**UPDATE BELOW**
**UPDATED AGAIN**
In the end the "gentleman's agreement" stood and Alberto Contador rode into Paris and became the youngest yellow jersey winner in approx 25 years with Cadel Evans and Levi Leipheimer rounding out the podium places.
Tom Boonen came in 5th today behind stage winner Daniele Bennati and all his main rivals, which was all he needed to do to win the first green jersey of his illustrious career.
As the tour wound to a close Jonathan Vaughters put an end to some of the rumors and announced that David Millar, Christian Vande Velde, and Dave Zabriskie will be riding for Slipstream next year. Slipstream is really starting to make a strong case for a wildcard next year. It will be interesting o see how they do the rest of this season and next.
Now how about those Hincapie for T-Mobile rumors?
UPDATE: Cycling news is reporting that Iban Mayo has tested positive for EPO on the second rest day of the tour and has been suspended by his team pending the B sample results.
2ND Update: According to a Bicycling Magazine podcast, David Millar will nor only be riding for Slipstream next year but will also become a part owner of the team.
Showing posts with label Le Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Le Tour. Show all posts
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 19
After all the drama of the past three weeks it finally came down to this one stage.
Who would be the fastest in the "race of truth"?
IN the end it did live up to the hype with LEvi absolutely crushing the filed and almost taking 2nd place over Cadel coming up just 9 seconds shy.
Meanwhile Cadel slowly took chunks of time of of Contador but in the end it wasn't enough and Contador finished the day 23" ahead and essentially secured the overall victory and the white jersey as well.
The only thing left to be decided may be the green jersey in which it is conceivable that Robbie Hunter could get enough points to overtake Boonen, but it is highly unlikely.
This is definitely one for the record books whether we want it to be or not.
p.s. the rumor of a positive turned out to be just that. and can be blamed on the overactive imagination of the French media.
General classification after stage 19
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 87.09.18
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 0.23
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.31
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 7.08
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.17
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 11.37
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 12.18
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.30
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 14.14
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 14.25
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 234 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 210
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 206
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 161
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 156
Who would be the fastest in the "race of truth"?
IN the end it did live up to the hype with LEvi absolutely crushing the filed and almost taking 2nd place over Cadel coming up just 9 seconds shy.
Meanwhile Cadel slowly took chunks of time of of Contador but in the end it wasn't enough and Contador finished the day 23" ahead and essentially secured the overall victory and the white jersey as well.
The only thing left to be decided may be the green jersey in which it is conceivable that Robbie Hunter could get enough points to overtake Boonen, but it is highly unlikely.
This is definitely one for the record books whether we want it to be or not.
p.s. the rumor of a positive turned out to be just that. and can be blamed on the overactive imagination of the French media.
General classification after stage 19
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 87.09.18
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 0.23
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.31
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 7.08
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.17
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 11.37
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 12.18
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.30
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 14.14
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 14.25
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 234 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 210
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 206
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 161
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 156
Friday, July 27, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 18
Another day of recovery ahead of the Decisive TT by the peloton today.
a break that included Merckx, Lefèvre, Casar and Boogerd was able to stretch out to a 17 minute lead at one point before Casar took the stage ahead of Merckx 9 minutes ahead of the peloton. This after crashing into a dog earlier in the stage (what is with dogs and crashes this year?).
IN the bunch sprint for the remaining points Boonen once again took the top spot over Hunter and Zabel sealing up his lead even more. The perhaps big news of the stage was that the final sprint split the peloton and Evans gained 3" on Contador who was left in the second group (does this mean anything for the TT? hmmmmmmmm).
In more depressing news, Cyclingnews.com is reporting that on the final mountain stage one of the jersey wearers tested positive in their doping control. The cast of characters includes Rasmussen, Contador, Soler, and Boonen. They are reporting that it is Soler and that the police have been at the Barloworld hotel.
After putting in such a string showing this is very depressing news indeed and will only go on to further undermine cycling in the world's view.
a break that included Merckx, Lefèvre, Casar and Boogerd was able to stretch out to a 17 minute lead at one point before Casar took the stage ahead of Merckx 9 minutes ahead of the peloton. This after crashing into a dog earlier in the stage (what is with dogs and crashes this year?).
IN the bunch sprint for the remaining points Boonen once again took the top spot over Hunter and Zabel sealing up his lead even more. The perhaps big news of the stage was that the final sprint split the peloton and Evans gained 3" on Contador who was left in the second group (does this mean anything for the TT? hmmmmmmmm).
In more depressing news, Cyclingnews.com is reporting that on the final mountain stage one of the jersey wearers tested positive in their doping control. The cast of characters includes Rasmussen, Contador, Soler, and Boonen. They are reporting that it is Soler and that the police have been at the Barloworld hotel.
After putting in such a string showing this is very depressing news indeed and will only go on to further undermine cycling in the world's view.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 17
Today was a fairly low key day with the peloton allowing a break to get up the road a little bit and once the break knew they were free Voigt put in an attack and was followed by Fothen, Bennati and Elmiger.
In the end Bennati to the stage 9 minutes ahead of the peloton, but the sprinters were out on front of the peloton anyway to grab the remaining point with Tom Boonen getting the largest share remaining to consolidate his green jersey lead even further.
In other news no one wore the yellow jersey today but due to the top contenders all finishing comfortably in the group it was awarded to Contador following the stage.
Also the remaining Rabo's did start today but Menchov decided to abandon in the feedzone. That's really too bad as he had hoped to be an outside contender for the yellow or at least a podium before he started working for Rasmussen.
It looks like it will definitely come down to the TT to decide the winner and I have to give Evans the edge over Contador, BUT I think this will also play into Levi's hands as well. Hmmmmmmmmm.
General Classification After Stage 17
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 80.42.08
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.53
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.49
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 6.02
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 6.29
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 10.18
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 11.36
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.50
9 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 13.31
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 13.42
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 212 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 190
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 187
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 143
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 140
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital 125
7 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner 109
8 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 93
9 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 85
10 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 83
In the end Bennati to the stage 9 minutes ahead of the peloton, but the sprinters were out on front of the peloton anyway to grab the remaining point with Tom Boonen getting the largest share remaining to consolidate his green jersey lead even further.
In other news no one wore the yellow jersey today but due to the top contenders all finishing comfortably in the group it was awarded to Contador following the stage.
Also the remaining Rabo's did start today but Menchov decided to abandon in the feedzone. That's really too bad as he had hoped to be an outside contender for the yellow or at least a podium before he started working for Rasmussen.
It looks like it will definitely come down to the TT to decide the winner and I have to give Evans the edge over Contador, BUT I think this will also play into Levi's hands as well. Hmmmmmmmmm.
General Classification After Stage 17
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 80.42.08
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.53
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.49
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 6.02
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 6.29
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 10.18
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 11.36
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.50
9 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 13.31
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 13.42
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 212 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 190
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 187
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 143
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 140
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital 125
7 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner 109
8 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 93
9 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 85
10 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 83
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
another day, another doper (stage 16 wrap-up)
UPDATE BELOW
oy...
...before I could even find the time to write about today's very exciting final mountain stage, word comes out about another rider testing positive.
Turns out that Cristian Moreni of Confidis has tested positive for testosterone and the entire team will be leaving the tour a la Astana. They are also foregoing the B sample test so he must have admitted it to the team once confronted.
It's really to bad for the rest of the team but I think that this is really the way to go as it will hopefully begin to ostracize the riders who do cheat and will hopefully make the other riders more likely to come forward.
UPDATE: Well I suppose I should have seen this coming but Rabobank has pulled Rasmussen from the tour and fired him. Apprently there is evidence that he purposely lied of his whereabouts while training to the UCI and was in Italy when he said he was in Mexico.
It's really too bad because today was a brilliant display of tactics on his part to let Contador blow himself trying to stick an attack. It also showcased another young rider in Soler who has ridden incredibly well the whole tour and rightly deserves the polka dot jersey he now has. Meanwhile Disco now has 2 podium spots and only has to be careful of Cadel Evans (who it must be reminded is the new winner of the TT since Vino tested positive).
More to come tomorrow
oy...
...before I could even find the time to write about today's very exciting final mountain stage, word comes out about another rider testing positive.
Turns out that Cristian Moreni of Confidis has tested positive for testosterone and the entire team will be leaving the tour a la Astana. They are also foregoing the B sample test so he must have admitted it to the team once confronted.
It's really to bad for the rest of the team but I think that this is really the way to go as it will hopefully begin to ostracize the riders who do cheat and will hopefully make the other riders more likely to come forward.
UPDATE: Well I suppose I should have seen this coming but Rabobank has pulled Rasmussen from the tour and fired him. Apprently there is evidence that he purposely lied of his whereabouts while training to the UCI and was in Italy when he said he was in Mexico.
It's really too bad because today was a brilliant display of tactics on his part to let Contador blow himself trying to stick an attack. It also showcased another young rider in Soler who has ridden incredibly well the whole tour and rightly deserves the polka dot jersey he now has. Meanwhile Disco now has 2 podium spots and only has to be careful of Cadel Evans (who it must be reminded is the new winner of the TT since Vino tested positive).
More to come tomorrow
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
HOLY CRAP!!!
UPDATE Below
Well this just f-in sucks!
Vino has tested positive for blood doping after his TT stage win.
Apparently the entire Astana team has withdrawn from the tour following the news.
Of all the people to test positive it had to be him, and after winning 2 out the last 3 stages in the tour.
I know that he has always seemed to care more about himself than his teammates, but this goes well beyond any of that because now it affects the entire peloton. When added to the accusations about Rasmussen the media is only going to be talking about this for the rest of this tour.
There has been a ton of exciting moments and now it all boils down to doping.
He better not be signed by another team ever again and I hope that he is never allowed to compete at a professional level again.
Update: The more I think about it, I fell that in the future any team that has a rider test positive should be immediately barred from the remainder of the competition they are in. Maybe that would drive the fight against doping a little more via peer pressure.
The one positive thing I have to say though is that he cheated and he was caught. This is the point of the controls. Plenty of track and field athletes have been caught for doping and yet you don't here the same things about those sports.
Well this just f-in sucks!
Vino has tested positive for blood doping after his TT stage win.
Apparently the entire Astana team has withdrawn from the tour following the news.
Of all the people to test positive it had to be him, and after winning 2 out the last 3 stages in the tour.
I know that he has always seemed to care more about himself than his teammates, but this goes well beyond any of that because now it affects the entire peloton. When added to the accusations about Rasmussen the media is only going to be talking about this for the rest of this tour.
There has been a ton of exciting moments and now it all boils down to doping.
He better not be signed by another team ever again and I hope that he is never allowed to compete at a professional level again.
Update: The more I think about it, I fell that in the future any team that has a rider test positive should be immediately barred from the remainder of the competition they are in. Maybe that would drive the fight against doping a little more via peer pressure.
The one positive thing I have to say though is that he cheated and he was caught. This is the point of the controls. Plenty of track and field athletes have been caught for doping and yet you don't here the same things about those sports.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 15
Well at this point I have no idea what to think of Vino. He crashes loses enough time to go out of contention. Then wins the TT to give himself a very outside chance. Then finishes almost 1/2 hour behind the next day. And what the hell wins the next stage in a very convincing manner.
It's great to see him not giving up but maybe he could help out Kloden since that appears to be Astana's only GC hope however remote.
Once again Contador and Rasmussen showed they are the two strongest riders in this year's tour. Unfortunately for Contador he needs some help or he will not be able to catch Rasmussen. As much as I would hate for Levi to give up his ambition, he might have to attack big time Wednesday to try and draw out Rasmussen so Contador has a chance as the TT probably will not provide him enough to catch up.
Meanwhile buses from Rabobank, Team CSC, Discovery Channel and Astana squads were pulled over and searched by French customs agents but nothing was found. Not to be cynical but I think teams probably learned from the Festina affair.
Rest day tomorrow so I might get more done at work.
General classification
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 69.52.14
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.23
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 4.00
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 5.25
5 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 5.34
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 6.46
7 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 7.27
8 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 7.54
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 8.24
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 9.21
It's great to see him not giving up but maybe he could help out Kloden since that appears to be Astana's only GC hope however remote.
Once again Contador and Rasmussen showed they are the two strongest riders in this year's tour. Unfortunately for Contador he needs some help or he will not be able to catch Rasmussen. As much as I would hate for Levi to give up his ambition, he might have to attack big time Wednesday to try and draw out Rasmussen so Contador has a chance as the TT probably will not provide him enough to catch up.
Meanwhile buses from Rabobank, Team CSC, Discovery Channel and Astana squads were pulled over and searched by French customs agents but nothing was found. Not to be cynical but I think teams probably learned from the Festina affair.
Rest day tomorrow so I might get more done at work.
General classification
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 69.52.14
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.23
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 4.00
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 5.25
5 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 5.34
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 6.46
7 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 7.27
8 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 7.54
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 8.24
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 9.21
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 14
how to lead off....
....Don't call it a comeback/stick a fork in Vino/Astana asplode?
or
....and then there were 2?
The first stage of the Pyrenees definitely offered some excitement and I am kicking myself that I couldn't get somewhere to watch it but was instead stuck with the audio and text feeds (better than nothing I suppose).
The Plateau de Beille has played kingmaker or at least king confirmer in it's previous appearances in the tour with Armstrong and Pantani the only rides to win atop it, but today it looked like a break populated by spanish riders hoping for a win close to home would provide the winner as Astana's Antonio Colom held on until on 6.8km to the finish.
Meanwhile the race to replace continued today-the race to replace Levi that is. Once again Contador was the man to watch as he was part of the game of cat and mouse that went on in the final group that was eventually whittled down to only Rasmussen, Evans, Sastre, Contador, Leipheimer and Soler. This group was itself whittled down to just the men in white and yellow with Contador accelerating away in the final 300m for the stage win.
Will this stage continue as kingmaker? Did Contador or Rasmussen push too hard today? We may find out tomorrow with another brutal day of climbing ahead.
the updated GC looks something like this:
General Classification After Stage 14
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 64.12.15
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.23
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 3.04
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 4.29
5 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 4.38
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 5.50
7 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 6.58
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.25
9 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 9.45
10 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 10.55
....Don't call it a comeback/stick a fork in Vino/Astana asplode?
or
....and then there were 2?
The first stage of the Pyrenees definitely offered some excitement and I am kicking myself that I couldn't get somewhere to watch it but was instead stuck with the audio and text feeds (better than nothing I suppose).
The Plateau de Beille has played kingmaker or at least king confirmer in it's previous appearances in the tour with Armstrong and Pantani the only rides to win atop it, but today it looked like a break populated by spanish riders hoping for a win close to home would provide the winner as Astana's Antonio Colom held on until on 6.8km to the finish.
Meanwhile the race to replace continued today-the race to replace Levi that is. Once again Contador was the man to watch as he was part of the game of cat and mouse that went on in the final group that was eventually whittled down to only Rasmussen, Evans, Sastre, Contador, Leipheimer and Soler. This group was itself whittled down to just the men in white and yellow with Contador accelerating away in the final 300m for the stage win.
Will this stage continue as kingmaker? Did Contador or Rasmussen push too hard today? We may find out tomorrow with another brutal day of climbing ahead.
the updated GC looks something like this:
General Classification After Stage 14
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 64.12.15
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.23
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 3.04
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 4.29
5 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 4.38
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 5.50
7 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 6.58
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.25
9 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 9.45
10 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 10.55
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 13
The first TT of the tour had a number of surprises not the least of which was Rasmussen keeping the yellow jersey and Vino absolutely kicking ass and winning the stage. Moreau and Valverde were surprises of a different sort both turning in disapointing times.
With a blast of rain for the middle chunk of riders, times were slow due to safety or more commonly due to crashes, though both Kloden and Kash managed to finish 3rd and 4th despite their crashes.
Cadel Evans had a great TT putting himself into second overall just a minute back.
Meanwhile over at Disco, it looks more and more like Contador is their man, doing better than expected while Levi did worse than expected. Given that they are both in great position and there is still a TT left to go so it remains to be seen what Levi can do.
Tomorrow begins the Pyrenees and Vino has promised to attack in the mountains, but will it be tomorrow? Who knows. Personally I think it's time for Levi to take it if he really wants it, but I am not sure if he can do it.
General classification after stage 13
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 58.46.39
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.00
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.31
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 2.34
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.37
6 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 4.23
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 4.45
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.07
9 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.10
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.29
With a blast of rain for the middle chunk of riders, times were slow due to safety or more commonly due to crashes, though both Kloden and Kash managed to finish 3rd and 4th despite their crashes.
Cadel Evans had a great TT putting himself into second overall just a minute back.
Meanwhile over at Disco, it looks more and more like Contador is their man, doing better than expected while Levi did worse than expected. Given that they are both in great position and there is still a TT left to go so it remains to be seen what Levi can do.
Tomorrow begins the Pyrenees and Vino has promised to attack in the mountains, but will it be tomorrow? Who knows. Personally I think it's time for Levi to take it if he really wants it, but I am not sure if he can do it.
General classification after stage 13
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 58.46.39
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.00
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.31
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 2.34
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.37
6 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 4.23
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 4.45
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.07
9 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.10
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.29
Friday, July 20, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 12
Well, well, well...another stage win for Tornado Tom (and the 4th for Quickstep) prior to the first time trial and the "fun" of the Pyrenees.
I missed the whole stage due to a very badly placed 2 hour meeting at work, so I don't have a whole lot to work with, but...
The peloton let a two man break get a good amount of time until just before the final climb when Liquigas decided to reel them in, but it wasn't until Lampre, Française de Jeux, Quick.Step, and Credit Agricole started pulling that they were finally able to bring in just about the 1km marker.
From there Quickstep did what they do best and led out Boonen for the win over Zabel and Hunter. With the win Tom got a big boost towards locking down the green jersey, but missing out on any points yesterday will still leave a little wiggle room for Zabel and Hunter to try and fight.
Also in big but probably way too early news, Tom told Velonews that he is planning on racing the Tour of California next year (I think I need to book my flight now-woo hoo)
No movement in the GC today but with the time trial tomorrow, don't expect Rasmussen to be in yellow tomorrow night (with all the rumors and accusations going around will he even finish the tour?).
General Classification After Stage 12
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 57.37.10
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 195 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 175
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 174
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 132
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 127
I missed the whole stage due to a very badly placed 2 hour meeting at work, so I don't have a whole lot to work with, but...
The peloton let a two man break get a good amount of time until just before the final climb when Liquigas decided to reel them in, but it wasn't until Lampre, Française de Jeux, Quick.Step, and Credit Agricole started pulling that they were finally able to bring in just about the 1km marker.
From there Quickstep did what they do best and led out Boonen for the win over Zabel and Hunter. With the win Tom got a big boost towards locking down the green jersey, but missing out on any points yesterday will still leave a little wiggle room for Zabel and Hunter to try and fight.
Also in big but probably way too early news, Tom told Velonews that he is planning on racing the Tour of California next year (I think I need to book my flight now-woo hoo)
No movement in the GC today but with the time trial tomorrow, don't expect Rasmussen to be in yellow tomorrow night (with all the rumors and accusations going around will he even finish the tour?).
General Classification After Stage 12
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 57.37.10
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 195 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 175
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 174
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 132
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 127
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 11
Well how do you like that my prediction that Robbie Hunter would take the stage turned out to be correct after all.
In something of a surprise the peloton seemed reluctant to let any break get away and kept the pace pretty high. Eventually a small break was able to make it off the front until the Astana boys revved it up so high that the peloton split. The big losers turned out to be Zabel, Hushovd, and Moreau who couldn't keep up and may have burned up too much energy today trying, unsuccessfully, to catch back onto the main group.
Meanwhile Quickstep helped keep the pace high to stop any attacks from the peloton (Vino tried his luck with 4k to go to no avail) in hopes of getting another stage from Boonen. Unfortunately my boy got caught up in a crash with less than 1km to go and ended up out of the points chase.
From there Hunter was able to hold off Cancellera for the stage win and more proof that Barloworld was worth the invite. The win also puts him ahead of Zabel into second place for the Green Jersey.
General Classification After Stage 11
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 53.11.38
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 149
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 110
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 108
In something of a surprise the peloton seemed reluctant to let any break get away and kept the pace pretty high. Eventually a small break was able to make it off the front until the Astana boys revved it up so high that the peloton split. The big losers turned out to be Zabel, Hushovd, and Moreau who couldn't keep up and may have burned up too much energy today trying, unsuccessfully, to catch back onto the main group.
Meanwhile Quickstep helped keep the pace high to stop any attacks from the peloton (Vino tried his luck with 4k to go to no avail) in hopes of getting another stage from Boonen. Unfortunately my boy got caught up in a crash with less than 1km to go and ended up out of the points chase.
From there Hunter was able to hold off Cancellera for the stage win and more proof that Barloworld was worth the invite. The win also puts him ahead of Zabel into second place for the Green Jersey.
General Classification After Stage 11
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 53.11.38
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 149
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 110
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 108
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 10
Well as might have been expected as the first day after the Alps, today's stage didn't see a whole lot of action and in the end a break was allowed to slip away and take the stage. Of course the heat also put a damper on the peloton wanting to do more than keep the break on a shortish leash (about 10 min it looked like for most of the day).
I do love that not one of the riders I selected made it into the break. Once the break whittled itself down to the five who would contend for the win I was hoping that Jens Voigt could do it, but it as the stage wound down it seemed that unless he was bluffing Cedric Vasseur was a prime candidate for the win. He kept his pulls down to a minimum and let the others (mainly Voigt) where themselves out before a nice move in the sprint to take the win (the third of the tour for my boys in Quickstep).
There were no changes to the overall with Rasmussen staying in yellow, and it looks like Boonen made sure to come in ahead of Zabel and Hushovd for some of the points that remained on the stage so he maintained the lead in the green jersey as well.
Tomorrow is a VERY flat stage so my money is on Robbie Hunter to finally pull one off and matcher Soler in getting a stage win. Of course I would like to see Tornado Tom pull off another win, and Zabel will be hungry for the stage as well. It should be an exciting finish
General classification after stage 10
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 49.23.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 114
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 110
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 108
I do love that not one of the riders I selected made it into the break. Once the break whittled itself down to the five who would contend for the win I was hoping that Jens Voigt could do it, but it as the stage wound down it seemed that unless he was bluffing Cedric Vasseur was a prime candidate for the win. He kept his pulls down to a minimum and let the others (mainly Voigt) where themselves out before a nice move in the sprint to take the win (the third of the tour for my boys in Quickstep).
There were no changes to the overall with Rasmussen staying in yellow, and it looks like Boonen made sure to come in ahead of Zabel and Hushovd for some of the points that remained on the stage so he maintained the lead in the green jersey as well.
Tomorrow is a VERY flat stage so my money is on Robbie Hunter to finally pull one off and matcher Soler in getting a stage win. Of course I would like to see Tornado Tom pull off another win, and Zabel will be hungry for the stage as well. It should be an exciting finish
General classification after stage 10
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 49.23.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 114
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 110
5 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 108
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 9
Thankfully Cyclingfans.com updated the link to Eurosport's live audio coverage so I was able to listen to the tour AND get some work done this morning.
Huge win for Barloworld with Soler attacking and staying away despite Contador and Popovych doing their best to bring him back. Contador was impressive as well just taking off from the group of favorites on the Col Du Galibier.
For Vino however a different story. He couldn't respond to an attack by Valverde on the final climb and ended up finishing 2:30 minutes back from a group containing most of the GC contenders. Unfortunately that attack also dropped my pick for the stage Moreau, though he did fight his way back in the end (at least I was right that Rasmussen would keep his hold on the yellow jersey and most likely will for the next couple of days at least). Then Valverde attacked again at the end to finish 2nd over Cadel Evans who also looked very strong today.
For those wanting another American winner, I have to say I haven't been impressed by Levi at all. Maybe it is some grand strategy to slowly let the other contenders wear themselves out before he attacks in the Pyrenees, which would make it seem like Discovery can't come up with a new strategy post-Lace, or maybe he just can't do it. He was dropped by Valverde's final attack on the finishing climb but he is in the top ten so it remains to be seen.
For tomorrow I think Popovych could do it if he didn't kill himself today, otherwise maybe Schumacher, Chavanal or even Millar.
General Classification
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 43.52.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
Huge win for Barloworld with Soler attacking and staying away despite Contador and Popovych doing their best to bring him back. Contador was impressive as well just taking off from the group of favorites on the Col Du Galibier.
For Vino however a different story. He couldn't respond to an attack by Valverde on the final climb and ended up finishing 2:30 minutes back from a group containing most of the GC contenders. Unfortunately that attack also dropped my pick for the stage Moreau, though he did fight his way back in the end (at least I was right that Rasmussen would keep his hold on the yellow jersey and most likely will for the next couple of days at least). Then Valverde attacked again at the end to finish 2nd over Cadel Evans who also looked very strong today.
For those wanting another American winner, I have to say I haven't been impressed by Levi at all. Maybe it is some grand strategy to slowly let the other contenders wear themselves out before he attacks in the Pyrenees, which would make it seem like Discovery can't come up with a new strategy post-Lace, or maybe he just can't do it. He was dropped by Valverde's final attack on the finishing climb but he is in the top ten so it remains to be seen.
For tomorrow I think Popovych could do it if he didn't kill himself today, otherwise maybe Schumacher, Chavanal or even Millar.
General Classification
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 43.52.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Le Tour - Rest day wrap-up
well being out of town I fell a little behind in my Tour updates but today's a perfect time to catch up and recap.
so on to stage 5:
well first I may be done trying to predict as I was completely off. I really thought that Valverde might flex a little even if he didn't try to win, but no. In the end it was typical of the previous stages this year and a break got away and was pulled back in time for another unorganized sprint finish with Filippo Pozzato taking the stage win. The big news however had to be Vino crashing hard AND Kloden crashing.
Stage 6:
Well what more can I say except I finally was able to watch a stage of the tour and who wins? That's right Tornado Tom. I only caught about the last hour, but Bradley Wiggins had an awesome solo break that went for almost all of the stage. IN the end it didn't look like Boonen had a chance as the Quickstep train seemed to be having problems getting together but Boonen didn't let that stop him. The man who has been criticized for not being able to produce in the more chaotic sprints did just that. It looked like 100m or so he was cut off and had to break but he cut back inside and took the win and the green jersey back. Awesome.
Stage 7:
I was also able to watch the first mountain stage of the tour and it was another great day to watch some cycling. Linus Gerdeman held his own in a break that you expected him to be dropped from and instead after bridging up to an attack from the leading group he took off like it was nothing on the final climb of the day. After getting to the top in front of a fast pursuing LAndaluze, Gerdeman just bombed down the descent and took the stage and the yellow jersey. Awesome stuff. In other news all the favorites kept pretty much together making it look like most are waiting for the Pyrenees.
Stage 8:
One word Rasmussen or do you prefer Chicken. Once again proving his mettle in the mountains, Michael Rasmussen owned this stage taking over both the climbing and the yellow jersey. Gerdeman gave a respectable ride to try and keep the yellow but to no avail. In other parts of the peloton, Christophe Moreau was attack after attack out of a small gruppo with Cadel Evans, Valverde, Iban Mayo, and Fränk Schleck but he couldn't seem to get away. Meanwhile Iban Mayo was able to escape and finish second ahead on the stage. Perhaps the biggest news was Michael Rogers crashing out of the tour from the breakaway. the way he was riding he wouldn't have caught chicken but probably would have gotten the yellow jersey.
Also Stuart O'Grady had a frightening crash with reports he broke several ribs, punchered a lung, broke his collarbone and shoulder blade as well as several vertebrae. Sounds like he is doing ok in the hospital and is in good spirits. Hopefully he will have a quick recovery.
I have to say it was surprising that Levi didn't do more to distance himself from Vino but instead is "waiting" for the Pyrenees. He should be attacking while Vino is hurt but maybe he really couldn't. In other Vino news, Kloden should have left him behind but apparently is loyal enough not to. too bad for him.
Finally, I have to say massive props go out to Robbie McEwen. I have felt that despite being incredibly talented he is also incredibly cocky, and thus haven't been a big fan of his. However I have a whole new respect for him after this tour. First he crashes on stage 1 and then just destroys the rest of the sprinters to win the stage and then in stage 8 even though he knew he couldn't finish the stage in the time limit, he still refused to abandon.
The tour is really starting to seem wide open and more exciting than it has been for years, so I will make a prediciton for Tuesday. I see Moreau attacking again and maybe holding out for the win, but Rasmussen will hold the jersey for another day.
So there you have it.
General classification after stage 8
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 39.37.42
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.43
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.51
5 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 2.52
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.53
7 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.06
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.10
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 3.14
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 147 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 134
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 103
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 101
5 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 97
so on to stage 5:
well first I may be done trying to predict as I was completely off. I really thought that Valverde might flex a little even if he didn't try to win, but no. In the end it was typical of the previous stages this year and a break got away and was pulled back in time for another unorganized sprint finish with Filippo Pozzato taking the stage win. The big news however had to be Vino crashing hard AND Kloden crashing.
Stage 6:
Well what more can I say except I finally was able to watch a stage of the tour and who wins? That's right Tornado Tom. I only caught about the last hour, but Bradley Wiggins had an awesome solo break that went for almost all of the stage. IN the end it didn't look like Boonen had a chance as the Quickstep train seemed to be having problems getting together but Boonen didn't let that stop him. The man who has been criticized for not being able to produce in the more chaotic sprints did just that. It looked like 100m or so he was cut off and had to break but he cut back inside and took the win and the green jersey back. Awesome.
Stage 7:
I was also able to watch the first mountain stage of the tour and it was another great day to watch some cycling. Linus Gerdeman held his own in a break that you expected him to be dropped from and instead after bridging up to an attack from the leading group he took off like it was nothing on the final climb of the day. After getting to the top in front of a fast pursuing LAndaluze, Gerdeman just bombed down the descent and took the stage and the yellow jersey. Awesome stuff. In other news all the favorites kept pretty much together making it look like most are waiting for the Pyrenees.
Stage 8:
One word Rasmussen or do you prefer Chicken. Once again proving his mettle in the mountains, Michael Rasmussen owned this stage taking over both the climbing and the yellow jersey. Gerdeman gave a respectable ride to try and keep the yellow but to no avail. In other parts of the peloton, Christophe Moreau was attack after attack out of a small gruppo with Cadel Evans, Valverde, Iban Mayo, and Fränk Schleck but he couldn't seem to get away. Meanwhile Iban Mayo was able to escape and finish second ahead on the stage. Perhaps the biggest news was Michael Rogers crashing out of the tour from the breakaway. the way he was riding he wouldn't have caught chicken but probably would have gotten the yellow jersey.
Also Stuart O'Grady had a frightening crash with reports he broke several ribs, punchered a lung, broke his collarbone and shoulder blade as well as several vertebrae. Sounds like he is doing ok in the hospital and is in good spirits. Hopefully he will have a quick recovery.
I have to say it was surprising that Levi didn't do more to distance himself from Vino but instead is "waiting" for the Pyrenees. He should be attacking while Vino is hurt but maybe he really couldn't. In other Vino news, Kloden should have left him behind but apparently is loyal enough not to. too bad for him.
Finally, I have to say massive props go out to Robbie McEwen. I have felt that despite being incredibly talented he is also incredibly cocky, and thus haven't been a big fan of his. However I have a whole new respect for him after this tour. First he crashes on stage 1 and then just destroys the rest of the sprinters to win the stage and then in stage 8 even though he knew he couldn't finish the stage in the time limit, he still refused to abandon.
The tour is really starting to seem wide open and more exciting than it has been for years, so I will make a prediciton for Tuesday. I see Moreau attacking again and maybe holding out for the win, but Rasmussen will hold the jersey for another day.
So there you have it.
General classification after stage 8
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 39.37.42
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.43
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.51
5 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 2.52
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.53
7 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.06
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.10
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 3.14
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 147 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 134
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 103
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 101
5 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 97
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Le Tour - Stage 4
Well so far I have been wrong about every stage winner until today. I don't know why, but with about 90km to go I looked at the course and the previous winners and of course crashers and figured it was about time that Hushovd won a stage and look what happened. And with the time bonus for the stage win he is in second overall (though that is looking likely to change tomorrow).
Today was pretty similar to yesterday's stage only with a few bumps, granted bumps rated cat 4 but looking ahead to next week's climbs, bumps they were. So we got a small break that stayed away for most of the stage and then were caught in time for the mass sprint.
It was nice to see Chavanel not take the max points on the last climb to leave Auge in the fabulous polka dot jersey.
It remains to be seen if all this work protecting the yellow jersey by CSC will come back to haunt them in the mountains, but it's nice to see Cancellera still in yellow.
Tomorrow's stage is being compared to Liège-Bastogne-Liège so it might be a chance for Valverde to show that it isn't just hype (of course just finishing would be a big step for him I guess). personally I'm gonna go with Velonews' other possibilities-Schleck or Schumacher.
General Classification
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 19.49.55
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
4 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
5 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
6 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
7 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 0.44
8 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
10 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
And of course my boy Boonen held onto the Green Jersey for another day
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 98 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 86
3 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 84
4 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 81
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 79
Today was pretty similar to yesterday's stage only with a few bumps, granted bumps rated cat 4 but looking ahead to next week's climbs, bumps they were. So we got a small break that stayed away for most of the stage and then were caught in time for the mass sprint.
It was nice to see Chavanel not take the max points on the last climb to leave Auge in the fabulous polka dot jersey.
It remains to be seen if all this work protecting the yellow jersey by CSC will come back to haunt them in the mountains, but it's nice to see Cancellera still in yellow.
Tomorrow's stage is being compared to Liège-Bastogne-Liège so it might be a chance for Valverde to show that it isn't just hype (of course just finishing would be a big step for him I guess). personally I'm gonna go with Velonews' other possibilities-Schleck or Schumacher.
General Classification
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 19.49.55
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
4 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
5 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
6 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
7 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 0.44
8 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
10 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
And of course my boy Boonen held onto the Green Jersey for another day
Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 98 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 86
3 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 84
4 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 81
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 79
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Le Tour Stage 3
Well that was a surprise.
After perhaps one of the most boring TDF stages I have ever followed--hours and hours of yep those 2 guys are still ahead by 3 minutes or is it 4--it ends with some excitement after all.
With Auge and Willems attacking and eventually joining the other attack on the road, I thought that one of them was going to kick a little mud up in the faces of the complacent big boys of the peloton for not actually working today, but out of nowhere Cancellera takes off and leaves the rest of the sprinters in his dust.
Awesome. I think we all know that he won't be holding the yellow jersey once the tour hits the mountains so it's great to see him put enough time into the rest to hold it until then. I also love that it shows he is moving beyond just being a prologue guy in the tour.
Oh and add in Boonen coming in several places up on McEwen to increase his lead and hold onto the Green Jersey
General classification after stage 3
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 15.12.08
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.49
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 80 pts
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 74
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 62
4 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel 57
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 54
After perhaps one of the most boring TDF stages I have ever followed--hours and hours of yep those 2 guys are still ahead by 3 minutes or is it 4--it ends with some excitement after all.
With Auge and Willems attacking and eventually joining the other attack on the road, I thought that one of them was going to kick a little mud up in the faces of the complacent big boys of the peloton for not actually working today, but out of nowhere Cancellera takes off and leaves the rest of the sprinters in his dust.
Awesome. I think we all know that he won't be holding the yellow jersey once the tour hits the mountains so it's great to see him put enough time into the rest to hold it until then. I also love that it shows he is moving beyond just being a prologue guy in the tour.
Oh and add in Boonen coming in several places up on McEwen to increase his lead and hold onto the Green Jersey
General classification after stage 3
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 15.12.08
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.49
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
Points classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 80 pts
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 74
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 62
4 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel 57
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 54
Monday, July 09, 2007
Le Tour Stage 2
As expected stage 2 ended in another exciting sprint, but the surprising part was who won the stage and who he beat - Gert Steegmans over Tornado Tom.
This flat stage across parts of Belgium looked to be a perfect opportunity for the Quickstep to flex in front of the home crowd. I haven't seen the video from the finish but it sounds like either Boonen didn't hit it quite hard enough or that he gave the stage to Steegmans. At least that second explanation is the one they're going with. In the end Tom took over the green jersey from McEwen and it remains to be seen whether he can hold onto it before the tour hits the Alps.
Meanwhile several riders appeared injured in the crash that happened just inside 3km to go-Cancellara being chief among them but perhaps more importantly given who they support Freddy Rodriguez and George Hincapie looked pretty banged up as well.
General Classification
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.36.13
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.21
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.23
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.25
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.26
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
10 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0.30
This flat stage across parts of Belgium looked to be a perfect opportunity for the Quickstep to flex in front of the home crowd. I haven't seen the video from the finish but it sounds like either Boonen didn't hit it quite hard enough or that he gave the stage to Steegmans. At least that second explanation is the one they're going with. In the end Tom took over the green jersey from McEwen and it remains to be seen whether he can hold onto it before the tour hits the Alps.
Meanwhile several riders appeared injured in the crash that happened just inside 3km to go-Cancellara being chief among them but perhaps more importantly given who they support Freddy Rodriguez and George Hincapie looked pretty banged up as well.
General Classification
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.36.13
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.21
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.23
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.25
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.26
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
10 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0.30
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Le Tour begins
Well Robbie McEwen did it again.
After a prologue that wasn't overly surprising except maybe for hope well Kloden did. He is the favorite in my book to win the tour this year. I just think that Vino will crack, as will Valverde in my mind. also as much as many on this side of the pond want him to, I just don't think Levi can pull it off.
I wouldn't mind seeing Evans or Moreau on top of the podium in the end, but I wouldn't put money on it. I think we'll have a better ides though after stage 8 or 9.
Meanwhile today's opening stage, wow. You would normally think that crashing and hurting your wrist 20km from the finish would rule you out for a stage win but Robbie showed why he is the favorite to win the green jersey in my mind today. I watched the highlights of the sprint finish and it was just sick how he accelerated past everyone like they were standing still. Unfortunately that included my main man Boonen who was also beaten to the line by Husholvd. With a mediocre Prologue, it's would take a lot for Boonen to get the yellow so I think he'll have to concentrate on stage wins and just surviving the second week.
Hopefully McEwen will be OK after his crash today as I would hate for something like that to take him out of contention for the green jersey.
After a prologue that wasn't overly surprising except maybe for hope well Kloden did. He is the favorite in my book to win the tour this year. I just think that Vino will crack, as will Valverde in my mind. also as much as many on this side of the pond want him to, I just don't think Levi can pull it off.
I wouldn't mind seeing Evans or Moreau on top of the podium in the end, but I wouldn't put money on it. I think we'll have a better ides though after stage 8 or 9.
Meanwhile today's opening stage, wow. You would normally think that crashing and hurting your wrist 20km from the finish would rule you out for a stage win but Robbie showed why he is the favorite to win the green jersey in my mind today. I watched the highlights of the sprint finish and it was just sick how he accelerated past everyone like they were standing still. Unfortunately that included my main man Boonen who was also beaten to the line by Husholvd. With a mediocre Prologue, it's would take a lot for Boonen to get the yellow so I think he'll have to concentrate on stage wins and just surviving the second week.
Hopefully McEwen will be OK after his crash today as I would hate for something like that to take him out of contention for the green jersey.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Tornado Tom
We'll see if I can get this to work, but velonews had some video of Tom Boonen's pre-Tour press conference. I found his comments on the UCI rider's pledge to be interesting. AS many other commentators have noted, it's kind of ridiculous that riders don't have some sort of union or say in all of this. Good goal, but bad methods
Edit: Well this didn't work out quite as I would have liked as I can't seem to be able to shrink it down to fit in the normal space. hmmmmmm. anyone with any suggestions can feel free to chime in. thanks
Edit: Well this didn't work out quite as I would have liked as I can't seem to be able to shrink it down to fit in the normal space. hmmmmmm. anyone with any suggestions can feel free to chime in. thanks
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