Vlad's got a great point about Vino. I think Astana is still kinda Vino's team and as unpredictable as he's been in the past, Astana could self-destruct if Vino decides to take things into his own hands and the other team members start taking sides between AC and Vino. As far as Lance's climbing, I think he should be able to at least hang with the GC favorites on all the climbs. I could see him losing seconds on finishing climbs but not minutes. His TT looks to be suffering but there's only one long TT in the route this year, I think. AC wins, Andy 2nd, Lance 3rd is my guess unless Astana implodes - then anything could happen. Sure would like to see Cadel win though!
5 more days!!! Lance announced on his Twitter page this will be his last TdF. Still going out as a champion in my book.
I never believe the last time ever thing. In high school I paid big bucks; for me at the time, to see the Stones in '82 and The Who in '83. I think that both groups have toured nearly every year since then. F them! I'll never see either band ever again. Lance, might be done, might not. Pain makes you want to hang it up; but they all seem to miss the glory and competition.
Lance will be done cycling after this one, just in time to run for Governor of Texas, or maybe Senator from Texas. And then President one day....
Hopefully he'll still be riding stuff like Leadville and of course he said he wouldnt be riding the TDF again - he never talked about the Giro or any of the classics.
Join the STR group on Versus Fantasy Cycling Challenge! Great thread! One of my favorite things is to see Mountain Bikers do well in really huge events like the Tour. (Just not in the Rasmussen vein, as mentioned above!) Jakob Fuglsang is also in this year. U23 xc world champ! I thought it would be fun, since I already wanted to do it, to open up a Public Group so all STRers can do a fantasy Tour de France league. Versus is putting it on and they've got some great prizes. It would also be fun just for bragging rights. Here's the website http://fantasy.versus.com/cycling/index.asp Once you've got your team, click the link "Group Info" and find the group SoCalTrialRiders. You have $500 to pick 15 riders, each one with a different value. Then everyday, you can have up to 9 starters and 6 bench riders. How your 9 starters do that day, you get points. Should be pretty fun. Hope to see you guys/gals there.
2010 TDF on Google Earth kmz file download spot http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2010/07/2010_tour_de_france_in_google_earth.html
Is anyone here doing the MapMyRide le Tour Challenge? If so, I made a Sho-Air/Sonance team for the team and anyone else that wants to join.
2010 TdF on Versus.com 2010 TdF on Google Maps 2010 TdF on Google Earth Here's the schedule... SUBTRACT THREE HOURS FOR PACIFIC TIME!!! (thanks, Abui!! -- however, it being the TdF, Vs. is playing it over several times a day) Saturday 7/3/10 Stage P Rotterdam to Rotterdam 11:30am - 2:00pm 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday 7/4/10 Stage 1 Rotterdam to Bruxelles 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Monday 7/5/10 Stage 2 Bruxelles to Spa 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Tuesday 7/6/10 Stage 3 Wanze to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Wednesday 7/7/10 Stage 4 Cambrai to Reims 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Thursday 7/8/10 Stage 5 Epernay to Montargis 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Friday 7/9/10 Stage 6 Montargis to Gueugnon 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturday 7/10/10 Stage 7 Tournus to Station des Rousses 7:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday 7/11/10 Stage 8 Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz 7:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Monday 7/12/10 Rest Day TBD 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm Tuesday 7/13/10 Stage 9 Morzine-Avoriaz to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne 7:00 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Wednesday 7/14/10 Stage 10 Chambery to Gap 8:00 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Thursday 7/15/10 Stage 11 Sisteron to Bourg-les-Valence 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Friday 7/16/10 Stage 12 Bourg-de-Peage to Mende 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturday 7/17/10 Stage 13 Rodez to Revel 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday 7/18/10 Stage 14 Revel to Ax-3 Domaines 7:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Monday 7/19/10 Stage 15 Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon 7:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Tuesday 7/20/10 Stage 16 Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau 6:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Wednesday 7/21/10 Rest Day TBD 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm Thursday 7/22/10 Stage 17 Pau to Col du Tourmalet 6:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Friday 7/23/10 Stage 18 Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturday 7/24/10 Stage 19 Bordeaux to Pauillac 8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday 7/25/10 Stage 20 Longjumeau to Paris Champs-Elysees 7:30 am - 12:30 am 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Have a great race!!! -shud
a bit long but crazy landis article in wsj -> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...200584006.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEADNewsCollection not a roadie and aside from lance being the sh!t for years i am void of any real understanding of skinny tire silliness, however this is getting a bit nuts
So what's the score? RadioShack 1 -- Astana 0 ? Or should I be asking if ShuttleBuddy is in the lead? I'm so confused!
That's a great article. First time I've actually felt sympathetic for Floyd. Allured into the doping scene, lied to cover it up and because he was intimidated/confused, then moved to a cabin in the mountains and came clean with it all. Not a bad story.
I'm not a roadie, but after all of the hype about how great Contador is, I was very shocked with his performance today. I thought he would have gotten 2nd. I know it's only the 1st day, but wow.
^^ he's the most tested athlete in history--always negative. did he "enhance" in the 90's? probably, but which cyclists (or football players or baseball players) didn't? i don't really care. he's still one of the most dominant, and most inspiring, athletes ever.
cool link to map of stages (and results) http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5003/0.60041=/5872/style=auto&lat=51.409358&lon=4.08547&z=7&pid=5874
