Friday, July 22nd, 2005
After today it looks like the only battle left in the Tour de France will be between Michael Rasmussen and Jan Ullrich for the final spot on the podium. Based on the results of the stage one time trial, Ullrich should be able to overtake Rasmussen. Ullrich has been coming on strong this final week of the Tour and should ride very well in Saturday’s final time trial.
On stage one Rasmussen lost 2.06 to Jan Ullrich in 19km on a day when Ullrich was clearly not having a good ride. On Saturday Ullrich will have 55km in which to make up the 2.12 deficit that Rasmussen currently has over him. Rasmussen may put in an inspired ride but, assuming that Ullrich does not have any problems, it will probably not be enough to keep Ullrich off the 3rd place podium spot.
Will Ullrich ride well enough to take back 3.46 on Basso for the 2nd place spot? Basso would have to completely fall apart for this to occur and Basso has not been showing any weakness this final week.
I still think that Robbie McEwen will take the green jersey in Paris but he is running out of time to collect the points he needs.
Final predictions:
GC
1 – Armstrong
2 – Basso
3 – Ullrich
Mountain Jersey
Rasmussen
Green Jersey
McEwen
White Jersey
Popovych
(Sent wireless via Treo 600)
