Jul 06 2010

Le Tour: Stage 3

NASCAR in the Ardennes!

Well, it appears the major effect of yesterday’s crash fest in the rain is to let Chavanel take a 3 minute lead in Yellow and he is a major contender who could easily use this to put on an early move.

Garmin loses Vande Velde, is the most injured team by far, since the Schlecks don’t seem as badly hurt as early indications.

Most people will be starting bruised and sore.

There’s evidently some controversy about a ‘riders strike’ that resulted in that 3 minute gap.  I don’t think it’s necessarily that big a deal.  Lance is 6th overall and is part of the pack with all the other contenders who settled for the same time.

This happens all the time at the Tour and is generally held to indicate good sportsmanship.

To hear statements like–

“They put on a dangerous stage and so when they put it on like that that’s the results they’ll get,” said Horner.

“They got all their drama on the descent and they lost it all at the finish and they got what they deserved.

There?s no place in the Tour de France for a stage like this.”

seems a little strident.

I’m more with Lance on this one- “These hills around here and the Ardennes are legendary, it’s part of cycling. Liege-Bastogne-Liege has been around for a hundred years and they do that on the snow.”

Cobblestone Carnage today.  Seven slippery rutted stages in the sun, not quite so much fun in the damp.

rustymancuso581

11 comments

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  2. Contador and Armstrong have had mechanical difficulties.

    Schleck with the breakaway group.

    No threatening the 3 minute gap yet.

  3. Bad day for Radio Shack.

  4. Solo.

    Contador dominates, gutsy call with big effort.

  5. am I missing the Armando coverage?

    1. Football, baseball.

      1. in the works. Heading out to pick up a few things. It’s already 96 here. Stay cool

    2. Prime time is pretty much Warehouse 13 premier.

      Yahoo still sucks.

  6.  are like playing a war game

  7. Dominate.

  8. in 36th, 2:18 off lead.

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