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[Falch]

http://twitter.com/lancearmstrong

Yeah it was absolutely packed. Dutch love the Tour, and Rotterdam did a great job of hosting it.

 

[subrock]

Yeah that was quite a sight. :lol

Too bad Freire fell too. Still, for Petachi, a win is a win.

I'm afraid thats probably the only way petachi is going to win a sprint with farrar and cav. part of what makes cav so viscous is his team leading him out. farrar doesnt have that and ends up having to make up a bike length on cav all the while rubbing shoulder with everyone that wants that spot right behind cav. I honestly thought farrar was going to get it after cav got knocked out, to bad he had to drag a bike along with him for 50m.

 

[subrock]

When NBC did an update on the Tour they barely mentioned Armstrong even though he's actually doing pretty well to start out.

I think versus is playing up armstrong like they were doing last year and its building the hype train but we wont really know if he's got the grits until the high mountains. armstrong had the strength to match moves in the suisse, moreso than levi, which is important because it means he's in better shape than last year. with a whole team working for him this year and not 2 leaders he probably has better chances, but it might also be just hype.

 

[Tarazet]

It is such a pleasure to see this race in high definition. The cinematography has always been top-notch, but the image quality vs. even a couple years ago is night and day.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

I have a question, and I should know this but, what exactly is the big scandal that happened to team saxo bank? Bjarne Riis got cheated by someone and lost his best riders? What exactly happened?

 

[perryfarrell]

I'll be hanging out in this thread as the race develops.

It's true that Versus is Lance-centered, but hey he came in second the the Tour de Suisse, and has had a decent season--so it's somewhat warranted.

Contador, Evans, the Schlecks are of course contenders. I like Basso, but he fell today (altho probably not too bad). Sastre was strong, but is coming back from a back injury.

 

[Chris R]

It is such a pleasure to see this race in high definition. The cinematography has always been top-notch, but the image quality vs. even a couple years ago is night and day.

The helicopter flyovers are the best too. Never been to France, but this is almost as good :lol

 

[Tarazet]

I have a question, and I should know this but, what exactly is the big scandal that happened to team saxo bank? Bjarne Riis got cheated by someone and lost his best riders? What exactly happened?

Riis is losing his sponsor at the end of the season, his director Kim Andersen resigned to start a new Luxembourg-registered team, and obviously the two best riders from that country are Andy and Frank Schleck, who ride for Saxo Bank now. The Schleck connection is not confirmed yet. Your rumor monger is a little ahead of himself.

 

[Peronthious]

Streaming video for anyone that doesn't have cable can be had here.
http://www.myp2pforum.eu/threads/34834-UKTV-VLC-Playlist
This will give you streaming access to itv4 with proper non American commentary.
Just load the playlist file into vlc and pick itv4.

I just want you to know that I love you.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

Riis is losing his sponsor at the end of the season, his director Kim Anderson resigned to start a new Luxembourg-registered team, and obviously the two best riders from that country are Andy and Frank Schleck, who ride for Saxo Bank now. The Schleck connection is not confirmed yet. Your rumor monger is a little ahead of himself.

sorry, I just saw a newspaper that spewed "Riis life ruined! ultimate betrayel!". Looked and sounded crazy:/

 

[Tarazet]

sorry, I just saw a newspaper that spewed "Riis life ruined! ultimate betrayel!". Looked and sounded crazy:/

Sporting tabloids are a dime a dozen in the big cycling countries for some reason. I use cyclingnews.com as an unbiased source.

 

[Chris R]

Standings after Stage 1:

Stage 2:

• Km 98.0 - Côte de France - 2.2 km climb to 6.2 % - Category 4
• Km 128.5 - Côte de Filot - 3.9 km climb to 4.5 % - Category 4
• Km 136.0 - Côte de Werbomont - 4.5 km climb to 3.5 % - Category 4
• Km 161.5 - Côte d'Aisomont - 4.5 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
• Km 167.5 - Col de Stockeu - 3.0 km climb to 5.9 % - Category 3
• Km 189.0 - Col du Rosier - 6.4 km climb to 4 % - Category 3

I really like these types of stages, the long ass climbs are great too, but the shorter ones with more of them with the up and down and up and down can be very exciting as well. I'm thinking a breakaway could survive this time, and here is hoping there aren't so many crashes in the final section :lol

 

[Falch]

Yeah today looks to be an exciting stage, ideal for a small group to get away and stay away this time.

 

[Kurtofan]

Holy shit Andy Schleck just fell!
He seems hurt.

 

[cubicle47b]

So many crashes already.

 

[magnificent83]

I hate when cyclists fall, but it will make for more drama later on in the mountain stages.

BTW, i still can't believe they don't know who was involved in the crash, they should use GPS transponders or something so we quickly get updates.

 

[Chris R]

I hate when cyclists fall, but it will make for more drama later on in the mountain stages.

BTW, i still can't believe they don't know who was involved in the crash, they should use GPS transponders or something so we quickly get updates.

I thought they do? Just that the people broadcasting the race don't have immediate access to that information.

Good stage, crashes suck but they are part of the race. Get back on your bike and into the race (just like Andy Schleck did today). Chavanel totally deserves the yellow and green jerseys as well as the combative rider award.

 

[subrock]

bit of a weird stage. shame that saxobank got butthurt and used the authority of the yellow to hold back the chase. I dont know much about chavanel in the mountains but its going to take a while to claw that back. hopefully there is some excitement in the mountains with one of the main GC men trying to take a big chunk back.

 

[Kabouter]

bit of a weird stage. shame that saxobank got butthurt and used the authority of the yellow to hold back the chase. I dont know much about chavanel in the mountains but its going to take a while to claw that back. hopefully there is some excitement in the mountains with one of the main GC men trying to take a big chunk back.

One serious mountain stage (finish at the top of a mountain and what not) and Chavanel will be minutes behind the yellow jersey.

Also, I agree with Cancellara. Waiting was the right thing to do. Who wants to win by profiting from the fall of most of the peloton?

 

[perfectchaos007]

Lance crashed and only dropped a spot. Thats not so bad.

 

[Chris R]

Standings after Stage 2:

Stage 3:

• 
  Km 48.0 - Côte de Bothey - 1.4 km climb to 3.4 % - Category 4

First time I'll see the riders on cobbles in the short time I've been following cycling. Should be interesting, and if the tour this year is any indication, a ton of people will crash and fall :|

 

[Kabouter]

First time I'll see the riders on cobbles in the short time I've been following cycling. Should be interesting, and if the tour this year is any indication, a ton of people will crash and fall :|

Depends on the weather, and if there's oil or whatever on the road again like yesterday. I'd imagine most riders have practiced at least a few days on the cobblestones. It doesn't make up for the years of experience others have, but at least it should prevent most falls. If it's rainy though and there's shit on the track, yeah, expect a few more not to start.

Hopefully not though, sucks enough that riders like Christian Vande Velde won't start today, and others like Robert Gesink will likely quit later on. Rest really has to stay in competition.

 

[Agalloch]

I don't know if Basso was at the Giro d'Italia level,
it's difficult after you've done preparation and running for three weeks at the top shortly before, but if it is i put it among the candidates for final victory

 

[kottila]

One serious mountain stage (finish at the top of a mountain and what not) and Chavanel will be minutes behind the yellow jersey.

Also, I agree with Cancellara. Waiting was the right thing to do. Who wants to win by profiting from the fall of most of the peloton?

They didn't wait for everyone though. People were still behind and lost minutes. And why weren't the riders allowed to sprint? All these decisons by the riders are so random. Why is it ok for chavanel to profit, but not for anyone

 

[Goldrusher]

Damn it's dusty.

edit: And another nasty fall for Frank Schleck. He's out.

 

[Tarazet]

Cancellara attacks..

 

[cubicle47b]

Without Frank it's going to be a lot harder for Andy in the mountains.

 

[Tarazet]

Armstrong gapped by the Contador group, but he's fighting and almost back..

 

[cubicle47b]

Contador is going to be pissed.

 

[Tarazet]

Hushovd takes the sprint, race radio saying that Armstrong is actually a minute behind Contador!

Cancellara regains yellow.

 

[magnificent83]

Hushovd takes the sprint, race radio saying that Armstrong is actually a minute behind Contador!

Cancellara regains yellow.

Ouch, thats bad news for Lance. Losing time to Schlek and Contador just changed up everything. Its going to be interesting to see how he adjusts to the changed conditions. Without the puncture, he could have put more time on Contador which he would have needed in the mountains

 

[Tarazet]

Provisional standings:

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 14:54:00
2 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:23
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39
4 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:46
5 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:01:01
6 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:09
7 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 0:01:19
8 Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0:01:31
9 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:01:40
10 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:01:42

Evans has a minute buffer to Contador. Awesome.

 

[cubicle47b]

I think Contador will run away with this race in the mountains if nothing goes horribly wrong for him.

 

[Falch]

Exciting stage again. Too bad F. Schleck is out.

 

[Tarazet]

I think Contador will run away with this race in the mountains if nothing goes horribly wrong for him.

It looks now like Evans will be the most credible challenger, but he doesn't have much of a team.. and Andy Schleck is losing comrades by the day as well.

 

[Falch]

It looks now like Evans will be the most credible challenger, but he doesn't have much of a team.. and Andy Schleck is losing comrades by the day as well.

And there's still Menchov, who has Gesink (albeit injured).

 

[Tarazet]

I think Cunego might have abandoned as well, after his crash. He's not in the results.

 

[Chris R]

Good stage, minus the huge dust storms being kicked up :lol Glad that Armstrong is basically out of the race because now the Versus coverage should be a littler more balanced. Seems there are going to be a few boring days over the rest of the week before they get to some mountains, but who knows.

 

[Chris R]

Standings after Stage 3:

Stage 4:

Looks to be an uneventful stage after the chaos of yesterday.

 

[chicko1983]

c'mon Cadel!!!!

 

[Tarazet]

Wow, Ale-Jet is back! Who would have expected that after all these years?

 

[Chris R]

Standings after Stage 4:

Stage 5:

Should be another uneventful stage, but who knows, a breakaway might survive (we can always hope right?).

 

[subrock]

nice to see an emotional win by cav today. it was actually pretty exciting at the end. I thought farrar might have had it all lined up, but no luck.

and I just want to say, Hesjedal from my city. 4th overall, so proud

 

[Tarazet]

Could you post the stage results as well as the overall standings?

 

[subrock]

where do I get them?

 

[Tarazet]

I was referring to the OP, sorry!

Here's today's results, at any rate:

1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 4:30:50
2 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram
3 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team
4 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
6 Sébastien Turgot (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
7 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha
8 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
9 Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
10 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions

 

[olore]

Also Basso needs to be proactive in the mountains if he wants to do an impact in this years race. Currently he is a bit behind even LA.

Also, great Tour so far, action every day and a big bunch of GC-riders all hoping for glory.

Can`t wait for the mountains to start the race proper

 

[fireside]

I’m amazed the Versus announcers refrained themselves from saying “The Man from the Isle of Man” even once during the final sprint.

 

[Chris R]

Could you post the stage results as well as the overall standings?

Yes I can but I don't watch it live. I just finished watching today's stage for example. If you want I can include them in the post I do like in 12 hours.

 

[Tarazet]

Yes I can but I don't watch it live. I just finished watching today's stage for example. If you want I can include them in the post I do like in 12 hours.

Yeah, just adding the top 10 or 20 for the day to the roll of honor would be perfect.