Tour de France 2009

[habernac]

Contador killed the TT, though some weren't too happy about how close he was to the motorcycle with the cameraman on it (wouldn't that be the motorcycle's fault?).

From Armstrong's Twitter update: TT done. Finally back to the hotel. That hurt like hell. Ran outta fuel and paid for yesterday's effort I suppose. Happy to move to 3rd tho.

He is human afterall.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by habernac

Contador killed the TT, though some weren't too happy about how close he was to the motorcycle with the cameraman on it (wouldn't that be the motorcycle's fault?).

Yeah, totally the motorcycle's fault. I think it was the previous day's stage that they showed the race director standing up through the sunroof in the car and telling one of the motorcycles to get a move on as they were too close to one of the chasing groups.

So far this year at least there have been no spectators pusing riders up the climb.

Armstrong more or less committed to 2010. Rumors have already started that Cavendish and the Schleck brothers will be joining the team with Bruyneel in charge.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will quit Astana and form a US-based team for 2010.The new outfit will be known as Team RadioShack and sponsored by the American electronics retail giant.
Armstrong said: "To compete for an American team with the world's top cyclists, supported by the best coaches and staff - I couldn't be happier."
The Texan returned to competition with Astana after a four-year retirement and lies third overall in this year's Tour.
In a statement, the RadioShack Corporation said: "Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France."
Earlier this year, doubts over the financial situation of Astana - which is bankrolled by an arm of the Kazakh government - led to fears the team would be barred from the Tour.
Armstrong's Astana manager Johan Bruyneel, who guided him to his seven Tour wins, has made it clear he will be leaving the team after this season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ng/8166016.stm

[FurnaceFace]

I can't see the Schlecks joining the team. Andy has a real chance to with the tour in the coming years so I would be surprised to see him going a team where he wasn't the #1 rider.

Team RadioLance will be all about Armstrong with the usual good/great supporting cast of guys like Kloden and Levi. I could see Cavendish being part of the team, he's not really a GC threat.

I'm curious to see what happens to Contadour for next year, seems like he's have to reload with a completely different team.

[Bobblehead]

I don't follow too closely, but some interesting comments made by Contador:

Asked on French TV what the hardest moment in this race, Contador replied: "It was in the (team) hotel," without elaborating.

Contador and Armstrong reportedly had differences early in the race, as tensions grew over who was the No. 1 Astana rider.

"We are totally incompatible. In the end, Armstrong will go his way and I'll go mine," Contador said.

http://www.tsn.ca/other_sports/story/?id=285802

[valo403]

Way to go Lance, you've failed us all.

[Bagor]

One of the best tours in recent years IMO. I hope they keep to the same format and keep the mountains and the TT stages (make it a bit longer) right up against the final cruise into Paris.

Cavendish is money on the sprint. 6 stage wins is pretty spectacular. Contador was a deserving winner and Armstrong getting on the podium considering his age and absence is something else.

He's at a point now where even at a year older and leading a team I wouldn't bet against him making it back onto the podium next year. There's a good chance that the podium could be the same next year providing Contador gets a decent team.

Have got permission from my wife to go for Vendoux and Alpe d'Huez as part of a vacation in the next 5 years. One of those things that has to be done.

[habernac]

let me know, I'll go with you. I'd actually have an excuse to get out on the road bike then.

Great tour, a victory for more than one. Contador proves he's the best. Lance proves he is no also ran. I can't imagine the "team" astmosphere they had there. Contador will do fine wherever he may land. I won't be surprised to see Astana fold altogether. Vino can't carry that team himself.

[Bagor]

Yeah, I'll do that ... maybe .. possibly, we might have moved there but you're more than welcome and that's not just a random internet offer. I'll back it up.

I will warn you though that we are very casual cyclists so if one of the members of the backup team is hanging out the back of a plasterer's van asking you do you want a bit of a spliff as you're concentrating on a breathing rhythm on a climb feel free to tell him to F off and I disclaim from all responsibility. In all seriousness though we always reach our planned destination. Been around Ireland about 4 times.

Basically a touring/party crowd. Emphasis on scenery, banter and enjoyment. Not times.

[habernac]

I probably would have a tough time going, my wife isn't much of a cyclist (yet) and my chances of going solo to France would be nil. Nice to dream, tho.

[Bagor]

Take yer wife & kids. They'll love it.

*edit* Your call. don't want to sound stalkerish.

[habernac]

no worries.

Sounds like Alberto is a huge Armstrong fan:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/07/27/...ong/index.html

"My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will," the 26-year-old Spaniard admitted.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by habernac

no worries.

Sounds like Alberto is a huge Armstrong fan:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/07/27/...ong/index.html

"My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will," the 26-year-old Spaniard admitted.

Lance isn't happy either calling Alberto selfish. Such children. If the team doesn't ride well Alberto doesn't win and on the climb to Mont Ventoux, Alberto pretty much babysat Lance up the hill.

They helped each other.

[habernac]

you put two alpha dogs on a team, they aren't going to get along. This was a crappy setup from the get go for Contador, I don't blame him for being pissed.

[GirlySports]

So now what? Who goes with Alberto and who goes with Lance?

(I would go with Contador)

[habernac]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

So now what? Who goes with Alberto and who goes with Lance?

(I would go with Contador)

I don't know. Bruyneel is going with Lance's team for certain. Contador won't be on Astana as Vinokourov is back from suspension and it'll be the same situation as this year.

[habernac]

this is why I'm a bug George Hincapie fan: he rode the last 4 stages with a broken collarbone

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/geor...-in-tour-crash

[habernac]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cyclin...ory?id=4368744

Spaniard Mikel Astarloza, who finished 11th in the Tour de France, has been provisionally suspended following a positive out-of-competition test for the banned blood booster EPO, the International Cycling Union said on Friday.

[Bobblehead]

Can someone explain the "green jersey" thing? Is that something that goes on during the regular tour, or is this another tour just for sprinters?

I noticed it while reading The Sports Economist blog:

In spite of winning 6 out of 21 Tour stages, Britain's Mark Cavendish lost out to Norwegian Thor Hushovd for the sprinters "Green Jersey" competition. Rather than time-based, this competition awards points for finishes in stages (as well as small awards for intra-stage sprints) depending on the type of stage.

[Bagor]

During each stage there are alloted parts of that stage where points are awarded for position finished at that part of the stage. They are on flatter parts of the course to allow for sprints just as for the polka dot (king of the mountain) they are at the summit of climbs. Most accumulated points at the end is the winner. Points vary by stage depending on the type of stage (high mountain/medium mountain ...)

e.g. Green jersey parts of the stage below are marked as "s".



From wiki.

Currently, the green jersey classification is calculated by adding up the points collected in the stage and subtracting penalty points. Points are rewarded for the first cyclists to cross the finish-line or the intermediate sprint line, and for the cyclists with the fastest times in the prologue or individual time trials, according to the following scheme[3]

Before the start of the Tour de France, the organization declares which stages are considered "flat", "medium mountain" or "high mountain". When the order in which cyclists crossed the line cannot be determined or when cyclists score exactly the same time in the prologue/individual time trial, the cyclists divide the points (rounded up to the nearest 1/2 point). A cyclist that does not finish a stage, is removed from the points classification. After every stage, the leader in the points classification is given a green jersey. In the event of a tie in the ranking, the cyclist with the most stage victories is the leader. If that is also a tie, the number of intermediate sprint victories indicates the leader. If that is also a tie, the general classification (yellow jersey classification) determines the leader. At the end of the Tour de France, the cyclist leading the points classification is the winner of the green jersey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_jersey

The points system is there also but doesn't transfer well.

So even though Cavendish was without doubt by far the best sprinter on the tour other factors can contribute to him not winning the green jersey such as e.g. in the example above he could struggle on the climbs prior to the last sprint point allowing competitors to gain an advantage. He also lost 18 points in one stage due to a childish complaint by Hushovd and a subsequent (IMO) very harsh disqualification.