A knight on two wheels, brief celebration of Tour '05

Just some photos to commemorate this year's Tour de France. Michael Rasmussen was my favorite. He aimed to take a stage if he could and ended up taking the prize as best climber, earning a high place in overall competition, and also winning a stage. At one point commentators thought that he might gain a podium place -- one of the top three finishers after three weeks of racing, but that was never more than a dream.

As you know from a previous post, I also respect Pieter Weening for his stage win.



Lance is deservedly champ. A man who lives up to his cliché of a name. A figurative knight with lance and a (figuratively) strong arm to hold it. (Who knew that there was bicycle jousting?)

Graham Watson photos:

Weening has attacked at the front of the race and is building a steady lead over his ex-escapers...


Michael Rasmussen wins into Mulhouse to take his first-ever Tour de France stage-win - he has been out in front for the entire stage, over 170-kilometres!


Stage 18, Rasmussen is in trouble on the finishing climb and will lose 37-seconds to 4th-place overall, Ullrich


Lance Armstrong rode his last time trial stage in his last Tour de France - and won in convincing style!