Tough, tough, TOUGH stage last night. The time gaps were huge with 7’44″ between first and 10th place! And over 40 minutes between the first and last riders to finish.
Vicki was really tired when she finished the stage last night. Or at least I assume this to be the case seeing as I haven’t heard from her. She must have been so tired that she didn’t have the strength to push the keys on her phone. Either that or she has realised that a club C grader has no place associating with anyone who can finish 25th on a stage like that. 
I’m hoping it’s the former. If nothing else I kind of like being known as Mr Vicki Whitelaw. Who needs kids when you can live vicariously through your wife? 
So, with the dearth of information all I can do is give you the results – Vicki finished 25th, 16’25″ down on stage (and dare I say tour?) winner Mara Abbot of the US National Team. Vicki moved up a few places to 22nd on GC. Unfortunately one of those places is because Vicki’s friend Amber Neben crashed out on a descent. I’m praying that her injuries aren’t too serious.
Tonight’s 10th and final stage flattens out again. There is some altitude gain to be had but nothing that carries any mountain classification points. This tour hasn’t delivered anything for the escape artists and I’m guessing that the trend will continue with HTC wanting another win for Ina (to take her to five for the tour!?) and Cervelo just wanting a win.
I suspect that Vicki will be happy to just roll around and finish safe… after she tries to attack multiple times first, of course. She can then go home, recover and do it all again next weekend at Cento.
So until tomorrow…
Dave