So, You Wanted Panache?

(Photo by Friedemann Vogel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

OK, Frenchies, you got your panache!

Just read this lead in VeloNews:
In one of the most audacious and bravest rides seen in the modern era of the Tour de France, Phonak's American rider Floyd Landis turned the despair of his stage 16 implosion into a stage-winning breakaway that put him back into the role of favorite to win this extraordinary race.

And listen to the praise:
Oscar Pereiro (up by 12 and 30 seconds over Carlos Sastre and Landis): "I thought Landis was eliminated and after his big demonstration, he now has the Tour de France in his hands. Normally, he will win the Tour in the time trial. The maillot jaune inspired me today to keep fighting and my team did a great job, but Landis was spectacular today. This has been one of the most incredible days in cycling."

Greg LeMond (three-time winner of the Tour de France): "This was easily the best day I've seen in cycling in years ... maybe ever. This is the sort of ride done by a Merckx or a Hinault [note the absence of an Armstrong by Greggie]. I sure never did anything like that. These past two days -- yesterday's big loss, coupled with today's heroic ride -- puts him up there with the real heroes of the Tour. Seeing him up on the podium today was a real joy ... he was genuinely happy and you almost felt like you were up there with him. This Tour may go down as one of the greatest ever. Look at what's happened over these past three weeks. The racing is as good as it gets ... the furthest thing from a foregone conclusion [in Greggie-speak, no Lance] that one could hope for. This is bike racing!"

Jonathan Vaughters: "It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen in 20 years of cycling ... It's hard to explain just how much character it takes for a guy to come back from something like yesterday and then do this. You just don't see that ... ever. Can you think of a comparable performance? This will go down as one of the greatest rides in the history of the Tour."

Bjarne Riis (Team CSC team manager): My favorite now for victory is Landis. What he did today was beautiful. It was a ride like a champion. What he did today was impressive. It was a nice move and he deserves it."

And what did Floyd have to say?
"It would not be fair if I told you what happens next," he joked. "But it's obvious I would like to win this race."

And what do I have to say?
Panache. The boy's got panache.