Tour de France: Will the race result of 2009 be repeated?
The title defender, Alberto Contador gave a head to head race to Andy Schleck, as the Tour De France 2010, reaches its final as well as major climb of the year. His sheer hard work and immense determination had helped him stay right up there for the battle of title this year as well.
His sweat and toil paid him well, as he was able to hold a lead of eight seconds over the tough Luxembourger competitor. Despite the severe competition he offered, the current champion was not willing to let him have lead at the 15.5km long trail of Col du Tourmalet. Contador was unshakable, invincible as the two went ahead with equal determination and strength.
The striking head to head racing attack between the champion and Schleck was witnessed 10km left of the 174km stage from Pau. The scene further stirred up all the other contenders as the Championship is getting tougher and intense with every passing day.
However, Schleck was able to grab win at the stage 17 but still, Contador was able to finish up ahead of him to get the final lead of the day.
The Spaniard feels excited and jubilant to stand as the overall winner of Thursday, which has also granted him the pole position for Friday’s race. All the sprinters are of the view that Friday is going to be a good racing day for them before all of them head to the tough time trials of Saturday. Contador, who is already considered as a superior practitioner is hoped to get the maximum out of the two days, which can serve as a great opportunity for him at this stage of the race.
Schleck expressed that he does not want to leave behind a trifle even if that could prevent him from the title. He was happy to add that he was completely motivated and also in great form and health. He furthermore said that he had never felt as fit and in good health ever before as he feels this season, therefore he wants to bring the best out of him now.
He said that he does not mean to underestimate other rivals but as things have unfolded so far, Alberto Contador and himself seems to be clearly a level ahead of all others and that where the race has reached now, the competition is primarily between the two.
Contador has over the time proved to a better time trialist but the difference between the two is only eight seconds now, therefore nothing could be predicted. Last year, Schleck lost the race as he was four minutes behind the toper but this year he had been able to keep the difference much lesser.
During their Thursday’s race, the duo had been able to leave behind a big group of seven men, of whom some were able to make a lead of up to nine minutes during the early moments of the race. However, Schleck was cautious as he kept looking behind him, gazing through the mist, to keep track of Contador’s state in the race. The attacking moment came when the Spaniard came forward in full rage with only 3.9km remaining. Schleck was a brilliant defender and superbly fought back to safeguard his lead but it was at the last few kilometres that the day changed its outcome suddenly.
If the lead is not shaken off by the Luxembourger results of this season would be similar to that of last year, whereas Schleck seems determined that he would not be the runner up once again, as in the 2009 Tour de France.
As the day ended, Alberto Contador said that his aim is not to have stage wins rather he wants the overall victory. He said that now he is only focusing to be the first one to reach Paris.
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