Last Big Day of the Tour - Maybe

So after two days of exciting racing, in which the General Classification was never in doubt - today, Saturday, is the second Time Trial. The last one was won by "Two Bloods Are Better Than One" Vinokourov, with Cadel Evans a strong second. Well, Evans is sitting in second overall, 1:50 behind Contador. Unless Contador has a terrible day, or Evans has an amazing one, Evans shouldn't be able to make up that much time. But - and this is the exciting possibility - he could get to within 30 seconds or so, in which case tomorrow's parade into Paris will not be one: it will be a race. This hasn't happened in almost 2 decades, since Greg LeMond won the Tour by 8 seconds on a Time Trial into Paris. Since then, Paris has always been a mellow route, with some sprinters jumping up on the final laps of the Champs Elysees for points, but otherwise not much happening. But with time bonuses for intermediate sprints and the overall stage win, Evans could make up 30 seconds or less. Probably won't be able to, but it would be a chance enough to make things exciting. Let's root for exciting.

One other note: David Millar, a Scotsman, was booted from racing for 2 years for doping. He returned a year ago with the zeal of the converted, and is now a very vocal member of the peoloton on doping issues. He writes a Tour Diary for Bicycling Magazine, and had a powerful piece in response to Vino's positive test. Give it a read.