Le Tour '07: Stage 6 Live!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 2:30 AM EDT in News

Today's romp to Bourg en Bresse will be a last chance for the sprinters for about five days. There are also a couple categorized climbs, which means the stage will be difficult enough to dissuade some teams from chasing down the inevitable break. Look for CSC to stop working and let the jersey go if the right people are up the road. However, the chances of a bunch sprint just got better today, now that some six different teams have a sprinter in contention for the green jersey. And four of those teams, Milram, Quick Step, Credit Ag, and Barloworld, have no incentive to sit back and watch. Add in Rabo and Lotto and you have teams which will all have a nose for the stage win today.

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Piano today?

lots of battered and bruised bodies in the peleton from yesterday's thunderdome stage might appreciate a nice spin through the countryside.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 6:54 AM EDT reply actions

Wiggins!

9'30" lead for Bradley Wiggins. Only 160km to go...

by Mark @ Podium Cafe on Jul 13, 2007 7:53 AM EDT reply actions

maybe he has an appointment

with a hair stylist at the finish.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Good morning, all. From CN:

Stage 6: DNS Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Cofidis - multiple injuries.

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

Good morning.

Does anyone know if Benjamin Noval started?

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

may I say this?

let's just say that I don't have to resort to the German TV stream this morning

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

I htink

youy can say anything you want about streams.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

did your stream just

dry up, Ghisallo?

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

404

Here today, gone tomorrow.

Belgians are still on :-)

Too bad 'bout all the buffering.

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

wiggins out to 16:00 min plus

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Jul 13, 2007 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

Boonen took the first sprint

If I recall correctly, he didn't want to contest the intermediate sprints to get the green jersey last year.

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

Gap 16:13, 122.4k to go, 76mi

QS, CSC on the front of the peloton. Wiggin's longest lead was about 17 minutes at one point, but they've just stepped it up to catch him. No one has mentioned Noval yet, but I read last night that the glass from the windshield cut into his underarm, even cutting muscle. Yikes.

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 8:57 AM EDT reply actions

I read that too,

and Johan said he thought he'd start. But I read on another site last night that he wasn't going to start. I hope he can tough it out.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

CN Ticker says that Noval

definitely started the race this morning.

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

nice, thx.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I've seen Tom go for intermediate sprints

before, it's Robbie that I recall who can't be bothered.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

Did I hear Phil say Vino/Astana didn't get

penalized for all that help he got yesterday?

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

Yes.

It was the most flagrant violation I've ever seen, but that's cycling...

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Frank Schleck

Had similar amounts of internally-combusted 'help' to get back on in Amstel Gold.

Years ago, on the Pace Bend course west of Austin, we watched as my Dutch room-mate rolled past the feed-zone behind the p12 bunch spewing Dutch curses--he'd flatted.

We were amazed the next lap when he spun through at the front of the bunch. He finished in the top 10 only to be dq'd--he'd motor-paced behind a follow van for that entire lap. We had to spend most of the drive from Austin to College Station explaining that such help wasn't allowed in US racing.

(thick accent): "Well . . . I think that's FF****cked"

by R Mc on Jul 13, 2007 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Classic!

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

And he's right

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I think in Europe it's ok to draft a bit

but not to hold onto the car. IIRC when riders have been penalized in le Tour it's been for holding onto the car door for a couple of minutes while talking to the DS, or something like that.

Here, on the other hand... remember Hincapie being DQ'd at the 1997 USPRO championship road race for drafting his team car?

by socal @ Podium Cafe on Jul 13, 2007 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Drafting off your team car is one thing but

I half expected to see a train cattle plow on the front of the Astana car. They were clearing him a path.

How can they not have at least given him a token penalty?

by Punctured on Jul 13, 2007 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Guilt, plain and simple

Those roads were not designed for 175 racers going 60kph in a compact bunch. They thought the hills would spread the bunch out.

Result: carnage!

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 13, 2007 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Are cattle plows against the rules?

Let's not be such sticklers over the rules (I doubt any of us even know what they truly say). Really, just relax and enjoy the race.

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

No way they are going to DQ

Vino after a nasty crash for "getting mechanical and medical" advice from his team manager.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

It was handy for Vino

that they pasted that advice to the rear window of the Astana car.

by Punctured on Jul 13, 2007 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

110k to go/88.5 mi, gap 11:48

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

Another nugget from CN this morning,

Tyler Hamilton is now suing Tinkhoff for breach of contract. Guess Tinkhoff should have known better than to take on Tyler and all his baggage, but Tyler certainly has some nerve; probably looking for money to pay off his outstanding legal fees.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Saw that

Where to begin? With Hamilton, who thinks in this climate he can come off a suspension, get names inthe biggest scandal ever, and just carry on? Or with Tinkoff, who seems to have thought when he hired Hamilton he was getting a rider with a completely normal career course? I decided they both need to be ignored.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Robbie Hunter's lead out man,

Enrico Degano, apparently crashed hard and was last seen sitting on the road getting medical attention. Don't know if he's back on his bike yet or not.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

withdrawn

and on his was to the hosp.

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

At least people are

DNF'ing for spectacular reasons.

According to CN, Vino only has deep cuts and contusions, no mention of anything being sutured. Can anyone confirm that he got sewn up?

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

I saw them interview

a team physician or spokeswoman on Vs before coming to work. IIRC, she said that Vino had stitches on both knees and an elbow.

On a side note, I'm also keeping track of the stage on the Yahoo UK sports livetrack. They've put up a couple of quotes from the Astana general manager. According to Yahoo UK, '196km - Astana manager Marc Biver when questioned whether he still held hopes of his team winning the Tour: ""I don't think so," he told reporters. "Let's be realistic. Kloeden is not in the best conditions to ride. Nobody can say if they are in a position to finish the Tour, let alone the stage. It does not augur well. That's life, that's sport. There are moments of glory, moments of defeat. We've been struck by fate. Today we hope for better news."'

Also, according to Yahoo UK (also from the livetrack), '96km - Astana general manager Marc Biver: "Klöden has suffered more in terms of his confidence, while Vino has suffered more physically. Andreas was already stung by criticisms in the German press. The fall has certainly not helped him. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't finish the Tour. If there are significant time losses in the Alps then we will probably rethink our strategy."'

Man, way to motivate your team there, Marc. I hope for the riders' sake that this is an attempt to downplay expectations so that maybe other teams don't take them as seriously. If so, I don't know that it would work. If it's not such an attempt, I'd have to think I'd find it very demoralizing if my team manager was saying such things...

by Le Comte on Jul 13, 2007 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Thought the same thing

If I'm Kash, my first thought is "What about me?" and my second thought is "Now I'm really depressed"

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Interview with JB

says that Noval had stitches in his biceps and chin and was able to start. Taking it hour by hour. He is the accountants designated protector.

Coup De Pot Rouleurs

by Clydesdale on Jul 13, 2007 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

I though the most intersting thing

about that interview was the way Johan always referred to Discovery's leaders, and mentioned Alberto and Levi by name.

That didn't sound like an "all for one" approach.

"Oh peas and rice, they did it again!"

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 13, 2007 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

i knew that was gonna happen

Levi doesn't seem ultra confident. Johan is the master of undermining. What a dick.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If Levi had spoken to Landis

he would have known that Bruyneel would do this. For that matter, he could have figured it out by just reading "Lance Armstrong's War".

Bruyneel threw Levi under the bus about ten minutes after the prologue ended. Now he's just putting the bus in reverse to back over him again.

by socal @ Podium Cafe on Jul 13, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

He'd better keep quiet about it

Or Johan will flush his rest day blood!

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 13, 2007 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

oof

I was surprised by Bruny's press comments. Usually Discovery press comments are all like "everything's great, it's all going according to plan..." Spin-a-rama.

Levi seems to have a knack for turning his teams and DS's against him, or at least losing their confidence. I thought it was just a Gerol thing, but now I'm not so sure.

Sucks to be him, though. The Tour's a long race to have the DS throwing you under the bus on day one.

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I think

it's Levi's obsession with canine rats that turns people against him.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

The bus has gone back and forth

on Levi several times while at Disco.

Hire Basso: forward (thump)
Fire Birillo: then reverse (thump)
Contador Wins Paris Nice, two leaders at TdF: forward (thump)

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Explanation from Ullrich

<Meanwhile Ullrich apologized to fans for an interview in the French daily L'Equipe for appearing during this year's race. Ullrich said he spoke briefly to L'Equipe's cycling correspondent several weeks ago when several riders were confessing their involvement in doping, but said he did not expect or intend an article to appear during this year's Tour.<p> Ullrich also said he had been wrongly interpreted . . ."There was no talks of money or having enough of it," he said, adding that L'Equipe would be correcting this "wrong interpretation.">

by NE Observer on Jul 13, 2007 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Attribution

http://cyclingfansanonymous.blogspot.com/

by NE Observer on Jul 13, 2007 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Kloden looking

like the pain is getting to him.

Coup De Pot Rouleurs

by Clydesdale on Jul 13, 2007 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

Klodi

is just about done. I bet his back is bothering him too. If you can't sit normally, your pains are just beginning.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

If he gets through today

he won't make it through the weekend. Sunday's stage makes me tired just looking at it.

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Sunday is a key stage

Carlos, you're on, baby! Win me my VDS points!

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Can someone point me to a site

that gives a complete run-down of all the the points and time bonuses for each stage?

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

I'd like to find one

The best I can find is this: http://www.cycling4all.com/r07rvf00.php#bonipts

Thanks to Wim van Rossum who maintains an excellent site!!!

Of note is a change in the mountains points from the scale I posted before and now. HC climbs are worth 20 points (not 40) but the mountaintop finishes have double points.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 13, 2007 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

That'll work, thanks.

CN's maps of each stage indicate the intermediate sprints and climb categories, so combine the two and I've got just what I was looking for.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

How is Vino Holding Up?

I watched a few minutes this morning and he looked ok, considering he crashed so hard.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Tony's ride

Great quote from Gerard Vroomen (Cervelo frame designer?) in CN's peak at Cance's SLC-SL.

"There are two bikes you can build: the lightest or the fastest ... the first would win the 'let's hold our bikes over our head' contest, the second would win the bike race. "

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Haven't seen Vino in a while, Last time

I did he looked relatively mellow hanging out behind his team, other than the mummified-with-gauze look.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

well that

was a dick move.

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

But it doesn't qualify as a full Bjarne

unless you throw the entire bike in the ditch.

by socal @ Podium Cafe on Jul 13, 2007 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

The Full Bjarne

The danish version of the sprightly english comedy? Six hard on their luck working class danes take turns playing strip chess with death?

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

What was?

by Le Comte on Jul 13, 2007 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Wiggins

Popped a spoke, slowed and got off his bike without trouble, and then threw his rear wheel across a ditch. So now the mechanic has to scramble across and up to retrieve a wheel, all in service of a stupid little tantrum.

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Apparently, a few journalists this morning

attempted to create a little controversy by suggesting the peloton took advantage of Astana's bad luck and picked up the pace when Vino crashed. Mario Kummer quickly put them in their place and reminded them that the crash happened near the end of the race and coincidentally occurred just as the peloton decided to catch the break. Good on him.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Love it

Kim Anderson sounded just like Bjarne in his awkward use of English profanity at this suggestion. And he nicely reminded them that Carlos crashed and nobody waited.

Was watching Overcoming while riding the trainer last night (news in itself), and I can appreciate their concerns. There was an episode in that Tour where Jens! (I am now writing his name with ! after it) was on yet another long break, but slowed when Ullrich attacked Lance and Basso. Jens! waited while Ullrich went by, then towed the Lance/Basso group up to catch his countryman. Everyone was pissed... like Jens! was supposed to work for T-Mobile? Or CSC was supposed to let Ullrich go and not worry about Ivan's podium place?

The point is, journos over there just make shit up about on-road strategy.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Jens!

Vande Velde had a wonderful description of Jens! in his most recent VN diary:

'Unless, of course, you have the amazing mentality of a person like Jens who yells at himself, something like "I am the great Jens-freakin'-Voigt! These poofters on X team can't break you! They are nothing!" '

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

What was the 'news'

That you were watching Overcoming or actually riding?

:-)

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

the latter

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I remember that! The German media was

trying to put a nationalistic spin on it by condemning Jens for working against his fellow countryman Jan. But Jan was his classy self and told 'em to pipe down, and that he would have done the same thing as Jens if their roles had been reversed.

by Scott. on Jul 13, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Watching that stage

- and what Jens did - was what got me back on a bike after many years off. I recall that Paul Sherwen got the call right as to what was going on, and shortly afterwards refer to Jens as a 'beastie boy' which I still don't understand . . .

by ianmcw on Jul 13, 2007 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Virtually every rider and DS

I've read about said the same thing - the crash was terrible timing because the chase had already started to catch the duo out front. Even Vino said so.

Freaking journalist's...can't they take a page out of the reporting book that goes on here at the PC?

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

No kidding

I guess they get bored sitting in that big ol' room staring at the tv day after day. Maybe they're not getting enough scooby snacks ;-)

Pretty obvious it was race on at that point. No waiting possible, there. Too bad for Vino.

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

No waiting possible

and everything done properly.

but I'll eat my saddle if the leaders teams didn't have extra motivation knowing Vino was chasing back on. They were going full gas before Vino crashed, but everyone should remember what Postal did to the climbers teams on the cobbles in 2004 or when Zulle went down in 1999. When a leader is in trouble in the early stages, that blood in the water to the other sharks.

It's like what Bill Walton said about NBA players wearing tape on their joints. "That just shows you where to hit them." Its the nature of competition.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 13, 2007 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd agree, except...

It looked to me like the stage-hunting teams were doing most of the damage on the front, not the GC teams. If I'd seen a few more CSC's or Caisse's throwing down, then yeah, I'd be thinking there was some disingenuousity (is that a word? is now) in the press statements. Mostly Liqy and Rabo doing the chasey chase.

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Only a minute anyway

Vino did a good job limiting his losses.

The chase was certainly less significant than bouncing off the road, or (potentially) losing Kloden.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

From the Team CSC Newsletter email:

Team CSC Extends Contract With Arvesen

[13.07 12:11] Team CSC has extended the contract with the only Norwegian rider in the team, Kurt-Asle Arvesen, for another two years, which will keep him on the team at least untill the end of 2009.

Sometimes you have to give luck a kick in the balls. -Jens Voigt, Philosopher ('07 Tour of CA)

by Ruthann on Jul 13, 2007 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone

have streaming video that works? Backdoor link to Ver*us no longer works. Serbian TV is showing news.

by ssmith on Jul 13, 2007 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

They should replace the feed

with a video of the Eye of Sauron.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

explanation on cyclingfans

We have some information on what's up with the Versus live video streaming, direct from Versus lawyer, Carla. Carla says that Versus is not permitted to publicly stream the Tour de France. (Though she didn't elaborate, presumably that means they didn't purchase online broadcast rights; television and internet rights tend to be sold separately. Note that in some European markets, internet rights to the Tour de France have been sold and in other markets they remain unsold.) So the scenario whereby Amaury Sport Organization (A.S.O.), who appear in our site logs since Monday (hi Jean-François!), put pressure on Versus seems likely.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Bon Jour

to the ASO :-)

Nice race, but could you cut down on the wheat fields next year? Thanks in advance...

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha!

I like to think our mocking laughter forced this "Carla" (if that's her real name) into the open.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm using NOS

http://www.garnierstreamingmedia.com/asx/streamerswitch.asp?stream=27

Does anybody know what language it is?
I'm not always the best at figuring it out.

Nice feed though, no freezing and no commercials.

by Veloki on Jul 13, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Belgian tv

It's Dutch language.

Awesome coverage, but it buffers like crazy for me. Any tips?

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry no tips

on the buffering. It's really hit and miss on what streams work for me. Versus was buffering all the time when I could get it the last few days. I've given up on them. I've had no problems with the NOS stream.

Thanks for the language info.

by Veloki on Jul 13, 2007 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

No dice...

I got nothing. I'll probably get a nice stream once the stage is over...

by ssmith on Jul 13, 2007 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

According to the CN live ticker

On my crackberry:

<2 minute gap, 31 km to go.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 13, 2007 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

NOS live video

the NOS live video is working pretty good though took awhile to load for me

link is at http://www.cyclingfans.com/

by Toyota on Jul 13, 2007 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Break out the salbutamol!!

"...a dried hay field has been disturbed by the television helicopter, and there are bits of hay flying everywhere"

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

From the Eurosport commentary

Tour de France organisers have decided to strip Erik Zabel of the green jersey he won at the 1996 Tour de France. The German, then riding for the Telekom team, admitted to using EPO in that year.

Yearlong VDS Team: The Fighting Cocks - Tour only VDS Team: The Super Domestiques - Rah!

by bethie on Jul 13, 2007 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Right

"Erik, hand over that 1996 jersey. Oh, and don't go anywhere, we're doing your 2007 Green Jersey ceremony next."

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Jersey Museum

What are they going to do with all the 'spoiled' jerseys?

I can see them opening a museum of doping to 'bring awarenesses of the great damage that doping has done to our wonderful sport'. It will have all the reclaimed jerseys (except from the French riders) and feature gloomy music and shadowy lighting.

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

22.7 mph

This is what I mean about hanging on the back. But that's w/o the wind factored in. What are they doing to poor Wiggins? Catch him already, give him a break!

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

Hm

So the new Green Jersey parity is starting to look like last year's GC race. Lots of people looking around at each other.

Green Jersey power poll due out this afternoon! Like, at lunch.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

In fairness

if there's a massive headwind, I don't blame people for waiting before ramping it up.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

And as I type

it's Quick Step on one side and Milram on the other.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone know

about the last km??

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

CN

There are several traffic islands on the way into the finish today, and all of them are protected by bales clad in red and white stripes.

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

So

they look like Cofidis riders

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha

I would love to hear an interview with someone who takes out a hay bale...

Well, I uh, thought to was Noyens. But thinking back, it couldn't have been...he's lost more weight than that.

by Hons on Jul 13, 2007 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

T-Mob up there as well

Liquigas mass-maneuver in three... two... one...

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

The catch

Sorry Wiggy

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

buffer = 30 sec.

options/performance/buffer = 30 sec.

seems to help with the NOS stream...or it could be coincidence.

Chris, you probably could sit on today, but it'd do you no good tomorrow. :)

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Right

They'd be passing me like they're doing to Wiggy now. Speaking of road furniture. But he earned his massage tonight.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool

It's all about the right buffer settings.

I think that's about the only one I didn't try :-)

by Jen See on Jul 13, 2007 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

why

wouldn't Wiggins just sit up, if he knew he was going to get swallowed?

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

VS-speak

I'm sure they're thinking, we put off all ads in the last 10km for this?

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

They're letting Wiggins sit out there

so no one else attacks I guess

What did Vino mean by that gesture?

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

This is weird

slow motion, 6 k from the finish

by hughw on Jul 13, 2007 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

6km

passing the road furniture. Johan Van Summer Ale leads out. McEwen might be the man today.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

T-Mob

can be counted on to lose patience.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Milram and QS

starting to get in position. 4.5 km

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Freire is my call

for today.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

3km now!

anybody up for a race?

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

QS hit the gas

starting to stretch it out now.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

This is like a teams version

of looking at one another as you approach the finish

by hughw on Jul 13, 2007 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

2km

no trains, just random guys

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Thor will SMASH today

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Zabel 3rd wheel

a bit early

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Gerolsteiner and Rabo moving

Boonen boxed in.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

last km

let's see...

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Flecha on the front

Dean pulling Thor up.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

Here we go

Hunter=, Noonen, Freire, BOONEN!!

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

Freire 2nd

Zabel 3rd, Bennati 4th? Chavanel maybe.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Boonen strongest!

Two Gerolsteiners launched and Boonen got on them, then split to the right and came around them. Zabel and Hunter both tried to come up the middle but Hunter faded early. Zabel just held his speed as Boonen blew by. Freire sat on Boonen but couldn't really even try to come around.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Thor will SMASH another day

stomach still queasy

by ghisallo on Jul 13, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Was McEwen anywhere to be seen?

by Le Comte on Jul 13, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Based on the top 10

I think it's safe to say Robbie is really hurting. Now I'm wondering if his knees will allow him to make it through Sunday's stage.

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Top 5

Boonen
Freire
Zabel
Chav
Hushovd
McEwen?
Bennati?
Hunter
Feillu
Fishcer

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Tommeke!!!!

FINALLY

by samboo on Jul 13, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Top 10

Provisional results

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep-Innergetic
2 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital
7 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
8 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
9 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
10 Murilo Fischer (Bra) Liquigas

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 12:16 PM EDT reply actions