In the case of the Tour de France, it's a three-week journey that's about to come to an end. Only one guy can wear the yellow jersey on the podium in Paris.
American Levi Leipheimer was expected to be a contender for the top spot. But his young teammate, Alberto Contador, started shining early in the tour, and Levi switched to a supporting role. He protected Contador, he rode back to the team car and fetched water bottles, and in every interview he said he was happy his teammate was doing so well. Contador moved into first place--partly due to Levi's efforts.
Today was the individual time trial, when each man rides for himself. Levi started the day in third place overall. He rode so well he came within 9 seconds of moving up to second place, ahead of Australian Cadel Evans.
At the finish line, reporters asked Levi if tomorrow, the last day of the race, he would challenge Evans for second place. (Traditionally the last stage of the tour is largely ceremonial.) He just smiled and said he was pleased with his third place, and Evans can rest easy.
In a sport where men have resorted to drugging themselves to win, how refreshing to encounter a man who understands that riding an honorable race is more important than winning. Yup, Levi is a winner no matter what color his jersey.
(And please, dear God, don't let Levi be caught doping or it will ruin my whole point here!)
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