Tuesday night turned out to be a bit cooler than forecasted - my car thermometer  displayed 59 degrees - but more importantly the wind prediction was accurate < 4mph from the South.  Decent conditions if you like it cool. The visibility was very good as the sun has moved farther to the South and the skies were somewhat overcast.   No worries about drivers being blinded by the setting sun.

Eight TTers showed up to extend their TT season.   Tiago Barreira, despite riding a non-aero front wheel due to a last second flat, managed to spank the course in an FMT time of 22:52 (26.23mph). He has broken his pre-2020 PR every time he has ridden the course this year.  Susan Anderson decided it was time to do her first TT in 2020 and she put in a superlative time - beating her 2019 PR by 1 second !  Her time was 25:06 (23.90mph). 

Notable notes:  Sam Sampere was the only regular TTer that was faster this week.  He eclipsed his previous week's time by 4 seconds. And that time was 55 seconds faster than the previous time. If we run this TT through November he may hit his all--time PR

Mariana Rinaldo had the fastest Junior time in posting a 28:58 (20.71mph). She has been very consistent all year.

If the weather stays reasonably warm, I will continue to extend the TT season. We got a late start this year, so I'll keep it going as long as the weather holds.  The forecast is calling for temperatures  to continue to be in the 60s to low 70s.  So, let's see what Mother Nature brings.

TdF Briefs:   Wow!   I can't remember a more highly charged TdF !   With Sagan getting relegated, even the ho-hum sprinter stages have become exciting.  Even some of the mountain stages have sprint points available for Sagan to attempt to garner. He has failed every time to cash in due to the strength of Sam Bennett. But, never the less, it makes for exciting racing.   The faster pace has taken its toll.  That combined with an unbelievable 24 miles of 8% grade climbing up Madeleine and Col de La Loze in the last 50 miles of stage 17 left a debris field of talented riders in the wake of Lopez/Roglic/Pogacar.  Pogacar at 21yo is a cinch to be on the podium and will be a force to be reckoned with in future TdFs. American Sepp Kuss  continues to impress - breaking into the top 15 as Roglic's lieutenant. 

SPOILER ALERT:   You gotta feel good about Richie Porte getting back to the lead pack today after flatting on the gravel at the top of the last climb.  This guy has had the worst TdF luck including a gruesome crash in stage 9 2017. He got past his nemesis stage 9 this year and has been doing well.  The guy deserves a break.

So, it will most likely come down to the uphill TT on Saturday to decide the final general classification. I'm predicting the currently top 3 will hold serve on the 36km TT which will consist of 30km of rolling terrain capped with a tough 6km ascent.    Lopez may loose time on the rollers, but gain time back on the climb.  There could be a re-shuffling in the 4-10 positions. 

Enjoy the TdF!

TT Directeur