Anybody else catch Stage One yesterday? That final sprint was a madman performance from McEwen. I mean, he crashes and is stationary for minutes, injured, teammates all standing there, wondering. Then he threads his way back through a congested peloton on a narrow road, appears at the crucial moment and drops all the sprinter heavies like hot rocks – MAGIC! Didn't even have a leadout man and hit the gas like he’d been shot from a cannon. Boonen might as well have been coasting when Robbie shot by.

The guy has some of the best bike handling skills in pro cycling and even at a slight 147 lbs will get physical with way bigger riders to win sprints. BMX in his youth sure paid off.

Here's some video from yesterday. Watch his acceleration in the overhead camera angle. Then in the tight ground-level coverage, you can see him put an elbow on a guy to make his way:

http://www.velonews.com/vntv/?Art_ID=1070

Rubbin' is racin'.

that's mad acceleration right there!

yes it was & did you notice he was taken immediately to the anti-doping clinic directly after the stage?

He's straight up fast, hands down.

Boonen, Zabel, O'grady have their work cut out for them with him.

Missed the end of stage 1 but did you happen to see today's stage 2?

A Quick Step domestique takes it at the line...crazy start of the Tour for sure.

And I agree, Robbie is "straight up fast." Did you see the stage last year when he leaned almost completely off the bike to muscle another rider? That was some sick bike handling.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Tour...I mean I love watching it over and over again repeatedly but I hate the fact I spend so much time watching those crazy mofo's that I don't get out to ride my own bike.

J

Yea, I remember watching that last year...unbelievable while traveling at close to 40 mph. I believe he got a penalty for that move.

Possibly two Tour favorites took a hit today, crazy stage with all kinds of crashes.

Wow, I was just reading the Velonews report, sounds like carnage was the prevailing factor today. Kloden and Vinokourov are both definite favorites, hope they can come back. Vino lost 90 seconds though, and that's going to be tough to make up.

Tour de' Crash for sure this year. Everyone's anxious to make their move.

I've found that just watching the last half hour pretty much sums up every stage & of course, the sprinters goin nuts.

With all the wrecks is allowing Cancellara (sp?) to defend the yellow pretty easily.

I still like George to be a contender....sitting quietly.

Look for George to do some work for Levi in the mountains.

Agreed, George is a Primary Lieutenant for Levi in the Hills.

Good times for Boonen on #13 win on Fri the 13th.

No Organization up front at all today....makes for a fun finish.

This race has been strange for sure. No organization, crazy crashes, etc.

Can't wait for the hills to start...

Haven't missed an episode. Big fan of Robbie McEwen. It will be interesting how Team Discovery does this year.

Man, Michael Rasmusen F'n dropped the field (stage 8). My money is on him I think. I doubt the GC runners won't let him out of there sight from here on out, but if he has the legs for another run like that he won't have to run a fast time trial... I believe this same guy was world champ MTB wasn't he? Amazing rider...

Lots of runners out, Robbie, Mick Rogers. wow! Kloden and Vinokourov are still in the mix, but how is Alexander with his injury? Maybe the day off with iron out a few things... Great race this year.

Had Basso or Ulrich ran it would be one of them probably.

Then you have stages like today where a 1st time tour day france (my best bob roll) team and nearly a 1st time stage winner comes outta nowhere & puts the boots to everyone. Good for him.

Watch Contador being a big worker in the pyranees and Team DSC to kick it up a notch. Levi is getting P.O'd about the lack of organization and no other teams doing any work.

I think if Discovery wants to make a bid, then they have to do some work at the front to keep in contact with rasmussen over the next days.

Levi stays strong, he'll make the podium cause he can lay it down in the longer TT, where rasmussen may not be able to hang as well.

While not overly impressed with the tour so far, It's gonna get nutty from here. Bet on that.

Yee hah, I'm loving it. The wildcard team that won today is sponsored by a South African company, although we only have one South African rider racing in the tour.

Watch out for Robbie Hunter over the next two days when the sprinters come out to play again. Hopefully he can hold off Boonen and Zabel, but they have much stronger teams and dedicated lead out men for the sprints.

I think its cool that the Noo-B won today, but he's not a concern for the overall GC, so they let him go, but then pretty much reeled him in again at the end I think Rasmusen lost like 40 seconds to the winner.....Like I said, so what! If Rasmusen can do that again (stage 9) -and I think he will, it won't matter that much what he does on the TT and I think thats his strategy.... Its like Lance in 05. He won the TT (first event) and didn't have to blow doors all that much, even though he did anyway..

Levi, he doesn't have it. He's to conservative and doesn't take chances, now this is my theory so far, but the next MTN pass will be HUGE!!! can't wait man.

[ July 17, 2007, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Brad Apold ]

Anybody see the dog get ran over today? Not excatly Eddy running one over at 45 mph bitd but still alittle amusing.

b.

I didn't see it! Anyone see the "Borat" character running with the a-s-sless girls camel toe outfit in front of the peleton??? Bob Roll, " Be afraid, be very afraid"....LOL!!! That guy should be a comedian..He's really funny.

I guess today German TV has decided to strike TTDF because of some guy was caught dopping before the tour and they let him run anyway and everyone is just finding out about it now and everyone is PO'd... Sketchy info at this point as it just came across the wire.... stay tuned. LOL!!!!

Like KNOWONE dopes on the tour.... common!

Like NO ONE dopes in any sport... common!
Cycling is just more stringent.
Man, that Borat dude almost made me puke! Bob Roll does come up with some funny lines sometimes.

I agree Levi plays it safe and needs to take some chances if he wants to place in this tour. He just seems to be waiting for someone else to lead.
Strange tour this year. I guess were used to Lance and Ulrich, Basso. Rasmusen seems like the favorite. Nice guy and gives pretty good interviews.
I have been more entertained by the sprinters this year, especially Robbie M. Although it looks like he is injured or has he droped out?

Mick Rogers drop'n out wasn't a surprize, but after that crash and diving into the revine, I can see why....LOL!!! Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!

I pick Rasmusen, but after Saturday he'll fall out of the yellow jersey only to probably regain it in the 2nd MTN stages... I think he'll pull it together.

Yeah, the TT is where the GC is going to get shaken up. Look for Levi to move up and Rasmussen to drop down a little. All I know, is that the Pyrenees stages are going to make for a great battle. I hope that Levi can deliver.

I wonder how Contador is at time trialing? It would be great to see 2 Disco boys in the top 10 in Paris!

Oh yeah, way to go for Horner! That guy continues to be the most underated US Pro.

Ahha!!! RasmUsen kicks into high gear proving he can time trial.... I thought being in the yellow jersey would spark him to perform... Yellow again! Its in his court now. He needs to watch the closest guys (top 9) and work it from there. The beauty is he can KILL in the mountains, so victory is on his side unless he bonks... and he could. Stay tuned

Its close now. A pity about the Rasmussen controversy regarding him missing doping tests before the tour and being excluded from his national team. Looks like the yellow jersey is jinxed.

I heard something about that but didn't know it was RasmUsen.... Phil Ligget's pernunciation of Rasmusen's name kills me, then I heard him say it the "american" way...haahaa.

Ligget's a funny dude. Must be difficult coming up with intelligent things to say for up to five hours a stretch.

Todays stage was brilliant. I'm not sure how many times Contador attacked on the climbs, but Rasmoooosen(thats how i pronounce it) just managed to hang on. Levi also did well, especially for a big guy on those climbs, and Vino looks like he had a point to prove the way he finished.

Glad tommorow is a rest day, i really need a break from the couch.

After today's stage I can't wait for everyone to start saying Vino's using drugs...remember last year there was a guy (what's his name? Oh yeah, Landis) who totally pooched it one day and came back to destory the field the nest.

And yes, I think Vino was looking for redemption.

I also love the way Contador (maybe my new favorite rider) has been attacking Rasmusen. Yesterday, it looked like he tried to make a deal for the stage and RasMusen decided not to play nice so he hammered him. Today it appeard there was still no love lost and he hammered at him some more.

PJbaz, agree, Contrador is like the new guy on the block... LOL, and RasMoooosen, was hang'n on well. RasM will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat Wed on the crawl to the Summit Col De Bisque (sp?), and will probably be the event to watch I think. If Rasmoosen can stay with Contrador and those two pull another 2-3minutes on the time trial guys, it'll be Rassy's year.. My money is on Rasmooosen, however if Contrador wins it'll be the coolest thing ever. I'm with ya on Alberllllllto C... Levi is left wondering what happend. Levi doesn't have it...

It's been said before on this site and elsewhere, Levi is not aggressive enough. Good rider with a good team but he needs to be the boss and make things happen.

I was the one who said it above ^^. He's has no conviction for going outside the box.. This Contrador guy is pulling off Lance style attacks and Rassy is responding like Lance would have. Leggit is conviced that "Rasmooosen has been put in difficulty"....BS. He doesn't have to put time on Contrador at this point as long as he can at leat hang with him... There's one more TT too beside tomorrows climb to Col-De-Bisque, and those to events will determine. I think Rassy will will have to attack tomorrow to finally get the TT guys out of the picture. Its not over and Levi could do something, but Rassy will respond....... Every June I say I'm not going to let this sport consume my July nights, but it always seems to in some shape or form....Damn!!! LOL!!!

I look for Rasmesen to take the tour this year, doing what he needs to do and has some in reserve I think, but Contador, I agree awesome to see him push.
Who does everyone think the next top American will be, I'm thinking Zabriski, but there are several to choose from.
pjbaz...I was thinking the same thing as you when Vino won today....where are the comparisons in the media...oh there won't be any because one is an American (automatically guilty in the worlds eyes) and the other from Europe...no way he could be guilty and he was just very determined. I'm not taking anything away from Vino with that statement, hellva a ride he put in.

So is Floyd last years winner or not? Is he busted for dope'n or does he have real high testosterone levels... LOL!!!

Also, did Floyd have hip replacement or is he banned for dope'n...?

Contrador will be the man in years to come. Brazinski is a great TT, but I don't think he has the climbing skills needed...

Vino is now a DOPE head........

Yet another black eye in the Tour....so much for the super domestique for Kloden. what a let down.

contador must attack tomorrow, cadel will hammer out the TT, Levi....well, too little too late this year. And finally with all the questions concerning the Danish Doping council with Rasmussen, he better keep his stuff straight or he'll be the next to be under the microscope.

personally, I'd like to see Evans standing on the podium. He's got the skills to do so, but tomorrow is Rasmussen's & Contador's playground & if he loses time, he's looking @ 3rd at best, because after tomorrow, it's a sprinters playground.

.......sigh.........Vino....

Yep, its official, the following from cyclingnews.com:

"The Tour de France was rocked by news that Astana's battered team leader, Alexandre Vinokourov, tested positive for a homologous blood transfusion after Saturday's time trial in Albi. L'Equipe reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Kazakh's blood had shown evidence of a transfusion from another person with a compatible blood type in an analysis done in the Châtenay-Malabry laboratory. The positive test was later confirmed by the Astana team.

Upon receiving the news, the Astana team suspended Vinokourov and quit the Tour de France, according to a statement which read, "According to the ethical code of the Astana Cycling Team, Alexandre Vinokourov has been suspended of the team with immediate effect. The rider asked nevertheless [for] a B-analysis. Informed by the Astana management, the organisers of the Tour de France invited the team to withdraw, [and] was immediately accepted."

Arrgghhh! And to think I naively believed yesterday he was all about heart and pure determination.

Well now I know how he put in that ride. I'm shocked, just can't believe it.

I was just joking...maybe I need to joke about ME winning the Powerball lottery Wednesday night. Yeah, that's it.

Shame about Vino, I've always liked his determination and aggressiveness.

J

I'm not suprized at the least. You go from bonk'n one day to supreme domination the next?? common!

I'm really glad Lance was never using. LOL! and if he was then shame on him. I'm sure he has. Hell, they all have.

Before Vino's crash early on he probably was the rider that could have got the tour thing won, but lets not forget all the real fast guys that are gone for the samething Vino's out for... Basso, Ulrich...

I'm sure they have all taken something at some stage. Heck, i did my first ride of the year on Sunday and could have done with a blood transfusion, some testosterone and a bottle of Jack Daniels afterwards, and that was only about 30km's.

These guys do up to 4000 k's at 40 k's an hour in three weeks. Not sure if you can do that on powerade and powerbars alone.

Man, I don't know what to think of this sport anymore(which is a big problem for me since aside from college football its the only sport that I am really into). Seems like all of my favorites through the years are getting caught doping. Heras, Millar, Hamilton, Ulrich, Landis, and now Vino. Seems like every year, I am getting more and more disappointed by my picks. So many of my friends in the racing community keep telling me to get used to it, that most everyone is doping in some fashion. Heck, Zabmx is probably right, "powerade and powerbars" just won't cut it at that level.

Of course I will keep watching, but if Horner every tests positive, I'm done. That guy has great integrity, he races out of love for the race.

[ July 24, 2007, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Clavicus2000 ]

Wait, wait, no, NO!

It's a French conspiracy! The French are just jealous! They just hate Kazakhstanians! I read Borat book. Based he can't possibly be doping. Jak sie masz? My name Vino. I like you. I like sex. Is nice!

Vino was already under suspicion before the tour started. for info check cyclingnews.com and search "men in black". Vino's not the only hi-profile tour rider, either.

The thing I really hate is your announcers play it off like the guys that get caught are the only riders doing it... ya know? Then they say the integrity of the sport is at risk. LOL!!! Hey Phil! were not stupid here.. Its like saying that todays pro/top bodybuilders don't use the gass... Its impossible to look that way unless you do, so stop it with the "its all natural" BS....

I'm almost wondering if they should have it, "run what cha brung".... ??? Then they can all be fare...haahaahaaaa... Its a no win deal.

[ July 25, 2007, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: Brad Apold ]

Vinokourov did manage a joke about his situation. "I heard that I made a transfusion with my father's blood," Vinokourov said. "That's absurd, I can tell you that with his blood, I would have tested positive for vodka."
Had it been his sister's blood, he would have tested postitive for being number 4 prostitute in all of Kazakhstan.

Is nice!

[ July 25, 2007, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: cornfed ]

Haahaaaa ^^^

What a stage today!!!!!! Anyone see it?? I won't say who won just in case you plan to watch it later..... Great event!

A Cofidis rider got outed today also. He isn't a contender but they all dope.

Question now becomes can Levi put a minute into Cadel in the TT?

He wants that podium

Hahahaha Now Cofidis is out. The whole team.

What a joke.

They sat back at the start to protest the dopers...

Pathetic.

I don't think Levi can take a minute out of Cadel...It could be close, but Levi might have to attack on the flats perhaps. I think the next two days will be a surprize. It isn't over yet