Tour de France 2008 - July 5-27

[devilsadvocate]

Plettonic...well picked on Cavendish! Hope you had some $$$ on that tip!!

[devilsadvocate]

Cadel had a great ride today, coming home 3rd and moving up to 2nd in the overall standings, just 6 seconds of the pace.

Will post up times and other Aussie results when I get a chance, but cracking stuff by Cadel!

[Squawk]

Cadel is biding his time - marking the wearer of the yellow jersey and saving the strength of his team for the final week.

Tonight will be the first true test as the Tour hits the Pyrenees. Cadel will want to stay in touch, possibly with Popovych at his side, and save the rest of his team's energy for now.

[devilsadvocate]

Oh crap. Bringing back memories of last year with Mick Rogers, Cadel has just had a heavy fall. He's required treatment on the go from the race doctor for gashes on his elbow and legs. The injury is expected to hamper his progression up the 2 hills at the end of this stage, however his team is around him and helping him through. It's not a race endiing injury by all accounts, so hopefully he doesn't lose touch with Kirchen and Vande Velde.

[PLETTONIC]

Lets hope Cadel's grazes to hinder him too much today, but like you Devil I had flashbacks to that aweful stage last year where both Rogers and O'Grady crashed out!!
Riccardo Ricco was impressive last night but I have been liking the way Frank Schlek has been going and he has won a Tour stage in the past.
Unfortunately when I tipped Cavendish the other day I was off the punt, and then was going to back him again but a few too many beers in the system meant I missed out again

[Swamp Donkey]

I realise Ricco is only very young and relatively inexperienced, but is he any chance at all. From the commentary last night it seems as though his stamina was questionable, certainly ddint show last night. I mean if he can use that acceleration at each of the mountain stages he will be right back in it. How did he go in the time trial?

[Squawk]

Crucial stage tonight. Cadel will not want to lose any time but just get through unscathed so he can spend the rest day tomorrow genuinely resting and hastening his recovery. Then I suspect he will make his move in the Alps and try and get a lead of 2mins plus going in to the time trial, followed by a cruise to the Champs Elysee and Victory the day after the TT.

[MightyEagles]

Usually who ever is leading after the 20th stage, the second time trial, wins the race no matter how far in front that person is.

[Squawk]

Usually who ever is leading after the 20th stage, the second time trial, wins the race no matter how far in front that person is.

That's why I think Cadel will want a lead of 2mins+ going IN to the time trial.

[devilsadvocate]

Today is the day!!!

Cadel has just pipped his main rival Frank Schlek by 1 second to claim the yellow jersey.

Schlek finished ahead of Cadel, but his standing combined with his 4th place stage finish ensured he wears the yellow tonight!

BLOODY FANTASTIC! Bring on the Alps!

[Squawk]

He did it!



But was it too early?

I'm not sure if Silence-Lotto is spent or playing it smart. Rest day tomorrow - early to bed I think!

[devilsadvocate]

He did it!



But was it too early?

I'm not sure if Silence-Lotto is spent or playing it smart. Rest day tomorrow - early to bed I think!

That's my only worry mate, but you're right - his team mates were taking it easy down back.

Rest day tomorrow, follwed by a mild mountain day, 3 and a half flat stages before really hitting the Alps on Sunday for a climb over to Italy. Sunday and then Monday will be where Cadel wins or loses IMO.

[Swamp Donkey]

He did it!



But was it too early?

I'm not sure if Silence-Lotto is spent or playing it smart. Rest day tomorrow - early to bed I think!

That's my only worry mate, but you're right - his team mates were taking it easy down back.

Rest day tomorrow, follwed by a mild mountain day, 3 and a half flat stages before really hitting the Alps on Sunday for a climb over to Italy. Sunday and then Monday will be where Cadel wins or loses IMO.

I hope you guys are right.... however i think cadel's team was genuinely battling last night.
I hope im wrong.

[Grahaml]

Cadel's team survived challenge 1, now a few sprinter's days will see a few teams like Credit Agricole do the chasing of any breakaways, not to mention no serious contender will make a break on these flat stages. Cadel's team gets a few days rest. However, I think it's CSC that really needs to worry. In real terms Cadel's lead is probably more like 1-2 minutes given his greater time trialling ability over Sastre and Frank Schleck. SCS really need one or both of those riders to take time off Cadel in the Alps so I see no reason why Lotto would really worry about chasing down anyone else. And any other riders will surely be threatening Schleck and Sastre's pobium positions. Vandevelde and Menchov are in similar positions to Evans in terms of their teams strengths, but are already a reasonable distance behind and not quite the class of Evans in a time trial.

[Thiele]

Go Cadel

[Squawk]

Did Matt just say that Ricco is out?

[Squawk]

Baden Cooke has abandoned after a crash

[Squawk]

Did Matt just say that Ricco is out?

Busted for doping - gone.

[Squawk]

Did Matt just say that Ricco is out?

Busted for doping - gone.

In fact, the whole Saunier Duval team has pulled out. For those who dont follow it closely, they had the two riders who beat Cadel to the top of the Col de Tourmalet on the day Cadel took yellow by 1 second.

[devilsadvocate]

Baden Cooke has abandoned after a crash

Bad luck, poor bastard. Hope he's not too badly injured, but you don't abandon lightly. He apparently did manage to get back up and ride on, but opted to bow out a short time later.

Cadel's team manager has said Cadel is still suffering the effects of his crash in his shoulder, but he's getting better each day. Hopefully, he's cherry ripe for the Alps on Sunday.