Tour de France 2008 - July 5-27

[Squawk]

All Aboard!

For those who are yet to be convinced, try and give this event a go this year. For those for whom cycling is something they dont know much about, this is an event where the commentators do a stirling job at commentating for the unitiated - they take the guesswork right out of it for the beginners yet for the more seasoned types, they will equally discuss the more pressing specialist cycling issues of the moment.

Any in any case, Cadel Evans and his merry band of Aussie mates bat way above their weight on the world cycling stage on behalf of Australia.

The SBS Website has a sensational range of information to absorb I cant wait. Only drawback is the 3 weeks of late nights can be a struggle but look at it this way - it's great training for the Olympics in August!

Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres.
These 21 stages have the following profiles:
• 10 flat stages,
• 5 mountain stages,
• 4 medium mountain stages,
• 2 individual time-trial stages.
Distinctive aspects of the race
• 4 mountain finishes,
• 2 rest days,
• 82 kilometres of individual time-trials,
• 19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed.

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Aboardddddddddddddddddd!

[JAS]

All Aboard!

For those who are yet to be convinced, try and give this event a go this year. For those for whom cycling is something they dont know much about, this is an event where the commentators do a stirling job at commentating for the unitiated - they take the guesswork right out of it for the beginners yet for the more seasoned types, they will equally discuss the more pressing specialist cycling issues of the moment.

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Aboardddddddddddddddddd!

Are you mad...I haven't ridden a bicycle for decades

Regards
JAS

[MightyEagles]

I mght watch a little bit. Plus the Olympics will be at about the same as it was in Sdyney.

[devilsadvocate]

Great work Squawk!

I love the TDF. Despite it's checkered history, it's a brilliant spectacle and you're spot on about the commentary. If only the AFL had a few Phil Ligget's on their bill.

Anyway, the official website has some good info:

Full rider and team list:
http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/RIDERS/us/engages.html

The route map:
http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html

For what it's worth at this stage, Cadel Evans is the favourite going in this year. Should he get up and win it, he'd be the first Aussie to do so, and better still, he's a South Aussie!

The top 5 are:

Cadel Evans 5/2
Alejandro Valverde 4
Denis Menchov 7
Damiano Cunego 13
Andy Schleck 13

There are a number of Aussies and Kiwis competing this year which always makes it more interesting.

Stu Ogrady isn't rated by the bookies. He's supporting Andy Schleck in team CSC, but at least he'll make the time cut offs and finish the race. IMO, still good enough for a top 50 finish, but realistically 50-100.

Robbie McEwen will challenge for a couple of stage wins and the early sprinters jersey as he's still one of the best in the business of going real quick. Unfortunately he couldn't climb a hill even if an 18 year old Jen Hawkins clone was waiting for him at the top, so like last year he'll miss the cut probably in the Pyranees and be disqualified.

Michael Rogers also doesn't rate a mention with the bookies, but is apparently getting close to fully fit. I'm not sure whether he's getting a start with his new team 'Team Columbia', but it would be shattering if he missed out after what happened last year.

Anyway, fortunately I don't have to stay up late to watch it, so I'll be glued to the box, especially while football's on the back beat over here in the UK.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Not a huge fan of riding a bike myself, but each year I love watching Le Tour.

You're quite right Squawk. The commentary is exceptional.

[devilsadvocate]

Stage one results per http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html:

Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 36' 07"
2. GILBERT Philippe 165 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
3. PINEAU Jérôme 145 BOUYGUES TELECOM 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
4. KIRCHEN Kim 41 TEAM COLUMBIA 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
5. RICCO Riccardo 171 SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
6. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
7. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
8. POZZATO Filippo 61 LIQUIGAS 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
9. FREIRE Oscar 133 RABOBANK 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
10. PEREIRO SIO Oscar 37 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
11. MILLAR David 198 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
12. COBO ACEBO Juan Jose 173 SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
13. CARRARA Matteo 93 QUICK STEP 4h 36' 08" + 00' 01"
14. SASTRE Carlos 11 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
15. HUSHOVD Thor 81 CREDIT AGRICOLE 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
16. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
17. SCHLECK Andy 16 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
18. VANDEVELDE Christian 191 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
19. SANCHEZ Samuel 27 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
20. SCHUMACHER Stefan 111 GEROLSTEINER 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"

The rest of the Aussies:

34. COOKE Baden 55 BARLOWORLD 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
36. LOWE Trent 196 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 4h 36' 14" + 00' 07"
52. GERRANS Simon 86 CREDIT AGRICOLE 4h 36' 25" + 00' 18"
85. MC EWEN Robbie 6 SILENCE - LOTTO 4h 37' 04" + 00' 57"
93. O’GRADY Stuart 15 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4h 37' 08" + 01' 01"
118. RENSHAW Mark 89 CREDIT AGRICOLE 4h 37' 59" + 01' 52"
121. LANCASTER Brett Daniel 154 TEAM MILRAM 4h 38' 07" + 02' 00"
136. HANSEN Adam 46 TEAM COLUMBIA 4h 38' 07" + 02' 00"

[Squawk]

Due to Norwood Hall of Fame commitments last night I missed the first stage but will catch the highlights on SBS tonight.

Judging by the list of placings above, is Michael Rogers out of this year's tour?

Anyone know if Phil Anderson has a team management role this year again?

[magpie in the 80's]

neither appear in the teams as riders or team mangers for this year squawk

[devilsadvocate]

Judging by the list of placings above, is Michael Rogers out of this year's tour?

Anyone know if Phil Anderson has a team management role this year again?

Michael Rodgers did not get a ride in Team Columbia. No idea why not as I can't find any news about it. If he's fully fit, the team is mad for leaving him out.

Not sure about Phil Anderson.

[Squawk]

Judging by the list of placings above, is Michael Rogers out of this year's tour?

Anyone know if Phil Anderson has a team management role this year again?

Michael Rodgers did not get a ride in Team Columbia. No idea why not as I can't find any news about it. If he's fully fit, the team is mad for leaving him out.

Not sure about Phil Anderson.

Yeah, if not fully fit it is very strange given his high standing in the race last year prior to his bad crash. Only thing I wonder is that with the team's name change this year from High Road to Columbia, the selection of the team had something to do with a strong Columbian representation. (They only got their new colours and kit the day before the Tour started).

[devilsadvocate]

Team Columbia (High Road) are sonsored by the outdoor brand Columbia. It's not a Columbian national team. Their riders are German, Austrian, Australian, American, Lux, Swedes even someone from Belarus.

There is a complete lack of news about Mick Rogers. Here's his profile from the teams homepage:

http://www.highroadsports.com/team/30-Michael-Rogers

He quotes "My goal in 2008 is to make the Tour de France podium." - so why isn't he riding it? Bit hard to stand on the podium as a spectator.

[Squawk]

Cheers for that. The Rogers mystery deepens...

[devilsadvocate]

No change in classifications today after the top 118 riders all finished on the same timing.

Standing Rider Rider number bib Team Time Gaps
1. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 8h 21' 20"
2. KIRCHEN Kim 41 TEAM COLUMBIA 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
3. FREIRE Oscar 133 RABOBANK 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
4. COBO ACEBO Juan Jose 173 SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
5. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
6. PINEAU Jérôme 145 BOUYGUES TELECOM 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
7. MILLAR David 198 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
8. RICCO Riccardo 171 SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
9. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"
10. POZZATO Filippo 61 LIQUIGAS 8h 21' 21" + 00' 01"

All Aussies got through in the leading group.

Another flat stage tomorrow will favour Robbie, Mark Cavendish and Valverde. It won't be until Thursday, Friday or Sunday that Cadel will get his chance to tear up some mountains. Frank Schleck is looking good and no doubt Stuart O'Grady will help him keep in touch with Cadel and the leaders.

[PLETTONIC]

Michael Rogers had Epstein-Barr virus earlier in the year causing him to miss a month of cycling, he was close to doing the tour after riding well at the tour de swiss but felt it may be asking a bit much of himself at this point of time and decided to focus on being 100% for the Olympics instead

Here is another great cycling website with plenty of up to date info

http://www.cyclingnews.com/

[Squawk]

Michael Rogers had Epstein-Barr virus earlier in the year causing him to miss a month of cycling, he was close to doing the tour after riding well at the tour de swiss but felt it may be asking a bit much of himself at this point of time and decided to focus on being 100% for the Olympics instead

Here is another great cycling website with plenty of up to date info

http://www.cyclingnews.com/

Good work and cheers.

the time trial tonight is only 30km. Not enough to really split the peleton IMHO but hopefully the aussies can set their Tours up from here.

[Squawk]

Stage 4 Time Trial - Australian start times

Broadcast commences on SBS at 10.00pm

Stuart O'Grady 10.16pm
Robbie McEwen 10.26pm
Simon Gerrans 10.58pm
Baden Cooke 11.28pm
Cadel Evans 12.10am

Best times so far are around 37 mins for the 29km circuit - The top 100 or so are about to begin but they wont be significantly quicker - a few minutes faster at best I'd say.

[devilsadvocate]

Great work Plettonic. Awesome website there.

Cadel had a great ride today and is set for the mountains to start so he can really get going.

[PLETTONIC]

It was a great performance by Cadel last night and he is perfectly poised for a shot at the title. I was very happy to see he didnt get the Yellow at this stage as it gives his team a couple of more days of respite before the mountains.
Tonight will give a few of the other Aussies a chance to shine with this stage meant to be a sprinters paradise before we hit the mountains tomorrow. However I think this might be the night for Mark Cavendish the young english sprinter.

[Squawk]

Thor Hushovd and Robbie McEwen also had a saunter in the time trial - could they also have their eyes on Stage 5 glory before hitting the mountains?

[MightyEagles]

Cadel still 4th after stage 5 about 21 seconds back from 1st.