UK interest: Geraint Thomas finished 18'32" down on Hushovd and is now 21'16" off the lead; David Millar was 08'03" down and now lags 38'13" behind.
Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille (168.5km) 1 x Cat 3; 2 x Cat 2; 2 x Cat 1; and a Hors Categoire finish at Plateau de Beille (1780m). History has shown us that to win at Plateau de Beille, you have to be the Tour champion. Since it was first included in 1998, Marco Pantani, Lance Armstrong (twice) and Alberto Contador have been the only winners here and all three have gone on to win the Tour de France on all four occasions. That could all change this year because Cadel Evans is looking like the man to beat, but he isn't likely to win this stage. If Alberto Contador is going to get back into GC contention this year then he really needs to win this stage. [video=youtube;nOTzKptNFtw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOTzKptNFtw[/video] Lovely clip of Robert Millar at the end of the Hinault piece!
Contador looks the least likely of all the main GC contenders. I'm intrigued by basso to be honest and wonder if this might be the time he really shows he's genuinely in with a shout. Wonder if evans, contador and A. Schleck will spend too long watching each other so the likes of Frank, basso or even cunego may attack early on and succeed. In other news I said I'd take the mrs for a day out today, need to think of something that'll get me home for 3 30ish
I've always thought that the Schleck brothers don't have 'the killer instinct'. However, they began working together yesterday, taking turns to attack (and soften up) Contador. And I agree with you, Alberto isn't on it this year. Basso? Hmm - possible. I still rate Sammy Sanchez.
They made a mistake with Sanchez on Thursday, i don't think they'd do it again with him in the top six or so. He'll be in the leading group though I'm sure. If Frank schleck attacks again and pulls a bit more time on his brother then leopard trek may just have a decision to make.
Plus with evans the leader of the gc contenders, it's down to the others to attack. And he'll comfortably beat both schlecks on the TT so they know today is a massive opportunity.
Didn't get to see it live, in fact only just seen highlights this morn. Very anti climactic really, only schlecks and basso attacking, suppose Evans didn't really need to but can't see how contador can win now. Hoping for a cav win today to raise the excitement again. That'd see him looking very good for the green jersey.
Yeah - no big peaks, so will probably be a breakaway which, if hauled back, will most likely lead to a sprint finish, which Cav could well win.
5 man breakaway 2'45" out in front, with 95km to go to finish. HTC team 'pulling the train' for Cavendish.
Not TdF, but cycling. Did you see THIS article? A major road is closed in Los Angeles, so a local flight operator offered $4 flights from the places the road went too or from, a distance of about 40 miles. A local cyclist suggested he could make the journey faster on his bicycle than someone could on the jet plane. Setting off from the same point at times designed to best fit the flight times and to a point outside the airport, a bike, a commuter using the tube, someone on roller blades and someone using the aeroplane and taxis had a race. The result? Well you know I wouldn't have posted it if the plane had won....... ....... ...... Bike: 1:34 Metro/Walk: 1:44 Rollerblades: 2:40 Plane/Lost Cabdriver: 2:54
