, Alberto Contador will win the 2009 edition of the most prestigous race in cycling. Contador leads Andy Schleck by 4 minutes and 11 seconds. Even though Contador will be a key figure in the 18 kilometer climb, his position in the race will not be threatened like the 6 riders directly behind him in the overall classification.
Second thru seventh place are seperated by 3 minutes and 14 seconds. The riders(in order of place in the overall) are Andy Schleck(Team Saxo Bank, Luxembourg), Lance Armstrong (Astana, USA), Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream, Great Britain), Andreas Kloden (Astana, Germany), Andy's brother, Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank, Luxembourg), and Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas, Italy). These six riders will be in the biggest fight for the podium spots the Tour de France has seen in years.
The Schleck brothers have continually put pressure on Contador and his two Astana teammates, with Nibali and Wiggins holding on to the very select group formed on every day in the Alps. Clearly, the advantage goes towards either Astana or the Schlecks, Wiggins has shown signs of cracking on near the top of the big climbs this year. Nibali is in the same shape but has an extra motivation because he is still in contention for the white jersey(best young rider competition), only behind Andy Schleck by 3:14. Although he is the longshot in both competitions, Nibali could feel inspired to have the ride of his life.
No matter who wins the stage and who ends up on the podium, one thing is clear: tommorrow's race up Mont Ventoux will be exciting to watch.
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