Lance has got mighty good form for 37 years of age and three years off.

Team Astana has some serious depth.

This year's course profile is very interesting and unusual. Could crack some major players.

It's going to be a good one!

*edit: typo

This year is just up for grabs. I may end up eating my words, but I don`t see anyone just running away with this thing. Hopefully it will keep us on the edge of our seats for a few weeks. I can`t wait to see how Lance does, off for a few years, an old man now in a young mans game, but if knowing how to play the game has anything to do with it, he could make many a younger rider weep. If he holds his own, and does`nt crumble on the big hills, he will still be Superman to me.

Up the Irons Lance

Gooooooooooooooooo Lance !!!!!!!!!

So far it's looking good.
The Tour coverage over here in England is really good; three hours (4-7) on Saturday's opening stage.

Ive watched every one of Lances wins in Le Tour. I cheer on Cadel Evans of course but Lance is a firm favorite of mine, a role model and hero.

The Tour starts at 11pm here and finishes around 4am, its a hell of a time of year, NO SLEEP.

Adrian

Cavendish is a missile!

I was fortunate to see Lance win the Nevada City Classic on Father's day (6-17-09) with he, Levi, and a young dude named Ben (from the bay area here in Ca I believe) lap the field. If any of you are familiar with that course you know how difficult it is. Toughest one in the US. Lance broke away with 6 laps to go and just ran away with it. He is definitely in great condition and should do well in this years TDF.
When you get see elite cat 1 pro cyclists a few feet away from you in action, you witness the true speed and power these guys have.

Stage 4 was nuts.
Astana wins; Armstrong is in second (tied for first IMO), and Astana riders are sitting 2-5; with all 5 riders with a shot at the podium.
What if the podium were all Astana; Armstrong, Contador, and either Kloden or Leipheimer?
That's two former winners and a podium finisher.
Nuts I say!!

Great race so far but still have a long ways to go. Looks to be more exciting than last years tour.

Cadel Evans down to 35th more than 2 min 30 secs off the pace. Seems to me that the Silence Lotto Team doesnt want to win the Tour. The riders that suround Evans dont seem to be able to provide what is needed to win a Tour.

I dont see, barring good fortune how Evans can claw back that time against teams like Astana and Cervelo, SaxoBank etc. The quality of their team is astounding - Astana with placings 2-5??? Armstrong is truly super human, his mental attitude is beyond my ken. I hope he wins, I dont like seeing him play second fiddle to anyone, especially Cancellara, Contador and Sastre.

Go Evan and Lance. NOW that would be a team worth following.

Live Strong

Adrian

Road goes up tomorrow. A very interesting day, I'd wager.