Le Tour 2009

[FatTony]

Spanish papers are reporting today that they are huge fights in the Astana camp, and that the team is splitting over loyalty to either Armstrong or Contador.

This is getting better and better.

The thing is, there has been so much talk of Armstrong having his own team in the future that it may be infleuncing their allegiance. If Armstrong does get his own team, you can bet there will be plenty of riders hoping to jump on board, and if you sided with Contador in this tour you could probably kiss that chance goodbye.

I really thought Lance would sit in his support role, but I suppose the man is a winner and must feel strong enough to win it, so I have to agree with him in that he should've been given a little more respect and given a chance. The way he talked down everyone for failing to anticipate the breakaway was a real slap in the face to Contador and co.

Anyway, this is absolutely fascinating.


Armstrong presses Astana leadership claims
By Jane Aubrey, WWOS10:30 AEST Tue Jul 7 2009

"It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that you have to go to the front," Armstrong said. "I have won the Tour de France seven times, why wouldn't we ride at the front."

In recent months, Astana manager Johan Bruyneel has been forced to reiterate that 2007 Tour de France winner Contador is indeed team leader, having also won the 2008 Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana.

"After winning the Tour in 2007 and then becoming the fifth cyclist to win all three Grand Tours, it’s hard to find a better stage race rider than Alberto," Bruyneel said when the Astana roster was unveiled for the Tour de France in late June.

When Armstrong's comeback to the pro peloton was announced last year, and the confirmation came that he would ride with Astana, there were considerable rumblings that Contador would quit the team.

"Lance Armstrong is a champion, and I think he will want to race to win. I am sure that he also wants to be the leader of the team," the Spaniard said at the time.

"I want to be sure the team guarantees that I will be in the Tour as the team leader... If I am not happy I will change teams," was Contador's ultimatum. "It's not normal that someone working for you finishes less than a minute off in the general standings."

Bruyneel was not giving much away following Armstrong's shock move up the standings. "Sometimes things like this happen," he said. "It was really a surprise moment, because it's not normal that all the favourites are surprised."

Contador also wasn't doing much to dispel any hints that he may have been unhappy with the way the day's stage played out.

"I don’t want to judge the tactic of the team," the 26-year-old said. "I will let everyone make up their own minds."

Armstrong's 19-second lead over his team-mate following stage three could lead to a coup for the American should Astana put in a good showing in tonight's Team Time Trial in Montpellier. Following a four-year hiatus from the Tour de France, Armstrong could once again be wearing the yellow leader's jersey.

Should that happen, Contador will not be in a position to attack his team-mate as the peloton heads to the mountains of Andorra later this week. Instead, Astana will be defending Armstrong's lead with no room for in-fighting.

[ningnangnong]

Nice article.

It's going to be very interesting to see how it all pans out.

[Neil Young]

I just got back from riding part of today's course. It's pretty much a headwind out of Montpellier as far as Grabels. The course isn't flat but there's nothing to disturb the riders (unlike me who struggled and puffed up the slight inclines). It's hot for me but not too bad and at the moment it's cloudy.

As I was riding up to join the course I saw the whole Columbia team out practising followed by a gaggle of amateurs vainly trying to keep up. So I joined them only to be tooted at by a car. It was an official Saxo Bank vehicle, followed shortly by the whole team. They stopped just down the road for a piss so I can say I officially overtook the holder of the yellow jersey (although disappointingly he was in his Swiss national champion's jersey because they were only practising).



Inevitably on the lump out of Grabels they went shooting past me. I got as far as Murviel before the road was closed to cyclists. There's a nasty little corner between Bel Air and Murviel, at the bottom of a short descent on a poor road surface. Of course finding out stuff like that is why they ride the course but you never know, someone might overcook it, as I almost did.

[Guest]

So you're basically on holidays doggie?

Haven't got the time to delve into Le Tour yet, hopefully I'll do this before they start climbing. It promises to be a cracking race unless doping shows its ugly face once again.

[Neil Young]

So you're basically on holidays doggie?

Haven't got the time to delve into Le Tour yet, hopefully I'll do this before they start climbing. It promises to be a cracking race unless doping shows its ugly face once again.

Just by posting here, in what I had hoped would be a cat-free zone, Le Dope has already shown his ugly face again.

Yes, I am on holiday.

[FatTony]

I just got back from riding part of today's course. It's pretty much a headwind out of Montpellier as far as Grabels. The course isn't flat but there's nothing to disturb the riders (unlike me who struggled and puffed up the slight inclines). It's hot for me but not too bad and at the moment it's cloudy.

As I was riding up to join the course I saw the whole Columbia team out practising followed by a gaggle of amateurs vainly trying to keep up. So I joined them only to be tooted at by a car. It was an official Saxo Bank vehicle, followed shortly by the whole team. They stopped just down the road for a piss so I can say I officially overtook the holder of the yellow jersey (although disappointingly he was in his Swiss national champion's jersey because they were only practising).



Inevitably on the lump out of Grabels they went shooting past me. I got as far as Murviel before the road was closed to cyclists. There's a nasty little corner between Bel Air and Murviel, at the bottom of a short descent on a poor road surface. Of course finding out stuff like that is why they ride the course but you never know, someone might overcook it, as I almost did.

Man, I am so jealous right now.

[Guest]

Just by posting here, in what I had hoped would be a cat-free zone, Le Dope has already shown his ugly face again.

Yes, I am on holiday.

I'm on holiday too.

[Neil Young]

I'm on holiday too.

Where?

Dear God, please don't let him be in France.

[Neil Young]

Man, I am so jealous right now.

Excellent.

[ningnangnong]

I just got back from riding part of today's course. It's pretty much a headwind out of Montpellier as far as Grabels. The course isn't flat but there's nothing to disturb the riders (unlike me who struggled and puffed up the slight inclines). It's hot for me but not too bad and at the moment it's cloudy.

As I was riding up to join the course I saw the whole Columbia team out practising followed by a gaggle of amateurs vainly trying to keep up. So I joined them only to be tooted at by a car. It was an official Saxo Bank vehicle, followed shortly by the whole team. They stopped just down the road for a piss so I can say I officially overtook the holder of the yellow jersey (although disappointingly he was in his Swiss national champion's jersey because they were only practising).



Inevitably on the lump out of Grabels they went shooting past me. I got as far as Murviel before the road was closed to cyclists. There's a nasty little corner between Bel Air and Murviel, at the bottom of a short descent on a poor road surface. Of course finding out stuff like that is why they ride the course but you never know, someone might overcook it, as I almost did.

Sounds like a cracking morning mate.

[ningnangnong]

Armstrong awfully close to getting the yellow jersey today. Cancellara barely holds onto it.

[Neil Young]

Cancellara deserves it. He virtually rode an ITT. Amazing display.

Sastre loses another 1:37 to the Astana boys. I can't see him clawing it all back and more, what with another ITT to come.

[FatTony]

A more diplomatic Armstrong after todays race, I see on his blog he's made a little compliment to Contatdor (a comment about the pavement needing to be replaced where Alberto put the power down today). He's still maintaining that he's here to win it though but now there are more than two leaders (I assume he's including the impressive Levi also).

Cancelarra was awesome today, but Astana were like a steam train.

Tomorrows stage is made for the sprinters and Columbia and Cavendish should be there once more, especially as the 5 following stages offer very little for them, they'll want to make the most of this.

[ningnangnong]

Great ride from Thomas Voeckler today.

[Neil Young]

Yes, little Tommy took his chance well. The peloton really messed up though. I think Columbia were making a point - we're not riding down every break, etc.

Interesting that Cavendish went for (and, inevitably, won) the sprint for third. Proof, were it still needed, that he is definitely going for the green jersey and not just stage wins. I don't expect him to compete for intermediate sprints for a fortnight or so though.