David Millar, Christian Vande Velde, Tour de France stage 6 Half way through the race. That’s ten stages down, and I think few of my fellow racers would disagree that the most stressful stages of the Tour are now behind us. We’ve had a great start to the race, what with Will’s fantastic second place and my near miss in the time trial the first week. But nothing prepared us for the stunning race Christian has got himself mixed up in.

He’s lying in third place, a comfortable and confident third place at that. To see him racing with the best climbers in the world up Hautacam was simply awesome. Then to hear him tell me he was within himself and finished with bullets to fire was almost shocking. I, in the mean time, was having an awful day on the bike, having no choice but to complete the stage in the grupetto. That was hard physically and mentally. I would have loved nothing more than to be able to help out Christian before he got to Hautacam instead of having him isolated at the front of the race. It made me quite down not being able to even be his domestique. After all the training we’ve done together, and work we’ve put in, it wasn’t nice not being anywhere near his level. I can but hope that was my worst day of this Tour and I’ll be able to help him at some point when he needs it.

Christian Vande Velde, Tour de France stage 5 Having Christian assume this role of serious Tour contender has given the team a different lease of life. We are now transforming into a disciplined tight unit. Whereas before we were quite relaxed and yet aggressive in our tactics, now we are forming a more conservative guarding format. Our sole purpose it to serve as Christians bodyguards. It is great for all of us as it provides a real purpose and mission. Christian is inspiring us enormously and makes it a pleasure and honour to do so.

We will of course be launching ourselves into breaks and being part of the race, but that is now almost secondary. Christian is now our raison d’etre. You’d think he’d been within in reach of a Tour de France victory many times before the way he is handling the situation. He’s taking it in his stride with class and ease. Whether he wins, gets the podium, or finishes eleventh, these next twelve days are going to be one hell of a journey.