David Millar, Tour de France stage 15 “Think of it boys. One week from now, we’ll all be drunk.” These were Kiwi Guy’s words of hope after we’d reached the bus at the foot of the final mountain on Sunday’s stage. Although the distant spectator may think the day is done for us the moment we cross the line, it is not. We then, more often then not, have a quick change of clothes, do a 180 degree turn and head back down the mountain to the waiting bus 10 km down what we’d just clawed our way up. Normally the summit finishes don’t have enough room for all the buses. Anyway, even if there was room, our hotels are usually in distant valleys meaning the bus has to re-trace the race route in order to reach them. All the teams generally have their buses waiting at the foot of the climbs to whisk us away, as the quickest way back through the melee from the summit is on a bicycle.

This is usually the most dangerous part of the day, dodging literally thousands of spectators who are on foot, on bike, and in campers. It puts the fear of god in me every time, and it would be a stupid way to hurt myself or anybody else. Obviously in Italy, it’s mayhem. It’s like migrating wildebeest stampeding down the mountain, threading through it tired, jaded, dazed and of course, in case forgotten, tired. Makes for a less than relaxing end to a less than relaxing day. I grew accustomed to this mayhem at the Giro. The gendarmes manage to maintain some form of order on the French mountains. The Italian carabinieri do not manage to do the same in Italy. We did make it though and nobody was hurt…and yes Kiwi Guy still had a sense of humour, which is a very good sign.

It was the end to another eventful day for us. We had intended on having one of us in the break so that if all hell broke loose on the first mountain, Christian would have somebody up the road waiting for him. Fortunately for everybody, all hell didn’t break loose meaning that the break Danny had got himself into was destined to reach the finish line for the win. It was a very strong move. Arrieta, Martinez and Gerrans are all strong guys. Add Danny into the mix and it was an awesome foursome.

Danny Pate, Tour de France stage 15 I can’t really tell you much about what went on as I didn’t see a thing as they were a quarter of an hour ahead of us much of the day. Although I hear Danny was really strong in the final and was genuinely in the mix for the win. I’m over the moon that he was able to be in the race like that. Both him and Will have now both been racing for a Tour stage win, something very few guys ever get to do. They’ve both now done it in their first Tour. Danny was funny. He said at one point he was so tired that he had to sit on for a little while behind the other three guys. He felt like he was at some little race back in the States missing turns and feeling crap. At that particular moment in time, it didn’t feel like the Tour de France for Danny. I love ‘The Pate’. He always manages to keep it real.

As for us behind, well CSC did what they do best: taking the race by the scruff of the neck and achieving what they wanted in wrestling the yellow jersey from Cadel’s shoulders. It shall now be worn by the very talented Frank Schleck. But with the five riders behind him all within 49 seconds, the race is completely open. Christian rode once again like a potential Tour winner. I wish I could have watched it all.

Christian Vande Velde, Frank Schleck, Cadel Evans, Tour de France stage 15 I think this year I’ll be purchasing the Tour resume DVD so I can see what the old boy has been getting up to. My job is to be Christian’s shadow for as long as I can, making sure he is always safe and sound till he has to engage his mind and cross swords with the other GC riders. It’s amazing how much energy he needs psychologically for those moments. That’s something many people don’t realize I think. The physical demands are huge no doubt. But I’m seeing in Christian the massive demands required of him psychologically to push himself that hard. I will talk more of that. In the mean time, I must draw my rest day to an end and tuck myself into bed in preparation for two brutal days ahead.

The Alps await…

Oh, and thank you to everybody who took the time to comment. I read all of them. I don’t expect to be getting 100 comments for every entry I write! But it is lovely to know I hit the right note with so many people in my previous entry. It is always going to be a subject close to my heart and so will always provoke a personal response. Some people may not like that, but it is good to know so many people do.

David