Tour de France 2010

[TexasTerror]

Lance's team is set for the Tour de France. Not sure he'll be able to surpass the Schlecks or Contador, but he's got a very capable squad, that's for sure.


GENEVA -- Team RadioShack has confirmed that Lance Armstrong will ride in next month's Tour de France.

Team director Johan Bruyneel says Tuesday that seven-time Tour winner Armstrong will be joined by Andreas Kloeden of Germany, Americans Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner, and Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia.

Also racing for RadioShack will be Portugal's Sergio Paulinho, Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine, Swiss rider Gregory Rast and Dmitriy Muravyev of Kazakhstan.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=5314774

[TheDancinMonarch]

When Contador is on he is in a world of his own or at least the world that Armstrong used to occupy. It should be a good entertaining show at any rate. Glad to see that Horner made the squad.

[Tribefan]

Lance is a pretender. Contador, the Schlecks and maybe even Cadel Evans will drop him like a bad habit.

Of course an extra liter of blood will do wonders for Mr. "'I've never tested positive".

[bkrownd]

If you want endless discussion of TdF, head over to www.bikeforums.net

Might not be any people here bike-geeky enough for that forum, but just thought I'd mention it.

[TheDancinMonarch]

Of course an extra liter of blood will do wonders for Mr. "'I've never tested positive".

He's not my favorite guy so I feel no need to defend him but the question must be asked, has he?

[th0m]

Prologue and first stage in Rotterdam! Interesting tidbit, Holland has had the prologues of all the 3 large rounds (Vuelta in Assen last year, Giro in Amsterdam, and Tour) in Holland in the space of one year.

[TexasTerror]

ESPN breaks down the contenders - but do you think that Christian Vande Velde really is deserving to be on that list? Sure he was top 8 last year, but seems broken down all too often as of late.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2010/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=5344842

[Tribefan]

If there is a crash. You can be sure that Christian will be involved.

He finished 4th two years ago. Finished 8th last year and was in worse shape than he is now. I think he could pull another top 10.

[OhioHen]

I think the big thing to watch for this year is whether Garmin can get some stage wins from Tyler Farrar and possibly put him in the Green Jersey.

[Tribefan]

Agreed

[Tribefan]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/explosive-landis-revelations-on-eve-of-tour

More Armstrong allegations from Landis. US Postal sold bikes and hosted elaborate parties to fund the doping programs.

[TexasTerror]

The top cyclists still have not come through - in fact 130 or so still have yet to finish - and Christian Van de Velde is 50' slower than the fastest time posted today by Tony Martin, who should contend for the white jersey this year behind Andy Schleck. Not a good start for the American, who I had my doubts about...

[TexasTerror]

Standings through stage one...

1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 10' 00"
2. MARTIN Tony 115 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 10' 10" + 00' 10"
3. MILLAR David 57 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 10' 20" + 00' 20"
4. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10' 22" + 00' 22"
5. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 10' 23" + 00' 23"
6. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 10' 27" + 00' 27"
7. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 10' 28" + 00' 28"
8. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10' 28" + 00' 28"
9. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 10' 32" + 00' 32"
10. GERDEMANN Linus 141 TEAM MILRAM 10' 35" + 00' 35"

[Tribefan]

Prologue results were virtually meaningless except for a relatively disastrous start for Andy Schleck. Everyone knew that Cancellara would win. These short prologues let the sprinters come into play, if this were a 25 K TT then those guys wouldn't have factored in at all and you wouldn't see Farrar and Boss Hog in the top 10.

[TexasTerror]

Prologue results were virtually meaningless except for a relatively disastrous start for Andy Schleck. Everyone knew that Cancellara would win. These short prologues let the sprinters come into play, if this were a 25 K TT then those guys wouldn't have factored in at all and you wouldn't see Farrar and Boss Hog in the top 10.

What'd you think of Lance's performance in the prologue? Do you feel that he was under pressure to perform at a high level to show that he's ready to compete for the yellow jersey? Was it that meaningful for his aspirations over the next few weeks to win one of these "early battles" against Contador?

[TexasTerror]

Stage one results below...there was a late crash that held up some of the sprinters (most notably Cavendish) and broke up the field some.

1. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 09' 38"
2. RENSHAW Mark 117 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 5h 09' 38" + 00' 00"
3. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 5h 09' 38" + 00' 00"
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 5h 09' 38" + 00' 00"
5. LADAGNOUS Matthieu 65 FDJ 5h 09' 38" + 00' 00"
6. OSS Daniel 46 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 5h 09' 40" + 00' 02"
7. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 09' 40" + 00' 02"
8. KNEES Christian 145 TEAM MILRAM 5h 09' 40" + 00' 02"
9. PEREZ MORENO Ruben 186 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 5h 09' 40" + 00' 02"
10. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 5h 09' 40" + 00' 02"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 5h 19' 38"
2. MARTIN Tony 115 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 5h 19' 48" + 00' 10"
3. MILLAR David 57 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 19' 58" + 00' 20"
4. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 20' 00" + 00' 22"
5. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 5h 20' 01" + 00' 23"
6. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 5h 20' 05" + 00' 27"
7. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 20' 06" + 00' 28"
8. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 20' 06" + 00' 28"
9. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 5h 20' 10" + 00' 32"
10. GERDEMANN Linus 141 TEAM MILRAM 5h 20' 13" + 00' 35"

[Tribefan]

Today's stage was an abomination. Although I think most NASCAR fans would have found the last 5 kms entertaining with all of crashes and pileups. There should be some sort of rule against having sprint finishes on these narrow dutch roads. And I say that in only a halfway joking manner.

[Tribefan]

What'd you think of Lance's performance in the prologue? Do you feel that he was under pressure to perform at a high level to show that he's ready to compete for the yellow jersey? Was it that meaningful for his aspirations over the next few weeks to win one of these "early battles" against Contador?

Let's face it. This is the only race Lance races in to win and the only one he has done so since '99. We know he can TT and we know he can peak in July, so making the top 10 isn't a shocker.

[Tribefan]

Looks like Cavendish caused that first big wreck. That dude is hazard. Pretty sure he caused a hug wreck in the Tour of Switzerland last month as well.

[TexasTerror]

A breakaway leads to one rider taking four minutes on the contenders, but he won't mean much of anything...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 4h 40' 48"
2. BOUET Maxime 82 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
3. WEGMANN Fabian 149 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
5. KNEES Christian 145 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
6. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
8. GERDEMANN Linus 141 TEAM MILRAM 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
9. LADAGNOUS Matthieu 65 FDJ 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"
10. EISEL Bernhard 112 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 44' 44" + 03' 56"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 10h 01' 25"
2. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 10h 04' 22" + 02' 57"
3. MARTIN Tony 115 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 10h 04' 32" + 03' 07"
4. MILLAR David 57 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 10h 04' 42" + 03' 17"
5. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10h 04' 44" + 03' 19"
6. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 10h 04' 45" + 03' 20"
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 10h 04' 49" + 03' 24"
8. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10h 04' 50" + 03' 25"
9. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 10h 04' 54" + 03' 29"
10. GERDEMANN Linus 141 TEAM MILRAM 10h 04' 57" + 03' 32"

[TexasTerror]

Lot of changes to the top of the overall standings with potential title contenders Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans picking up time...Frank Schleck is out of the race. The cobblestones impacted the field...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 49' 38"
2. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 49' 38" + 00' 00"
3. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 49' 38" + 00' 00"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 49' 38" + 00' 00"
5. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 49' 38" + 00' 00"
6. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 49' 38" + 00' 00"
7. VAN SUMMEREN Johan 58 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 50' 31" + 00' 53"
8. WIGGINS Bradley 31 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 50' 31" + 00' 53"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 50' 31" + 00' 53"
10. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 4h 50' 31" + 00' 53"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 14h 54' 00"
2. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 14h 54' 23" + 00' 23"
3. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 14h 54' 39" + 00' 39"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 14h 54' 46" + 00' 46"
5. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 14h 55' 01" + 01' 01"
6. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 14h 55' 09" + 01' 09"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 14h 55' 19" + 01' 19"
8. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 14h 55' 31" + 01' 31"
9. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 14h 55' 40" + 01' 40"
10. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 14h 55' 42" + 01' 42"

[TexasTerror]

After today's fourth stage...no changes at the top.

STAGE FOUR STANDINGS
1. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 3h 34' 55"
2. DEAN Julian 52 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
3. BOASSON Edvald Hagen 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
5. HUNTER Robert 55 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
6. TURGOT Sébastien 158 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
7. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
8. OSS Daniel 46 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
9. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"
10. FREIRE Oscar 193 RABOBANK 3h 34' 55" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 18h 28' 55"
2. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 18h 29' 18" + 00' 23"
3. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 18h 29' 34" + 00' 39"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 18h 29' 41" + 00' 46"
5. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 18h 29' 56" + 01' 01"
6. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 18h 30' 04" + 01' 09"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 18h 30' 14" + 01' 19"
8. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 18h 30' 26" + 01' 31"
9. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 18h 30' 35" + 01' 40"
10. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 18h 30' 37" + 01' 42"

[TexasTerror]

Tyler Farrar was in the top 10 of that sprint at the finish of today's stage won by Cavendish...is it Sunday yet? Ready to see some mountains...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 30' 50"
2. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
3. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
4. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
5. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
6. TURGOT Sébastien 158 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
7. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
8. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
9. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"
10. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 30' 50" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 22h 59' 45"
2. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 23h 00' 08" + 00' 23"
3. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 23h 00' 24" + 00' 39"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 23h 00' 31" + 00' 46"
5. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 23h 00' 46" + 01' 01"
6. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 23h 00' 54" + 01' 09"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 23h 01' 04" + 01' 19"
8. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 23h 01' 16" + 01' 31"
9. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 23h 01' 25" + 01' 40"
10. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 23h 01' 27" + 01' 42"

[Tribefan]

Farrar's all the way up there racing with a broken wrist. That's impressive.

[TexasTerror]

Farrar is peaking his head in again, but it is Cavendish who takes the stage...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 5h 37' 42"
2. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
3. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
5. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
6. TURGOT Sébastien 158 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
7. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
8. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
9. HUNTER Robert 55 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"
10. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 5h 37' 42" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 28h 37' 30"
2. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 28h 37' 50" + 00' 20"
3. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 28h 38' 09" + 00' 39"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 28h 38' 16" + 00' 46"
5. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 28h 38' 31" + 01' 01"
6. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 28h 38' 39" + 01' 09"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 28h 38' 46" + 01' 16"
8. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 28h 39' 01" + 01' 31"
9. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 28h 39' 10" + 01' 40"
10. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 28h 39' 12" + 01' 42"

[Tribefan]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704075604575357423818505614.html?m od=WSJASIA_hpp_MIDDLESecondNews

Federal probe into doping in cycling widens. Looks like the riders will have until the end of the tour to get their stories straight. Interesting how Barry Bonds was presumed guilty and Armstrong is still presumed innocent by most of our press.

[TexasTerror]

Watching today's stage...Cancellara may very well get dropped going up that last climb. The descent will keep him in the peleton down the second to last climb, because he barely held on going up...

Interested to see if there's any significant moves from the big contenders up the last climb or if they'll keep it in reserve for tomorrow's fun stage in the Alps...

[Tribefan]

Today I think a breakaway wins and the contenders will finish together in a group of 20-30 riders.

[TexasTerror]

So long Cancellara...who is still riding as I type this...Chavenel is the new yellow jersey wearer. We'll see if he can retain tomorrow with Evans, Schleck and Contador within grasp...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 4h 22' 52"
2. VALLS FERRI Rafael 219 FOOTON-SERVETTO 4h 23' 49" + 00' 57"
3. GARATE Juan Manuel 194 RABOBANK 4h 24' 19" + 01' 27"
4. VOECKLER Thomas 151 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 24' 32" + 01' 40"
5. PERGET Mathieu 167 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 24' 32" + 01' 40"
6. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel 107 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 24' 32" + 01' 40"
7. FEDRIGO Pierrick 154 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 24' 39" + 01' 47"
8. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 24' 39" + 01' 47"
9. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 24' 39" + 01' 47"
10. CAPECCHI Eros 211 FOOTON-SERVETTO 4h 24' 39" + 01' 47"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 33h 01' 23"
2. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 33h 02' 48" + 01' 25"
3. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 33h 02' 55" + 01' 32"
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 33h 03' 18" + 01' 55"
5. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 33h 03' 40" + 02' 17"
6. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 33h 03' 49" + 02' 26"
7. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 33h 03' 51" + 02' 28"
8. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 33h 03' 51" + 02' 28"
9. VAN SUMMEREN Johan 58 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 33h 03' 56" + 02' 33"
10. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 33h 03' 58" + 02' 35"

[TexasTerror]

There's an escape group about 6 min and 20 sec clear of the peleton...no contenders in the mix.

They're getting ready to approach the first of two category one climbs on the day. We'll see how this shapes up.

[TexasTerror]

Crash may spell peril for Armstrong...

He's lost a minute to Contador and Evans. Leipheimer is in the Contador-Evans group. Horner is helping Armstrong, who may be able to make up some time on the dissent of the first climb

[Tribefan]

Armstrong had already been dropped. He didn't have had given up chasing. If you believe in karma then, then karma can be a b^tch.

[Tribefan]

Armstrong 6.5 minutes down to anyone that matters.

[Tribefan]

Wiggins cracking now

[TexasTerror]

Armstrong is finished...wonder if Radio Shack will change efforts to Levi Leipheimer...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 54' 11"
2. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 54' 11" + 00' 00"
3. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
4. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
5. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
6. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
7. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
8. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
9. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"
10. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 4h 54' 21" + 00' 10"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. EVANS Cadel 121 BMC RACING TEAM 37h 57' 09"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 37h 57' 29" + 00' 20"
3. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 37h 58' 10" + 01' 01"
4. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 37h 58' 12" + 01' 03"
5. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 37h 58' 19" + 01' 10"
6. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 37h 58' 20" + 01' 11"
7. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 37h 58' 54" + 01' 45"
8. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 37h 59' 23" + 02' 14"
9. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 37h 59' 24" + 02' 15"
10. ROGERS Michael 118 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 37h 59' 40" + 02' 31"

[bkrownd]

Armstrong is crashing more than a Micro$oft product!

Cycle geeks gotta be liking all the drama

[TexasTerror]

Evans got dropped today and lost his yellow jersey...Andy Schleck will wear yellow for the first time. Congrats to him! Levi Leipheimer was in a group just over two minutes behind Sandy Cesar while Armstrong was another 40 or so seconds behind Leipheimer's group...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. CASAR Sandy 62 FDJ 5h 38' 10"
2. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 38' 10" + 00' 00"
3. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 38' 10" + 00' 00"
4. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 38' 12" + 00' 02"
5. CHARTEAU Anthony 153 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 5h 38' 12" + 00' 02"
6. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 5h 38' 12" + 00' 02"
7. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 5h 38' 12" + 00' 02"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 5h 39' 02" + 00' 52"
9. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 5h 40' 17" + 02' 07"
10. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 40' 17" + 02' 07"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 43h 35' 41"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 43h 36' 22" + 00' 41"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 43h 38' 26" + 02' 45"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 43h 38' 39" + 02' 58"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 43h 39' 12" + 03' 31"
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 43h 39' 40" + 03' 59"
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 43h 40' 03" + 04' 22"
8. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 43h 40' 22" + 04' 41"
9. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 43h 40' 49" + 05' 08"
10. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 43h 40' 50" + 05' 09"

[OhioHen]

Evans got dropped today and lost his yellow jersey...

Evans broke his elbow on Sunday. Tour etiquette dictates that yellow jersey holder rides in spite of injury (and as in this case, doesn't reveal the injury until after the fact).

[TexasTerror]

A stage win for RadioShack! Sergio Paulinho of Portugal takes the win...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. PAULINHO Sergio 27 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 10' 56"
2. KIRYIENKA Vasil 165 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 10' 56" + 00' 00"
3. DEVENYNS Dries 134 QUICK STEP 5h 12' 25" + 01' 29"
4. ROLLAND Pierre 156 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 5h 12' 25" + 01' 29"
5. AERTS Mario 102 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 5h 12' 29" + 01' 33"
6. BOUET Maxime 82 AG2R LA MONDIALE 5h 14' 16" + 03' 20"
7. ROCHE Nicolas 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 5h 23' 54" + 12' 58"
8. PAURIOL Rémi 179 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 5h 24' 53" + 13' 57"
9. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 5h 25' 15" + 14' 19"
10. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 25' 15" + 14' 19"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 49h 00' 56"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 49h 01' 37" + 00' 41"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 49h 03' 41" + 02' 45"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 49h 03' 54" + 02' 58"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 49h 04' 27" + 03' 31"
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 49h 04' 55" + 03' 59"
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 49h 05' 18" + 04' 22"
8. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 49h 05' 37" + 04' 41"
9. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 49h 06' 04" + 05' 08"
10. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 49h 06' 05" + 05' 09"

[th0m]

Evans broke his elbow on Sunday. Tour etiquette dictates that yellow jersey holder rides in spite of injury (and as in this case, doesn't reveal the injury until after the fact).

I don't really think this is Tour etiquette as much as determination of the riders themselves to always keep going. But of course the prospect of the yellow jersey can skew perceptions quite gravely.

[TexasTerror]

Cavendish wins the stage with Farrar in the mix...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 42' 29"
2. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
3. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
4. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
5. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
6. ARASHIRO Yukiya 152 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
8. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
9. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"
10. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 4h 42' 29" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 53h 43' 25"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 53h 44' 06" + 00' 41"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 53h 46' 10" + 02' 45"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 53h 46' 23" + 02' 58"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 53h 46' 56" + 03' 31"
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 53h 47' 24" + 03' 59"
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 53h 47' 47" + 04' 22"
8. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 53h 48' 06" + 04' 41"
9. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 53h 48' 33" + 05' 08"
10. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 53h 48' 34" + 05' 09"

[TexasTerror]

Updated after Contador got some time on the other GC competitors...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 58' 26"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 4h 58' 26" + 00' 00"
3. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 4h 58' 30" + 00' 04"
4. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 58' 36" + 00' 10"
5. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 58' 36" + 00' 10"
6. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 58' 36" + 00' 10"
7. KLÖDEN Andréas 24 TEAM RADIOSHACK 4h 58' 36" + 00' 10"
8. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 4h 58' 36" + 00' 10"
9. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 4h 58' 41" + 00' 15"
10. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 4h 58' 41" + 00' 15"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 42' 01"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 58h 42' 32" + 00' 31"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 58h 44' 46" + 02' 45"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 58h 44' 59" + 02' 58"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 58h 45' 32" + 03' 31"
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 58h 46' 07" + 04' 06
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 58h 46' 28" + 04' 27"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 58h 46' 59" + 04' 58"
9. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 58h 47' 03" + 05' 02"
10. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 58h 47' 17" + 05' 16"

OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS

1. TEAM RADIOSHACK 176h 11' 16"
2. CAISSE D’EPARGNE 176h 11' 37" + 00' 21"
3. ASTANA 176h 26' 59" + 15' 43"
4. RABOBANK 176h 27' 29" + 16' 13"
5. AG2R LA MONDIALE 176h 31' 38" + 20' 22"
6. OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 176h 36' 54" + 25' 38"
7. LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 176h 43' 29" + 32' 13"
8. BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 176h 52' 17" + 41' 01"
9. SKY PRO CYCLING 176h 53' 37" + 42' 21"
10. EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 176h 58' 47" + 47' 31"

[TexasTerror]

Good ole Alexandre Vinokourov won today's stage, beating Cavendish and Co. by 13 seconds...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 4h 26' 26"
2. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
3. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
4. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
5. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
6. DEAN Julian 52 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
7. GESLIN Anthony 64 FDJ 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
8. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
9. BOLE Grega 202 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"
10. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 26' 39" + 00' 13"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 63h 08' 40"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 63h 09' 11" + 00' 31"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 63h 11' 25" + 02' 45"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 63h 11' 38" + 02' 58"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 63h 12' 11" + 03' 31"
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 63h 12' 46" + 04' 06"
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 63h 13' 07" + 04' 27"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 63h 13' 38" + 04' 58"
9. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 63h 13' 42" + 05' 02"
10. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 63h 13' 56" + 05' 16"

[TexasTerror]

Leipheimer loses time...Sanchez gains about 14 seconds..RadioShack suffers on the day...

STAGE STANDINGS

1. RIBLON Christophe 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 52' 42"
2. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 4h 53' 36" + 00' 54"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 53' 36" + 00' 54"
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
8. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 53' 50" + 01' 08"
9. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 54' 31" + 01' 49"
10. SASTRE Carlos 91 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 54' 31" + 01' 49"

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 68h 02' 30"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 68h 03' 01" + 00' 31"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 68h 05' 01" + 02' 31"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 68h 05' 14" + 02' 44"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 68h 06' 01" + 03' 31"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 68h 06' 57" + 04' 27"
7. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 68h 07' 21" + 04' 51"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 68h 07' 28" + 04' 58"
9. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 161 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 68h 08' 26" + 05' 56"
10. BASSO Ivan 41 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 68h 09' 22" + 06' 52"

TEAM STANDINGS
1. AG2R LA MONDIALE 14h 43' 03"
2. CAISSE D’EPARGNE 14h 44' 26" + 01' 23"
3. TEAM RADIOSHACK 14h 44' 55" + 01' 52"
4. RABOBANK 14h 45' 47" + 02' 44"

[TexasTerror]

New man in yellow...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. VOECKLER Thomas 151 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 44' 51"
2. BALLAN Alessandro 122 BMC RACING TEAM 4h 46' 11" + 01' 20"
3. PEREZ ARRIETA Aitor 218 FOOTON-SERVETTO 4h 46' 11" + 01' 20"
4. MONDORY Lloyd 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
5. ROBERTS Luke 146 TEAM MILRAM 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
6. REDA Francesco 136 QUICK STEP 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
8. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
9. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"
10. VANDBORG Brian 49 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 4h 47' 41" + 02' 50"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 72h 50' 42"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 72h 50' 50" + 00' 08"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 72h 52' 42" + 02' 00"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 72h 52' 55" + 02' 13"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 72h 54' 21" + 03' 39"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 72h 55' 43" + 05' 01"
7. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 72h 56' 07" + 05' 25"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 72h 56' 27" + 05' 45"
9. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 72h 57' 54" + 07' 12"
10. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 72h 58' 33" + 07' 51"

[TexasTerror]

Lance wanted to win stage and was in the mix, just didn't come through at the end. Too many cyclists involved...however, Chris Horner and him may have helped their team significantly with today's stage in the team standings. Horner is now top 15 overall and Radioshack has three in top 16 (Kloden with Leipheimer).

STAGE STANDINGS
1. FEDRIGO Pierrick 154 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 5h 31' 43"
2. CASAR Sandy 62 FDJ 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
3. PLAZA MOLINA Ruben 168 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
4. CUNEGO Damiano 201 LAMPRE - FARNESE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
5. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
6. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
7. VAN DE WALLE Jurgen 138 QUICK STEP 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
8. MOREAU Christophe 166 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 5h 31' 43" + 00' 00"
9. BARREDO Carlos 132 QUICK STEP 5h 32' 11" + 00' 28"
10. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 5h 38' 28" + 06' 45"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 78h 29' 10"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 78h 29' 18" + 00' 08"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 78h 31' 10" + 02' 00"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 78h 31' 23" + 02' 13"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 78h 32' 49" + 03' 39"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 78h 34' 11" + 05' 01"
7. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 78h 34' 35" + 05' 25"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 78h 34' 55" + 05' 45"
9. VINOKOUROV Alexandre 9 ASTANA 78h 36' 22" + 07' 12"
10. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 78h 37' 01" + 07' 51"

[MSUDuo]

What are your thoughts about how Contador took over the yellow TT?

[Skjellyfetti]

****ty luck... but, I think Schleck can still make up the time if he's truly the better climber.

[Rob Iola]

Dropped chain while accelerating towards the end of a hotly-contested mountain stage - kinda iffy in terms of violated protocol - I'm certainly no TDF expert, but the examples of slowing to allow the contender to recover all seem to pertain to crashes and not to equipment malfunctions...

Kinda interesting that Armstrong's not considered a threat to the overall classification and therefore is "allowed" to be part of the breakaway sprint for the stage victory...

[OhioHen]

Lance wanted to win stage and was in the mix, just didn't come through at the end. Too many cyclists involved...however, Chris Horner and him may have helped their team significantly with today's stage in the team standings. Horner is now top 15 overall and Radioshack has three in top 16 (Kloden with Leipheimer).


Radioshack didn't gain any time on Caisse D'Epargne who also had two men in the break. It will come down to those two teams for the team victory (Radioshack currently leads by 4:27).

[Cocky]

Contador attacking was the deal breaker for me. If he had just kept riding at a steady pace it would not have been as bad. The apology was even worse considering when he passed Schleck he could see his chain was off.

[Tribefan]

I don't think Schleck can gain enough time on what's remaining to beat Contador. Contador is a much better time trialist and even if Schleck put a minute and a half into Contador, I think Contador would make up the gap easily given the length of the final time trial.

[Tribefan]

Contador attacking was the deal breaker for me. If he had just kept riding at a steady pace it would not have been as bad. The apology was even worse considering when he passed Schleck he could see his chain was off.

At first I thought it was a bad move by Contador, but he had two riders with him that he had to defend against. On stage 2 Andy Schleck suffered a crash and Fabian Cancellara organized a neutralization of the field in order to not have his team's GC contender (and a few others) not lose massive amounts of time because of large crash.

Stage 3 Contador finished the race with a broken spoke. Schleck didn't stop for Contador.

So at what point are we actually going to race? If you know anything about riding a bike, then a dropped chain in Schleck's situation was not mechanical faillure. He was either cross chaining, or he was going from the small ring to the big ring on a steep climb (stupid). It was a rider error. If the chain had snapped or if there had been a flat then it might have been a different story.

[th0m]

Schleck's chain fell of when he was attacking himself. If Andy had still been in the group it is a different story. Also, Vinokourov was the first to race by Schleck followed by other GC riders. No-brainer you keep riding IMO. How he handled it at first was not so smart.

[Tribefan]

You're exactly right, Schleck attacked first. When you attack cause your own mechanical failure, you don't get a pass. I personally would prefer to see AS win, even though I think it will be unlikely at this point.

Schleck's rep is that he's not the best bike handler. One of the first things you learn when you start cycling seriously is to not cross chain, and shifting into the big ring on 7-10% grade is a recipe for embarassment.

[TexasTerror]

Schleck wins the stage, but Contador takes the yellow...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 5h 03' 29"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 5h 03' 29" + 00' 00"
3. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 5h 04' 47" + 01' 18"
4. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 5h 04' 56" + 01' 27"
5. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 5h 05' 01" + 01' 32"
6. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 5h 05' 09" + 01' 40"
7. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 5h 05' 09" + 01' 40"
8. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 5h 05' 14" + 01' 45"
9. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 5h 05' 17" + 01' 48"
10. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 5h 05' 43" + 02' 14"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 83h 32' 39"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 83h 32' 47" + 00' 08"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 83h 36' 11" + 03' 32"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 83h 36' 32" + 03' 53"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 83h 38' 06" + 05' 27"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 83h 39' 20" + 06' 41"
7. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 83h 39' 42" + 07' 03"
8. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 83h 41' 57" + 09' 18"
9. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 83h 42' 51" + 10' 12"
10. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 83h 43' 16" + 10' 37"

[OhioHen]

Schleck wins the stage, but Contador keeps the yellow...

FIFY

[Tribefan]

Might as well stick a fork in it. Contador would need something disastrous to happen in order to lose. I don't think Schleck can make up the gap in the TT.

[SonuvaHenx2]

Might as well stick a fork in it. Contador would need something disastrous to happen in order to lose. I don't think Schleck can make up the gap in the TT.

Contador is going to smoke Schleck in the time trial. Even if Schleck were up 2 minutes at this point, Contador would be the favorite to win.

[tribe_pride]

What happened to Levi (or was that not unexpected).

[OhioHen]

What happened to Levi (or was that not unexpected).

Levi is better on shorter steeper climbs like in the Vuelta. Long steady climbs like you see in the Tour are a bigger challenge for him.

Kudos to Chris Horner for his performance the last two stages to move into the top ten.

[TexasTerror]

No changes...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 4h 37' 09"
2. DEAN Julian 52 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
3. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
4. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
5. FREIRE Oscar 193 RABOBANK 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
6. HAGEN Edvald Boasson 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
7. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
8. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 169 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
9. BOLE Grega 202 LAMPRE - FARNESE 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"
10. PEREZ MORENO Ruben 186 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 37' 09" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 88h 09' 48"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 88h 09' 56" + 00' 08"
3. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 88h 13' 20" + 03' 32"
4. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 88h 13' 41" + 03' 53"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 88h 15' 15" + 05' 27"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 88h 16' 29" + 06' 41"
7. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 88h 16' 51" + 07' 03"
8. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 88h 19' 06" + 09' 18"
9. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 88h 20' 00" + 10' 12"
10. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 88h 20' 25" + 10' 37"

[TexasTerror]

This is getting interesting...

Schleck v Contador in the individual time trial. Can Schleck come through with a win in their head-to-head with enough time gained?

[TexasTerror]

Contador takes control of the head-to-head against Schleck in the last bit of the time trial...

STAGE STANDINGS
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 53' 40"
2. MARTIN Tony 115 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 53' 49" + 00' 09"
3. GRABSCH Bert 113 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 55' 07" + 01' 27"
4. KONOVALOVAS Ignatas 97 CERVELO TEST TEAM 55' 52" + 02' 12"
5. ZABRISKIE David 59 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 56' 02" + 02' 22"
6. MOERENHOUT Koos 196 RABOBANK 56' 11" + 02' 31"
7. KIRYIENKA Vasil 165 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 56' 19" + 02' 39"
8. WIGGINS Bradley 31 SKY PRO CYCLING 56' 30" + 02' 50"
9. TJALLINGII Maarten 199 RABOBANK 56' 31" + 02' 51"
10. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 56' 42" + 03' 02"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 89h 08' 20"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 89h 08' 45" + 00' 25"
3. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 89h 10' 33" + 02' 13"
4. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 89h 11' 57" + 03' 37"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 89h 15' 10" + 06' 50"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 89h 17' 33" + 09' 13"
7. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 89h 18' 23" + 10' 03"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 89h 19' 21" + 11' 01"
9. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 89h 20' 09" + 11' 49"
10. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 89h 20' 24" + 12' 04"

[TexasTerror]

Publicity stunt by Team Radio Shack...

They were wearing special jerseys speaking towards the amount of people who have cancer. Long neutral zone as the other teams waited for RadioShack to get things together. Lance took the longest to get things going and now they are racing their way back up.

Tour organizers let them wear a penned 28 for 28 million people on their jerseys.

[TexasTerror]

Cavendish explodes to take the stage...

FINAL WINNERS
General Classification - Alberto Contador
Sprint - Alessandro Petacchi
Climber - Anthony Charteau
Youth - Andy Schleck
Team - RadioShack



STAGE STANDINGS
1. CAVENDISH Mark 111 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 2h 42' 21"
2. PETACCHI Alessandro 208 LAMPRE - FARNESE 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
3. DEAN Julian 52 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
4. ROELANDTS Jürgen 108 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
5. FREIRE Oscar 193 RABOBANK 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
6. CIOLEK Gerald 142 TEAM MILRAM 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
7. HUSHOVD Thor 95 CERVELO TEST TEAM 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
8. BRESCHEL Matti 12 TEAM SAXO BANK 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
9. MC EWEN Robbie 75 KATUSHA TEAM 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"
10. OSS Daniel 46 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 2h 42' 21" + 00' 00"

OVERALL STANDINGS
1. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 91h 58' 48"
2. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM SAXO BANK 91h 59' 27" + 00' 39"
3. MENCHOV Denis 191 RABOBANK 92h 00' 49" + 02' 01"
4. SANCHEZ Samuel 181 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 92h 02' 28" + 03' 40"
5. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 101 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 92h 05' 42" + 06' 54"
6. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 92h 08' 19" + 09' 31"
7. HESJEDAL Ryder 54 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 92h 09' 03" + 10' 15"
8. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin 77 KATUSHA TEAM 92h 10' 25" + 11' 37"
9. KREUZIGER Roman 44 LIQUIGAS-DOIMO 92h 10' 42" + 11' 54"
10. HORNER Christopher 23 TEAM RADIOSHACK 92h 10' 50" + 12' 02"

[FormerPokeCenter]

Just out of curiousity, how many people who participated in this thread are avid riders?

And, if so, how many are within a few hours of Atlanta, GA?

I'll lead off: Yes, i'm an avid rider. And, though I don't live in Atlanta, GA, I'll be riding in a charity event there on October 2-3, 2010...

Anybody else ride? ;) And, yes, there's an ulterior motive for the question, albeit an honorable one ;)

[OhioHen]

Not an avid rider, but have a good friend who is. He appreciates that I'm interested enough in the sport to converse about it somewhat intelligently.

[FormerPokeCenter]

Okay....so.....maybe this deserves it's own thread....and it's not really about the Tour, but it IS bike related....

On October 2, 2010, I'll be riding in The 24 Hours of Booty, to raise money for The Lance Armstrong Foundation and several other worthy cancer-related chariities. All money raised goes toward Cancer Research. I've had a team entered in the Atlanta event for several months, but I have some riding spots left, if anybody in that area is interested. The object is to line up sponsors, either by the mile or in lump sums to sponsor each rider. If you enter, the 24 HOB expects each rider to come up with at least $200.00 in sponsorships.

It's for a very worthy cause and all donations are tax deductible and can be handled online...

I'm part of a team riding in support of Ann Hartline, a fantastic artist who lives in Asheville, NC, and who is currently battling a recurrence of cancer. After having beaten lung and breast cancer, she's now fighting an inoperable brain tumor with a regimine of radiation and other aggressive therapies.

If you're a cancer survivor, have suffered from the disease or know somebody who has, won't you please consider riding (or Donating!) to the 24 Hours of Booty.

If you're interested in riding, please PM me for additional details.

Here's a link to the 24 Hours of Booty site. No donation is too small.

Knowing how competitive things are in the Southland Conference, I've actually picked up some donations from my archrival friends over at Northwestern. Clearly, my Cowboy bretheren need to step up! Any other conferences want to get in on the action? If so, make your donations "On Behalf Of" your favorite team.

Here's a link to The 24 Hours of Booty site for more generic information:

http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ride_atlanta
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Here's a link to my team's fundrasing page if you're inclined to donate. Any help you care to give would be greatly appreciated and don't forget to list the team you support. It'll be fun to see if the AGS folks can be as competitive with raising money as we are with talking football ;)

http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/site/TR/Bike/General?team_id=6590&pg=team&fr_id=1111