Stage 20 Plat de Jour? Rosbif

Well it's all over folks. Congratulations to Braddles Wiggles the first Pom or Rosbif as they say in France, to win the Tour of France. Like him, love him or loath him, you have to admire the way he has ridden over the last 3 weeks, and the time he clocked last night proves why he was the favorite going into this Grand Tour. The fact that he has awesome big sideys & that he slowed the Peloton when Cadel had an attack of the tacks the other night means that we think he's ok - sort of.

We dearly hoped Cadel would go back to back this year, but to be honest, he never really looked in with much of a chance. Wiggins was always the one to beat right from the start, and he had a stellar team to help ensure that he got to Paris in yellow.

Tonight the peloton rolls into Paris from Rambouillet & there are a couple of little climbs worth one point each, the result of which won't make any difference to the Polka-dot Jeursey standings which little Tommy Voeckler has in the bag.

The young Gorilla Sagan has Green in the bag too, but like sprinters the world over we're sure there will be some hustle & bustle at the intermediate sprint and of course for the big finish on the Champs-Elysées where the Manx Missile, Sagan, Gossy & Greipel the Gorilla will be pedaling for glory- it's guaranteed!

Our pick: For about the 10th time this tour - Go Gossy Go. This is your last chance - dive into the suitcase of courage & have a crack!

Drink Match: Champagne - enjoy a celebratory flute or two of something fresh and bright. A toast to the victors & for more sleep ahead!

A local drop: We love good Australian fizz here, if you haven't been able to track down any Sabre by MH by now, look for some methode traditional fizz from the likes of Clover Hill, Chandon or Brown Brothers who rarely disappoint.

This will be the last MH Le Tour post until next year.

Stay tuned for more blog activity as our eyes focus across the English Channel to London where the Olympics will be sure to inspire more unpredictable predictions with booze to match.

Au Revoir from Mitch & Johnno.

Stage 19 - The Race of Truth!

It was hard & fast last night & the Manx Missile did not disappoint. Another stage podium finish for Gossy who like every one else was caught off guard by big Cav who wound up his machine from about 500 m out & shot past everyone in a bit of a blur. More beast than man is the Missile.
Whilst Gossy missed out, what a ride by young Aussie Adam Hansen who's last 20 km offensive was sensational.

We are up to Stage 19 & it is the final time trial before the ride into Paris tomorrow. Remember this time last year folks? This was the stage where Cadel blitzed the field to close the gap & take the yellow juersey.

The 5 riders ahead of Cadel this year will all start after him, and unless all of them run into straying dogs, maniacal fans, packets of tacks or wandering cattle en route to Chartres, then Cadel's chance of capturing yellow again are essentially impossible.

Wiggins blitzed the stage 9 TT & will likely do the same again here. Given the awesome support he has had from team Sky, his legs should be up to it. Or will team mate Froome have a crack for some previously denied glory? Regardless, the race of truth will be fascinating to see who's got what left in the tank.

Our Pick: Froome to open up a can FU Wiggins & grab a stage win.

Drink Match:
The riders set off from Bonneval just North of the Loire Valley - It's a smorgasbord of lesser known (or loved?) varieties here. Take your pick from sweet Chennin wines of Anjou, the spicy & fruity Cabernet Franc of Chinon, the long-lived Chenin Blanc of Vouvray or the steely and flinty Sauvignon Blancs of Pouilly & Sancerre.

Aussie Match:

White: Get on the local Fumé Sauvignon Blanc styles - try the 3 Monks from Taltarni, the Gembrook Hills Sauv Blanc or try & track down our own newly released 2012 MH Sauvignon Blanc Fumé for Sauv Blanc with texture & complexity - say good bye to fruit tingles & Battery Acid!

Red: Try & track down the racy & infamous Mon Petite Francine by Gary Mills of Jamsheed wines - lip smakin' racy goodness!

Nearly home... MH Tour Blog Stage 18 Preview

With the peaks of the Pyrenees behind them, the jerseys for their year's Le Tour have all but been decided. That means it's time for someone to snatch some glory with a stage win prior to Paris. And with just a few climbs, the way is open for any sprinter still with the puff after the last climb to go for it.

Profile c/o letour.fr

Wiggins has the Maillot Jaune sewn up and onto himself, Sagan the green one, and Voeckler that nice spotty one you get for climbing mountains. Expect them to play fairly safe tonight, and it's time for someone else to have a crack at the stage win tonight.


OUR PICK: We've been tipping it for weeks now, it's time for GO GO GOSSY to pick up a stage win in a flat-out charge to the finish.

DRINK MATCH: We're just east of Bordeaux and the Dordogne here at the finish tonight, so it's time for a nice glass of claret... See if you can find a Cotes de Bergerac for a close-by tipple.

AUSSIE MATCH: Right, into Bordeaux-style material from down under, lets think some icons:
I'd go Yarra Valley for the Mount Mary Quintet myself, but for the other side of country, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Cullen Diana Madeline. Could you drink better on a cold winter night??