The weather forecast is looking decent for the Time Trial this evening.   The temperature should be around 80 degrees and there will be an 8-9mph NW breeze.   Humidity around 60%.  Typical summer day.   Not optimal, but decent... an 8 out of 10.

Perhaps viewing the  TDF Team Time Trial last night got you revved up to  slam the course tonight !       The mishaps of day 1 has really put a wrench in the works for several contenders.  The TTT was a chance for some to grab back some time to level things out a bit.   BMC and Sky teams did well to put their top dogs back in the hunt.   Sunweb did well to keep Dumoulin near the top of the general classification. He's got a nice 40-50 second buffer on his main rivals.  Can he limit his losses in the mountains so that he can win it all on the individual TT at the end?  Could make for a great finish!    

Geraint Thomas also has the same buffer as Dumoulin...  if he is riding strong in the mountains with Froome, will Team Sky allow him to try to win?    

TJ is up there too!  But, for sure he will work to help Porte.  Perhaps a podium finish is possible for him.  He has a tendency to not handle the very steep climbs.  He'll have to manage his losses there and then slam the IT.

The big loser thus far...   Nairo Quitana.   Lost time in stage 1 with two flat tires and in the TTT.  He's over a minute behind his rivals.  Being a marked man, it will be tough for him to make up enough time to have a cushion going into the IT.   This gives Landa a chance to be the team lead. 

Young Texan Lawson Craddock had a truly gutsy performance in the TTT and helped Rigoberto Uran maintain his top 10 position.  Even with fractured scapula he managed to take his pulls at the front and stayed with the team until about 2 miles left.  Hopefully he can heal up a bit over the next week so he can handle the cobblestones in Stage 9 and then assist Uran in the mountains. 

See you tonight!

Brian

TT Directore

315-727-1458