A rest day at the Tour de France, and as warm sunshine floods the stunning Alpine peaks overlooking the French town of Gap, it’s press conference time for this year’s major favorites.
Cocooned in their various hotels dotted in and around Gap, race leader Bjarne Riis, wobbling defending champion Miguel Indurain, and Mapei/GB’s Tony Rominger and Abraham Olano are making all the right noises. "There’s a long way to go" and "It’s not over yet" are the choice phrases at a series of press calls which, in fact, are more like exercises in public relations.
Meanwhile, further away from the crowded streets of the Alpine holiday town, at the ski resort of Superdevoluy, are the Italian Saeco and Brescialat squads. With just five riders left on each of these two teams, and leaders Mario Cipollini and Zenon Jaskula, respectively, long gone, the likes of Saeco’s Eros Poli and Brescialat’s Mariano Piccoli enjoy a long and leisurely breakfast before reluctantly abandoning the hotel sun terrace to change into their racing outfits. Yes, professional bike riders do ride on the rest day, and Poli and Co. were setting off over the Col du Noyer towards Gap, before climbing back to the hotel on the ascent of the Cou du Bayard, a training ride of about 80 kilometers or so.
"It’s good to go out for a while," said Poli before he rolled down the mountain. "If we don’t, we lose the rhythm of riding, but we take it easy and try to recover on the bike by riding at a moderate level." But the debate over the outcome of this year’s Tour goes on. While Riis and his Telekom teammates appear to have Indurain in check, many experienced pundits still consider the Spaniard to be the favorite. Winning took a poll of former champions to get their perspective on the race so far. Do they think Miguel can execute the great escape?
Bernard Hinault (Tour winner, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985): "He gets the bonk once in five years and everybody thinks that it’s all over. From now on, Miguel has to get his head down and attack. It’s not a time for refined tactics. In any case, that’s what I’d do. Now he’s got the chance to show that he’s a real fighting bull."
Eddy Merckx (Tour winner, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974): "Yes, Indurain can still win the Tour. Sure, he’s got a lot of time to make up on Riis. But we’re only halfway and there’s plenty of time for things to change. There are several teams with well-placed leaders who might think of trying something."
Felice Gimondi (Tour winner in 1965): "A champion like Indurain is always capable of doing something special. But he needs to ride with panache to reverse the situation. The Miguel of last year, who attacked so brilliantly at Liege, has to show himself. At the moment, Riis is the man to beat and his team is looking so strong, too."
Stephen Roche (Tour winner in 1987): "Of course, he can still win. The sun’s back and that will help him. The attacks are sure to come and several riders in front of him will fall back. With the finish in Pamplona and the time trial in Bordeaux, the finish suits him. If he cuts Riis’ lead (4:38) in half by the time we leave the Pyrenees then he can still win in Paris."
Gilbert-Duclos Lassalle (Winner, Paris-Roubaix, 1993 and 1994): "The key for me is what Mapei’s tactics will be. I think it’s in their hands. But Miguel hasn’t lost yet. He’s got too much class and too much pride to have given up already."
Predictions, predictions. Certainly, Indurain is not yet ready to throw in the towel, but with his team drastically weaker this year than ever before, he will have to dig very deep into his undoubted resources to recover the maillot jaune. The smart money is on the inspired Riis to become the first Danish rider in history to win the Tour, but Indurain will run him close, especially at the time trial in Bordeaux. Winning’s prognostic? Riis in yellow in Paris, with Indurain and Rominger also on the podium.