Tour de France

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by gvarsity

See it is already here. Posted the Ricco info in the contest thread by accident. Really a shame.

NYTimes Story http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/sp...ts&oref=slogin

You know it really is a shame. I was in Italy the day the news of Pantani's death broke. Even after his doping escapades he remained a hero to many.

The tragedy of his death was that when cycling (due to his own stupidity) was taken away from him his heart was broken...

Solace in cocaine is never a good idea.


Ricco's probably toast. Too bad to see him squander his talents by doping.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by j6ppc

You know it really is a shame. I was in Italy the day the news of Pantani's death broke. Even after his doping escapades he remained a hero to many.

The tragedy of his death was that when cycling (due to his own stupidity) was taken away from him his heart was broken...

Solace in cocaine is never a good idea.

I remember that dark day as well. I just arrived in France for a week of seminars when I worked with Decathlon. I saw Pantani on the news in a train station and with my piss poor french, was able to learned he had passed. When I got to the hotel, I told my old boss who used to work for the old Bonjour Team. He could not believe it. It was quite a topic that week.

That 98 tour was one of the most memorable, though tainted. Pantani's rides were epic. Sad thing was, most people thought that the doping scandals could not get worse since the Festina Affair in 1998. But it was just the beginning.

Now Ricco is the latest in that long line of the next superstar in waiting in cycling to get caught doping. Sad day for the sport.

But that was a pretty good sprint today!!! And the Alpes will be here before you know it!!!

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Now Ricco is the latest in that long line of the next superstar in waiting in cycling to get caught doping. Sad day for the sport.

But that was a pretty good sprint today!!! And the Alpes will be here before you know it!!!

It was a great sprint and this year's tour is shaping up to be a pretty good one so far despite the aforementioned issues.

Bring on the alps!

[j6ppc]

Cavendish won yet again today.
Saunier Duval sacked both Ricco and Piepoli today. Both for "doping practices".

Originally Posted by cyclingnews.com

Thierry Leroy, a spokesman for title sponsor Saunier Duval, told French radio station RTL that the company would seriously consider its future investment in the cycling team. "It is highly probable that we will pull out of sponsoring cycling following this affair," said Leroy.
He added that Saunier Duval would be prepared to launch legal action against the team if proof was found of organised doping practices

[Footbag]

Beautiful stage today. Great ride through the mountains. Haven't seen the finish, but some the mountain views make it worth it.

[j6ppc]

Pereiro is out.


15:34 CEST 94.6km/88.4km to go
Voeckler is 13'30 back, with the peloton at 14'24.

We think that Pereiro struck a guard rail along the side of the road, just before a hairpin, and was catapulted sideways and down to the road below. That's quite a drop. As we stated, we understand he is moving so it's not as serious as it first seemed.

The peloton is taking it easy, shocked by what happened.

15:46 CEST
Update: Pereiro has a broken shoulder and femur, but never lost consciousness.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by j6ppc

Update: Pereiro has a broken shoulder and femur, but never lost consciousness.

They just said his leg is not broken.

Looks like the break will stay away. I wonder if Pate will fall back to try and help Vanvelde. Though the break seems too far ahead to do that.

The final climb should be a great one!!! Hopefully we will see lots of attacking.

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

They just said his leg is not broken.

Looks like the break will stay away. I wonder if Pate will fall back to try and help Vanvelde. Though the break seems too far ahead to do that.

The final climb should be a great one!!! Hopefully we will see lots of attacking.

I think Pate will stay away and try to stay with the other 3.
Vaughters seems satisfied with that if the team car interview a few minutes ago is any indication.

[Alpedhuez55]

1. Frank Schleck (CSC)
2. Bernhard Kohl (GST) at 7"
3. Cadel Evans (SIL) at 8"
4. Denis Menchov (RAB) at 38"
5. Christian Vande Velde (TSL) at 39"
6. Carlos Sastre (CSC) 49"

Six riders within 49 seconds. Still anyone's tour at this point. It will come down the the last time trial again!!! Not sure if anyone will be able to take a lot of time in the remaining mountain stages.

Evans & Vande Velde have the advantage in the time trial. Menchov, Schleck & Sastre probably need a minute and a half over Evans to have a good chance.

Tuesday could be fun with a HC climb and a 20 km descent to the end. Could see some gaps there. But Wednesday will be an epic day. 3 HC climbs and the finish at Alpe d' Huez. Not sure if there is one stand out climber who can open any big gaps.

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Six riders within 49 seconds. Still anyone's tour at this point. It will come down the the last time trial again!!! Not sure if anyone will be able to take a lot of time in the remaining mountain stages.

Evans & Vande Velde have the advantage in the time trial. Menchov, Schleck & Sastre probably need a minute and a half over Evans to have a good chance.

Tuesday could be fun with a HC climb and a 20 km descent to the end. Could see some gaps there. But Wednesday will be an epic day. 3 HC climbs and the finish at Alpe d' Huez. Not sure if there is one stand out climber who can open any big gaps.

Agreed. Which should make the next couple stages extremely interesting.

[j6ppc]

In doping news:

Originally Posted by cyclingneews.com

Riccardo Riccò was caught by a special molecule placed in the banned substance he is said to have taken, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio today. John Fahey said that Roche Pharmaceuticals had placed a special molecule in the product CERA when it developed the drug, which would help the anti-doping authorities to detect its illegal use.

I find that tidbit of information both interesting and encouraging. If the drug companies are adding markers to potentially performance enhancing products then "zero day exploits" with new drugs should become extremely difficult to get away with.

Today's stage was incredible with Sastre taking a convincing win.
Both Evans and Menchov could still pull out a overall win with good
performances in Saturday's time trial.

[Alpedhuez55]

I cannot wait for Saturday!!! I like Sastre and would love to see him hold on. It will be close, but I think he can do it. The Yellow Jersey is good for about a minute in a Time Trial. My guess is under normal circumstances he would lose 2 minutes, but I think he will keep it under one.

[Opusfxd]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Schleck has been inconsistent in the past through. You just cannot have a bad day in the mountains, unless you are a great time trialist. Sastre is CSC's best chance at a high GC.

Well at least tonight you have this one right. I did at least figure CSC is putting in a good run. Too bad I mix up Cancellera and Vandevele's names. Still would be out of the guess though.

Will Carlos pull through the Time Trial?

[jdbwolverines]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

I cannot wait for Saturday!!! I like Sastre and would love to see him hold on. It will be close, but I think he can do it. The Yellow Jersey is good for about a minute in a Time Trial. My guess is under normal circumstances he would lose 2 minutes, but I think he will keep it under one.

Sastre is definitely not the best not the best TTer, but with a minute and half and the yellow jersey on his back, I think he will be able to hold out.

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by jdbwolverines

Sastre is definitely not the best not the best TTer, but with a minute and half and the yellow jersey on his back, I think he will be able to hold out.

Sastre might just be able to hold on to his overall lead tomorrow. Evans and Menchov are certainly far better time trialists on paper than Sastre.

This has been a great tour so far. Far better than I expected certainly with many surprises along the way.