On Wednesday, July 23rd, the 17th stage will climb the Col du Gaibier, Col de la Croix de Fer and finish up L'Alpe d'Huez (all beyond category).
The racer in last place will probably be behind by a couple of hours on GC by this point. Ahead lie hours of pain and the possibility of being time limited at the end of the day. His own self interest would council just staying in bed that morning.
The man with the heart of the Lanterne Rouge will get up on the 23rd, put his uniform on, and go ride for cycling, his team and all those ToF fans waiting on L'Alpe d'Huez's 21 switchbacks.
Many of us will see a day when life's endless climbs seem impossible and we wonder "Why go on?" At those times, it's not the glorified champion in the yellow jersey who'll be our guiding light - it's the Lanterne Rouge.
Yep.
tcs
On a day like that, you wonder if someone in the team car is actually supplying him with info on what kind of time he needs to avoid the broom wagon. Or is sitting in the autobus enough to guarantee a start on the following day.