Just got this personal account from a friend who was on Ventoux for
the TT during DL last week:
well the ventoux was the higher hell it is claimed to be. I got there
for the last thirty or so riders with a large bag of cherries to spit
the pits at those I don't like. I did risk it and wore the "don't mess
with texas" t-shirt which was taken in good humours even by the
french. Of the riders landis looked strong as did pena. In fact all
the uspostal riders looked good especially lance he looked super
smooth and I thought wasn't pushing it too much, even his car was
silent they weren't telling him anything, unless he had an earpiece,
but all the same I'm certain he wasn't riding his fastest. What is
more when he went past me he was out on his clip-ons, not the steepest
section but he was in a semi tt tuck all the same as was was landis.
Mayo was exceptional and came up the mountain without the slightest
appearance of effort and just before him hamilton was getting heckled
from his car in three languages to go faster and I think over the last
5 1/2K he probably was quicker than mayo.