Tour de France 2009

[Josh]

Bollocks.

Cadel - go home!

 

[Craig]

That was nasty crash for Jens Voigt at 80km/h. He is out of the Tour not surprisingly with a broken cheekbone, concussion. It is a shame, he is one of my favourite rider, not only is a hard worker but it is always funny hearing him start ranting and raving when he speaks English

That was mikel Astarloza's first win since he won the Tour Down Under in 2003 and the first time he actually crossed the finishing line of a stage in 1st place.

 

[Craig]

That was nasty crash for Jens Voigt at 80km/h. He is out of the Tour not surprisingly with a broken cheekbone, concussion. It is a shame, he is one of my favourite rider, not only is a hard worker but it is always funny hearing him start ranting and raving when he speaks English

That was mikel Astarloza's first win since he won the Tour Down Under in 2003 and the first time he actually crossed the finishing line of a stage in 1st place.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Ouch. Would take a while for the cuts to heal, too.

In happier news, Ys-hofd leads the stage.

 

[Neil Pickup]

That was nasty crash for Jens Voigt at 80km/h. He is out of the Tour not surprisingly with a broken cheekbone, concussion. It is a shame, he is one of my favourite rider, not only is a hard worker but it is always funny hearing him start ranting and raving when he speaks English

That was mikel Astarloza's first win since he won the Tour Down Under in 2003 and the first time he actually crossed the finishing line of a stage in 1st place.

I think Jens is one of everyone's favourite riders. Hope he isn't too heavily bashed up.

 

[Jamee999]

If, hypothetically, Armstrong won le Tour next year, would he be the only person to win it in three different decades? I'd have to imagine so.

 

[Matt79]

How good is Thor Hushovd? Used to cheer Robbie McEwen over him, but he's a beast.

 

[Matt79]

Didnt think Lance had a chance at getting a podium this year, until what he just did then. Was awesome.

Just saw the highlights before - the guy is a freak.

 

[Craig]

If, hypothetically, Armstrong won le Tour next year, would he be the only person to win it in three different decades? I'd have to imagine so.

Yes. Italian Alfredo Binda waited 10 years between Tour wins, but then again a small fact of WWII stopped him in his tracks. And I want to cheer on Kenny van Hummel who is a utchie on Skil-Shimano, last overall but working like a dog to stay in the race, if he makes it to Paris then he has guts.

 

[Matt79]

Yes. Italian Alfredo Binda waited 10 years between Tour wins, but then again a small fact of WWII stopped him in his tracks. And I want to cheer on Kenny van Hummel who is a utchie on Skil-Shimano, last overall but working like a dog to stay in the race, if he makes it to Paris then he has guts.

They just now reported that van Hummel has crashed up and been taken to hospital in an ambulance

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Monstrous stuff by the Schlecks. Even looked like Contador was a bit tired at the final peak. Clever stuff to attack and lose your final helper.

Lance 5th today. Needs to work on his downhilling though. Was just caught by Nibali. Should take some tips from the bull from Grimstad.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

@ French TV cutting to an interview with their own president while Wiggins (presumably) crosses the line somewhere.

 

[Neil Pickup]

If you extrapolate the Monaco ITT results from 15km to 40km, this predicts the following GC tomorrow afternoon:

Contador
A.Schleck +4'18
Armstrong +4'54
Kloden +4'55
Wiggins +4'56
Nibali +6'00
F.Schleck +6'53

Will be close...

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Flatter race tomorrow, though. Would think that favours Lance, Klöden, Wiggins.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

In the ifarm competition, it's pretty close, too..

131. (125) 388(+26,-50) Håkon Mørk (Norway)
131. (143) 388(+29,-50) Neil Pickup (UK)

 

[Matteh]

I should be doing alright tomorrow, went for the TT stage win with my team.

 

[Craig]

I think it is fair to say Cadel will be riding for a new team next year. He should take all the native English speakers on the team with him as they are the only ones who seem interested in helping him.

 

[Neil Pickup]

It's not van den Broeck's fault that Evans has been climbing poorly. I also note that Matt Lloyd left him for dust today.

 

[Matt79]

Yeah, Cadel has been disappointing this year - highlights IMO how hard it must be to be in top form every year. Hopefully next year he'll be back to his best, hopefully with a team that helps him more. Popovich pisses me off - was woeful for Cadel, but is back as a beast as soon as he's riding for Armstrong and Contador again.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Yeah, Cadel has been disappointing this year - highlights IMO how hard it must be to be in top form every year. Hopefully next year he'll be back to his best, hopefully with a team that helps him more. Popovich pisses me off - was woeful for Cadel, but is back as a beast as soon as he's riding for Armstrong and Contador again.

Sergio Paulhino and Zubeldia seem to have done the majority of the work for Astana though. It makes you wonder how good these domestiques could be if they were given a full opportunity themselves.