Contrary to a former opinion, the Tour de France 2006 was not such a snore-fest after all. Granted the first two weeks were remarkably empty of drama, but the last week has more than made up for it. Seeing Floyd Landis first self-destruct, then rebirth himself the day after, was probably the most dramatic two days of the Tour I have ever witnessed. After all, it’s quite something to drop ten minutes one day, then take the Tour back after a 130km breakaway in the Alps. That’s a show of defiance and panache that surely makes him a worthy champion. Today was only his confirmation.

Other notes: Andreas Kloden’s remarkable time trial performance was probably part of the Pyrrhic victory for T-Mobile today. Despite Honchar’s stage win, the T-Mobile team continued to demonstrate throughout this Tour how poor tactical management can cost you a Tour. Surely, if they had attacked in the Alps during the day of Landis’s collapse Kloden would be wearing the yellow jersey into Paris. However, as in other Tours, T-Mobile continues to show that they are only good at chasing down their own riders and sitting on their pretty pink behinds while the Tour is taken out from under them.

Cunego keeps the white jersey going into Paris, and his win augurs well for the young rider’s prospects. Improving dramatically in form throughout the Tour, and crowning it with a very respectable Time Trial performance, Cunego is placing himself among the future favourites to take the yellow jersey. With a Giro already under his belt, and a proven climber, he only needs to improve on his training and get a solid team around him to be dangerous. Karpets and Floten aren’t nearly in the same league. Perhaps the greatest threat to Cunego’s crown would come from Team CSC’s double Schleck threat. Frank already proved his mettle this year, but his brother Andy is already touted to be stronger.

Today’s coverage on France 2 of the race was especially well produced. I couldn’t believe they managed to get a camera and live mic on Phonak’s racing manager guiding Landis through the race. It’s amazing how symbiotic they have to be. Jean Lelangue had all the details down for Floyd, anticipation of every curve, the best line to take, the best form, all helping Floyd race perfectly towards victory. Absolutely mesmerizing. AG2R’s racing manager was less technical, though quite amusing. He kept playing Eurodance and talking like a karaoke king while pushing Christophe Moreau forward. Moreau does have dreadful taste in music.

So, congratulations to flying Floyd Landis and his team Phonak. Even Eddy Merckx couldn’t resist sneaking onto the stage to congratulate him on his victory. I don’t think Armstrong was ever flanked by both Hinault and Merckx, which surely makes Landis’s dream ending that much more legendary.