Snuggie and The Final GC -SPOILERS

What an amazing stage. I probably only needed to watch the time Trials and Stage 20 to get the real feel for how this year's Tour would turn out.

According to Phil Liggett, "We've had a great Tour de France." But he said that about five minutes ago after commentating at the end of Stage 20.

Well, the Tour de France has 21 stages and doesn't officially go into the books until after tomorrow. But he was right. The Tour is essentially over. Contador, Schleck and Armstrong are expected to be 1, 2, and 3 on the Podium in Paris.

Why is that? Well, the unwritten rules of the Tour de France dictate that nobody attack the Yellow Jersey or the top riders on the final stage of the race.

So as we go into Paris tomorrow, the GC shapes up as follows - current as of 10:53AM EST in the United States... (and the reason I put Snuggie in the title is because VERSUS is running Snuggie ads - in JULY!)

1. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 81h 46' 17"
2. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 81h 50' 28" + 04' 11"
3. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 81h 51' 41" + 05' 24"
4. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 81h 52' 18" + 06' 01"
5. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 81h 52' 21" + 06' 04"
6. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 81h 52' 59" + 06' 42"
7. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 81h 53' 52" + 07' 35"
8. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 81h 58' 21" + 12' 04"
9. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 82h 00' 33" + 14' 16"
10. LE MEVEL Christophe 106 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 82h 00' 42" + 14' 25"
11. ASTARLOZA Mikel 61 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 82h 01' 01" + 14' 44"
12. CASAR Sandy 101 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 82h 03' 36" + 17' 19"
13. KARPETS Vladimir 161 TEAM KATUSHA 82h 04' 51" + 18' 34"
14. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 82h 07' 02" + 20' 45"
15. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 17 SILENCE - LOTTO 82h 07' 07" + 20' 50"
16. GOUBERT Stephane 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 82h 08' 46" + 22' 29"
17. SASTRE Carlos 1 CERVELO TEST TEAM 82h 12' 38" + 26' 21"
18. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 162 TEAM KATUSHA 82h 15' 50" + 29' 33"
19. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 82h 19' 44" + 33' 27"
20. CHAVANEL Sylvain 151 QUICK STEP 82h 20' 26" + 34' 09"
21. KNEES Christian 185 TEAM MILRAM 82h 21' 05" + 34' 48"
22. ROLLAND Pierre 148 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 82h 24' 01" + 37' 44"
23. ROCHE Nicolas 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 82h 24' 37" + 38' 20"
24. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 82h 24' 52" + 38' 35"
25. FEILLU Brice 174 AGRITUBEL 82h 27' 31" + 41' 14"
26. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 118 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 82h 27' 44" + 41' 27"
27. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 82h 29' 37" + 43' 20"
28. ZUBELDIA Haimar 29 ASTANA 82h 29' 51" + 43' 34"
29. MOREAU Christophe 171 AGRITUBEL 82h 30' 50" + 44' 33"
30. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 82h 31' 41" + 45' 24"
31. SORENSEN Nicki 38 TEAM SAXO BANK 82h 32' 51" + 46' 34"
32. VELITS Peter 187 TEAM MILRAM 82h 32' 52" + 46' 35"
33. DUPONT Hubert 84 AG2R LA MONDIALE 82h 36' 00" + 49' 43"
34. SORENSEN Chris 37 TEAM SAXO BANK 82h 36' 04" + 49' 47"
35. PAULINHO Sergio 26 ASTANA 82h 40' 17" + 54' 00"
36. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 82h 41' 21" + 55' 04"
37. PELLIZOTTI Franco 91 LIQUIGAS 82h 41' 50" + 55' 33"
38. MINARD Sébastien 127 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 82h 43' 54" + 57' 37"
39. PASAMONTES Luis 116 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 82h 44' 04" + 57' 47"

Sometime after tomorrow I'll give a wrap-up post. Thanks for reading.

Attention Deficit?

Well, as of a few minutes ago - NO, this isn't a spoiler unless you're five days behind - Lance Armstrong was still slated to appear on the podium in Paris.

His 2009 Tour de France is still going as planned and the exposure he's garnered for LiveStrong has been huge.

Talk of his 2010 Tour is already buzzing about the pressrooms and fans are starting to tune in elsewhere for their sports info.

Seriously. For many Americans, the Tour de France ended when Contador took a 2+ minute lead in the Yellow Jersey. They felt there was little to cheer about or watch now that Lance wasn't going to win.

Well, it could turn out a couple of ways.

Right now there are three stages left, only two that matter. Today's Stage 19 178KM ride from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas. An up and down journey that has one category 2 climb on it and should probably see a break or two, but nothing to threaten Contador's lead.

Then Stage 20. The stage everyone has talked about since the Tour route was announced last fall.

Stage 20 is only 167KM and runs from Montélimar to Mont Ventoux. What makes it special is that the finishing climb is 23KM long as is Hors Categorie.

That's 23KM that could decimate the field and shake up the podium again.

I don't see Contador having trouble staying in the lead. I mean he's got minutes ahead of the field. But if Lance can do well he might move into second place overall.

The other ifs are if Andy Schleck does well, he could destroy Lance, Contador and Astanà and take the Yellow Jersey.

And then there are always the strategic moves on the road. Barring crash by Contador, this is now his race to lose. The top five will probably look close to what it is now. And Lance Armstrong will be somewhere in the mix.

What have you enjoyed the most this year? I've just liked watching some cycling while we have rain every day here in Boston.

A delay in posting

Didn't put anything up for a day because I was astonished at the team-focused approach from Lance Armstrong and the rest of Astanà.

Looks like barring any major failures on the road for Contador, the 2009 Tour de France is his. Even with the Schleck brothers shaking up the top of the GC, there isn't anyone within a few minutes of Alberto.

Now this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has watched Contador ride this year, but it still took me a little by surprise. Especially when I saw today's result and realized that Lance is now pretty much out of the running even if he puts two minutes into Alberto in the Time Trial.

So what's the plan? The buzz at the race has all shifted to next year's race. Really. Among Americans, they're all talking about how Lance is starting his own team and will be battling Contador next year.

Even I'm a little interested in how that plays out. So much so that I didn't watch the last two stages - I just got the results online and on my iPhone.

So what still has you enthralled? There is still a bunch of great riding to come. But are you fading at the same rate as Lance's chances? Gimme a shout. Let me know.

Rest Day, Overview, Look Ahead

Here it is 5:50AM near Boston, MA on the east coast of the United States. The 2009 Tour de France has a much-needed rest day and the overall standings have been shaken up with a Stage 14 that showed the world who can really ride a bike.

1 - Alberto Contador looks strong. Really strong. As in, if he wanted to this guy could have been in Yellow from day two of the race.

2 - Lance Armstrong looks strong. Really strong. As in, if he wanted to stay with Contador on the attack yesterday he probably could have.

What does that mean to the rest of the racers and about the final stages of the Tour?

It means either Lance or Contador will win the race

It means if Contador puts another minute into Lance, the race is probably sealed up.

It means if the lead stays at around a minute, the race will come down to the final mountain stage before Paris - that's Stage 20. And there's an Hors Category climb to finish the race that day.

Because with a lead of one minute, Alberto Contador could end up behind Lance Armstrong after the individual time trial on Stage 18 on July 23. That's a 40KM TT that would allow Lance to put up to two or three minutes into Contador.

What do you think is going to happen? My predictions from earlier have been shot slightly out of the water. I had believed Contador would have crashed out - but that happened to Levi Leipheimer instead.

If you remember - here is my post from early on. I didn't have Contador or Schleck in there at all. I had Hincapie in fourth and Denis Menchov was there too. I was wrong to a degree, but we still have a week of racing to see how it all shakes out.

Enjoy your rest day, see you tomorrow.

Who's telling the truth?

Yesterday in Stage 14, George Hincapie missed taking the Yellow Jersey by a mere five seconds.

There were accusations by Hincapie that Astanà and Garmin purposefully kept him out of the jersey.

Bob Roll reported on VERSUS that Hincapie will probably keep all this in mind and will try to personally destroy Garmin and Astanà if he can.

The sport is about respect, and when those two teams attacked Hincapie's lead they clearly were not showing him respect.

This is the development that could blow this year's Tour de France to pieces.

More to come - today they're in the Alps on Stage 15.

My prediction for the day - I bet Contador and/or Armstrong take over the jersey today. Maybe for good.

What do you think?

Big Break. Big Shakeup. SPOILERS!!!

SPOILERS BELOW SPOILERS BELOW SPOILERS BELOW

Guess what! I was right. The peloton was obliterated today by a pack of riders - at times as big as 12 - and the GC has been shaken up like it was put in a blender.

Essentially, George Hincapie and a few other riders decided to pull away from the Yellow Jersey and put a hurt on the rest of the field.

The stage - 199KM from Colmar to Besançon - had some climbs, but nothing major, and was considered a day for the sprinters.

It also had a lot of wet windy roads and this weather allowed Hincapie and others to steam ahead.

AND, at about 100KM to go, Hincapie was the leader on the road with a lead of a few seconds over the Yellow Jersey and the Peloton.

Here's how it all ended and after that are all the standings. Oh, by the way, you remember how I used to only show the GC all the way down to George Hincapie? Well, I'll give you the top 50 since George is so well placed now.

1. IVANOV Serguei 165 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 37' 46"
2. ROCHE Nicolas 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
3. ROULSTON Hayden 9 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
4. MAASKANT Martijn 55 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
5. MINARD Sébastien 127 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
6. RIGHI Daniele 136 LAMPRE - N.G.C 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
7. LE MEVEL Christophe 106 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
8. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
9. BENNATI Daniele 92 LIQUIGAS 4h 38' 02" + 00' 16"
10. CIOLEK Gerald 182 TEAM MILRAM 4h 38' 08" + 00' 22"
11. TIMMER Albert 198 SKIL-SHIMANO 4h 38' 12" + 00' 26"
12. WILLEMS Frederik 99 LIQUIGAS 4h 41' 27" + 03' 41"
13. HUSHOVD Thor 6 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
14. RENSHAW Mark 78 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
15. HUTAROVICH Yauheni 104 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
16. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 117 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
17. DE KORT Koen 193 SKIL-SHIMANO 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
18. BANDIERA Marco 132 LAMPRE - N.G.C 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
19. LANCASTER Brett Daniel 8 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
20. ROY Jérémy 107 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
21. COYOT Arnaud 114 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
22. VANDENBERGH Styn 169 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
23. EISEL Bernhard 72 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
24. HAUSSLER Heinrich 5 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
25. TRUSSOV Nicolaï 168 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
26. DE JONGH Steven 154 QUICK STEP 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
27. DUQUE Leonardo 124 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
28. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
29. O’GRADY Stuart 35 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
30. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
31. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
32. VOIGT Jens 39 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
33. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
34. GRABSCH Bert 73 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
35. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
36. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
37. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
38. BONNET William 143 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
39. GOUBERT Stephane 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
40. KUSCHYNSKI Aleksandr 94 LIQUIGAS 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
41. DUMOULIN Samuel 123 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
42. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
43. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 27 ASTANA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
44. KERN Christophe 126 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
45. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
46. PAULINHO Sergio 26 ASTANA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
47. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
48. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
49. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"
50. NIERMANN Grischa 47 RABOBANK 4h 43' 22" + 05' 36"

As you can see, George only put 4:38 or so into the pack. Here's the GC up to 50th spot...

1. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R LA MONDIALE 58h 13' 52"
2. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 58h 13' 57" + 00' 05"
3. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 58h 13' 58" + 00' 06"
4. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 58h 14' 00" + 00' 08"
5. LE MEVEL Christophe 106 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 58h 14' 35" + 00' 43"
6. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 58h 14' 38" + 00' 46"
7. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 58h 14' 46" + 00' 54"
8. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 58h 14' 52" + 01' 00"
9. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 58h 15' 16" + 01' 24"
10. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 15' 41" + 01' 49"
11. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 58h 15' 46" + 01' 54"
12. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 118 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 58h 16' 08" + 02' 16"
13. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 58h 16' 13" + 02' 21"
14. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 16' 17" + 02' 25"
15. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 58h 16' 32" + 02' 40"
16. EFIMKIN Vladimir 81 AG2R LA MONDIALE 58h 16' 37" + 02' 45"
17. SASTRE Carlos 1 CERVELO TEST TEAM 58h 16' 44" + 02' 52"
18. ASTARLOZA Mikel 61 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 58h 16' 54" + 03' 02"
19. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 58h 16' 59" + 03' 07"
20. KIRCHEN Kim 75 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 58h 17' 08" + 03' 16"
21. KARPETS Vladimir 161 TEAM KATUSHA 58h 17' 41" + 03' 49"
22. FEILLU Brice 174 AGRITUBEL 58h 17' 48" + 03' 56"
23. CASAR Sandy 101 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 58h 17' 50" + 03' 58"
24. ZUBELDIA Haimar 29 ASTANA 58h 18' 06" + 04' 14"
25. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 27 ASTANA 58h 18' 12" + 04' 20"
26. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 58h 18' 12" + 04' 20"
27. SORENSEN Nicki 38 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 18' 30" + 04' 38"
28. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 162 TEAM KATUSHA 58h 18' 52" + 05' 00"
29. MENCHOV Denis 41 RABOBANK 58h 18' 54" + 05' 02"
30. VELITS Peter 187 TEAM MILRAM 58h 19' 20" + 05' 28"
31. GOUBERT Stephane 85 AG2R LA MONDIALE 58h 20' 46" + 06' 54"
32. LARSSON Gustav 34 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 20' 51" + 06' 59"
33. MONCOUTIE David 121 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 58h 21' 34" + 07' 42"
34. SORENSEN Chris 37 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 21' 58" + 08' 06"
35. KNEES Christian 185 TEAM MILRAM 58h 22' 13" + 08' 21"
36. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 17 SILENCE - LOTTO 58h 23' 29" + 09' 37"
37. ROLLAND Pierre 148 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 58h 23' 51" + 09' 59"
38. MARTINEZ Egoi 64 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 58h 25' 01" + 11' 09"
39. ROCHE Nicolas 89 AG2R LA MONDIALE 58h 25' 17" + 11' 25"
40. CHAVANEL Sylvain 151 QUICK STEP 58h 25' 40" + 11' 48"
41. PAULINHO Sergio 26 ASTANA 58h 26' 11" + 12' 19"
42. PELLIZOTTI Franco 91 LIQUIGAS 58h 26' 13" + 12' 21"
43. GOMEZ MARCHANTE Jose Angel 3 CERVELO TEST TEAM 58h 26' 24" + 12' 32"
44. ROY Jérémy 107 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 58h 28' 04" + 14' 12"
45. GUSTOV Volodymir 4 CERVELO TEST TEAM 58h 28' 42" + 14' 50"
46. TXURRUKA Amets 68 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 58h 31' 33" + 17' 41"
47. TROFIMOV Yury 149 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 58h 32' 47" + 18' 55"
48. GARATE Juan Manuel 45 RABOBANK 58h 34' 26" + 20' 34"
49. DUPONT Hubert 84 AG2R LA MONDIALE 58h 34' 47" + 20' 55"
50. VOIGT Jens 39 TEAM SAXO BANK 58h 36' 54" + 23' 02"

Stage 13 and a prediction (again)

Stage 13 was great - except for the fact that Levi abandoned before the stage.

The end of the race didn't cause any major shakeup in the overall standings, but it made me think about the upcoming stages.

First, the weather seems to have been a bit worse than what the riders would prefer and it allowed a large break during Stage 13.

My guess is that if there's another bad day, an even larger group will escape and maybe change the GC.

We'll find out in Stage 14.

Leipheimer info from LeTour

Here is the dispatch from the Tour de France official site...

12:13 - Leipheimer Abandons Le Tour 2009

The big news at the start of the 13th stage is the retirement of the rider ranked fourth overall after 12 stages. Levi Leipheimer (AST) crashed in the final three kilometers of the stage to Vittel and although he finished the stage, and appeared to be unharmed, x-rays this morning revealed a fracture of the scaphoid bone and he will not be at the start today.

So that's it.

Levi Leipheimer OUT OUT OUT

There are reports coming over the wire right now that American cyclist Levi Leipheimer is OUT of the 2009 Tour de France with a broken wrist.

Leipheimer crashed within 3KM of the finish in yesterday's 12th stage and xrays overnight revealed the break.

Although the stage has yet to begin today, reports say that Leipheimer will not start and has abandoned.

I'll update this story as I learn more.

How do you think this affects Team Astanà? I think it makes them a little weaker and hinders Lance's chances at the overall win as Levi was clearly supporting Lance.

Standings going into Stage 13

Here are the top 29 riders going into this morning's Stage 13 of the 2009 Tour de France. *I have HUGE NEWS for you in my next post. Stay tuned.

1. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 48h 27' 21"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 48h 27' 27" + 00' 06"
3. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 48h 27' 29" + 00' 08"
4. LEIPHEIMER Levi 24 ASTANA 48h 28' 00" + 00' 39"
5. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 48h 28' 07" + 00' 46"
6. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 48h 28' 15" + 00' 54"
7. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 48h 28' 21" + 01' 00"
8. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 48h 28' 45" + 01' 24"
9. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 48h 29' 10" + 01' 49"
10. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 48h 29' 15" + 01' 54"
11. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 118 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 48h 29' 37" + 02' 16"
12. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 48h 29' 42" + 02' 21"
13. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 48h 29' 46" + 02' 25"
14. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 48h 30' 01" + 02' 40"
15. EFIMKIN Vladimir 81 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 48h 30' 06" + 02' 45"
16. SASTRE Carlos 1 CERVELO TEST TEAM 48h 30' 13" + 02' 52"
17. ASTARLOZA Mikel 61 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 48h 30' 23" + 03' 02"
18. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 48h 30' 28" + 03' 07"
19. KIRCHEN Kim 75 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 48h 30' 37" + 03' 16"
20. KARPETS Vladimir 161 TEAM KATUSHA 48h 31' 10" + 03' 49"
21. CASAR Sandy 101 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 48h 31' 19" + 03' 58"
22. ZUBELDIA Haimar 29 ASTANA 48h 31' 35" + 04' 14"
23. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 27 ASTANA 48h 31' 41" + 04' 20"
24. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 48h 31' 41" + 04' 20"
25. FEILLU Brice 174 AGRITUBEL 48h 31' 47" + 04' 26"
26. SORENSEN Nicki 38 TEAM SAXO BANK 48h 31' 59" + 04' 38"
27. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 162 TEAM KATUSHA 48h 32' 21" + 05' 00"
28. MENCHOV Denis 41 RABOBANK 48h 32' 23" + 05' 02"
29. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 48h 32' 46" + 05' 25"

The Radio Ruling

After a sustained complaint campaign by teams in this year's TDF, the race organizers have backed off their plan to disallow race radios during a second stage of this year's race.

The second non-radio stage was supposed to be today's Stage 13, but now the discussion of radio use will take place after the Tour de France.

I think it would be much better to have all teams WITHOUT radios or to have race officials impart less information to the teams during the race.

That way the riders and teams would really have to race instead of relying only on tactics dictated by where every other rider is on the course. Stuff they wouldn't know unless they truly paid attention during the race.

Right now it's almost like the teams operate in an info tunnel until the final sprint. They focus on their strategy and are only shaken out of that tunnel if there's some incident on the road. Those incidents could be crashes, breakaways or attacks.

I want to see the Tour with the racers making their own decisions whether to attack without hearing in their ear whether to go or not.

I guess I'm a new school, old school cycling guy. What would you like to see happen with this issue?

Missed it

My comments the other day about two days without race radios was incorrect. There WILL BE two days without radios, but they are not consecutive.

Today's stage 11 from Vatan to Saint-Fargeau, 192KM, will be done with the use of radios. I think stage 13 is the next stage without radios.

By the way. Astanà is being cagey and it looks like the stages this week won't cause any major shakeup unless someone (Contador or Armstrong) is involved in a crash.

Today's stage didn't give us any major changes in the GC.

Have you changed your prediction about the final 2009 Tour de France outcome? I might have a new list for you soon.

No Race Radios

The other item that makes it VERY likely that Team Astanà will splinter is the ban on race radios for the next two days.

Without Bruyneel to keep the team in check, Contador and Lance are free to ride their own race.

Here's what Bicycling Magazine had to say in a recent email to me...

Some Tour de France riders may feel a little groggy after yesterday's rest, but they better stay sharp—they won't have their team directors shouting instructions at them today through race radios.

Lance and Alberto better stay sharp.

I'm excited!

Where's the Power?

Last night - or early this morning - the power went out at my house. More specifically, the CABLE WENT OUT.

It was only down for a grand total of a minute, but that was enough time to wipe out the DVR's memory.

I spent ten frantic minutes trying to remember what channel Versus was on and was completely worried that I might miss the live version of today's broadcast.

At 8:30:17 I finally found Versus HD and hit record. Stage 10 is being recorded as I type and I can now breathe again.

Imagine how fast my heartrate monitor was going this morning. Then laugh at me because it was probably a third of the speed the riders hearts get rolling when sprinting for the line.

The next three stages will end with either breakaways or sprint finishes.

And a prediction, while I'm being so talkative.

I believe that Team Atantà will experience a splintering in the next couple days. It might not be today, but it will happen by the end of stage 11.

Keep watching.

Stage 9 Commentary

Doing this at the end of the rest day - and it's already Bastille Day in France.

What's my take on Stage 9? It was crap!

With the Col de Tourmelet in the middle of the stage, the last ride in the Pyrenees for 2009 was a waste of time.

If you're going to try and shake up the field, make riders finish on top of the mountain or Start at the base and let them rocket ahead with a long run after. Don't put it in the center of a day of racing.

No moves by anyone of consequence.

Team Astanà is still in turmoil - maybe moreso with Lances recent no-comment comments. And now we have three (I think) fast, flat stages before we hit the Alps.

I can't wait for them.

See you tomorrow - or later today if you're reading in Europe.

No Radios?

I just heard - while watching Stage 9 - about the TDF's plan to ban radios for two consecutive stages starting with Stage 10 on Tuesday.

Here's the link to the NY Times Story.

What do you think?

I'll be back in a bit with my Stage 9 recap and commentary.

Stage 8 and it's a new day!

OK. Not really a new day. The overall standings are the same and the stage to watch is still 11 a few days from now.

The only real changes were that the green jersey of Cavendish moved to Thor Hushovd.

I took a breather from watching to go for a scooter ride and think about getting a new bike.

Have you seen the fantastic equipment these guys are on?

Lust!!

What are you riding and have you ever seen the Tour in person?

Tomorrow, there is a category 1 and an hors categorie climb. That should be the stage that shakes up the pack.

Then there's a rest day on Monday and they ride again on Bastille Day.

Chat tomorrow!

Contador Breaks from the Team

OK, he didn't break from Team Astanà entirely, but he certainly paid no mind to the direction of the manager when he attacked and jumped a few seconds ahead of Lance into second place.

The Stage 7 results proved that Alberto is a bit miffed at how well Lance is riding and the next few days will show us all who's going to be the rider for Astanà.

I can't believe that Bruneel would allow this infighting to continue. He soon has to choose the team leader. And if not on Stage 8 or 9, it's got to happen before the Alps.

What do you think?

Here's how they were lined up after Stage 7...

1. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 25h 44' 32"
2. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 25h 44' 38" + 00' 06"
3. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 25h 44' 40" + 00' 08"
4. LEIPHEIMER Levi 24 ASTANA 25h 45' 11" + 00' 39"
5. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 25h 45' 18" + 00' 46"
6. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 25h 45' 26" + 00' 54"
7. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 25h 45' 32" + 01' 00"
8. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 25h 45' 56" + 01' 24"
9. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 25h 46' 21" + 01' 49"
10. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 25h 46' 26" + 01' 54"
11. PINEAU Jérôme 156 QUICK STEP 25h 46' 42" + 02' 10"
12. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 25h 46' 53" + 02' 21"
13. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 25h 46' 57" + 02' 25"
14. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 25h 47' 12" + 02' 40"
15. SASTRE Carlos 1 CERVELO TEST TEAM 25h 47' 24" + 02' 52"
16. FRÖHLINGER Johannes 184 TEAM MILRAM 25h 47' 26" + 02' 54"
17. PELLIZOTTI Franco 91 LIQUIGAS 25h 47' 35" + 03' 03"
18. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 25h 47' 39" + 03' 07"
19. MARTINEZ Egoi 64 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 25h 47' 42" + 03' 10"
20. KIRCHEN Kim 75 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 25h 47' 48" + 03' 16"
21. RIBLON Christophe 88 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 25h 47' 52" + 03' 20"
22. GUTIERREZ José Ivan 115 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 25h 48' 14" + 03' 42"
23. KARPETS Vladimir 161 TEAM KATUSHA 25h 48' 21" + 03' 49"
24. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 118 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 25h 48' 42" + 04' 10"
25. ZUBELDIA Haimar 29 ASTANA 25h 48' 46" + 04' 14"
26. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 27 ASTANA 25h 48' 52" + 04' 20"
27. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 25h 48' 52" + 04' 20"
28. ROCHE Nicolas 89 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 25h 48' 57" + 04' 25"
29. FEILLU Brice 174 AGRITUBEL 25h 48' 58" + 04' 26"
30. EFIMKIN Vladimir 81 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 25h 49' 08" + 04' 36"
31. URAN Rigoberto 119 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 25h 49' 19" + 04' 47"
32. ASTARLOZA Mikel 61 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 25h 49' 28" + 04' 56"
33. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 162 TEAM KATUSHA 25h 49' 32" + 05' 00"
34. MENCHOV Denis 41 RABOBANK 25h 49' 34" + 05' 02"
35. ZABRISKIE David 59 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 25h 49' 50" + 05' 18"
36. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 25h 49' 57" + 05' 25"

As with past years, I'm cutting the standings sharings off wherever big George Hincapie is slotted. Sadly he's 5+ minutes behind now.

Overall and Stage Results

Here are the stage results for Tour de France Stage 6...

1. HUSHOVD Thor 6 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 21' 33"
2. FREIRE Oscar 44 RABOBANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
3. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 117 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
4. CIOLEK Gerald 182 TEAM MILRAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
5. PELLIZOTTI Franco 91 LIQUIGAS 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
6. POZZATO Filippo 167 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
7. BALLAN Alessandro 131 LAMPRE - N.G.C 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
8. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 87 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
9. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
10. CANCELLARA Fabian 33 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
11. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
12. ROCHE Nicolas 89 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
13. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
14. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
15. ROSSELER Sébastien 157 QUICK STEP 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
16. CAVENDISH Mark 71 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
17. MILLAR David 56 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
18. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
19. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
20. LEIPHEIMER Levi 24 ASTANA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
21. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
22. VAN AVERMAET Greg 16 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
23. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
24. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
25. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
26. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 162 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
27. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
28. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 118 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
29. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
30. SASTRE Carlos 1 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
31. LE MEVEL Christophe 106 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
32. PEREIRO SIO Oscar 111 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
33. DEAN Julian 52 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
34. MAASKANT Martijn 55 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
35. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
36. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
37. VOIGT Jens 39 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
38. LARSSON Gustav 34 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
39. KNEES Christian 185 TEAM MILRAM 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
40. KIRCHEN Kim 75 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
41. EFIMKIN Vladimir 81 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
42. URAN Rigoberto 119 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"
43. BRUSEGHIN Marzio 133 LAMPRE - N.G.C 4h 21' 33" + 00' 00"

And here are the top 18 in this year's race...

1. CANCELLARA Fabian 33 TEAM SAXO BANK 19h 29' 22"
2. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 19h 29' 22" + 00' 00"
3. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 19h 29' 41" + 00' 19"
4. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 19h 29' 45" + 00' 23"
5. LEIPHEIMER Levi 24 ASTANA 19h 29' 53" + 00' 31"
6. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 19h 30' 00" + 00' 38"
7. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 19h 30' 14" + 00' 52"
8. MILLAR David 56 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 19h 30' 29" + 01' 07"
9. VANDE VELDE Christian 51 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 19h 30' 38" + 01' 16"
10. LARSSON Gustav 34 TEAM SAXO BANK 19h 30' 44" + 01' 22"
11. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 19h 30' 51" + 01' 29"
12. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 19h 30' 53" + 01' 31"
13. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 19h 30' 58" + 01' 36"
14. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 19h 30' 58" + 01' 36"
15. SCHLECK Andy 31 TEAM SAXO BANK 19h 31' 03" + 01' 41"
16. ZUBELDIA Haimar 29 ASTANA 19h 31' 03" + 01' 41"
17. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 27 ASTANA 19h 31' 07" + 01' 45"
18. VOIGT Jens 39 TEAM SAXO BANK 19h 31' 25" + 02' 03"

See you tomorrow in the Pyrenees.

Stage 6 Finish

SPOILERS OF COURSE

David Millar is still leading the race at the 10.9KM mark, 1:07 ahead of the peloton.

The rain has slowed or stopped. The crowds are huge.

Millar is screaming down a long straightaway. Now 9.6KM left.

By the way, at 2KM to go there is a climb up to the finish. If Millar can get there still in the lead he has a good chance to be in yellow at the end of the day.

Crash at 9KM to go. Three riders in the crash at a left-hand turn. A slick white line and inattention caused the spill.

The chase hasn't been distracted from their goal of catching Millar.

Big split in the field because of the crash, but the main riders are still in the front peloton.

Millar is now 7.6KM and is only 0:52 ahead.

Let me pause here. Does this serve any purpose for you? I mean, do you like reading my recaps or dows this blog serve a better purpose as a commentary?

I look forward to your comments.

OK! Another crash at 6.7KM and Tom Boonen is in the crash. Six riders went down hard.

Gap of Millar is down to 0:40 with 6.1KM to go.

4.8KM and 0:32 ahead.

Millar is hanging on!

3.0KM and 0:22 ahead.

Yikes.

The sprinters are coming and Millar needs to get to the base of the climb. If he can get there he might just hang on.

Amazing shots on Versus. If you haven't watched any of the Tour yet, do it. The shots are in HD for the first time and it's fantastic.

Millar is about to take his final turn and climb to the finish.

He's climbing!

1.4KM and the lead is down to under ten seconds.

Millar is caught at 1KM!

Bummer.

Now everyone is shooting off the front to see if they can win the stage.

Thor Hushovd takes the win!

Holy cow. Good stage. Very cool.

Results? In the next post. I don't think the overall has really changed but will let you know.

A different way to watch

At past Tours de France, I've been able to watch while enjoying a beverage at a cafe in Paris or while eating picnic food at the side of the road in the Alps.

This year I'm back in the states watching on Versus and I've got the laptop with me as I evaluate the ride.

How are you watching this year?

OK...let's get back to the stage...

SPOILERS AHEAD (or below)

No excitement until about 70KM into the race. The roads became wet at that line and the rain has continued toward the finish.

One crash occurred at that rain line.

96KM from the finish - three leaders are ahead by about 2:30.

On today's stage, the riders head deeper into Spain and this could help Alberto Contador...a Spaniard riding in front of his home country.

Only three riders have dropped out so far. Which AMAZES me. In prior tours I've seen the numbers drop by a dozen at this point.

Maybe having one fewer team has helped keep the crashes down. Some years the Tour starts 189 riders, but for the past couple it's been a count of 180.

Oh - the Versus Cadillac word of the day is RPM.

While watching I can't help but notice that Phil Liggett and others are totally pimping stage 7. They're saying it's the longest mountain stage of the race, that it will shake out the Tour completely.

I wonder if a local BBQ joint is doing their usual 'come watch the Tour at Redbones' event. I may have to give them a call.

Breakaway right now is only 2 Min with 85KM to go. There are now four riders in the front and one is David Millar who would take over the Yellow Jersey if the race ended now. He's only a minute behind the leader.

Still watching. At 64KM to go, four riders ahead by 1:45.

58KM to go and it's dropping fast. Gap is now down to 1:15.

Gap is now down to 1:09, but there's a climb ahead and the commentators are saying the big teams might not want to chase for fear of burning out before tomorrow's stage 7 in the BIG MOUNTAINS.

32KM to go, lead is down to 0:53. But the rains are heavier now and that could break apart the entire field. And the climb is right ahead of the lead group of four.

CRASH! At a roundabout. Four or five riders down. Could be Tony Martin. Michael Rodgers looks to have broken his arm and is out of the Tour. Wet roads!

Will get more info shortly. By the way, David Millar has jumped off the front of the breakaway and is 28.1KM from the finish. Gap is only 0:41.

In just a few seconds, the gap is aready up to 0:55.

Crazy!

At 25KM, the time gap is a full minute.

15.8KM David Millar is ahead by 1:08 and is the leader of the Tour de France on the road.

Will do another post about the finish and my thoughts shortly.

How are you watching or tracking the Tour?

Do you have this site - http://www.itourdefrance.com// - bookmarked on your iPhone to follow the Tour de France? You should!

Rain at the finish

By the way, the weather at the finish of stage 6 is rain.

That could cause a treacherous finish.

Looking at the leader board, would it be possible for the entire podium in Paris to have Astanà riders on it?

Just wondering.

Would that be good or bad for the Tour?

Stage 6 - Watching it Live

Well, I'm watching it on TV, but live on TV.

This differs from a few of the other stages this year when I had morning commitments that kept me from the broadcast.

What do I think so far?

The riders are headed to Barcelona - here's the description...

After Monaco and Marseille, the 2009 Tour stops at a third “great beacon” of the Mediterranean. The capital of Catalonia will host a prestigious new stage that will take place in the southernmost destination in Tour history. The last inclines on the heights of Montjuic should be more favorable to punchers than climbers.

What that means is that the riders won't have to be climbing specialists to win this stage.

Here's the map...



Hold on while I watch some more and give you my take on the stage.

Please share your predictions or comments.

And if you'd like to write a guest post here, leave me a note.

Back in a second.

Stage 5

So, the only spoiler I'll give you right off the bat about Stage 5 in the 2009 Tour de France is that my prediction of Contador's abandon did not happen.

What does that mean? Not sure. I see a complete shakeup when the teams hit the mountains, but for Astanà to get clarity and then focus on the win they must decide soon who is their leader.

If you've watched the Tour for any time, even one other time, you'll probably feel that this year's race has been sedate as far as abandons and crashes.

Sure, the early jitters are there (and even today -stage 5 - there was a crash in the neutral zone), but there are still only two riders to drop out over the first five stages.

Here's how the top 25 in stage 5 shook out...list courtesy of LeTour.fr.

1. VOECKLER Thomas 141 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 29' 35"
2. IGNATIEV Mikhail 164 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
3. CAVENDISH Mark 71 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
4. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
5. CIOLEK Gerald 182 TEAM MILRAM 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
6. NAPOLITANO Danilo 166 TEAM KATUSHA 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
7. ROJAS Jose Joaquin 117 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
8. MONDORY Lloyd 86 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
9. FREIRE Oscar 44 RABOBANK 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
10. HUSHOVD Thor 6 CERVELO TEST TEAM 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
11. FURLAN Angelo 134 LAMPRE - N.G.C 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
12. DUQUE Leonardo 124 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
13. FEILLU Romain 175 AGRITUBEL 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
14. VAN HUMMEL Kenny Robert 199 SKIL-SHIMANO 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
15. TIMMER Albert 198 SKIL-SHIMANO 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
16. FERNANDEZ Koldo 63 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
17. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
18. ARASHIRO Yukiya 142 BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
19. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
20. RENSHAW Mark 78 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
21. BOONEN Tom 153 QUICK STEP 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
22. SABATINI Fabio 96 LIQUIGAS 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
23. DELAGE Mickaël 12 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
24. CANCELLARA Fabian 33 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"
25. VOIGT Jens 39 TEAM SAXO BANK 4h 29' 42" + 00' 07"

What did I say?

Have you been reading this blog from the start of the Tour?

If so, you might remember my predictions four days ago.

If not, go back there and look.

THEN come back here and read my take on stage 4 - the Team Time Trial.

SPOILERS BELOW - SPOILERS BELOW

OK. As expected, Team Astanà rode a fantastic time trial and took chunks of time out of other teams and cemented their place as the team to beat this year.

Remember, we're only on stage 4 and tomorrow is my prediction for Contador's abandonment of the 2009 Tour de France. So, without Alberto things might be a little more difficult. But that leaves the path paved for one Mr. Armstrong.

Oh, did you look at the standings after today's stage? If not, I think you might notice that Lance is SECOND in the overall standings.

What controversy?

Sites are reporting that there's already some infighting and that Lance is acting as if it's now his team. Even though Contador is only a handful of seconds behind in the GC.

What's your take?

Controversy?

Should the team wait a week before deciding?

I say wait a day or two more, but Team Astanà better move forward with ONE RIDER when they hit the mountains. That way they'll be poised to win with a different rider if the leader has an issue in stage 11 or so.

Please share your thoughts now that seven-time winner Lance Armstrong is now in a position to win his eighth.

I say wow. And I also say I'm a genius.

Stage 3 - Comments and more

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Stage 3 could be - and this comes after seeing multiple Tour stages in person - one of the coolest moments in a Tour de France race.

Want the spoiler? Here it is.

Lance went from 10th to 3rd in a single stage and leapt past a number of his teammates in the GC.

That's the general classification if you're not up on the lingo.

What's that mean? Who knows!

To me it means that Team Astanà is going to be in some disarray tomorrow and over the next few days.

It also means that this could be the most contentious tour since Hinault/Lemond.

What happens when the team time trial happens?

Are you happy Lance made this move today? Versus viewers are currently running 96% FOR Lance's move and 3% or so against. Hmmm, fan favorite?

I'm loving this Tour and may even watch the stage again.

Oh, Cavendish won his second stage today. Almost forgot to mention that. :-)

The standings for the top 15 are as follows now...

1. CANCELLARA Fabian 33 TEAM SAXO BANK 9h 50' 58"
2. MARTIN Tony 76 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 9h 51' 31" + 00' 33"
3. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 9h 51' 38" + 00' 40"
4. CONTADOR Alberto 21 ASTANA 9h 51' 57" + 00' 59"
5. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 9h 51' 58" + 01' 00"
6. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 9h 52' 01" + 01' 03"
7. GERDEMANN Linus 181 TEAM MILRAM 9h 52' 01" + 01' 03"
8. EVANS Cadel 11 SILENCE - LOTTO 9h 52' 02" + 01' 04"
9. MONFORT Maxime 77 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 9h 52' 08" + 01' 10"
10. LEIPHEIMER Levi 24 ASTANA 9h 52' 09" + 01' 11"
11. ROGERS Michael 79 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 9h 52' 11" + 01' 13"
12. KREUZIGER Roman 93 LIQUIGAS 9h 52' 11" + 01' 13"
13. HINCAPIE George 74 TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC 9h 52' 15" + 01' 17"
14. NIBALI Vincenzo 95 LIQUIGAS 9h 52' 16" + 01' 18"
15. LARSSON Gustav 34 TEAM SAXO BANK 9h 52' 20" + 01' 22"

Fireworks - late post about Stage 2

Stage 2 came and went and I was engrossed in the fireworks going on south of Boston, MA.

Our annual town display was last night and after I sped through the Versus telecast of stage 2 I promised myself that I'd blog when I returned from watching the explosions in the sky.

Didn't happen.

Here it is Monday night - after Stage 3 - and I'm writing about Cavendish's effort to win stage 2.

That's right. Cavendish powered to the line after being launched by George Hincapie and others.

Here's my take...

Aside from some early race jitters and a handful of crashes, this year's Tour de France is shaping up to be pretty sedate. It mirrors some of the former tours where Mario Cipollini would win sprint after sprint until the teams got into the mountains.

Knowing now what happens in Stage 3, I can't honestly hang onto my 'sedate' talk. But I will say that nothing has changed in my predictions. Go back and look at those if you want to know who I'm still picking to win.

What has surprised you the most or the least in this year's tour?

That was slightly unexpected - Stage 1 Comments

SPOILERS IN THIS POST. SPOILERS ABOUT STAGE 1 OF THE 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE.

I tried to avoid Twitter all day today and realized I'm staring down the barrel of a social-media tool that could provide me with spoilers for the next 22 days.

You see, everyone who's got an ounce of interest in the 96th edition of the Tour de France was tweeting regularly during today's time trial. These fans were revealing info about Lance's position and the time split at the top of the ascent in Monaco.

That just won't do. Unless I'm more diligent. My plan for now on is to watch or follow the tour before I start delving into Twitter each day. There will be a delay, and I'll likely not get my #followfriday notes out before 1PM, but this will help me remain sane.

It will also keep the results pristine. Speaking of results, here's what I thought of today's fiasco.

That's right...fiasco. Who in their right mind thought Contador would finish second, Cancellara would win and Lance would be mired in 10th spot 40 seconds back after a 15KM time trial?

Not me. This makes my concerns for Lance's leadership of Astanà (HEY Roll and Hummer, pronounce it correctly or get off the camera. You're embarrassing yourselves and the United States) very real.

Will I be adjusting my top 5 in the Tour? Not a chance. But with so many good names up in the running, it's going to be a race like no other. I'm so excited for the mountains that come around day 7.

How did today's results make you feel?

The TDF Blog

What this blog is about...

It will give you commentary and insight into the Tour de France.

What this blog is not...

It is not a news site. Why? Because there are 2 gazillion other sites covering the Tour and I have the Twitter Ticker in the sidebar.

If you need to know what has happened in the Tour, you'll be able to find it online somewhere in real time. If you want smart comments about the events of the day, keep coming back here.

What do you want to see most this year in the Tour? Share in the comments!

Versus locked and loaded

I don't know about you, but since I can't get Eurosport here in the United States I have set Versus TV to record all the episodes of this year's Tour de France.

I've also taken the smart move (I think) of recording with extra buffer time. This is likely necessary because Versus seldom gets the timing right during road races.

This makes it annoying to watch because just as the final sprint is beginning or the peloton reaches the 1KM to go mark, Versus cuts away to some stupid rodeo show.

I can only hope they've fixed their master control priorities and will stay with the race no matter how long it runs.

What do you think? Are there better ways to catch the Tour in the United States?

And yes, I know, the Tour is better appreciated from Europe. Next year!

Boonen Might be at the Start of TDF

Tom Boonen had be removed as a participant from this year's Tour de France because of allegations of cheating.

Now, an international site claims that Boonen's Quick-Step team will push to have him at the start of this year's race.

Here's the text of that story...

After the information received today from the Tribunal de Grande Istance in Nanterre that has declared that the Tribunal doesn’t have jurisdiction on Tom Boonen’s case Team Quick Step has informed us of the fact that

Today’s press conference has been cancelled and that Tom Boonen and Team Quick Step together have decided to lodge an arbitration request with the Chambre Arbitrale Francaise du Sport (CAS) to permit Tom Boonen to be at the start of the Tour de France 2009.

So, we'll see what transpires. Only a couple days until the start. Yikes!

Who to watch

Unless someone has gone down during last-minute training (not jinxing Lance and his altitude training in Colorado), these are the guys to watch in the 2009 Tour de France.

Andy Schleck, Team Saxo Bank
Alberto Contador, Team Astana
Mark Cavendish, Team Columbia-High Road
Cadel Evans, Team Silence-Lotto
Lance Armstrong, Team Astana
Levi Leipheimer, Team Astana
Denis Menchov, Team Rabobank
George Hincapie, Team Columbia-High Road

Here are my top four...

George Hincapie - Fourth
Cadel Evans - Third
Denis Menchov - Second
Lance Armstrong - First

Contador will likely crash out in the fifth stage and Levi Leipheimer will support Lance.

What do you think?