Nita's Blog

     I can’t say enough about the exhilarating competition in the Tour de France. What’s that famous phrase about the “thrill” and the “agony” all in one?
     Tuesday’s stage 16 showed the height of success and an unbelievable low of John-Lee Augustyn, a South African cyclist.
     The 21-year-old in his maiden Tour de France conquered the highest climb of the race, beating everyone to the top of the 9,300 ft. Bonette-Restefond peak.
     The announcers had just announced that the he was literally on top of the world—on top of the highest paved road in all of Europe.
     At about the time Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin explained the danger of the descent in Jausiers, Augustyn showed the live tv audiences worldwide.
     I was awake and watching and not believing my eyes.
     He skidded off the road on a right-hand turn. Something more experienced riders handled quite well.
     Augustyn and his bike parted ways as they flew over the low barrier. Luckily, he stopped himself about 60-feet from the road's edge. A spectator had to help him up to the road where the stood and watched the other racers go by.

       Still more remarkable, Augustyn dusted himself off. Finally, when the Barlowold team car arrived (behind the field of riders), Augustyn’s race continued.
     He finished 35th, more than 5 minutes after stage winner Cyril Dessell of France.
     Phew! What excitement.
     American Christian Vande Velde  is still contending, 7th place after 16 stages.