Tour de France 2009

[bobleponge]

Sorry to the non cycling fans (do they exist???) for keeping this one going, but to all others ... Did you see the bullet Cavendish yesterday??? Awesome.
Can he win green? I think perhaps not.
Armstrong?? About what I thought, still good but at his age and time out of the sport, not good enough?

[TonyF]

Never got the point until I moved to France. I'm not an avid fan but when it's on, will watch it, well, the highlights anyway.

It was in our local town last year and was great, real carnival atmosphere and living here, I actually understand more what it's about.

[Pumpkin Becki]

You can't deny Cavendish's talent, I think he's even faster than McKewen was in his heyday. I just wish he'd have a little humility to go with it.

Armstrong looks gaunt, but maybe thats to do with the serious training he must have put in. He must consider himself a real threat to come out of retirement after so long, I hope he isn't disappointed.

What a bombshell about Vinokurov insisting he's coming back to takeover team Astana, think Contador and Armstrong might have something to say about that! If you get banned for drugs use, you comeback in a quiet manner and earn your stripes with hard work, like David Millar has.

[Matt.]

Cavendish was on top form yesterday but he had it easy(ish) given so many riders fell back on that last bend. Given the whole team is behind him winning the sprints I think he may well go one to win the green. I'm sure his determination to win will make him reach Paris this year.

As for Astana that team is just bonkers. I hadn't realised just how many top riders were in there until the TT on Saturday. I think it would be great for a fans in there was a break by say Kloden, Leipheimer or maybe Armstrong to challenge Contador. Having said that I'm convinced he's going to nail them all on a summit finish and lay down the law! 7pm ITV4 for the next few weeks - ace!

[bobleponge]

Lance launched a sneaky move there today. I think Stevie Wonder could see there are divisions in the Astana team. I reckon they're nailed on for the TT tomorrow, real team of stars, but I bet its frosty over the tea table.
Horshovd, eat dust. Cav just too strong. Still dont think he'll win green though, but would love him to prove me wrong.

[Matt.]

Wow what a day. Followed it on BBC text then saw the ITV4 highlights and the interview with Lance was particularly insightful. No more bluffing the team now has two leaders in his opinion. I thought his quote about winning 7 seven times show me more repect was particularly cutting! To make it more remarkable some post race comments claim it was Contandor who caused the split by dropping the wheel of the man in front.

Todays TTT is going to be very interesting. What chance Lance is in yellow at the end of the day? Shame I'm at work...

[Pumpkin Becki]

I love the Team Time Trial, so glad there is one this year. It really shows the strengths and weaknessess in the teams.

I admit I panicked a bit when I couldn't see any CSC riders this year - 'where's Stuey?' I thought. I'm sure he had his contract renewed, and that guy up the front in a Saxo Bank top looks remarkably like him. Then I read that CSC has been renamed and sure enough , it was Stuey. **breathe, breathe**

[bobleponge]

Have to say PB, not a great fan of the TTT, I know for some, Le Tour is more than just the winner, but for me, the only important thing is who is the Maillot Jaune in Paris. I like the individual TT's, and can see their relevance in the big picture but not the team one.
Still, its in there, would love to see Columbia do well after their lead out yesterday. The Wiggler could just about be in yellow tonight??

[smallblueplanet]

Well so far the TTT has been full of incident! Lots of crashes and teams all over the shop!

[Matt.]

What a TTT. I'm of home to watch the highlights!

[bobleponge]

I dont get to watch it, I have to follow the BBC live text service and can have the 5live sports extra radio playing once my boss leaves the office. I get a 2 minute highlights package on tv on BBC World at 4 am Karachi time, which I sadly get up and watch.
Does anyone think the Astana slow down between the 2nd and third splits was done to stop Armstrong being in yellow? I just think it was timed too well for it not to have been controlled.
Got to be Cav again today I reckon, and thought Columbia did well with no real TT specialists in the team.
Best bit, its probably not going to be decided until the Saturday up Mont Ventoux this year, and I get home the Wednesday previous so will get to lie in front of the telly Thursday -Sunday and watch the final stages unfold.

[Matt.]

I doubt it was controlled its just too close to call. Highlights appeared to show Lance coasted the last 20m or so and was the fifth rider so if they'd all been in a bunch maybe he would have got that crucial second. I now doubt Lance will wear yellow as I expect Contador to gain on him in the mountains. I know there is the Ventoux finish but I'll have to go see if there is another.

[smallblueplanet]

...Does anyone think the Astana slow down between the 2nd and third splits was done to stop Armstrong being in yellow? I just think it was timed too well for it not to have been controlled...

Lol! Yeah and I've just seen Elvis behind the counter of our local chippy! Timed too well? To less than a second! Why bother competing if not to win?!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Maybe he's planning to lull them into a false sense of security like he did with Jan Ulrich up the mountain, staying behind the leaders, but not so far behind that he can't beat them soundly.

[smallblueplanet]

There's not much security to be had in less than a second?