Tick-Tock goes the Clock! The ToP is almost here!

With only a few weeks left before the “Grand Depart” the training (and smack-talk) is beginning to build. The past couple of weeks have seen some significant advances to everyone’s overall fitness, as the little Spaniard Contador would say, “the leg sensations are good”, though let’s face it, his English would have been so poor that we’d never had understood it.

Like the weekend’s Liege Bastogne Liege podium of the three Alex’s, the questionable finish of our OC brethren in the Saturday edition of the “Biking for Boobs” classic shows that they are coming with the heat! The biggest surprise was Bobbo’s remarkable – read that as “wait for the drug test results for that aha moment” – capture of the sprinters trophy! This is the same guy whose last sprint claim to fame involved a bucket of mild chicken wings and a small child with a short reach. Still, the gauntlet has been more slammed then dropped.

The once mighty SD has continued to suffer with its roster – the young guns come and go, while the veterans are beginning to look a little long in the tooth. Still, Steve “get off my lawn, you young whippersnapper” Burke has begun to show a little life – having finished this past weekend’s Alpine Challenge comfortably in the peloton, stating to anyone that would hear, “I’m not here for the win, just to get in some quality!”

Word of the first glimpse of actual road surface after another West Point winter is right on schedule for Curt’s annual day of training before toeing the line in Santa Barbara. A lifetime at the top of the athletic heap has taught him that the heart is only going to get so many beats, so it’s best to hold off on any training and save them for the actual event. This also serves for providing better photo opportunities as we are treated to the look of pure pain that is reminiscent of those early days of glory.

The great state of Texas is sending it’s favorite sons – well, really those three slow kids from the other side of the tracks – the favorite son is still claiming that a Grand Fondo and a pine wood derby were exactly what was needed to capture his 8^th TdF. Still, we’re expecting tall tales and couple of two-steps in the transition stages this year. “We gave it to ‘em at the Alamo, and will do it again in Solvang!”, Scotty was heard to yell (though completely unaware that Davey and the boys didn’t fare all that well at that faithful fight).

All eyes are on the NorCal Assassins as they continue to prepare for the defense of last year’s pure dominance. In the long history of the ToP, no team has come back to win – they have vowed to break the curse of the perpetual trophy, which is nearly as storied as the World Champions jersey, but not nearly as colorful. Tom ‘the hard man of the north” Armbruster has remained cagey in letting any word of his fitness out. Claims of injury and lack of training as he continues to save the lives of the lesser men, combined with his continued commitments at A16 are being taken with a grain of salt by those in the know. But it’s really Scott Duncan who continues to create the buzz. After coming out of nowhere in his first ToP to capture the coveted red jersey, he has been seen partying into the wee hours, trusting that his “youth” will cover for the checks his “rock-star” life is cashing. It is the dirty little secret of the top tours, the winners can so easily be caught up in the fame and forget “the train”! Still, the bookmakers are sitting firm on their 1-1 odds for a repeat.

If you’re looking for that outside chance, those same bookmakers have Carter at 30-1 to actually ride the whole event this year – who knows, it may be worth a quid just for the dream.