via t3.gstatic.com

So much takes place in a GT, and this TdF didn't lack much in the way of twists and turns. There are some things that took place on and off the road that I shined two copper pennies for... to share my opinion.

Unwritten rules in cycling and their application are all about timing, and even then, it comes down to the riders and the mood and flow of the race (if that makes sense). But no matter what is decided, there is no way everyone is going to be happy about the decision. But the crashes that took place on the descent in Stage 2 is a time that I think the race officials should have stepped in and neutralized the race, which means, they get on the front of the race and dictate the pace for a determined amount of time (including the break). And yes, I think there should have been a sprint.

Mark Renshaw should have been allowed to continue. I suggest that the TdF get a "trailer", Nascar officials have one, and when they think drivers have crossed the line they called hauled into the "trailer". What happens behind closed doors is like getting threatened by the Godfather, fines and penalties are handed out and the drivers are put on probation. If you look at the run in for the sprints up to Renshaw's DQ, Columbia was being challenged with increasing physicality but the other teams. Everyone in the sport knows there is no love loss between Garmin and Columbia, especially at the Tour, the officials should have hauled both teams into the trailer and threatened them like a true Godfather ... "I'll throw the rule book away and send all your asses home".

Alberto Contador was pushed to the limits like I've never seen before. Andy shocked the hell out of me and came to this TdF in amazing form. Contador played it cool on and off the bike but I could feel concern, even fear, in the air. I think the reason AC took off on the chain incident to gain back time, was that he saw that may be the only time to get into the yellow before the ITT, and he wisely decided that it might be a good thing to have Andy in front of him just in case. El Pistolero rose to new challenges in this Tour, new physical pressures from a hard Tour and a hardened Andy Schleck, and the ever increasing pressure of repeating as the TdF champion. He answered the challenges that exhausted him like never before and that's why we saw him so elated in the end.

I know I've never been so amped watching an ITT.

Vino is a beast. I know there are many other riders to mention that showed their stuff, but he rides himself into the ground when he mounts his saddle and has restored my belief that he welcomes the pain and suffering that goes into standing out on a bike.

Well Elmo is tired and is going to bed and then on a very long vacation, it's tough battling the unrelenting forces of the ELPMO club while staying out of the reach of the BANHAMMER. The Tour is over and so it is safe for Elmo to take off the Livestrong jersey and just go for a joyride. Speaking of changing jerseys, seriously, don't always let the media dictate where to spend your energies. Go ahead and shine your two cents for display (in ursula's case, make that a quarter). Peace out.