Down for David

David Zabriskie’s crash today in the final few kilometer of the team time trial was difficult for us all to watch today from the comfort of our rooms in Riquewhir. But for one VéloSport staff member, it was particularly difficult. A former teammate of Zabriskie, Mike rode with and got to know the easy-going but talented rider in 2000-2001 when they both rode for the 7-Up team. It was hard for Mike to watch his buddy go down at such a critical moment.

“I actually felt sick to my stomach. I really think that they (CSC) would have won. The commentators were saying that the team didn’t deviate at all after the crash and didn’t lose any time. But when you think of those riders—the ones behind the crash and the ones in front that heard it happen—you know there was a break in their momentum. Even if they didn’t turn their pedals with the same force for just three revolutions, they would have lost those two seconds.

“I still can’t believe out of the nine riders, he was the one that had to go down. I couldn’t stop wondering just what he was thinking as he was riding those last few meters. Just what was going through his head. The hard part is going to be sleeping tonight and then riding tomorrow, if he can ride.

“Though granted any one is going to be upset, I think for David he just has to realize that in one day he won the first stage of his first Tour de France, won the green jersey and set a new average speed record for a Tour time trial. He is just 26 years old and he has won a stage in every grand tour. That’s pretty incredible.

“David is the kind of guy that could win the yellow jersey and call you that same day and never mention it. He is so humble and he always goes with what life hands him.”

Here’s hoping the young “Z” makes it to the start of tomorrow’s stage and many, many stages to come.