Young Brad has distinguished himself again. In yesterday's unbelievably beautiful stage of Le Tour from Albertville to La Toussuire in the Alps Wiggo once again did the biz, coming in 6th on what was perhaps the toughest day of this years Tour. Revelations came thick and fast as the riders began the long climb up the final ramp from St Jean de Maurienne up to the finish line at La Toussuire some 1705m above sea level. After having already survived the gigantic hors-categorie climbs of the Col de la Madeleine and the Col de la Croix de Fer, Wiggo always looked comfortable and in good shape so that as the peleton hit the foot of the final climb I felt confident that his yellow jersey would remain intact. With team-mates Porte, Rogers, Froome, Boassen-Hagan and Knees around him Team Sky's position was incredibly strong. Little did we know that by the end of the climb that position would not only be enhanced, it may well prove to unassailable.
Frenchman Pierre Rolland (Team Europcar) eventually went on to win the stage with a fantastic performance that delighted the home crowds. But Rolland is not a challenger for the overall title and whilst he was gaining the plaudits of his countrymen the real drama was still on the mountain. The big surprise of the day, for me at least, was that Cadel Evans and last years Tour winner, cracked about half-way up the final climb leaving Wiggo with Froome (3rd place overnight) and Nibali (4th place) for company among one or two others. As Evans fell further and further behind, eventually losing almost a minute and a half (a huge chunk of time at this level), Wiggo spurred on perhaps, barring mishaps, putting in a performance that may well prove to be the decisive examination of this years Tour.
As the kilometers slid painfully by for Evans, Chris Froome led Wiggo and Vincenzo Nibali up the endless 18kms of this long, long climb until about 4k from the finish when he burst out of what remained of the peleton to illicit a bone-crushing attack that immediately had the rest in trouble, Wiggo included. As Froome moved away from the elite group, perhaps looking for the stage victory - I think had he been allowed to go he may well have caught Rolland, but now we will never know - he was suddenly seen clutching his hand to the side of his head. "Wiggo's in trouble!" or something like that must have come over the team radio. "Go back and support your leader!"
'In trouble,' might be a bit strong, but Wiggo had definitely been unable to match the amazing acceleration exhibited by Froome, but ever the professional Froome reined in and slid inexorably back into the elite peleton and pulled Wiggo up and over the final ramp of the climb before losing out in sprint finish for second place on the day to Tibot Pinot of Francais de Jeux. Wiggo came over the line a second or two behind Froomey and history had been made. He became the first Briton to wear yellow for 4 days in a row, an amazing achievement on a day that also saw Froome move up into 2nd position, just over 2 minutes behind Wiggo, with Nibali a further 20 seconds or so behind in 3rd.
Team Sky in first and second. Britain in first and second. What would the odds have been of this happening before the Tour started. You just have look down the 'predictions' of the pundits and experts to realise that this was not a scenario that too many of them had anticipated. Wiggo had been most people's favourite for the Tour given his winning performances in both the Paris-Nice Classic in March and the Criterium du Dauphine last month, but very few had tipped Froome to back Wiggo up quite as impressively as he has despite his second place overall in last years Vuelta de Espana.
Froome leads Wiggo up the final climb to La Toussuire (photo from Sky Sports)
For me Froome has been a revelation and must surely be a strong contender for the overall title next year. But he will still be at Team Sky then? For a team to have 2 leaders is unheard of and Froome must be entitled to have the support of a team of his own given his performances. This is not a scenario I would relish however. Team Sky is predominantly a British based team, with British team management, British sponsorship and I would love to have Froomey stay put. But will he feel the same when he reflects on his performances after the Tour is over?
But for now, I'm just floating on a patriotic cloud. Wiggo has been a hero of mine for many a year. To be honest I never thought he had in him to become the climber he has undoubtedly become, but he has happily proved me wrong and has shown the dedication, the strength and the qualities of a true Champion whilst remaining true to himself and keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, a fact brought home to me yesterday as he crossed the line together with Nibali, both their faces etched with the pain and agony of the stage, so that when Wiggo reached across to his Italian rival and embraced him I had the feeling of watching a man who had not only done what no other Briton has ever done, but has done it in a style of his own making, and done it with no sense of superiority about him, just a sense of his own ability and a firm, unshakable belief in himself and that this is his year.
Well done Wiggo.
P XXXXX
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