Le Tour de France

[Jonathan]

It starts today. Will Lance Armstrong win his seventh? Will Jan Ullrich finally get the better of Lance? How about Ivan Basso?

I know I'm not the only one on the boards who follows this. Talk about it here.

[awscoreida]

i've been reading bits and pieces about the tour online. i was really shocked to see that T-Mobile dropped Erik Zabel from their line up so that Ullrich would have a team tailored to him. i'm personally rooting for Ullrich, but Lance is such a great rider...

[wileE]

Ullrich getting passed in that first (pre?) race time trial must have pissed him off. I'll bet everybody is glad Lance will be retiring.

[Patas]

I love watching the tour de france. What time do they show the highlights on OLN?

[JesusPresley]

I think Lance will do it again, nobody can touch him in the mountains.

[weeone]

I saw the cyclists at an expo in Paris once, it was pretty spectacular ... I'm going to try to find a photo of when they passed through Aime in the Alps, where my friend grew up. Ah found it. See attachment :)

[Artpunchehorse]

He may win this thing by 3 days this year. I think he is juiced

[Sushi]

I think Lance can pull it out. On any given day, Ullrich could beat him in time trial or possibly even in the mountains, and they're both smart racers. But when you're out there for two weeks, it comes down to heart and desire, and Lance has that in spades.



Can I say that I still have some problems with the whole Sheryl Crow thing?

[Zane]

Last I saw he was in 87th place... :(

Go Lance!

[Sushi]

Last I saw he was in 87th place... :(

Go Lance!
He came in 87th in the third stage--he's two seconds behind overall. In yesterday's (4 July) stage, all but three riders were given the same time as the winner.

I'm looking forward to the 11th stage--three mountains, the middle of which is category 1. The other two aren't even classified. It's gonna be a killer route.

[the happy prole]

Lance is back in first place after the time trials.

I think it's cool that he's making history, but I also wouldn't mind seeing him lose.

[Sushi]

Lance is back in first place after the time trials.

I think it's cool that he's making history, but I also wouldn't mind seeing him lose.
Funny thing, I kind of feel the same way. It's wise of him to go out at the top of his game, but the next big thing to come along is invariably going to be compared to him. It'd be nice to have the mantle pass on with a win rather than a retirement. (Of course, with Lance retiring, for the next 50 years, we get to have debates about whether the star of bicycle racing could beat Lance and who the best cyclist ever was and all those other fun things.)

[Jonathan]

An amazing finish to the team time trial...Discovery finished two seconds ahead of CSC, but it didn't matter, because Zabriskie crashed 1.5 km before the finish. Had he not dropped, I think CSC would have had a better time because he would have driven them.

What an ending.

[Jonathan]

Yeah, after watching that stage, where Armstrong got no help from his teammates on a second-category climb, it's going to be a long week-and-a-half if things continue like that. Strange because the mountain specialists (Azevedo, Ruberia, Hincapie) were the same that helped him so much last year.

We'll see what happens tomorrow. There's what, six climbs on tap in Stage 9? That'll tell us more about what kind of shape Discovery Channel is in.

[Sushi]

I'm looking forward to stage 11--3 mountains, one of which is a category 1 and the other two are uncategorized. I can't even imagine how steep they are.

I hope the rest of the Discovery Channel team find their legs and find them fast.

[The_Deacon]

He may win this thing by 3 days this year. I think he is juiced
If he keeps his mouth shut, he will win again. But he is not doing a very good job of that right now is he.

[crazybob60]

ok, after having to watch highlights of this race every single day on sportscenter multiple times I have now come to the conclusion that I can not stand any portion of this race. I am soooo glad I do not have to watch this real time and only catch a few minutes of highlights because those highlights alone almost make me sick. I mean, from the beginning you know the outcome. Lance with be near the top of the pack at the beginnning. He will lose one to two legs of the beginning BIG time. He will close the gap a little. The mountain stretch will begin. Lance with start the first one slow. The next he breezes by them and also by the competition building a huge lead. Lance maybe wins one more leg the rest of the race. He just cruises into victory because of the lead he buildt during the mountain stretches....sorry for the over analyzation.

[Handy Smurf]

As a government organization, how can the USPS get away with sponsoring Lance Armstrong? That seems like something that would be completely outside the structure of appropriate government spending to me

[chuxxter]

As a government organization, how can the USPS get away with sponsoring Lance Armstrong? That seems like something that would be completely outside the structure of appropriate government spending to me
Handy, there not a government run outfit anymore. They were privatized(?). I ride the train with a Postal employee and he informed me of the change.

[Artpunchehorse]

As a government organization, how can the USPS get away with sponsoring Lance Armstrong? That seems like something that would be completely outside the structure of appropriate government spending to me

I got oone even better. The IRL race at kentucky speedway is sponsored by the AMBER Alert Portal

[The_Deacon]

I got oone even better. The IRL race at kentucky speedway is sponsored by the AMBER Alert Portal
No ,,,I got one even better!! There is a little league baseball team in Kentucky that is sposored by Hooters! I played eight years of little league baseball, and the best sponsor I ever wore on my jersey was "RAYS BARBER" :p

[wileE]

So now there is 'evidence' that Lance was drugged up for the first Tour De France he won. The Pres. of the Tour wants an explenation from Lance.

Now, why wasn't this dealt with during the first Tour? Why wasn't the evidence presented during the first Tour? Why is some tabloid coming out with all this and the Tour doesn't have the info? Why did it take 7 years to find this?

Buncha crap.

[Artpunchehorse]

So now there is 'evidence' that Lance was drugged up for the first Tour De France he won. The Pres. of the Tour wants an explenation from Lance.

Now, why wasn't this dealt with during the first Tour? Why wasn't the evidence presented during the first Tour? Why is some tabloid coming out with all this and the Tour doesn't have the info? Why did it take 7 years to find this?

Buncha crap.

I love when it comes to Armstrong people get all defensive yet, these are the same people that call out every baseball player whose HR's are off from last year.

Lance was on something

[wileE]

I love when it comes to Armstrong people get all defensive yet, these are the same people that call out every baseball player whose HR's are off from last year.

Lance was on something
On his bike.

The baseball players are getting testing and the results are fairly immediate (not 6 years later). Do newspapers make a story and the baseball commish uses that as ammunition? Why did it take 6 years for this to come to light? If these tests were from this year, then I wouldn't have any complaints. He got busted. But there have been allegations every year. The tests are always negative.

[the happy prole]

They couldn't accurately test for EPO back in 1999. They can now, so they went back and tested what are purportedly Lance's old samples.

I'm not sure that Lance Armstrong races clean. But I'm pretty sure that Lance cheats no more than any other rider in the Tour.

[chuxxter]

[QUOTE=the happy prole] what are purportedly Lance's old samples.

QUOTE]
O.J. Simpson got away with murder by proving his samples could have been tampered with. Need I say more? Complete bullshit provoked by typical anti-American jealousy and the Media's need to tear down every hero they create. IMHO.

[george]

I love when it comes to Armstrong people get all defensive yet, these are the same people that call out every baseball player whose HR's are off from last year.

Lance was on something

Consider the source. L'Equipe has been accusing Armstrong of doping for years. After he announced this was his last Tour, the paper ran an editorial declaring that "never have we been so happy to see a rider's career end." They hate him -- plain and simple. They have made these accusations before, and been proven wrong.

No reliable or impartial source has confirmed these findings.

[Spoon4613]

Yeah, it's a bunch of crap. Everyone knows the French hate him. I think they'll hold onto his blood forever and test it every time a more sensitive test comes out until they find "something" and make it note worthy. Besides, how do we know it's not a false positive? It could be the 87th test done and this is the only one to come up positive, so they're going to use it.

This whole think smells of deception :rolleyes:

"those sneaky bastages." - Johnny Dangerously (cause lets face it, no one knows that movie)

[the happy prole]

Oh yeah. I think L'Equipe is completely biased and they are out to make Lance Armstrong look bad. I still have my doubts that Armstrong is clean.

My suspicion is that L'Equipe tested Armstrong's sample and it was dirty. But L'Equipe either didn't test or didn't publish the test results of all the other riders which would have showed they were all doing it, too.

[Foofur]

What an incredible stage by Floyd Landis today! Just awesome. I expect him to be in yellow after the time trial on Saturday. Eight years in a row for an American! :D

[the happy prole]

Yeah, that was amazing. It's not over yet, though. I know Landis is good at TT's but you have to think he left a lot out there on the mountains today, riding all that way with no team.

We'll see if it saps too much energy, but he *had* to do that. What a gutsy ride.

[GISRICK]

I think the Team Phonak riders let Floyd Landis down yesterday...But, I am very impressed with his performance today...I can't wait to see it tonight on OLN...

[Sushi]

I'm kind of pulling for Landis more because he's riding this with a decaying hip than because he's American. Until the big doping scandal did a way with a lot of the favorites, I had been eyeing Ullrich or Brasso. Like them both.

Landis could pull this out if his hip doesn't fall off (poor guy--can't imagine how much pain he's in).

Anyone think Hincapie will make a serious move up? He's a smart rider, but I don't know if he has it in him.

[euro60]

Well I didn't dare peak much at this thread dueing the past 3 weeks for fear of getting a result posted when I was plannin on watching it in replay later that day. But now that it's over, couple of random observations:

1. Major kudos to Landis. Who would've given a nickel for his end-voctory after the debacle on Wednesday? I certainly didn't. Thursday's stage was one of the best stages EVAH. And to then round it off in the time trial on Saturday, just beautiful. A well-deserved victory.

2. OLN (excuse me, coming in Stepember: VERSUS) really does a hack job, in particular with the "expanded" prime time edition. I was so disgusted, I almost didn't have the stomach to watch it anymore. Unfortunately, unlike the World Cup (where there was an alternative, namely UNIVISION), there was no alternative for the Tour.

3. One of my friends back Belgium couldn't contain his disappointment that yet another American won the Tour. But he did add that in his opinion Landis showed more guts and aggressiveness than Armstrong ever did in his 7 victories.

4. Would Landis have won had Ulrich, Basso, etc not been banned? Who knows... Bottom line is, Landis was there, and he did whatever it took to win.

Bring on the 2007 Tour!

[1979]

Uh oh...

What happens now? (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2006/news/story?id=2531225)

[euro60]

holy cow!!!! are you kidding me??? wow... I am blown away by this.

[Artpunchehorse]

I'm shocked

[GISRICK]

It's hard to figure how someone seemingly so smart would think he can pass a drug test as simple to take as testosterone...Could be the biggest blow to the Tour ever.

[Sushi]

Wow. I saw the article earlier that said an "unidentified rider" tested positive, but never dreamt it would be Landis. And then you figure, if it is Landis, it's some medication/pain killer for his hip. But testosterone?

Maybe he's just really, really manly.

[gwar469]

let's wait for the 'b' sample until we're casting blame here. it's possible he could have been pumping out high levels of testosterone naturally.

[GISRICK]

As someone who went through a battery of tests for a medical condition (several for testosterone), it is very difficult to spike your testosterone levels without help...even for atheletes...Especially since he is not young pup...32 I think.

[noonan]

As someone who went through a battery of tests for a medical condition (several for testosterone), it is very difficult to spike your testosterone levels without help...even for atheletes...Especially since he is not young pup...32 I think.

But my understanding is that it wasn't a spike in testosterone, but a dip in epitestosterone which caused the suspect ratio. Are there margins of error? Could the high level of exertion in the stage win played any kind of part?

I'm reaching, I know. F***.

[ohmikeodd]

he (Floyd) probably "caught it" from sitting on Lance Armstrong's bicycle seat... you know how those American's are.

suntzu. What happened to your post count? I could swear you had more than 8 the last time we tested. Post counts are low... hummmmm....

[crazybob60]

What a scandal and mess this little ditty has turned out to become. Not only before the race, but now afterwards as well!

[noonan]

I read this and get the feeling this guy knows the tables could have been turned.

Pereiro won't celebrate if given 'bureaucratic win'
July 27, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

VIGO, Spain -- The Spanish cyclist who stands to become Tour de France champion if Floyd Landis is stripped of the title was in no mood to celebrate Thursday.

"Should I win the Tour now it would feel like an academic victory," Oscar Pereiro told the Associated Press. "The way to celebrate a win is in Paris, otherwise it's just a bureaucratic win."

Pereiro finished second behind Landis in the Tour, which concluded Sunday. Landis' Phonak team said Thursday that the American tested positive for high levels of testosterone, and had been suspended pending analysis of his backup sample.

If found guilty of doping, Landis would likely lose the title, with Pereiro moving up to first place.

Oscar Pereiro was at his home in Spain when he heard the news. "While I don't receive a fax confirming a win, I'm not going to celebrate anything," said Pereiro, who rides for the Caisse D'Epargne-Illes Balears team. "I have too much respect for Landis to do otherwise."

Pereiro said it was time to be cautious.

"It hurts a lot, it hurts for Landis and for the sport," he said. "The sport had just been recovering after what happened before the Tour began and this just hurts it when it was beginning to get over the past."

Seven riders -- including pre-race favorites Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso -- were removed from the Tour on the eve of the race after being implicated in a major Spanish doping investigation.

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/letour/2002/img9574234.jpg
Oscar Pereiro, seen here congratulating team doctors on their undetectable anti-inflammatories and precise blood packing, was at his home in Spain when he heard the news. (Getty Images)

[euro60]

What a scandal and mess this little ditty has turned out to become. Not only before the race, but now afterwards as well!
It looks pretty bleak for Floyd Landis... I think pretty much everyone at this point expects the second test to come back the same as the first one... and then Landis will appeal that, but with little expecation that he will retain the Tour de France title... At this point his major concern will be to avoid a 2 year suspension (similar to Tyler Hamilton). Cycling takes doping pretty darn serious. Unlike, say, oh... MLB

[noonan]

Cycling takes doping pretty darn serious. Unlike, say, oh... MLB

On it's face that would seem to be true. The penalties are stiffer. But cycling has been dirtier for longer than any sport I can think of. Maybe sprinting and American football come close.

If Landis' T/E was truly 11:1 (astounding, but some have been caught with more than twice that ratio!) and if there really is evidence it was synthetic then he's a liar or 100% delusional.

[Artpunchehorse]

Please stop Floyd, now he is saying it was because he was dehydrated. What excuse # is this? Like 5? BYE BYE Floyd, you tried. Next time don't get caught

[noonan]

The dehydration angle is absurd, not only because he'd have to be near death for it to even budge the needle on the test, but because he went out of his way after after the stage to say how well hydrated he was. Being on his own gave him unfettered access to the team car. It's all gone now. I don't see why he doesn't just fess up.

[euro60]

Seeing that the backup sample came back positive, it's all but over. No, it IS over... this is a v.sad day for us Tour de France fans,,, Landis will be stripped from his Tour victory and likley be suspended for 2 years (he's already been fired PROMTO from the Phonac team). I wanted to believe, but I am now left with a sense of deep disappointement... and resentment. When will the cheating and the doping end???? <sigh>

[noonan]

The team managers who say they don't know this stuff is going on are liars. With all those transufsions outside a hospital, I can't believe he's not dead or at least had a brush with death. I guess 40k Euros buys you a top notch doc.

One day after the initial report (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/aug06/aug21news) by Danish Politiken, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws has published details of the alleged "doping diary" of Tyler Hamilton, found among the papers of Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.

According to the Belgian media, Hamilton's doping practices in 2003, when he won both Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour de Romandie as well as a stage in the Tour de France despite a collarbone fracture, were extensive and cost him a total of 43,040 Euros.

The paper cites information according to which the then-CSC rider used EPO 30 times between December 2002 and February 2003, as well as anabolic steroids. In the beginning of March 2003, Hamilton allegedly used a pregnancy hormone to cover up the traces of the cure. Two blood transfusions are reported to have been administered to his body two days prior to Paris-Nice, where Hamilton won the mountains jersey.

In April, the American is thought to have used growth hormone and insulin to promote muscle growth. After the Tour de Romandie, the paper claims to have evidence that he transfused three bags of blood (a total of 1.35 litres), returned to normal blood levels with the help of EPO, and re-injected two bags of blood six days before the start of the Dauphiné Libéré.

Another growth hormone cure came after the race according to the media, as well as several blood transfusions in the count down to the Tour de France. The information gathered even points at a blood transfusion on the day of the medical control at the start of the Grand Tour, and twice during the race.

[euro60]

Het Laatste Nieuws is a pretty good newspaper. Not a tabloid or anything. So I'd have to give this report creedence.

[noonan]

How does one go about getting a blood transfusion during a bicycle race?

Anytime between the start of the first stage and end of the final stage, you pedantic ninny. :p

[euro60]

Earlier today I was reading one of the sports websites of the old country (Belgium), and there was a pretty amazing story. None other than Eddy Merckx, the Cannibal, now states that "the Landis matter was an error" and he believes that Landis did not dope.

(You may remember that Eddy's son Axel, was part of Floyd Landis' team in the Tour de France.)

Eddy Merckx, arguably the best cyclist EVER, continues to have an enormous influence in the cycling world. For him to come out and publicly defend Landis, he would not do that unless he really felt something was not right...

Here a link to the story: http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/sporza/nnII_sporza_start/index.shtml

[Foofur]

This kicks off tomorrow with the Prologue in England. Vinokurov is the favorite with Kloeden and Leipheimer in the hunt. Should be an interesting Tour with many out due to the ever-going doping scandal.

[euro60]

This kicks off tomorrow with the Prologue in England. Vinokurov is the favorite with Kloeden and Leipheimer in the hunt. Should be an interesting Tour with many out due to the ever-going doping scandal.
Yes indeed. I'll be watching (ok, perhaps not the prologue...)

Picking up on my earlier post of October 6, I read yesterday that Lance Armstrong now is on record and stated that Landis is innocent, but that the US Cycling Commission (or whatever their name is) will suspend him anyway.

ETA: It was in the Austin, TX newspaper earlier this week:


Armstrong: Landis is innocent of doping

ASPEN, Colo. — Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said he believes that last year's winner Floyd Landis did not dope but likely will lose his arbitration case against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Landis, who agreed not to defend his title this month, tested positive for synthetic testosterone after a dramatic and decisive win in the Tour's 17th stage last year. After a 10-day hearing in May, Landis is awaiting the decision of the arbitration panel, which must decide whether to uphold the positive doping test.

"I think conventional wisdom is that he will lose (his arbitration hearing), because USADA has never lost a case," said Armstrong, the guest speaker Tuesday at an Aspen Ideas Festival health forum discussion that former CBS anchor Bob Schieffer moderated.

"The arbitrators don't ever rule for the athletes," Armstrong said, according a story in Wednesday's edition of The Aspen Times. "Quite frankly, the system is set up against the athletes. Unfortunately for him, I don't think he did it. That's always been my position and still is today."

Armstrong is again the subject of doping allegations in a soon-to-be-published book, "From Lance to Landis." Much of the material in the new book is based on testimony given in a legal dispute between Armstrong and Dallas-based company SCA Promotions, which had a bonus contract with the cyclist.

Armstrong repeatedly has denied doping allegations against him both in court and the public arena.

And Tuesday he defended cycling's commitment to testing.

"If you went to Major League Baseball and said, 'We're going to have random, unannounced, out-of-competition controls,' they would tell you, 'You're crazy. No way, we're not playing another game.' The NFL, they would never do that. NHL, no way. Golf, forget it. Tennis, forget it. Of course, cyclists get tested more than anything else, and perhaps that's why they get caught more than anyone else."


___

July 4, 2007 - 10:03 p.m. EDT

[GISRICK]

I will be watching...always do...

[Artpunchehorse]

Is a US guy going to win this thing?

If not, I have no interest

[Foofur]

Is a US guy going to win this thing?

If not, I have no interest
Root for Levi Leipheimer on Discovery. He is the GC contender for the team and does well in the mountains. I'm just not sure anyone can beat Vinokurov this year. Since his team wasn't selected last year, he be gunning this year.

[Artpunchehorse]

Root for Levi Leipheimer on Discovery. He is the GC contender for the team and does well in the mountains. I'm just not sure anyone can beat Vinokurov this year. Since his team wasn't selected last year, he be gunning this year.

Get Levi on the Landis and Lance juice

[Foofur]

AMERICAN RIDERS
Name Team No Participations* Best Finish
George Hincapie Discovery Channel 12 14th in 2005
Chris Horner Predictor - Lotto 3 33rd in 2005
Levi Leipheimer Discovery Channel 6 6th in 2005
Fred Rodriguez Predictor - Lotto 7 86th in 2000
Christian Vandevelde Team CSC 5 56th in 2004
David Zabriskie Team CSC 3 never finished

[Artpunchehorse]

AMERICAN RIDERS
Name Team No Participations* Best Finish
George Hincapie Discovery Channel 12 14th in 2005
Chris Horner Predictor - Lotto 3 33rd in 2005
Levi Leipheimer Discovery Channel 6 6th in 2005
Fred Rodriguez Predictor - Lotto 7 86th in 2000
Christian Vandevelde Team CSC 5 56th in 2004
David Zabriskie Team CSC 3 never finished

So David and me have the same amount of finishes?

[JesusPresley]

Hincapie is fifth overall after six stages. Means nothing, everyone knows this race is won/lost in the mountains.

[Artpunchehorse]

Hincapie is fifth overall after six stages. Means nothing, everyone knows this race is won/lost in the mountains.

Or the needle

[Foofur]

Leipheimer has stayed out of trouble so far, but Vinokourov and Kloeden got into trouble yesterday with their crashes. That is good for the other GC contenders. The mountains start tomorrow and then we'll see who rises to the top.

[GISRICK]

Live Tracker...My work friend:

http://www.ubilabs.net/tourdefrance/

[Foofur]

That's a slick link. I may try that tomorrow.

Rasmussen is looking pretty good in the mountains, but he is not a time trialer. Still someone will need to put a dent into his time soon. I think Vinokurov is done since his accident.

[weeone]

The guys are rolling through Montpellier this Thursday and Friday ... :)

[GISRICK]

The guys are rolling through Montpellier this Thursday and Friday ... :)
I assume you will witness it live..

[drougan]

Did I just watch Christian Vandenvelde take a shortcut on that live tracker?

:confused:

[GISRICK]

Did I just watch Christian Vandenvelde take a shortcut on that live tracker?

:confused:
missed it...I was in a meeting about an app we are building that will feed Google Transit.

[drougan]

missed it...I was in a meeting about an app we building that will feed Google Transit.

It looked like he took Chemin de Vin around the south side of Saint Gilles while the route (and Sergio Paulinho) goes through the town.

It could have been a last minute route change, I guess. Vandevelde shows up as being GPS tracked while Paulinho is an estimated position.

[GISRICK]

It looked like he took Chemin de Vin around the south side of Saint Gilles while the route (and Sergio Paulinho) goes through the town.

It could have been a last minute route change, I guess. Vandevelde shows up as being GPS tracked while Paulinho is an estimated position.
I'm into following the T-Mobile Teamcar...I'm all about teamcars...not so much riders...I'll pulling for Team Astana teamcar.

[GISRICK]

he's at it again...going off course...that vandervelde

[Foofur]

Now allegations that Rasmussen was doping. Is anybody clean anymore?

[mistergugi]

Now allegations that Rasmussen was doping. Is anybody clean anymore?I suspect it's more that no one is wittingly doping but they are taking stuff that helps them. In otherwords, it's like going to a store and buying creatin and this-a-tin and that-a-mopheaus. People tell them, "hey, you should try this cream - it's clean and it'll help you." They aren't purposefully taking anything illegal but they are treading so close to the line that when you are tested incessantly you are bound to have something that shows up as fishy. And then you leave it to the french labs (notoriously sloppy) and suddenly you're ousted.

Does that make sense? I think it's the whole system of taking legal stuff to help you out but accidentally toying with something that you didn't realize. In cycling they get tested so much and it's such a big deal - how could anyone really think they could get away with knowingly doping?

[Foofur]

Vinokourov tests positive; Astana withdraws from Tour
By VeloNews.com
This report filed July 24, 2007

Vinokourov tested positive for homologous blood doping after his time trial win on Saturday

Double stage victor Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)learned Tuesday that he had tested positive for homologous blood doping following his victory in Saturday's individual time trial.

Vinokourov and his Astana team have reportedly withdrawn from the Tour.

The 33-year-old had lost all chance of winning the Tour with a dismal performance in Sunday's 14th stage but then bounced back to take Monday's 15th stage in the Pyrenees.

Vinokourov, whose performance in Monday's stage was feted in the French press with headlines such as the 'Courage of 'Vino'', had been criticised before the Tour by UCI president Pat McQuaid for his association with Italian sports doctor Michele Ferrari.

McQuaid refused to make any statement on the matter until probably the B sample had been tested.

"I can't comment on it. We have to follow the rules," said the Irishman, who like predecessor Hein Verbruggen has now seen a team pull out of the world's most famous cycling race over a drugs scandal - Festina having been kicked off the Tour in 1998.

If Vinokourov's B sample comes back positive, Aussie Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) would be declared the winner of stage 13.

Vinokourov becomes the first cyclist to test positive for homologous blood doping - the injection of an other person's red blood cells - since American Tyler Hamilton and Spaniard Santi Perez were found positive for the banned technique in 2004.

Vinokourov's Astana confirmed that the Kazakh star tested positive for blood doping.

"The anti-doping control on Alexandre Vinokourov, which was carried out on July 21 after the time trial in Albi, has tested positive," read a statement released by the Kazakh team. "According to the ethical code of the Astana Cycling Team Alexandre Vinokourov has been suspended from the team with immediate effect. The rider has asked nevertheless for a B sample analysis.

"Informed by the Astana management, the organisers of the Tour de France invited the team to withdraw, which was immediately accepted."

Quick reaction
The news spread through the Tour press corps like an electrical current.

Journalists were attending a Saunier Duval-Prodir team press conference about the team's charity program to plant 1 million trees in Mali when the first story moved across the wire: Vinokourov positive for blood doping.

David Millar was the first rider to react to the news: "Jesus Christ - there you go, that's my quote," he blurted out. "What timing, huh? This is just fucking great."

Addressing Irish sportswriter Paul Kimmage, a former cyclist who exposed doping in pro cycling his 1990 book "Rough Ride" and made waves this year when he challenged Vinokourov for working with notorious trainer Michele Ferrari at Astana's pre-race press conference, Millar said, "Well there you go, Paul."

"I wanted to believe it was a really good day [for Vinokourov]. It makes me very sad. Vino is one of my favorite riders. He's one of the most beautiful riders in the peloton. If a guy of his stature and class has done that, we all might as well pack our bags and go home right now."

Millar later backpedaled on that statement, saying, "The Tour de France should go on. If it stops, I would have to retire tomorrow."

"The irony here is that I was hoping to make an announcement today about my future plans," Millar said, likely referring to rumors that next year he will ride for Slipstream Sports, the strict anti-doping squad run by Jonathan Vaughters.

"I have some projects in the works. I am hoping to work with young riders, to show them that you don't have to dope to succeed."

Millar broke down into tears when he was asked by British journalist Jeremy Whittle if he was all right, saying, "I just feel like crying right now."

[euro60]

Vinokourov tests positive; Astana withdraws from Tour
Holy cow... I simply cannot freaking believe it. How stupid can one be???? :mad: :( :eek: How many more skeletons are there in the Tour closet? It's just beyond me at this point.

ETA: And for all we know, we may not see much more of Rasmussen too:

Denmark Olympic officials back cycling union on ban

Associated Press

Updated: July 24, 2007, 1:20 PM ET

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Olympic Committee has backed the Danish cycling union's decision to drop Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen from the national team.

The union, known as DCU, kicked Rasmussen off the national team last week for failing to tell anti-doping officials of his whereabouts for drug-testing.

Niels Nygaard, the chairman of the National Olympic Committee, said Tuesday that "we support that [ban]," but that a final decision on whether to exclude Rasmussen from next year's Olympics in Beijing has not been made.

"But the naming of an Olympic team will of course be made in cooperation with the DCU," Nygaard said in a statement. "And when we decide which people can compete in the Olympics, one can imagine that we will also look at ethical issues."

The DCU had previously said Rasmussen cannot represent Denmark at the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, in September.

"There is a very big problem right now with international cycling," Nygaard said. "It is totally normal to be on your toes."

Rasmussen received a warning on June 29 from the International Cycling Union because he missed random drug tests on May 8 and June 28. Anti-doping officials sought to contact Rasmussen but he had not informed them of his whereabouts and was reportedly training in Mexico.

Danish federation and international rules require cyclists to keep officials informed of their whereabouts for possible unannounced doping tests.

Lance Armstrong said he had no sympathy for cyclists who fail to report their whereabouts for drug tests.

"It's 2007, everyone's accessible by cell phone, e-mail or Blackberry," Armstrong told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "I declared where I was 365 days a year. Everybody has to play by the same rules."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Foofur]

Another rider tests positive and another team leaves the Tour:

Moreni and Cofidis leave Tour
By VeloNews.com
Filed: July 25, 2007 at 06:26 A.M. EST

Moreni leaves the Tour in the company of the gendarmes


photo: AFP


Cofidis confirmed Wednesday that its entire team will leave the Tour de France after rider Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone after last week's 11th stage.

Moreni was officially thrown out of the race following the 16th stage after being told he had tested positive for testosterone.

Cofidis officials, announced they will forgo their right to ask for analysis of a 'B' sample, also accepted the Tour's "invitation" to withdraw from the race, becoming the second team in 24 hours to exit France's national tour.

The Kazakh-backed Astana team exited the race under a cloud on Wednesday following Alexandre Vinokourov's positive test for blood doping. It is the third official doping case to be announced at the Tour, which ends this Sunday in Paris.

Germany's Patrik Sinkewitz tested positive for testosterone, although the T-Mobile rider's control was carried out in June, so his team has been allowed to remain in the race.

Sinkewitz was in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained in a crash in the Alps when he heard of the news.

Vinokourov left the Tour, but told reporters near his home in Monaco that he believes that injuries sustained in a stage-5 crash may have triggered the positive test. Vinokourov did not receive a blood transfusion from doctors treating his injuries.

[markalot]

How can these guys be that dumb? I just don't get it.

[Foofur]

They need a lifetime ban for these people. It is about the only way they'll not risk it.

[the happy prole]

Rasmussen gone.

Man, this is a great race. :rolleyes:

[euro60]

Holy cow... I simply cannot freaking believe it. How stupid can one be???? :mad: :( :eek: How many more skeletons are there in the Tour closet? It's just beyond me at this point.

ETA: And for all we know, we may not see much more of Rasmussen too
Rasmussen... a goner... after winning today's stage... wow

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2007/news/story?id=2949116

Team dumps Rasmussen for violation of 'internal rules'

Associated Press

Updated: July 25, 2007, 9:48 PM ET

One of it's biggest stars is already gone, and now so is the leader of the Tour de France.

Michael Rasmussen was removed from the race by his Rabobank team after winning Wednesday's stage, a day after Alexandre Vinokourov and his team withdrew when the star cyclist tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

"Michael Rasmussen has been sent home for violating [the team's] internal rules," Rabobank spokesman Jacob Bergsma told The Associated Press by phone.

The expulsion, which Bergsma said was ordered by the Dutch team's sponsor, was linked to "incorrect" information that Rasmussen gave to the team's sports director over his whereabouts last month. Rasmussen missed random drug tests May 8 and June 28, saying he was in Mexico. But a former rider, Davide Cassani, told Denmark's Danmarks Radio on Wednesday that he had seen Rasmussen in Italy in mid-June.

Another Tour de France, another scandal as leader Michael Rasmussen was removed from the race by his team. As cycling tries to rid itself of doping, drug scandals continue to rock the sport. What do you think SportsNation? Are you shocked by Wednesday's news? Vote

Only once before in the history of the 104-year-old Tour has the race leader been expelled. In 1978, Belgian rider Michel Pollentier, trying to evade doping controls after winning a stage at the Alpe d'Huez in the Alps, was caught with an intricate tube-and-container system that contained urine that was not his, said Tour historian Jean-Paul Brouchon.

Rasmussen, who has led since July 15 and looked set to win the race which ends on Sunday in Paris, could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

But just hours before he was kicked out of the Tour, the 33-year-old told the AP he was being victimized.

"Of course I'm clean," Rasmussen said, after a doping test following Wednesday's stage win. "Like I said, I've been tested 17 times now in less than two weeks. Both the peloton and the public, they're just taking their frustration out on me now. I mean, all I can say is that by now I had my test number 17 on this Tour, and all of those have come back negative. I don't feel I can do anymore than that."

Although Rasmussen has not tested positive, some fellow cyclists had openly voiced their skepticism about him.

Fans booed Rasmussen at the start of Wednesday's stage, and mostly French teams staged a protest to express disgust at the doping scandals that have left cycling's credibility in tatters. As the starter's flag came down, dozens of protesting riders stood still as Rasmussen, ace sprinter Tom Boonen and several others began riding away.

Some riders were forced to lift up their bicycles to get around their protesting colleagues, who eventually rejoined the race after causing a 13-minute delay. But the message was sent.

"We're fed up," AG2R rider Ludovic Turpin of France told Eurosport television.

Tour organizers said Tuesday they would have stopped Rasmussen from taking part in the race had they known about the missed tests before the July 7 start.

"We cannot say that Rasmussen cheated, but his flippancy and his lies on his whereabouts had become unbearable," Tour director Christian Prudhomme said.

The leader of cycling's governing body applauded the decision.

"My immediate reaction is, why didn't they do this at the end of June, when they had the same information," International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid said.

"The team decided to pull him out -- that's their prerogative. I can only applaud that. It's a zero-tolerance policy, and it's a lesson for the future."

With Rasmussen out, Spanish rider Alberto Contador of the Discovery Channel team moved into the lead. Australian Cadel Evans, who rides for Predictor-Lotto, moved up to second, with U.S. rider Levi Leipheimer, also with Discovery, now third.

"It's in no way a celebration on our end. It's the third piece of bad news," said Discovery Channel spokesman P.J. Rabice. "It reflects badly on our sport."

Bergsma said the Rabobank team, which has suspended Rasmussen, had not decided yet whether its other riders would take the start Thursday in Pau. Its next best rider was Michael Boogerd of the Netherlands, 16th and about 28 minutes behind Contador.

After the Tour's upbeat start in London, when millions of spectators lined streets to watch, bad news -- nearly all of it related to doping -- quickly dominated.

German rider Patrick Sinkewitz crashed into a spectator then was revealed to have failed a drug test in training before the Tour, and Vinokourov was sent home after testing positive for a banned blood transfusion. On Wednesday, as Rasmussen was riding toward his stage 16 win, the Cofidis squad confirmed its Italian rider Cristian Moreni failed a doping test, prompting the withdrawal of the entire squad.

Police detained Moreni after he finished the stage and searched the hotel where his Cofidis team was staying. Results from the raid weren't expected until Thursday. France has tough laws against trafficking in doping products.

Cofidis manager Eric Boyer said Moreni "accepted his wrongdoing" and waived his right for a follow-up test to confirm the results of the first, which was positive for the male hormone testosterone.

All this talk of doping prompted Jean-Francois Lamour, vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, to suggest the sport should be yanked from the Olympics. German public broadcasters have stopped airing the race, and one of Switzerland's biggest newspapers stopped writing about it. The daily Tages Anzeiger said on its Web site Wednesday it will limit its coverage to results and doping stories.

Tom Lund, chairman of the Danish Cycling Union, said Rabobank "did they right thing, because it is a situation that no serious team cannot live with."

"It is an unfortunate situation for Danish cycling, for international cycling."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mistergugi]

Yeah, I'm getting tired of the Tour and the doping and all that, too. The only positive thing I can think of here is that with Rasmussen out, it puts someone from the Discovery Channel team in the lead. Being as the Discovery Channel is pretty much the only sponser I've even heard of, I think that's pretty cool.


But in the end, I don't care.

[Foofur]

DING DING DING - the dope-a-meter sounds off again...

News Flash: Mayo tests positive
Filed: July 30, 2007
Spanish climbing specialist Iban Mayo became the latest rider to fail a drugs test after it was revealed he had tested positive for EPO during the Tour de France, it was announced by his Saunier Duval team on Monday.

The 29-year-old, who finished 16th in the Tour, which finished on Sunday, has been suspended by his team.

"The Saunier Duval team was notified by the UCI that Iban Mayo had tested positive for EPO following a test on July 24 which was a rest day on the Tour de France," read a statement on the team's website.

The statement added that the team suspended Mayo immediately and would sack him if the B sample confirmed the positive test.

If it is confirmed Mayo would be the third rider to have tested positive on the Tour. Pre-race favourite Alexander Vinokourov was thrown out of the race last Tuesday for homologous blood doping while veteran Cristian Moreni was ejected the day after for failing a testosterone test.

Race leader Michael Rasmussen - whose participation had been queried in any case because of missing four dope tests in the past 18 months - was thrown out by his Rabobank team last Wednesday for lying about his whereabouts in June - he said he had been in Mexico, when he had been sighted in Italy.

It is not the first time Mayo has been implicated in a doping story as last month he was suspected of having failed a test in the Giro d'Italia. However, he was cleared by the UCI.

Mayo was reported to have tested positive for testosterone, the banned male sex hormone which snared Floyd Landis on his way to victory in last year's Tour de France. But the UCI said in a statement that Mayo, who was tested following his victory on the 19th stage to Terme di Comano, had not breached doping rules.

[euro60]

holy cow... where will it stop already???? :eek: :mad:

http://americaninathens.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/nodoping.gif

[euro60]

And now for the latest in Le Tour de Dope:

Expert claims Tour winner Contador doped

Associated Press

Updated: July 31, 2007, 4:23 PM ET

BERLIN -- German authorities said Tuesday they have received documents from doping expert Werner Franke that he claims show Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was involved in doping.

Franke said he has documents from last year's Operation Puerto doping investigation in Spain that show Contador, a Spaniard who won the doping-marred Tour on Sunday, had taken HMG-Lepori as a testosterone booster and an asthma product called TGN.

"We can confirm we have received the documents, and they will be incorporated into procedures of the district attorney's office," Christian Brockert, spokesman for Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, told The Associated Press.

Brockert said the federal office will meet with the district attorney's office deemed to be responsible and assess the documents.

Contador, who rides for the Discovery Channel team, missed the 2006 Tour when his former team, Liberty, was disqualified because he and four other riders -- plus the team director and doctor -- were allegedly linked to Operation Puerto.

The Spanish doping investigation is one of the largest scandals in cycling history -- at least 50 riders are suspected of getting sophisticated drug services, including blood doping, from a Madrid clinic.

Contador said Saturday his name mistakenly turned up in the Puerto file.

"I was in the wrong team at the wrong time and somehow my name got among the documents," Contador said, adding cycling's governing body corrected the mistake.

He hasn't failed a doping test.

Franke, a molecular biologist, made his reputation by researching the systematic sports doping that turned the former East Germany into an Olympic powerhouse. He has clashed with Jan Ullrich, another rider linked to Operation Puerto.

A German court imposed a gag order on Franke for publicly naming how much the 1997 Tour winner paid the Madrid clinic, also based on documents from the investigation. It was believed there wasn't enough evidence establishing Ullrich, who has denied doping, as a customer.

But the case is headed back to court, because Ullrich's DNA samples since have been matched to blood bags seized at the Madrid clinic.

"They weren't doing that for free," Franke said.

He isn't the first to say he possesses copies of the Operation Puerto investigation in which Contador's name surfaces. France's Le Monde newspaper, along with several German ones, have printed parts of documents. More than a week ago, Germany's Bild and Suddeutsche Zeitung printed documents that purport to show the customers of the Madrid clinic.

The initials A.C. were listed, surrounded by other initials that matched up with Liberty riders.

Franke apparently has acquired other documents, saying only he got them "in my briefcase" while Spanish police weren't watching.

"I have the things in front of me; I can directly decipher them, what [drugs] were taken, because I also am in possession of the records of the house search of this Dr. Fuentes," Franke said.

Copies of the Operation Puerto investigation have surfaced so often in Germany that at one point a Web site -- unrelated to any legal body -- ran excerpts translated into German.

Doping allegations and suspicions have devastated the 2007 Tour. Three riders, including former overall leader Michael Rasmussen, and two teams were expelled during the three-week race. The International Cycling Union, however, considers the expulsions a sign the organization did its job.

"The 2007 Tour de France suffered greatly from doping problems," the UCI said in a statement Tuesday. "This was directly related to the significant increase in the number of anti-doping controls."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[euro60]

Johan Bruyneel, the team manager of the US Postal Service and the Discovery Channel teams is retiring from it all (http://www2.vrtnieuws.net/cm/vrtnieuws.net/sporza/wielrennen/070810_Bruyneel_stopt). The man won the Tour 8 times, 7 with Armstrong and this year with Contador. The record speaks for itself. A giant among team managers, that's for sure.

[wileE]

Johan Bruyneel, the team manager of the US Postal Service and the Discovery Channel teams is retiring from it all (http://www2.vrtnieuws.net/cm/vrtnieuws.net/sporza/wielrennen/070810_Bruyneel_stopt). The man won the Tour 8 times, 7 with Armstrong and this year with Contador. The record speaks for itself. A giant among team managers, that's for sure.
There are a lot of typos in that article. It's so bad I can't even read it.

[mistergugi]

There are a lot of typos in that article. It's so bad I can't even read it.Appropriate for cycling, don't you think?

[euro60]

There are a lot of typos in that article. It's so bad I can't even read it.
You're just making that up. And for the record: No, there aren't THAT many! :D

[wileE]

You're just making that up. And for the record: No, there aren't THAT many! :D
I was making a joke. Since the article is in a foreign language and I have no clue what most of those words mean, I was attributing my lack of being able to read it to a lot of misspelling.

[Foofur]

Also Discovery is pulling out as a sponsor at the end of the season. Rumor has it that next year's Tour will be half-filled by national teams.

[euro60]

Also Discovery is pulling out as a sponsor at the end of the season.
If you had read the link in post #88, that would've been clear by now :p

Rumor has it that next year's Tour will be half-filled by national teams.
That would be horrible! That truly may be what sinks the sport.

[Foofur]

T-Mobile quits cycling over doping

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Deutsche Telekom AG is ending its 16-year sponsorship of professional cycling because of a series of doping cases.

German Jan Ullrich, center, and Kazakh Alexandre Vinokourov, left, were high-pofile riders for T-Mobile.

The telecommunications company has sponsored a team since 1991. Recently known as T-Mobile, it was considered one of the top teams on the ProTour.

"We arrived at this decision to separate our brand from further exposure from doping in sport and cycling specifically," Deutsche Telekom said in a statement Tuesday.

Former T-Mobile rider Patrik Sinkewitz said doping occurred both before and after Jan Ullrich was a member of the team.

Deutsche Telekom only recently agreed to honor its sponsorship contract until 2010, but reserved the right to terminate it at any time.

"This was a difficult decision given our long history of support for professional cycling and the efforts of Bob Stapleton in managing the team in 2007," said Hamid Akhavan, a Telekom board member and CEO of T-Mobile International.

"We have an obligation to our employees, customers and shareholders to focus our attention and resources on our core businesses," Akhavan added.

"We have worked very hard with the current team management to promote a clean cycling sport but we reached the decision to continue our efforts to rid all sports of doping by applying our resources in other directions."

Akhavan said the company's decision was not based on any disagreement with team management.

Stapleton said he hoped the team would continue to compete despite the loss of sponsorship.

"We hope to go forward independently with the team to achieve our goals of continued competitive success and being a leader in anti-doping efforts in professional cycling," Stapleton said.

[Foofur]

Here we are, almost on the eve of the 2009 Tour de France. I would have to say that Astana is heavily favored having, Leipheimer, Contador, Kloeden and Armstrong. I'm interested to see how this turns out.

[euro60]

I'm ready for another Tour de France!

Was at Barnes & Nobles yesterday and saw the 'official' 2009 Tour magazine, so I flipped through it. Very few mountain stages this year. Only 2 finish on top of a mountain: the Friday July 17 stage, and then the Saturday July 25 stage (yes, the next-to-last day), finishing on top of Mont Vendoux!!! Wow. But like I said, no mountain stages to speak off this year. 2 individual time trials and one team time trial.

Astana obviously holds all the cards. If they can avoid internal bickering, someone from that team *should* win. According to several sources, Armstrong is only the 3rd best rider on the team (behind Contador and Leipheimer)... Should provide some good motivation to Amrstrong to prove everyone wrong again. Until proven wrong, I've gotta go with Armstrong.

[Foofur]

It's starting to get interesting. Levi Leipheimer is out today after falling yesterday and breaking his wrist. He could have been a big boost for Lance Armstrong next week. It is essentially going to come down to the climbs in the Alps next week. Should be fun to watch.

[euro60]

It's starting to get interesting. Levi Leipheimer is out today after falling yesterday and breaking his wrist. He could have been a big boost for Lance Armstrong next week. It is essentially going to come down to the climbs in the Alps next week. Should be fun to watch.

The Tour really starts for good on Sunday, when that day's stage ends on top of a mountain. Monday = rest day. Tuesday more mountains. Thursday is the long individual time trial. And Saturday (next to last day) is THE MOST DIFFICULT STAGE OF THEM ALL, arriving on top of Mont Ventoux. What a week this should be!!!!!

http://www.cyclosouvenir.be/gfx/Mont_ventoux_summit.jpg

[drougan]

It's starting to get interesting. Levi Leipheimer is out today after falling yesterday and breaking his wrist. He could have been a big boost for Lance Armstrong next week. It is essentially going to come down to the climbs in the Alps next week. Should be fun to watch.

damn...

Sucks to see Leipheimer go.

Nice the see the Garmin/Slipstream guys mixing it up in the top 10 though.

[Homsar]

Can't believe Armstrong is up there AGAIN. Insane.

[weezer6]

lance may have to check contador, and try to flat out beat him in the itt. he can't get jumped in the mountains like he did earlier, because then he'll be stuck, unless he throws team tactics out the window and just follows contador.

it does suck that levi is out, because i think he would have been a good team ally for lance. there has been plenty of climbing, but i don't like that the stages end on a downhill. i like the stud test factor of having to grit it out up a big ass mountain.

i do like it when the weather is a little tough, and it's windy. breaks the peloton up a bit. it's pretty cool when you have a large group chasing a large group.

[euro60]

lance may have to check contador, and try to flat out beat him in the itt. he can't get jumped in the mountains like he did earlier, because then he'll be stuck, unless he throws team tactics out the window and just follows contador.


That pretty much sums it up right there.

Team manager Johan Bruyneel is gonna earn his money in the next week!!!!

[Foofur]

From Armstrong's comments it looks like Contador has this in the bag. He will be his teammate and keep other contenders at bay throughout the Alps. Unless Armstrong is playing coy and saved more energy by not going all out on Verbier, I think it is over. Of course the next to last stage is a mountaintop finish up Mt. Ventoux. Expect more fun next Saturday.

[euro60]

Watched today's stage and I won't lie, my heart sank a little when Contador attacked. And then seeing Armstrong struggle.

Let's face it: Contador was unstoppable today, and Lance was not, in fact he was hurting. Unless Lance is somehow able to make up the 1'45'' (and tag on more) in the individual time trial on Thursday, this is all but over. No, this IS over.

All that aside, Lance is in 2nd place in the overall standings. For a 37 yr. old coming back after 3 1/2 years away from the sport, there is nothing to be ashamed about that. In fact, it's nothing short of remarkable.

Other note: the Astana team has 3 of the top 4 spots in the overall standings (Contador, Armstrong, Kloden). Talk about dominating.

[euro60]

If there's one thing that Armstrong's amazing run taught all of us is that the Tour is a team endeavor. Strategy, tactics, strength in numbers matter.
Very true. Team manager Johan Bryneel is earning his money by keeping all these guys (with sizable egos) in line for the one thing that matters: a Tour victory by someone from the team.

[weezer6]

i think, in the last few days, lance has looked pretty strong. it's looked pretty obvious that he could give contador a run for the money, better than anyone else in the tour could. but he's been putting the team first, then when things look good for the team, he's taken his own opportunities.

i was hoping that contador would have succeeded in his last attack, because had he done so, lance could have been given the green light to bridge the gap to the schleck bros. lance hauled some severe ass up the last 2k or so, and i really would have liked to see how things would have gone, had he been able to do that a little sooner, but once again, team first.

hopefully, since it looked like he tackled today without cooking himself, he can kick a little ass tomorrow in the time trial. it's a long one, with a decent section of uphill, and you never know. he should crush the schlecks, and if he has an inspired performance, he could eat into contador's time. contador beat lance in the earlier itt, but he did go a little later in the lineup, and had the benefit of having time goals to shoot for.

hopefully, after tomorrow, lance will be solidly in second, without having too much pressure to defend contador, and they can go mano y mano for the last two days. i seriously think he has a chance, the way he's ridden the last two days. he's probably the only dude who has a chance to beat contador.

[weezer6]

hopefully, is one of my favorite lead in words, it appears.

[Foofur]

I'm thinking Armstrong needs more seasoned training to be as competitive, but you can't fault him for his performance. I haven't watch yesterday's or today's stages, but have read some updates. Keep in mind that Armstrong was tenth in the opening Individual Time Trial and Contador was just nipped for first place. We'll have to see how everyone's legs are tomorrow. Those climbs can surely soften a guy up. Regardless, it'll still be fun to watch.

[OldManIndieKid]

Contador is a selfish little puke. He may be a great rider, but he's no leader. I hope the rumors of team shake-ups and sponsorships for next year's tour are true and Contador ends up having to ride on a team where he has no support and gets gassed.

[euro60]

Contador is a selfish little puke. He may be a great rider, but he's no leader. I hope the rumors of team shake-ups and sponsorships for next year's tour are true and Contador ends up having to ride on a team where he has no support and gets gassed.

I heard from a friend in Belgium today that it was rumored in the press there that Johan Bryneel (Astana team manager, and a Belgian) and Lance Armstrong (and long time friends of course) will split off and build a new team. Wouldn't that be something...

As to Contador, you can call him many things, prob deserved, but he's the best right now, nobody can question that.

The individual time trial tomorrow will be very interesting. Has Armstrong enough in him to get back in the top 3 overall standings? (and of course there is still the monster climb to follow on Saturday)

[OldManIndieKid]

I heard from a friend in Belgium today that it was rumored in the press there that Johan Bryneel (Astana team manager, and a Belgian) and Lance Armstrong (and long time friends of course) will split off and build a new team. Wouldn't that be something...And woot....there it is:

Radio Shack announced it will be the primary sponsor for Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel's new cycling team.

"Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France," the company said in a statement.

Armstrong is currently riding for the Astana team and was third overall in the Tour de France after Thursday's time trial.

[euro60]

And woot....there it is:

Radio Shack announced it will be the primary sponsor for Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel's new cycling team.

"Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France," the company said in a statement.

Armstrong is currently riding for the Astana team and was third overall in the Tour de France after Thursday's time trial.

I guess this means Armstrong is coming back to the Tour next year then,,, Awesome.

That said, Contador is truly the best this year. Great victory for him today.

[Foofur]

Fun Tour to watch although not too many fireworks other than what will be building over the next year between Armstrong and Contador. Contador may have the legs, but Armstrong will have the brains and will build a solid team around him, so it will be neat to see who comes into the fold. I can expect Levi Leipheimer to join the mix. Not sure if Hincapie is still under contract (probably since it was his first year with Columbia). Regardless, the anticipation will be building over the winter.

[Artpunchehorse]

Guess Lance played it clean this year. Too bad.

[the happy prole]

In the end, the best rider won.

I feel two ways about Contador. One is that he is a pretty lousy team mate. It's true he got badly shafted by Astana, but the guy he ended up hurting was not Armstrong but Kloden. And Kloden helped everyone. If you sign up to be part of a team, you have to play as a team. Contador did not.

But OTOH, the whole teamwork thing is kind of stupid. The strongest rider should be the one that wins, and Contador was the strongest rider. I wish we could go back to the days when it was still more-or-less an individual event, with a guy having maybe 1-2 domestiques instead of this whole team-oriented thing. In which case Contador would have blown everyone away. And after all the careful choreography from all the teams in the end that's kind of what happened anyway.

Props to Armstrong for an amazing performance, but he needs to stop with the whining already. I respect the guy a lot, but I HATE the way he races. It's really kind of lame that the major drama was not over who was the best rider, but rather who was going to be a bigger diva and might screw themselves over. It's a bike race not a drama fest.

To me, if Armstrong really wants to burnish his rep what he should do is win another one of the Grand Tours and show everyone he can do more than just spend his entire year racing to win one event. But he can't touch Contador unless he does just that. The fact is, Armstrong is a top 5-10 racer with enough sponsorship to finish top 3. But just being top 5 is insane at his age. I really wish he would have stuck to his supposed original plan and just ridden as a super domestique. Astana still would have given him a podium place, there would have been a lot less silly drama and the race would have been more fun to watch.

[OldManIndieKid]

And the fire for next year has been stoked already.

My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will," the 26-year-old Spaniard admitted.

"It was a delicate situation, very tense, the two riders who had most weight on the team did not have an easy relationship and that puts the rest of the technical staff and the riders in an uncomfortable position," he added.

[Foofur]

And the fire for next year has been stoked already.

I think Contador just put gasoline on the fire. Just step back and enjoy the show.

Tweets from lance today regarding Ac's comments:

lancearmstrong hey pistolero, there is no "i" in "team". what did i say in March? Lots to learn. Restated.

lancearmstrong Seeing these comments from AC. If I were him I'd drop this drivel and start thanking his team. w/o them, he doesn't win.

[the happy prole]

meh. What's Armstrong going to do about it? Brunyeel clearly preferred Armstrong and wanted him to win. The only advantage Contador got from Astana is that it put a few of the best riders in a position where they at least wouldn't team up against him.

Don't expect Armstrong to put together a powerful team next year as his level of class and respect among the riders is not that high at this point. As a matter of fact, if I were a rider I think I might rather ride with Contador.
I have a lot of respect for Armstrong, but the reality is the only way he can win is to put together a team whose sole purpose is to devote themselves to allowing him to win.

I'd rather be loose teammates with the best rider in the world who might help me slightly when it suits him than ride with the third best rider who is going to require me to be a total lackey.