Michael Rogers

Michael Rogers. Household name, right? Is after today. The Aussie Mr. Rogers was the last man standing when the final particles of dust had settled over the final leg of the 2010 edition of the Amgen Tour of California. Lance crashed, Fabian faded, George and Levi gave it a good go, Dave and Jens hung in there and after seven grueling days, Michael Rogers stood atop the highest rung of the ToC ladder. All rise.

Sure, there were distractions, rain, incidents and allegations, high speed crashes, insanely difficult stages, bad roads, bad TV network decisions, bad press. But a tour is a tour. You play the hand you are dealt. Do the best with what ya got. Go to war with the army you have. Dance with who brung ya.

And sometimes, under these conditions, interesting things happen. The strongest don't always win. The fastest don't always place. And the brightest don't always show.

Sometimes the grand prize is claimed by the smartest. Or luckiest. Or most deserving.

Yes, it happens. Sometimes, even at this extreme level of expertise and professionalism, stuff happens. Sometimes,

there appears a chance. An opening. Possibilities emerge. You roll the laughing bones. Go for broke. Keep at it.

And if you are good enough to hang around long enough, and you put yourself in the position to win,

you just might.

Regardless of your name, pedigree or sponsorship package.

Way to go Michael Rogers.