As mentioned in the open thread of 10/3 ( yesterday) and found at www.steephilltv/2009/tour-de-france/, le Tour may take on an unexpected shape.  One of the first things that people noticed was that there is very little time trialing with only the short prologue and then a longer race in the third week.  What struck me as especially extraordinary was that the next to last stage was a mountain top finish not the typical TT.  I find this to be an extremely exciting variation as the last stage of this amazing race will be an all or nothing race up a truly legendary climb.  No one will be saving themselves for a time trial to be contested later, no one will be wheelsucking except perhaps someone with an overwhelming lead but I doubt that will be the case with the diminished importance of individual time trials.  Basically, I think anything can happen on a climb of  this length and this stage has got to be on every short list of races to watch in '09.  What do you guys think?

    Over at Slipstreamsports.com JV wrote an article about his encounters with the Dems who have spent most of the last week in his home town.  He goes into depth about a ride he took with Sen. Kerry, I was pleasantly surprised.   It seems that Sen. Kerry is very interested in anti doping legislation.  Not only that but he is a cyclist and a fan of cycling races and history.

Just six words short of 75!

    Cycleto.com has posted a commercial from Dutch TV that's a hilarious reenactment of ~:> trying to dodge the UCI controls.  Worth a visit if only for it's visual elegance.   You may be also interested in the ciclamino jersey they're giving away ( Bennati not included ).

    I never really liked a Hot Dog unless it was named Meadowlark Lemon or Curly Neal.  I mean, what was up with those dudes?  Why did they think they needed the ball all the time.  Man, it just sucked when they got the ball cause then you knew it was game over.  It's primadonna's show time now, whoop di do.

"With every second ticking, there was almost another crash. Tires were sliding, guys throwing head butts and punches just to stay near the front for fear of the field splitting in the crosswind."

    Steven Cozza is providing some daily recaps of the action at Castilla y Leon, The action above was his recounting of the action on the last 9k of stage three.  

http://www.cycleto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:castilla-y-leon-qall- hell-broke-outq&catid=6:mens-pro-racing&Itemid=2

    There's no time to chat about le Tour, Floyd or whatever.  Who's going to win it?  

    Actually the poll got me thinking about the favorites.  MSR is the race every Italian dreams of winning, and the Italians can ride a mean race.  So how come there are only three in the poll?  And so many votes for "McEwen/field/other" Who'd you really vote for?  

   There is an article on Cycling News, March 12, Latest Cycling News that is titled "Prudhomme reacts to open letter".

     The open letter originated from a german firm Fecherolle Sportsmedia and Consulting. They are asking ASO and UCI to sit down and talk face to face and want to make it known that the current standoff is about a lot more than their respective organizations. The letter is an attempt at something with a positive result. I've pasted the english version of the letter below.  You can visit the site and sign on if you so desire.

               www.fecherolle.de/uciaso.php

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    It's being widely reported that Sinkewitz might face jail time for not naming names.  While he got a reduced suspension for admitting his offenses the civil authorities in Germany are considering locking up the former T-mob rider for not naming who else might have been involved in any team sanctioned doping practices.  

    It is an extremely difficult position he has been put in.  Omerta is alive and well in the peloton, if he names names he will avoid jail time but perhaps will never be able to ride safely or effectively in professional racing again.  

    Lots of issues to deal with, IMHO a rider's union is desperately needed.  Or  is there another way out of this mess, has he done enough in admitting his doping or should he talk.  Maybe others involved should step forward, the doctors involved for instance.  Any ideas out there?