Tour De France 2010, a friendly rivalry
Finally the mega event of cycling and passion for the cycle race is over. This year Tour de France was full of surprises, controversies and twists. From the beginning people were busy making and expressing predictions about the winner of this year’s biggest cycling event. Yes we are talking about Tour de France, the event which is considered as the Oscars of the cycling world. The most prestigious event cycling is held in France every year. The 3600 kilometres of sheer passion and stamina shattering has always been a tough job for all the riders. Clutching the title of Tour de France is like a dream come true for all the riders.
This year’s title was won by the current cycling champion Alberto Contador. Contador is a Spanish superstar rider and has won this title for the third time. He is considered as the world’s best and the fastest cyclist when it comes to time trail. This year he has showed his class and competed through all the stages perfectly. His arch rival Andy Schleck from Luxemburg gave him a strong head to head challenge throughout the race but in the end, Contador took the lead and grabbed the title in victorious form. Besides racing, Andy Schleck and Contador are good friends as well. But friendship turns into rivalry when both the superstar riders compete on the cycling track.
Both of the cyclists are considered as one of the best companions and rivals of all times. Talking about Andy and Contador, the director of Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme expressed his views that they both form fantastic rivalry. He added that the race of 2010 was one of the best races of all times as both the rivals showed their class to the fullest and their friendly nature made the event even more exciting.
Everyone adores Andy Schleck and appreciated his second position in the race, on the other hand some of his fans are slightly disappointed and criticized him over his friendly nature. It is not wrong to say that Contador took the lead from him and thrashed him on the psychological level. Contador was there to win the title again for the third time and seemed much more focused towards his game and goals. Schleck looked strong but was missing the right chemistry of winning.
Contador made his way to victory by staying cool and keeping his head. Despite making errors and without winning a stage Contador proved to be too tough for the second position holder Schleck. The questions are still arising about the future of the cyclist from Luxemburg. The question if he is ever going to beat his Spanish friend or not? Regarding and considering the recent tour it is apparently easy to say that Schleck has a long way to go to make his way up from the second spot to the first one. The two time Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon expressed his views about Schleck and said that Schleck should work hard if he wants to win the next tour and should keep the friendship away from the racing track as his Spanish arch rival is still stronger than him. Fignon added that the rivalry should be pitiless because when we are racing it is a completely different world and once the race has started a rider should paddle like never before.
Both the riders and rivals are young and dynamic and both have the best chances of setting the records. Contador has achieved his third victory in the TDF (Tour DE France) at the age of 27 and has a glorious future. His rival Andy Schleck is only 25 years old and he has proved himself quite well.
The cycling fans will stay eager to watch both the icons racing again in next year’s tour of France.
Tags: