Lance on the Escape
How else do I express that this was a great start to 2010. This was another great hype filled race with the re-introduction of Lance Armstrong in his new Team Radio Shack team and uniform. The 2009 transfer season was dizzying to say the least. It was a complete overhaul of nearly every team. What this gives to us is an exciting and unpredictable 2010.
The overall top 10 in the Tour Down Under is never a season decider. No more than a pre-season MLB game can decide the World Series. It is however a fair indicator of how it will shape up over the coming weeks.
Team Radio Shack showed their strength along with, but not more than any other team. Team Garmin-Transitions was phenomenal in my mind, as was Columbia-HTC. Andre Greipel rode like a champion and after taking the trifecta in the first 3 Pro Tour stages of the year, he truly deserved the overall win.
Cadel Evans came out strong which is always great to see. Perhaps it was a little home country proudness which drove him along and up to number 18 overall.
My favorite to follow for this one was Robbie Mcewen who came back from a vicious knee injury that sidelined his entire 2009 season to take 4th overall and feature in the top spots on nearly every sprint stage. Congratulations Robbie.
Robbie Injured in 2009
Glad to see Christian Meier (a Canadian favorite) out on the front lots with Garmin-Transitions. Hoping to see some good results from the Canadian trio on that team (Christian Meier, Svein Tuft and Ryder Hesjedal).
The Spring Classics loom ahead as well as some exciting 5, 6, and 7 day races so I’ll be keenly watching to see as our newly staffed teams ramp up for the Grand Tours.
Chapeau Andre Greipel and welcome all fans and competitors to the 2010 season.
