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Is that the sweet smell success Contador is sniffing? - Source: Reuters -
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Stage 20 - Montélimar to Mont Ventoux - 167km
Club Run for Bertie, Tiki tour for Rolly
Well, as Schleck Jr tried his best to light the fireworks we expected on Ventoux, Bertie kept spitting on the fuse.
Riding like he was on a Sunday stroll to the cafe, Contador quashed everything the Schleck bro's could throw at him, spinning his way up the Provence brute and into the history books.
Bertie rode like a true champion, as Spaniard Garate took the Mont honours, out-sprinting Martin on the line after being away for most of the day.
Kiwi Roulston was in this early break, proudly parading his Tiki around the lavender fields of Provence and the early slopes of the Mont for the entire world to see - nice one fella!
Roulston eventually finished a very credible 26th, ahead of both Aussie Evans and a very lack lustre Sastre.
He's had a cracking first Tour.
Riding into Allotted Positions
As the slopes approached, the peloton were steaming behind the break. Saxo Bank were in control with former Roubaix winners Cancellara and O'Grady counting down the K's, then Team ContiStrong took over and blew the bunch apart.
Wiggo's Garmin team mates showed their faces too, with Millar leading the bunch through the crowds on Ventoux.
AlphaStrong rode up like a deserved third placer - not with the form of old (should be interesting next year!) - but just enough to hold on to the podium.
Ride of the day went to Wiggo, yo-yoing off the elite pack a million times in the final few K's, some how he managed to dig deep and hold onto his fourth place by the chamois of his shorts.
Wiggo now equals the British overall record of Scot Robert Millar's fourth place back in the '84 Tour - not bad for a lad who was hoping at best for a top twenty!
With Respect for Major Tom
All of the British Tour riders paid their respects to the late Tom Simpson as they rode up the mountain that claimed his life.
Wiggins found his extra strength from a picture of Simpson on his top tube.
Wegelius threw his bidon towards the Simpson's memorial, Cav removed his helmet as he passed, and Millar threw a team cap, which he had written "To Tommy, RIP, Divid Millar".
The End is Nigh - Long Live Le Tour
Well, with the fat lady belting one out at the top of Ventoux all that is left is the slowies into Paris, then we can all look forward to the post-Tour blues.
With the final finishers storming the parade around Paris on
Monday - lets hope both Dean and Roulston get a well deserved Haka
on the Champs.
