Tour de France 2008 - July 5-27

[Dirko]

ATM, Cadel is third...

Come on man !!

[Dirko]

he's taken 23 seconds off....not enough..

needs another 1.10...

[Thiele]

Go Cadel

[Thiele]

Looks like Cadel will finish second overall

[Dirko]

Yep...1:05 behind...

Good ride Cadel...do it next year !

[Squawk]

Full credit to Cadel. He had such little support from his team - whether on the flat or in the mountains (but especially the latter), and he has ridden virtually a solo race against 19 other teams.

Against CSC, a fabulous team, he had 5 riders working trojan-like to deliver this result for them (ie Sastre) - Frank and Andy Schleck, Jens Voight, Stewie O'Grady and of course Sastre. That it took those five riders in CSC in particular to find 1 minute and 5 seconds by the final stage, says much more about Cadel than any other result this tour and I reckon if CSC have it in them, they should be heaping praise on Cadel for getting as close as he did.

1 man - Cadel
19 other teams
CSC a super team that used 5 riders to find 1.05 by the Champs Elysee.

Cadel, you are a thorough champion and history should record that in the face of absolute adversity and with so little support in your own team, you have achieved the impossible in so many ways.

I reckon the other teams will recognise this and the gold (or maillot!)chequebook marked "Cadel" will be out in force to get him to switch teams.

Give Cadel a team, and give your team the yellow jersey.

Well done mate. You've done everyone proud.

[Dogwatcher]

The question has to be asked - they recruited a team around Cadel. He's made some comments in the media about the team not "being up to scratch". I was actually wondering while watching the last two stages if his team-mates liked him....

[devilsadvocate]

The question has to be asked - they recruited a team around Cadel. He's made some comments in the media about the team not "being up to scratch". I was actually wondering while watching the last two stages if his team-mates liked him....

Very interesting point DW and the answer is NO.

Cadel is apparently a bit of a loner who likes to do things his way. He set up his training base in Spain I believe by himself and generally isn't interested in making friends in the peleton, media or even his team. It's a personal choice that has cost him the biggest prize in his sport.

Cadel is also criticised for his lack of flair and attacking riding. Not once in the alps did he try to get away from the other leaders. He's content to sit back and just go with anyone else looking to get away ala 2006/2007.

I wonder what might have been if he'd had Popovych on his side supporting him, rather than doing his own thing? Popovych is a great rider and could have helped Cadel mount a challenge or 2 in the alps, much like the CSC team did for Sastre.