Le Tour de France 2009

[Jono]

The commentators keep going on about a show-down...it better happen because so far most of the time you say it will happen it doesn't.

What happened with Cavendish in the last stage? The coms keep mentioning that he did something or something happened to him but not what it was.

 

[StolenThunder]

Barging Hushovd yesterday - http://www.itv.com/sport/tourdefrance/news/stage14report09/default.html - points taken away.

 

[Jono]

^ Thanks.

Oh, no wonder I couldn't find anything useful on him, I was searching for Mike Cavendish...

 

[Angry Angel]

Finally the favourites stirred ... Contador won and I don't see him giving it up after this.

 

[StolenThunder]

Good move from Contador. Glad to see Wiggins keep up too.

 

[Angry Angel]

I heard that on his last tests his vitals were comparable to Armstrong's the last time he won the tour. So quite impressive of Wiggins when he's won so much already in other disciplines.

 

[Shaytan]

Contador won and I don't see him giving it up after this.

Yeps.
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.........

 

[Jono]

^ Not a fan?

 

[Shaytan]

^ Not a fan?

Not a fan of the Astana team.

 

[Angry Angel]

Let's see what today brings. 159 kms from Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and 2 big bumps on the way.

 

[StolenThunder]

I always think the hors categorie climbs look quite scary even on the wee graphic there - let alone in real life.

 

[Angry Angel]

They sure do None today though in the 169.5 kms stage from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand.

 

[StolenThunder]

Wiggins complacent about the abilities of the Schleck Brothers during his interview last night, and punished for it. Good work by Contador.

 

[Angry Angel]

Yeah, it's definitely decided now. Which is good, cause I'm away for the weekend so I won't be missing anything.

 

[Angry Angel]

Time trail stage today ... let's see who still has some energy left.

40.5 kms around Annecy.

 

[Jono]

Second last stage over and its Contador, Andy Schleck then Armstrong on the podium at the end of tomorrow...not a fan of Armstrong so I would have liked to see Frank Schleck or Wiggins at third instead.

 

[StolenThunder]

I really enjoyed yesterday's stage. Helped by being wrapped up in the Wiggins story I suppose.

I don't begrudge Armstrong his third place though. Very impressive.

 

[StolenThunder]

Contador wins the Tour. Cavendish with a good finish to take the stage in Paris.

I had a little more access to coverage of the tour this year - makes me want to see it in the next year or two. And ride a bike more!

 

[Angry Angel]

I had far less coverage than I was used to. We don't have cable so I had to follow it via the internet and Dutch internet radio. Luckily this Tour wasn't that exciting and didn't miss much.

Was away for a couple of days, but was happy to hear on the boat from Finland that Garate finally gave Rabobank a lucky break from its misfortune this year. I wonder what consequences this Tour is going to have though, their sponsor didn't sound all that pleased. A lot of favourites toppled and there's been so much politics, I'm almost glad it's over again, this really has been one of the most boring Tours I've ever followed, cycling-wise that is.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Was away for a couple of days, but was happy to hear on the boat from Finland that Garate finally gave Rabobank a lucky break from its misfortune this year. I wonder what consequences this Tour is going to have though, their sponsor didn't sound all that pleased. A lot of favourites toppled and there's been so much politics, I'm almost glad it's over again, this really has been one of the most boring Tours I've ever followed, cycling-wise that is.

I don't know, the stage layout was terrible imo - one or two descending finishes after big mountains ok,but not every single time please - but I liked it anyway. And I gained a lot of respect for Contador, couldn't have been easy to stay focused with all the crap he had to deal with inside Astana.

But I'm looking forward to next year; Armstrong's team will be competitive for sure - whoever he hires, whatever team Contador gets into will be a real challenger for the yellow jersey, Saxo Bank will be as strong as ever, and there are plenty of dark horses too - Liquigas had a (little noticed) great showing with Pellizoti, Nibali and Kreuziger for example.