Friday afternoon, and for the first time in months I got home from work early. Just in time to see the last 70 kilometers of today’s stage in the Tour de France. A stage in the French Pyrenees, over legendary mountains with even more legendary names: Aubisque and Soulor. A stage that finished in a place very well known for totally other reasons: Lourdes.
One man stood out today, determined to finish first in this pilgrimage.The Norwegian bull called Thor Hushovd was on a mission.
Wearing the rainbow jersey, the most beautiful jersey in the world, he flew up Aubisque, got caught again long before the top, but played his best card in the descent towards the finish: his weight. This guy is not made for climbing, he’s made to dive down a hill like an eagle diving down on its prey.
He’s wearing this rainbow jersey since he became world champion in October last year, and he’s wearing it with pride, taking every opportunity possible to show it.
After today’s stage he admitted that this was the most beautiful victory in his career.
He already had a rainbow. Today he found the pot of gold.