Enjoy the holiday! Curious to know just how tough a hor catagorie
climb actually is... I rode Salmo-Creston Pass, which has an easy
side of 24km at 7% with two short (couple of hundred meter at most)
breaks on the way up. Steep side is only 16km, but a solid and
unbroken stretch averaging 8%.

Tough to call if Lance will take it or not. I don't think Jan is
really in the running this year, though I will be shocked if he falls
out of top 5. Botero, if he can stay consistant, should be dangerous,
but I think biggest threat is actually Tyler Hamilton. Climbs very
well, good at the time trials... he just needs to keep from falling
off his bike in the first week.

Still think it is a shame that Cipo won't be there. Will Zabel avenge
last year?