Raise A Glass To Vino...
Well, dear reader, it seems I was foolish and premature (not the first time I've been either of those two things!) in writing off the inimitable Kazakh, Alexandre Vinokourov.
After smashing the field to pieces on Saturday in the 'contre le montre', he wilted like a badly wilting wilty thing on Sunday in the Pyrenees.
But the man with more stitches in his knees than I have in my jimjams made a superlative comeback of Lazarus proportions yesterday, again riding away from the field, and descending down a mountain path at 60mph to score his second stage victory of the race.
Having lost about half an hour on Sunday, he is now no threat to the overall lead in the race and, with a rest day today, it's far from impossible that he could win the last mountain stage tomorrow. Certainly, the main players for the overall title will not chase him, and none of the other riders can live with him in the form he showed yesterday.
Furthermore, on Saturday, there is the second and final time trial, for which he must again be favourite.
And, as if four possible stage wins wasn't enough, he has previously won the final stage on the Champs Elysee, an event traditionally collared by a sprinter.
What a bizarre situation it would be if a rider won five stages of the Tour, and yet still didn't finish in the top 20 overall!
I have nothing but admiration for this guy, for the way he has refused to give up, and has fought on with honour and humility. He is the ultimate sportsman for me right now. 'Chapeau', as they say in France. (Or 'hats off', as we might say).
Onto racing, and wouldn't you just know it... As I launch the trial of my laying system, so we get smacked in the chops with an 11/2 winner. No matter, a few points loss on the day, but the overall pattern is positive, and let's see where we are come the end of the week.
Today's lays are:
(Incidentally, Tonnante was one of my alternative ten to follow for the season, so I have mixed feelings about that one! You can read about the other mutts I tipped up here.)
On the punting front, Neil Callan did indeed plough Beverley's near side rail yesterday as hoped (and many others followed him), and he prevailed by a comfortable margin for a nice 10/3 winner for me and TrainerFlatStats punters too.
Over at Windsor, my bet of the day - Marozi - fared less well, coming in a well outpointed 4th. He travelled like a winner until the business end of the race, but found nought. Disappointing, and I suspect he may be a much better horse on sand. It wouldn't surprise me to see this one race in the States before the season is out. He's certainly bred for it.
I can't find anything worth backing today, so - like my friends at the Tour - I shall have a rest day. It's high time I did some work!
Pip pip!
Matt
After smashing the field to pieces on Saturday in the 'contre le montre', he wilted like a badly wilting wilty thing on Sunday in the Pyrenees.
But the man with more stitches in his knees than I have in my jimjams made a superlative comeback of Lazarus proportions yesterday, again riding away from the field, and descending down a mountain path at 60mph to score his second stage victory of the race.
Having lost about half an hour on Sunday, he is now no threat to the overall lead in the race and, with a rest day today, it's far from impossible that he could win the last mountain stage tomorrow. Certainly, the main players for the overall title will not chase him, and none of the other riders can live with him in the form he showed yesterday.
Furthermore, on Saturday, there is the second and final time trial, for which he must again be favourite.
And, as if four possible stage wins wasn't enough, he has previously won the final stage on the Champs Elysee, an event traditionally collared by a sprinter.
What a bizarre situation it would be if a rider won five stages of the Tour, and yet still didn't finish in the top 20 overall!
I have nothing but admiration for this guy, for the way he has refused to give up, and has fought on with honour and humility. He is the ultimate sportsman for me right now. 'Chapeau', as they say in France. (Or 'hats off', as we might say).
Onto racing, and wouldn't you just know it... As I launch the trial of my laying system, so we get smacked in the chops with an 11/2 winner. No matter, a few points loss on the day, but the overall pattern is positive, and let's see where we are come the end of the week.
Today's lays are:
| Yarmouth | Tonnante |
| Yarmouth | Ainama |
(Incidentally, Tonnante was one of my alternative ten to follow for the season, so I have mixed feelings about that one! You can read about the other mutts I tipped up here.)
On the punting front, Neil Callan did indeed plough Beverley's near side rail yesterday as hoped (and many others followed him), and he prevailed by a comfortable margin for a nice 10/3 winner for me and TrainerFlatStats punters too.
Over at Windsor, my bet of the day - Marozi - fared less well, coming in a well outpointed 4th. He travelled like a winner until the business end of the race, but found nought. Disappointing, and I suspect he may be a much better horse on sand. It wouldn't surprise me to see this one race in the States before the season is out. He's certainly bred for it.
I can't find anything worth backing today, so - like my friends at the Tour - I shall have a rest day. It's high time I did some work!
Pip pip!
Matt
Labels: Laying System, Tour De France
posted by Matt at
07:32
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