Pure Class

[-Adam-]

So, I don't like the guy, really I don't. But you gotta hand it to him, Valverde showed some real class yesterday. It was always clear that he and Sylvester Szmyd were working together, Valverde for GC, stage win for Szmyd. Then it all looked like it had gone tits up, whatever happened to him, Szmyd lost about 20m in the blink of an eye with about 500m to go.

When Valverde realised, he put his foot down to maximise time and stop waiting. Then he realised he was coming back, so he feigned blowing himself and waited.

Low and behold Szmyd takes the glory, Valverde the GC. Job done.

Regardless of whether or not he should be racing (with an Italian ban, but not an international one), he said he'd rip up the Dauphiné, and he has. What style he has done it in too, there was no ego on display yesterday, which you could have forgiven given the circumstances, no, there was just pure cycling honour. If Valverde loses the Dauphiné by a matter of seconds, he may regret it. But I'm sure I am not alone in having found a lot of respect for the guy after yesterdays ride.

[img]http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/dauph09/dauph09st03-szmyd.jpg[/img]

Oh, chapeau to Millar too for a top ride to move up to 4th on GC, less than 2 mins away from Valverde.

[ThePinkDreamMachine]

class.... well he could start with taking off that horrid lucky charm...

i might have a nice set of pearls he can have,,

[-Adam-]

Perhaps he is a man of the faith, he would have certainly been close to his God yesterday afternoon...