Journey to the Finish Line

The cycling race takes it's turn into the Pyrenees for a 139.2 mile ride with a Category 1 climb. I knew a Category 1 climb is the hardest rating, but I looked up the specifics in the cycling world: It's a climb that is 6 to 12 miles long and steeper than a 5 percent grade. The elevation gain is between 3,000 and 5,000 feet.

If those numbers mean nothing to you just know this: It's a long, steep climb and not all that much fun.

Unless of course, you're, say, Lance Armstrong or Alberto Contador.

Both riders are on the Astana team and while the younger Contador began the race as the official "leader" of the team (meaning he is the one the team decided has the best chance to win the yellow jersey and everyone works to protect and help him) Armstrong is by default a co-leader of sorts. Throughout the Tour, all members of Astana, including Lance, have said that the inner workings of the team have remained the same and Alberto is the team leader.

If there was any intra-team tension, it certainly didn't show during the team time trial a few days ago when an incredible performance by the unit launched them to a team win.

But today is the first "real test" of the Tour and both Lance and Alberto are strong climbers. It's their speciality both physically and in psychological games.

Today may be the day when Lance and Alberto battle it out for leader rights within Astana.

Either way, it will make for a compelling stage.

Check out Juliet Macur's article in today's New York Times for an excellent breakdown of today's stage and the Lance-Alberto dynamic.

Chances are, it will make you want to dust off your bike and get out and ride. Or, if you are already riding, tackle a few hills.

I'm hoping for a bit of inspiration. In preparation for the hilly course at Muskoka in September, many of my long rides will be on hills and Sunday marks my first designated three-hour hill ride.

If only I can channel a little bit of Lance and Alberto then.