I've been thinking about how the weather/climate conditions affect Grand Tours. Of course, factors such as wind can facilitate a team's splitting of the peloton (e.g., USPS during certain stages in the Vuelta), but the impact of weather can best be illustrated during the two ITTs of the 03 TdF.
The first was a very hot day, contributing (at least according to LA) to LA's loss of a chunk of time to JU. Being the capable manipulator of the press that he is, LA keeps on telling the story that he was outside getting ready for the ITT, while JU was sitting in an air-conditioned room.
The second ITT, in which JU needed to make up time, was a rainy, wet day, as everybody knows. That was already a negative factor, in terms of JU's potentially making time up on LA's lead.
What other stages of the TdF do members recall weather having played a significant part in? (There are of course certain LA uphill rides, as a hint, at least.)
The first was a very hot day, contributing (at least according to LA) to LA's loss of a chunk of time to JU. Being the capable manipulator of the press that he is, LA keeps on telling the story that he was outside getting ready for the ITT, while JU was sitting in an air-conditioned room.
The second ITT, in which JU needed to make up time, was a rainy, wet day, as everybody knows. That was already a negative factor, in terms of JU's potentially making time up on LA's lead.
What other stages of the TdF do members recall weather having played a significant part in? (There are of course certain LA uphill rides, as a hint, at least.)
