TDF 3

Stage 3 in a nut shell. Fabian hauls Andy butt through the Hell of the North and still gets the Yellow jersey back. That's a hugely deserved reward for being a team player. Frank Scleck hit the deck hard and is out, but Andy rode really well to get a bunch of time back from Contador. And don't forget Cadel Evans, who did his fair share of the work to help drive the winning break, instead of wheel sucking as he could have. I guess that rainbow jersey has changed his style for the better. He looked strong. What got me about today's stage was how Andy Schleck wanted everyone to know that he's a good bike handler and seemed miffed when people show surprise at how well he rode instead of just saying thanks. Maybe he really thinks he can knock out a bear with just one punch! I glad Thor got the win after yesterday's mess of a finish. He kind of deserved it.

TDF Final

My apologies, dear readers, for failing to file my usual, up to the minute reports on the last 2 stages of the TDF. I was out of town being eaten by deer flies and mosquitoes in my quest finding the best MTB trails near where our camper is parked. I rode some ATV trails that were da bomb, but the biting flies really took the joy out of things. I'll ride 'em again after fly season is over.

Back to the Tour: Carlos Sastre dug deep on the final time trial and sealed the victory over Cryin' Cadel Evans. The Aussie Weeper just didn't pull off the time trial he was looking for this time around. I've got a feeling he was worn to a frazzle after the constant beat down at the hands of CSC. Bjarne Riis put together a killer squad and worked his plan perfectly. The last stage into Paris was won in a sprint by Gert Steegman of Quickstep, who were floundering with out Tom Boonen, who's Tour was derailed in cloud of white powder. The latest doper to be flushed is Dmitri Fofonov from Credit Agricole. He got some blood pressure medication over the internet to help fight cramps was his excuse. Hmmm - I think the teams frown on anything the rider takes not pre-approved, especially a banned substance. What a dope(r).

All and all, a great Tour De France, though Sastre is not your most charismatic champion in recent years, but his team sure was! I think the Schleck boys will continue the trend in the future, and Evans might have one more run in him, but needs a stronger team to do it. And more Kleenex.

TDF Stage 19

Mad attack artist Sylvian Chavanel took today's fairly flat stage in a sprint over Jeremy Roy for a French 1-2 victory. Team Columbia's Gerald Ciolek took the field sprint for 3rd. I don't remember so many breaks that have actually worked as in this tour. Fun stuff. Tomorrow's time trial should be a nail chewing good time!!

TDF Stage 18

Rack up another stage win for Team Columbia courtesy of Marcus Burghardt. Burghardt out sprinted fellow breakaway partner Carlos Barredo of Quickstep. Romain Feillu was once again in the mix, having a pretty aggressive tour for himself. Carlos Sastre remains in yellow, followed by Frank Schleck and Bernhard Kohl. Our boy Christian Vande Velde is still hanging around the top in 6th overall.

TDF Stage 17

The CSC/Saxo Bank train continued to roll up the field on today's Alpe d'Huez hors category stage. Carlos Sastre took the win and the yellow jersey from team mate Frank Schleck, putting 1:24 into him. Schleck is now in second overall, followed by Kohl, Evans, and Menchov. Looks like the time trial will determine things in the end.

TDF Rest Day 2

I'm really liking this years tour more than I thought I would. With out Bruyneel and the invisible Lance controlling things, the racing has been more unpredictable to say the least. The long breaks have been succeeding, the sprints have been chaotic, and the climbing brutal as ever. In other words, more fun.

CSC/Saxo Bank's team has as powerful cast of characters as ever assembled. Uber-hard men Jens Voigt, Stu O'Grady, and Fabian Cancellara handle their roles like no other riders, super domestique Nikki Sorenson is always reliable, Vol Gustav tows the Schleck brothers to the climbs, where Andy puts on the hurt, the Frank finishes up for the day. All they need is Mark Cavendish and it would be called "CSC/Saxo Bank's Tour De France".

My personal rest day was yesterday. Watched the tour in the morning with coffee, a little 45 minute spin on the trainer to loosen up the legs, a matinee movie with the family, then grilled turkey melts w/ bacon for dinner with the wife's brother and his boys. A great weekend.

TDF Stage 15

Australian Simon Gerrans of Credit Agricolde ahead of Egoi Martinez and Gar-Chip's Danny Pate on today's climber oriented Sate 15. The CSC boys put the proverbial hammer down and drove Frank Schleck into the yellow jersey. Ultra hardman Jens Voigt and Nikki Sorenson drove the train to the base of the climb, Fabian Cancllera took over, the Andy Schleck attacked like crazy to pull big brother Frank 8 seconds ahead of Cadel Evans, who dropped back to 3rd overall. Bernhard Kohl rode hard to put himself in second position. Christian VandeVelde of Gar-Chip got a solid top 10 on the stage to stay within sight of the podium.

TDF Stage 14

Green jersey sporting Oscar Freire won Saturday's stage 14 in a sprint finish. The "Cat" slipped through to the line in yet another free-for-all, rather disorganized ending. It was nice to see Julian Dean up contesting for I think the first time in this tour. Also, some new names are coming to the fore, as well as old reliables, like Zabel, Evans, Freire. And the dopers still suck.

TDF Stage 13

I just don't know if this guy can be beaten. A 4th stage win for Mark Cavendish. He looked blocked in with about 400 meters to go, Zabel and McEwen looked set for the dual, then Cavendish lit 'em up. Try as I might, I can figure out where he hides the nitrous oxide tank. Tom Boonen had commented that the sprints aren't well set up by the teams this year, so maybe Cavendish is just a little more heads up than the rest. That used to be McEwen's forte. It is fun to watch a superstar on the rise!!

TDF Stage 12

Mark Cavendish took his third stage of the Tour today ahead of Sebastien Chavanel and Gert Steegmans. This guy has another gear compared to the rest this year, and could win another stage or two before it's over. The GC podium remains the same. Riccardo Ricco still sucks...

This Just In - Cheating At The Tour!

That sneaky little bastard. The supreme a-wipe, Riccardo Ricco, gets the boot for EPO. Imagine that. It's also a new, extended release version that is only needed twice a month instead of daily. Super cheating, as far as I'm concerned. It's not even approved for medical use yet! From reports this morning, the peloton is pissed and not riding a much of a pace. I think a blanket party would be in order for the mouthy, self- glossed Cobra. Hope he runs into a mongoose.

TDF Stage 10

Saunier-Duval's Leonardo Piepoli took today's mountain stage, while Cadel Evans dons the yellow jersey at long last. I kind of hope he keeps it to the end. We shall see....

TDF Stage 8-9

I didn't get see much of the Tour this weekend due to more family stuff, but I caught the end of stages 8 & 9 thanks to the DVR. Mark Cavendish got his 2nd win on 8, and Riccardo Rico get his on 9. We'll see if Kirchen can keep the yellow now that the serious climbing is under way.

TDF Stage 6

One of my least favorite a-clowns, Riccardo Ricco, took today's hill top finish ahead of Valverde, Evans, Schleck, and Kirchen. I think Ricco means "big head" in Italian. What a nozzle. Team Columbia must be going crazy at about this time, having gotten the yellow jersey after Schumaker crashed and lost a bunch of time. I didn't know the same time rule didn't apply to climb finishes the same way it does on the flat stages. The "clean " teams seem to be in good shape and are getting some great results. They seem to be in the breaks, sprints, and now Kim Kirchen has the yellow jersey. I think this is just what the doctor ordered ( no pun intended ), and also what the ASO needed to validate their anti-doping stance. Even the French are getting some quality performances. I wonder how these guys are going to hold up in the big mountains. I think Cadel Evans will start to shine when it gets nasty steep.

TDF Stage 5

Mark Cavendish leads the sprinters in on today's stage 5. The usual cast of characters were left in his wake of his sprint on today's very long stage. The GC remains the same, and Gar-Chip and Team Columbia keep on keepin' on. When will we see Columbia cycling gear in the shops? Hmm...

TDF Stage 3

Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin take stage 3 in a break away that actually suceeded! Fellow escapee Roman Feillu takes the yellow jersey. American William Frischkorn took second on the stage.

TDF Day 2

Big Thor Hushovd, tongue wagging, take stage 2 of the Tour. I'm really amazed his bike holds up to all that torque he generates with those tree trunk legs. Fabain Cancellara gave it a go late, but was pulled back in and Thor let it rip for a nice win. Alejandro Valverde kept the yellow. I think this is going to be one hell of a good Tour!

Whoops - I forgot to say "God of Thunder".

This Just In

One of my boys, Alejandro Valverde, take the opening stage of the TDF. Looks like his jersey will now match his bike. All that yellow was a contrast to his black w/ red kit, so he needed that yellow jersey to make things right!

Fabian

Tour De France time is upon us. From what I've seen of the new route, I think my guy is going to have some major impact on the race. Fabian Cancellara is the rider I would most like to emulate. A powerful, smooth, race winning machine who can dominate almost any type of contest. Time trial ? No one better. Spring classics? He's always on form. No matter the terrain, Fabian can dish it out. It's no longer a surprise when he puts the hammer down and pulls away to victory. And he does it with a smile, even when it's a team mate getting the victory. The sport needs more like him, especially with the shadow of doping looming large, Cancellara's name never comes up, knock on wood.

Another challenger I like is Alejandro Valverde. The Spaniard is a good all-arounder who can climb as well as pull off the long break aways and win classics. Cadel Evans needs to show a little more killer instinct this year to take the crown, which has no owner, since the Astana boys aren't being allowed to play. Too bad, since they were major powers in most races they were in. Dopers suck, and until they can prove they have cleaned up their act to the ASO, it's NO SOUP FOR YOU!!

Me, I've got the DVR set to catch all the action daily. I just wish it was available in high definition. The technology is there, so what's the problem? Versus shares it's HD channel with the golf channel, so they have the ability. Maybe it's a money thing. I'm sure once the HD standard is in full force next year, we'll be able to revel in the TDF in full HD glory. I can't wait!!!