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89th Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 6-28, 2002
2002 Tour de France rider journals
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Bradley McGee
Nationality: Australian
Team: La Francaise de Jeux
Bradley McGee can ride a four kilometre individual pursuit faster than some elite squads can ride as a quartet, averaging close to 60 clicks an hour for four minutes, all on his own. Scary, isn't it? No surprise then the good-looking New South Welshman has now matured to become a feared prologue and TT specialist, recently winning the prologue of the Dauphiné Libéré from his compatriot Baden Cooke - over a distance you might say was rather familiar to him: 3.6 kilometres. However Brad doesn't just want to be master of the chrono; he wants that and more.
Stage 14 - Sunday July 21: Lodève - Mont Ventoux, 221 km
Teamwork saves the day
There was a moment or two today when I thought this great race would come to an early close for me. Dropped from the main bunch after 6km was not a great sign for things to come. As riders smashed up the road to break free of the tight US Postal grip, a few of us were desperately trying to merely survive. After a hard chase, for 10 or 15km, we regained the main group and settled in to the long, hot day ahead.
Well this was how I thought it would be only to find my legs completely unresponsive (inside abducters have been damaged from my crash Thursday) and with every acceleration or slight rise I was being spat out the back and into the convoy of cars. Jimmy Casper and Cookie were actually pushing me for a lot of the final 40km leading into the foot of Ventoux, as being dropped in this zone would surely have me 'hors delay' at the finish.
That was an act of teamwork that I will hopefully be able to repay in coming stages. Buckle in boys if the final stage on the Champs comes to a bunch kick, 'cause this lead-out man will be on a mission.
Back in the race and we see Armstrong doing his thing in fine style, totally smashing all contenders. The guy is awseome and I feel proud to be riding in this 'Armstrong' era. With fantastic timing tomorrow is a rest day, I'll be lapping up every hour!
Also, my parents, John and Carole, my wife Sharni and little Tahlia plus my mate Vik are all on 'Tour' now until Paris supplying a solid dose of motivation at a crucial time. It's so great they could make the trip and see what all this "Tour" fever is all about.
- Bradley McGee's official website - www.bradleymcgee.com
- pre TdF interview - Watch out here I come
- Brad's 2001 TdF diary
- Bradley McGee: A Profile
