2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Sunday, July 25th: STAGE WINNER!

Longjumeau to Paris ala Champs-Élysées
102.5 km (64 miles)
Today's stage winner was
MARK CAVENDISH (TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA)!
Congratulations to him!

Mark Cavendish!!! Yes, what a finish for the stage for the Tour. It is Cav's second consecutive win at le Champs-Élysées, 5 all-time career wins! I was pulling for him and he almost took the green jersey; however, it is Alessandro Petacchi who will take the green jersey. Robbie McEwen did well at the finish too. Thor Hushovd a narrow miss for the green as he finishes in second.
Other Top 10 finishers in today's stage are:
2) ALESSANDRO PETACCHI (LAMPRE - FARNESE)
3) JULIAN DEAN (GARMIN - TRANSITIONS)
4) JüRGEN ROELANDTS (OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO)
5) OSCAR FREIRE (RABOBANK)
6) GERALD CIOLEK (TEAM MILRAM)
7) THOR HUSHOVD (CERVELO TEST TEAM)
8) MATTI BRESCHEL (TEAM SAXO BANK)
9) ROBBIE MC EWEN (KATUSHA TEAM)
10) DANIEL OSS (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO)

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Sunday, July 25th: GC: THE OVERALL 2010 TOUR de FRANCE CHAMPION!

In GC (General Classification=Overall Leader):
THE 2010 LE TOUR de FRANCE CHAMPION is
ALBERTO CONTADOR (ASTANA)!
Congratulations to the Spaniard!

Top 10 GC overall finishers are:
1) ALBERTO CONTADOR (ASTANA):
Alberto is from Spain, his team is from Kazakhstan.
2) ANDY SCHLECK (TEAM SAXOBANK):
Andy is from Luxembourg, his team is from Denmark.
3) DENIS MENCHOV (RABOBANK):
Denis is from Russia, his team is from Holland.
4) SAMUEL SÁNCHEZ (EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI):
Sammy is from Spain, his team is from Spain.
5) JURGEN VAN DEN BROECK (OMEGA
PHARMA-LOTTO):
Jürgen is from Belgium, his team is from Belgium.
6) ROBERT GESINK (RABOBANK):
Robert is from the Netherlands, his team is from Holland.
7) RYDER HESJEDAL (GARMIN-TRANSITIONS ):
Ryder is from Canada, his team is from the United States.
8) JOAQUIN RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (KATUSHA TEAM):
Joaquin is from Spain, his team is from Russia.
9) ROMAN KREUZIGER (LIQUIGAS-DOIMO):
Roman is from Czechoslovakia, his team is from Italy.
10) CHRISTOPHER HORNER (TEAM RADIOSHACK):
Christopher is from the United States, his team is from the United States. (W-T-G, Christopher! An American rider in GC Top 10!)

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Stage 20, Sunday, July 25, 2010!
- 102.5 km or 64 miles -
This concludes the 2010 Le Tour de France!
*************************************************
********************************************
The 2010 Tour de France marks the 97th edition and runs 21 days starting
Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010.
It will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and covers a total distance of 3,642 km (2,263 miles).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Sunday, July 25th: JERSEY CHAMPIONS!

The overall JERSEY Classification Champions:
*****

YELLOW goes to ALBERTO CONTADOR (ASTANA):
Alberto is from Spain, his team is from Kazakhstan.

******

GREEN goes to ALESSANDRO PETACCHI (LAMPRE - FARNESE):
Alessandro is from Italy, his team is from Italy.

*******

RED POLKA DOT goes to ANTHONY CHARTEAU (BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM):
Anthony is from France, his team is from France.

********

WHITE goes to ANDY SCHLECK (TEAM SAXOBANK):
Andy is from Luxembourg, his team is from Denmark.

*********

COMBATIVE goes to SYLVAIN CHAVANEL (QUICK STEP):
Sylvain is from France, his team is from Belgium.

**********

TEAM goes to TEAM RADIOSHACK (RADIOSHACK):
Team RadioShack is American and from the United States. (Yes, Lance Armstong's team, thus the moniker: RadioStrong!).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Sunday, July 25th: CONTADOR vs. SCHLECK!

What a Tour. Never a dull moment. Only disappointed that the overall GC championship, the winner of the maillot jaune/yellow jersey/mellow johnny will forever be marked with an asterisk for many cycling fans because of the "mechanical problems" (dropped chain) during Monday's stage 15.
Per Velo News: The coincidence of Alberto Contador’s GC differential over Schleck following the stage-19 time trial — 39 seconds, the same amount of time that Schleck lost to Contador over the Port de Balés due to a mechanical problem — wasn’t lost on Schleck"
Andy regrets losing his brother during this Tour's stage 3. This year Fränk went out after a bad crash during stage 3 when he was sent to hospital with a broken collar bone, broken in three places.
Fränk Schleck came into the Tour fresh off winning the overall at the Tour of Switzerland and the Luxembourg national road championship, and younger brother Andy has said on more than one occasion that he believed Fränk had the form to finish on the podium of this year’s Tour. “I’m satisfied with the whole Tour. I know it’s going to be different next year,” Schleck said. “It’s not been a super Tour. Personally I’m really happy, I’ve won two stages and taken the best young rider’s competition, but if I would have had Fränk out there in the mountains, it would have been a different story. I know that, my team knows that, and everyone around me knows if he would have been there, it would have been different. But we leave behind what’s behind.”
Guaranteed that it will be Contador v/Schleck all over again in 2011. Ahem...make that a Schleck v/Contador rivalry as Andy has to prove himself as a true rival, challenger to Alberto in le Tour de France 2011! I am quite certain that both Andy and his brother Fränk will challenge Contador next year during le Tour 2011. If both Schleck brothers remain healthy with no incidents (same for Contador) through-out next year's Tour, let's up the ante - if you will - and just call it what it should be...a Schleck and Schleck v/Contador fight to the end.
In my personal opinion, Alberto may have excellent domestiques helping him on his Team Astana but none better to match what the Schleck brothers can do as they pull together especially in the mountains. My advice to Alberto, go find yourself a stronger team or at least three domestiques who will be able to assist you as if you were their own brother.
My how I look foward to the 2011 Le Tour de France. Sometimes known as the "Tour de Chance" like this year seems to be for the cycling world.

2010 Le Tour de France: The Final "Tour de Lance"!

So long Tour, So long France, so long to all but most to Lance!

Though I ended up a Contador fan in 2008 & 2009 and this year I was captivated by the younger of the Schleck brothers, Andy, I do feel the need to thank The Texan for instilling in me the love of cycling especially for le Tour de France. Dating back almost 10 years I began my trek into the "oh so different" world of cycling. With its strange rules, the point's system, the time's system, the time trials, the cadence and such, but it was with great care and awe that I watched without fail each year; I arose so very early each morning glued to the tele to catch each stage as I learned everything I could about the world of cycling and how it all works, about the teams, the position/responsibility which each rider must take, and what is actually at stake. In watching the Tour I became a huge fan as well of the likes of Bob Roll, Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, and Al Trautwig. (note: please excuse my use of Wikipedia but it was the only online source with data on all four gentlemen who are great cyclists/commentators in their own right). Hoping one day to muster up the nerve and courage to try riding at long intervals myself, I mainly observed as a fan on the sidelines. For every Tour that Lance won I was in his corner. For seven years straight I cheered him on with great fervor and reverence, never faltering as his fan even when the usual allegations of doping came about. For the respect I once gave to the rider, Lance Armstrong, I am in total disaccord with the disparaging accusations made by the likes of *Floyd Landis (who is a joke and a real doper) and **Greg LeMond towards Lance. Each man disappointing in their "finger pointing" and "name calling" but never seeming to be able to assist the doping boards that such a thing (doping by Lance) ever occurred. If one cannot prove their allegations, they should just remain quiet.
After all Floyd was the one who caught doping (2006 Tour) even after he went on the air for the world to see and voiced his disappointment at any allegations made towards him. He added that he "was not, was not a doper"! In the end we all know how that turned out and how sad was it when he apologized for having doped and then having lied about it, and then as his 2006 Tour de France title was stripped from him. Even more sad and perhaps embarrassing to any of his fans, especially to Americans (I among them) who thought we had found a replacement in lieu of Lance's departure. "How silly of us"! These are the very things which clearly does NOT make Floyd a man of his word or one whose claims against Lance should be taken serious. As for Greg LeMond, I am not certain why he has such an aversion and hostile nature towards Lance. Maybe I won't even try to speculate out of pure respect for what Greg has done for the world of cycling and how he helped make it popular in the U.S. as Lance surely did, but I do wish Greg would just take the high road and keep remarks and conspiracy theories to himself. Maybe I do dare to say one thing about Greg, maybe he is a bit jealous over his lack of making cycling and the Tour de France as popular and as exciting at the levels that Lance did. Maybe Greg made Lance his nemesis when he really did not need to do so. Of all the articles I have read and can recall or interviews I have seen, Lance always had a high regard and deep respect for Greg and has never spoken a bad word in reference to LeMond. Greg is four Tours behind Lance and maybe embedded deep inside his psyche he suffers from "Tour envy". Again...just my opinion.
Lance not only made the world of cycling popular here in the U.S., but it seems he helped bring an affinity for it to millions around the world. His passion for it (cycling), his love of it and how it became his saving grace as he fought off cancer and won perhaps is why so many began their love of the sport and of the man. I was captured by those things and mainly for his love of winning and how he made a science out of it. I also admired how he took huge adversity (cancer) and turned it around and made lemonade out of it when most others may have quit the sport or even life itself. Lance made cancer and how he beat it his aim, his focus, and his goal; to never succomb to the bad things life throws our way and he even laid a foundation (pardon the pun) for it and strived to keep fighting it and best of all he helped make it possible so that others could fight it as well.
Out of the ashes came LiveStrong and seven consecutive Tour de France Championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005)! Even if cycling fans were never fans of his, or no longer follow him - or support him (such as myself), who can deny the legacy that is Lance Armstrong in the world of cycling! No he is not a superhuman, he never claimed to be, but he is a human who was once and continues to be super! FIN!

*******************************

*Floyd Landis is an American rider who won the 2006 Tour de France but was stripped of the title after he was found to have been doping after tests taken immediately post stage 17. He suffered a complete meltdown and lost almost 10 minutes during stage 16 as the entire world of cycling watched. Suspicions almost surely and quickly arose during stage 17 when he made a super come-back - one which indeed was too good to be true.
Óscar Pereiro was eventually declared the winner of the 2006 Tour de France
**Greg LeMond is another American rider who has won the Tour de France 3 times (1986, 1989, 1990). He was the first American to ever win a Tour. He was shot and seriously injured during a hunting trip in 1987 with his brother-in-law. It took him two years to fully recuperate before he could return to the Tour.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Saturday, July 24th: STAGE WINNER-INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIALS!

Bordeaux to Pauillac 52 km (32 miles)
Today's stage winner of the Individual Time Trials was Fabian Cancellara (Fabulous Fabe)!
Fabian is a Swiss rider and rides for Team SaxoBank, Congratulations to him!
Other Top 10 finishers in today's ITT are:
2) Martin, 3) Grabsch, 4) Konovalovas,
5) Zabriskie (American rider with Team Garmin Transitions),
6) Moerenhout, 7) Kiryienka,
8) Tjallingsii, 9) Wiggins, 10) Thomas
***************************************

Tidbit of the ITT (Individual Time Trials): Starting times are at equal intervals, usually 1 or 2 minutes apart - each rider goes out alone during this stage ITT and goes out fast almost at a sprint through-out the entire race, this year they covered a distance of 52 kms or 32 miles. They head out in the reverse order of GC standings meaning this year Schleck went out 2nd to last with Contador being the last rider to head out as he was in 1st place overall in GC. Contre la montre is the French version of the ITT which literally means "against the clock".

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Saturday, July 24th: GC!

In GC (General Classification=Overall Leader):
1) CONTADOR 2) SCHLECK 3) *MENCHOV
4) *S. SÁNCHEZ 5) VAN DEN BROECK 6) GESINK
7) *HESJEDAL 8) *RODRIGUEZ OLIVER
9) KREUZIGER 10) HORNER.

*Top 10 changes: Sammy Sánchez lost his GC position and a podium finish to Denis Menchov. Denis, being the stronger rider, slides into 3rd and he will now have his podium finish on Sunday. Sammy drops to 4th which is still a position of pride and success but perhaps one which just may bring the biggest sting because the rider knows that he narrowly missed a podium Tour finish. Especially stingful for Sánchez as he was holding that position for several stages until today's ITT. Other changes, Hesjedal takes over 7th place as Rodriguez Oliver slips to 8th.

*********************************************************
Action resumes on Sunday, July 25, 2010 with Stage 20.
It is dubbed the "grand finale", the final stage of the Tour.
It will begin in beautiful Pauillac towards the
most picturesque city in the world/en le monde, Paris.
It will consist of 102.5 km or 64 miles.
*************************************************
********************************************
The 2010 Tour de France marks the 97th edition and runs 21 days starting
Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010.
It will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and covers a total distance of 3,642 km (2,263 miles).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Saturday, July 24th: JERSEYS!

The JERSEY standings through today's stage and most likely to end that way by tomorrow's grand finale:
YELLOW=Contador , GREEN=Petacchi , (red) POLKA DOT=Charteau, WHITE=Schleck, TEAM=Team RadioShack
Tidbits about the jersey classifications:

YELLOW: Alberto Contador will win his 3rd consecutive Tour and "Yellow Jersey" / "Maillot Jaune" a.k.a "Mellow Johnny" as dubbed by that other rider you may recall, Lance Armstrong, The Texan, who will retire after this Tour having not performed as well as he wanted.
GREEN: Alessandro Petacchi (213 pts) still has to hold off Thor Hushovd (203 pts) and Mark Cavendish (197 pts) through one more stage tomorrow with the same 10 point lead if he is to win this "Sprinters" jersey. Petacchi rides for Team Lampre, Hushovd rides for Team Cervélo and Cavendish rides for Team HTC-Columbia. Yep, it remains a three-man race with 35 points up for grabs on the Champs-Elysées tomorrow.
(red) POLKA DOT: Anthony Charteau has won this jersey as of Friday. He holds off Christophe Moreau who is second. Charteau clearly has the points for this "King of the Mountains" category with no more mountains to climb, of course, and no more points as of Friday's stage for any other rider to attain and to try to surpass Charteau. Congrats to Anthony!
WHITE: Schleck has won this jersey which is also awarded daily to the best young rider, "Youth Jeresy" under 25 yrs of age. Although he would have preferred the yellow jersey, he has clearly defined himself as a rider of the future proving he can ride with the best. He will place on the podium twice. In GC he will be second and of course the victor of the "Youth" classification. Not to be overlooked Andy also gave quite a performance during the mountain and summit portions of the Tour through the Alps and the Pyrenees. He was strong enough to be in third place in the "King of the Mountains" (red polka dot jersey) classification behind Charteau and Moreau. Schleck may have fallen short today in overtaking Contador and the maillot jaune during the ITT stage (stage 19) as he is not a strong sprinter - not yet - but he continues to show strength, valor, and true sportsmanship during the ups and downs which clearly always does plague the riders during the Tour. Even through adversity Andy never gave up, never faltered and never stopped being the gentleman which is first and foremost definitive of all Tours de France. Way to go, Andy Schleck. My favorite rider in GC despite the outcome.
TEAM: Team RadioShack holds onto the lead with total time through today of 267h 55' 00" Team Caisse D'Epargne in 2nd under by time of + 09' 15". They (Team RadioShack) began to slip today and almost lost the lead in this classification but came out okay after all riders respectively finished today's ITT. This classification is determined by adding the times of the best three riders of each squad in each stage.

More Tidbits about the jerseys and stage wins:
(click here or on underlined categories above)

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 19, Saturday, July 24th: CONTADOR vs. SCHLECK!

The challenge quite literally ended today!

Contador holds onto yellow and will win the
2010 Le Tour de France.

His performance during today's stage 19, ITT stage, proved to be too much for Schleck to match in the end. Schleck did at one time reduce the gap of 8 seconds to just two seconds but as the race progressed, he became tired and not so in control and the time slipped away from his grasp, per se. As he crossed the finish line, a lonely race and a lonely finish for riders during the ITT, his gap had instead increased. With Alberto still on the road as he was the last rider to begin today's stage, Andy's finishing time was made official and the Spaniard having been told of the news found new life, new legs as he sped up toward's his own finish and ended up with a greater gap putting 39 seconds between himself and Schleck. Alberto would reign as the Tour de France Champion. A feat which would see him in his third Yellow Jersey in GC for the third consecutive year in a row.

Vive Alberto Contador! Très bien!

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 18, Friday, July 23rd: STAGE WINNER!

Salies-de-Béarn to Bordeaux 198 km (123 miles)
Today's stage winner was Mark Cavendish!
Congratulations to him!

Going into today's flat stage it was said that Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) would be hard to beat in the final 200 meters. A true sprint to the finish and as the race concluded, Mark Cavendish was indeed the winner with the fastest time of all. Not known as the fastest lead-out man like one, *Mark Renshaw, who was Cavendish's team-mate on Team HTC-Columbia earlier this Tour, is known for; however, Cavendish did manage to find his way in the end to take this stage. Julian Dean, another rider known as a fast, lead-out man, was second and Petacchi came in third but takes the green jersey away from Hushovd.
Cavendish has already racked up three stages this Tour with no problem picking up a fourth after this stage 18 and most likely a 5th in Paris on Sunday. He now has 14 overall stage wins during his Tour career.
Today's 18th stage began in the shadows of the Pyrenees and finished up in the epicenter of the wine world in Bordeaux with all riders out of contention except for two, Schleck and Contador.

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(Note: Mark Renshaw, widely regarded as the world's best lead-out man, was expelled from the Tour after stage 11 on Thursday, July 15th, in Bourg-les-Valence. Renshaw helped Cavendish to victory for his 3rd stage win in this year's Tour as he kept head-butting his rival lead-out man Julian Dean three times going into the finish. Renshaw's antics and DQ may have receded and cost Cavendish all hopes of winning the points classification's green jersey).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 18, Friday, July 23rd: GC!

In GC (General Classification=Overall Leader):
1) CONTADOR 2) SCHLECK 3) S. SÁNCHEZ
4) MENCHOV 5) VAN DEN BROECK 6) GESINK
7) RODRIGUEZ OLIVER 8) HESJEDAL
9) KREUZIGER 10) HORNER.

No movement to report in GC Top 10 which is good for Alberto Contador but not so much for Andy Schleck as they prepare for tomorrow's much anticipated Individual Time Trials. Contador and Schleck are the only two riders left in GC contention. The I-T-T begins stage 19 from beautiful Bordeaux (the epicenter of the wine world) to Pauillac in a 52 km (or 32 miles) sprint . By stage's end we will know the 2010 Tour de France Champion. Maybe - maybe not!

*********************************************************
Action resumes on Saturday, July 24, 2010, with Stage 19 in beautiful Bordeaux to Pauillac (52 km = 32 miles). This is the Individual Time Trials and a sprinting stage.
*************************************************
********************************************
The 2010 Tour de France marks the 97th edition and runs 21 days starting
Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010.
It will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and covers a total distance of 3,642 km (2,263 miles).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 18, Friday, July 23rd: JERSEYS!

The JERSEYS being worn/won through today's stage
YELLOW= Contador, GREEN=Petacchi, (red) POLKA DOT: Charteau, WHITE: Schleck, TEAM: Team RadioShack
Tidbits about the jerseys being worn and their respective wearers, if you will:

Yellow: Contador keeps the yellow jersey (a.k.a. the "maillot jaune", the "mellow johnny") for another day with the same 8 second gap between him and Schleck. Holding onto the yellow jersey is referred to as "renting the jersey" in le Tour.
Green: Petacchi retakes the "Sprinter's" jersey from Hushovd today; only 10 points separates green jersey leader Petacchi (213) from second place Hushovd (203), while Cavendish, who won today's stage is in third with 197 points. Toady's stage 18 was just calling out to all the sprinters, and I am sure each one heard their own name being called out from start to end. The race for green remains just as tight as the race for yellow.
(red) Polka Dot: Charteau keeps the "King of the Mountains" jersey with 143 points just 15 points more than second place Moreau who has 128 points while Andy Schleck is in third in this most arduous category with 116 points. That's just four more points than Contador who has 112 points and is impressively in fourth place. This category though has been a two-man-race, but more likely to be won by Charteau by now.
White: Schleck keeps the "Youth" or "Best Young Rider" (under 25) jersey, but I am sure that he would much prefer to be in yellow by the end of tomorrow's I-T-T race and for certain by the time they arrive at the Champs-Élysées in beautiful Paris on Sunday during the Tour's "grand finale".
Team: Team RadioShack keeps striving, attacking and maintaining the right to lead in this team category. Yes, Lance Armstrong's team. He may just make the podium in the end but as part of a team versus his usual individual accolades which we have grown accustomed to seeing him attain in years past. By the way this classification does not hand out jerseys, it rather denotes the leader's and the winner's of the Team category by yellow bands with black numbers.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 18, Friday, July 23rd: CONTADOR vs. SCHLECK!

All I will say is that the I-T-T (Individual Time Trials) during stage 19 may very well end with us knowing who will win the 2010 Tour de France.
If Andy wants to win his first Tour de France, he will have to ride like a man possessed tomorrow during the 52 km or 32 mile sprint and come in 8 seconds or better than Alberto. Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to bet on Contador over Schleck yet because Alberto also must ride like a mad-man and maintain the eight second gap which he currently holds over Schleck or he must add to it. He cannot afford to lose any time under 8 seconds.
Sure the last stage of the Tour is usually non-combative when the real victor of the Tour is known, but if the time gap decreases between these two, I am not so sure that Andy Schleck and his Team SaxoBank will not challenge and attack Alberto Contador and his Team Astana. It is not a gentleman's ruse to do so in the last stage a.k.a. "le grand finale" of the Tour, but it has been known to occur whenever there existed such a close race. Maybe Schleck and company have that incident during Monday's stage 15 in the back of their minds and revenge may just be playing a sweet tone in their ears that day or maybe they will merely abide by Tour etiquette and its unwritten rules and allow Alberto his third consecutive Tour championship. I know Alberto and Team Astana will be ready on Sunday for anything because anything is really quite possible.

Stage 20 is Longjumeau to Champs-Élysées in Paris and is 102.5 km or 64 miles.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 17, Thursday, July 22nd: STAGE WINNER!

Pau, Col du Tourmalet - 174 km (108 Miles):
Today's stage winner was Luxembourgian Rider,
Andy Schleck.
Congratulations to him!

Indeed Congrats and way-to-go, Andy Schleck, as he wins today's stage but without managing to dig into any of the remaining 8 seconds which still stands between him and Alberto Contador who came in second with the same time given as Andy (+ 00' 00") .
Other riders finishing Top 10 in today's stage were:
3) RODRIGUEZ OLIVER 4) HESJEDAL 5) S. SÁNCHEZ 6) MENCHOV 7) GESINK 8)HORNER 9) VAN DEN BROECK 10) KREUZIGER

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 17, Thursday, July 22nd: GC!

In GC (General Classification=Overall Leader):

1) CONTADOR 2) SCHLECK 3) S. SÁNCHEZ
4) MENCHOV 5) VAN DEN BROECK 6) GESINK
7) RODRIGUEZ OLIVER 8) HESJEDAL
9) KREUZIGER 10) HORNER.

No movement to report in GC Top 6. However new into GC Top 10 after today's stage in beautiful Pau, are Kreuziger (9) and Horner (10) with Rodriguez Oliver moving up 1 notch (from 8 to 9) while Hesjedal moves up two (from 10 to 8) . Out of GC Top 10 at the end of today's stage are two riders, American hopeful, Leipheimer, who was at least expected to finish on the podium this Tour is now in 13th and Russian rider, Vinokourov, who was caught doping thus retired in 2007 (but returned in 2008) falls to 16th.

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Action resumes on Friday, July 23, 2010 with Stage 18 in beautiful Salies-de-Bearn, Bordeaux (198 km = 123 miles)

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********************************************
The 2010 Tour de France marks the 97th edition and runs 21 days starting
Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010.
It will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and covers a total distance of 3,642 km (2,263 miles).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 17, July 22nd: JERSEYS:

The JERSEYS being worn/won through today's stage
(which has seen no movement or trade offs):
YELLOW=Contador, GREEN=Hushovd, (red) POLKA DOT=Charteau, WHITE=Schleck, TEAM=Team RadioShack
************************

Contador is still maintaining the right to wear the yellow jersey (maillot jaune) for another day. Tomorrow's race through a flat stage seems to be uneventful unless Schleck and his Team SaxoBank can manage to attack and challenge Contador and his Team Astana to chisel away at the current 8 secs. which is still the time gap between the top 2 GC riders.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 17, July 22nd: CONTADOR VS. SCHLECK!

Tomorrow's flat stage does not seem to warrant any further time digs either so Andy may have just permanently surrendered the yellow jersey and GC victory to Alberto by not narrowing the time (8 secs) which separated them going into today's stage.
Two things must happen until Sunday's "Grand Finale / Grand Ride" into Paris:
1) Andy and his Team SaxoBank will have to try to out-ride and out-maneuver Alberto and his Team Astana somehow during tomorrow's flat course. Because it is a flat stage, (198 km or 123 miles) there appears no way for this to occur as respective riders and their teams will surely keep up with one another therefore any challenges or attacks will be obsolete.
2) Unless Andy figures out a way to out-ride Alberto during Saturday's much anticipated Individual-Time-Trials, where Alberto is the clearly better sprinter of the two, it seems Contador will be repeating his le Tour Championship for the third consecutive year. Saturday's I-T-T will be held in awesome Bordeaux, Pauillac and the sprint will cover 52 km or 32 miles.

2010 Le Tour de France: Wednesday July 21, 2010: REST DAY!

Today was the second of two official days of rest given to riders through-out the 21 day Tour.
"HAPPY DAY OF REST!"
to all riders; they will indeed need it.
The Tour resumes Thursday, July 22, with Stage 17 in lovely Pau, Col du Tourmalet!

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 16, Tuesday, July 20 th: STAGE WINNER!

ARMSTRONG DENIED 1ST 2010 TOUR STAGE VICTORY BY THE FRENCH!
Location: Bagnères-de-Luchon, Pau
(199.5 km =124 miles)

Today's stage winner was Frenchman Pierrick Federigo. Congratulations to him!

Federigo beats out Lance Armstrong at the finish line and prevents The Texan from winning his first 2010 Tour stage. From the start of today's 124 mile race, 9 riders challenged and attacked with Lance clearly taking the lead. In the end Armstrong finished in 6th as he sprinted across the finish line but was "just not quick enough" as he was quoted. The 2nd rider to cross the finish line was another Frenchman Sandy Casar who was actually one of the favorites to win the stage as the day's race began.
This will be The Texan's last Tour saying that he will indeed retire especially after his disastrous performance during this year's stage 8 and not being able to perform well during several other 2010 stages. Had Armstrong won today's stage, it would have been his 26th overall stage victory in his Le Tour de France career.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 16, Tuesday, July 20 th: GC!

In GC (General Classification=Overall Leader):

1) Alberto Contador 2) Andy Schleck 3) Samuel Sánchez 4) Denis Menchov 5) Jurgen Van Den Broek 6) Robert Gesink 7) Levi Leipheimer 8) Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver 9) Alexandre Vinokourov 10) Ryder Hesjedal.

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Tomorrow is the 2nd of 2 total "rest days" given in the Tour.
Action resumes on Thursday, July 22, 2010 with stage 17 at Pau, Col du Tourmalet (174 km = 108 miles)
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The 2010 Tour de France marks the 97th edition and runs 21 days starting
Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010.
It will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and covers a total distance of 3,642 km (2,263 miles).

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 16, Tuesday, July 20 th: JERSEYS!

The JERSEYS being worn/won through today's stage:
YELLOW= Alberto Contador (Spanish rider on Team Astana-Kazakhstan)
GREEN=Thor Hushovd (Swiss rider on Team Cervelo Test-Switzerland)
RED POLKA DOT= Anthony Charteau (French rider on Team BBox Bouygues Telecom-France)
WHITE= Andy Schleck (Luxembourgian Rider on Team SaxoBank-Denmark)
TEAM= Team RadioShack (American Team)
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Alberto Contador kept the yellow jersey (maillot jaune) through today's stage finish. The very jersey he took from Andy Schleck yesterday when he created all that controversy. Contador passed Schleck just as Andy's bike suffered a "mechanical problem" (dropped chain). Andy was forced to stop to fix the problem when Contador passed him up and then proceeded to pursue an attack led by fellow Spaniard Samuel Sanchez which also involved Russian Denis Menchov. Schleck went as far as calling out Contador after yesterday's race and said that the Spaniard showed "no fair play". During the beginning of yesterday's stage 15, Schleck led in GC by 31 seconds over 2nd place rider Contador. By the end of the controversial race, Contador had taken the lead and the yellow jersey and was leading Schleck by 8 seconds who was now in second place.
At the start of today's stage 16, both riders had "made peace" and no lines were drawn and no attacks were made against one another. Contador's Team Astana did hold together at the front of the peloton during today's stage surrounding Alberto to provide him with the security and protection which teams often do for their leader especially when he is wearing the maillot jaune.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 16, Tuesday, July 20 th: CONTADOR v/ SCHLECK!

After yesterday's stage amidst controversy and respective fans taking sides and defending "their guy", today's stage ends with 8 seconds still separating Contador and Schleck - who now seem to be the two riders to watch.
Long gone is the rivalry which was to be this Tour's highlight involving
Contador versus Armstrong.
Instead we now have
Contador verus Schleck.
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If Schleck is to win:

1) In my personal opinion and in all likelihood, Schleck's odds of winning overall GC depends on his performance on Thursday. He will have to chisel down at the 8 seconds which currently separates him and Alberto before the time trials on Saturday during stage 19 (Bordeaux, Pauillac 52 km = 32 miles).
2) Andy will have to ride hard (another "ride of his life") during Saturday's Individual Time Trials; earlier during this Tour's Prologue on July 3rd in Rotterdam, Alberto beat out Andy by 42 seconds during the 8.9 km (6 mile) sprinting event. Thus why Thursday's stage is key for Andy.

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(Note: The prologue returned to the Tour this year after a 3 year absence dating back to 2007 in London!
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If Contador is to win:

1) Keep Andy from taking any time away from him during Thursday's ride.
2) Make sure Friday's flat stage is uneventful as should be the case.
3) Ensure he has the "ride of his life" as well during the Individual Time Trials where he clearly has the edge over Andy.

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Of the five days left in the Tour there are three when neither rider has the advantage:

Wednesday of course is an official day of rest (the second of two given during the entire 21-day Tour).
Friday is a flat stage so look for no time time digs between riders.
Sunday (the finale and grand ride into Paris) is purely symbolic- no challenges or attacks take place on this final day as is etiquette in the Tour. The overall champion is already determined starting this day's ride so it is customary for all riders to join in on the camaraderie and ride along in a cordial manner with the victor and all other podium finishers. Along the ride the winner of the Maillot Jaune is toasted with the likes of champagne and allowed his "pomp and circumstance", per se, to announce and celebrate his accomplishment.

2010 Le Tour de France: Stage 15 Monday, July 19th

Location: Pamiers, Bagnères-de-Luchon
(187.5 km =114 miles)
Today's stage winner was Thomas Voeckler (France's "sweetheart" "le chouchou"). Congratulations to him!

The controversy continues in this year's Tour which had previously started with rumors of a supposed re-ignition of a "like/hate" relationship between rivals Alberto Contador, last year's Tour Champion, and Lance Armstrong, who finished on the podium but in third place . Few bothered to even notice Andy Schleck (part of the Schleck bros.) who finished an impressive second place. I noticed and I remembered and thus began my intent viewing and following of this year's Tour cheering for him. What about Alberto Contador? I cheered him on very loudly last year and am going to be just fine if he wins again, but let me explain a few things first.

It was very difficult for me to chose which rider I wanted to see win overall GC this year at first because clearly I was hoping to see Contador try for his third consecutive Tour Championship. However remembering the brave antics of one Andy Schleck during last year's Tour was what pushed me towards cheering more for him to win over Alberto. Andy could have and should have won the Tour last year but he was too concerned over helping his brother Fränk win that Tour that he lost out on winning it himself. Andy has heart and courage unlike anyone I have seen - that is - until we think back to Lance Armstrong who overcame several personal adversities himself.
Today's stage through the Pyrenees and right before the descent by the riders was yet another reminder and proof of how much heart Andy has. Schleck's bike endured a "mechanical problem" (chain) and while he did not lose his cool and panic, he did appear indignant at his bad luck, but he rode on and pushed harder and pedalled faster than any rider that day. He lost his lead in GC and worse yet he lost the yellow jersey. All this loss handed over to Alberto Contador who clearly (and maybe unjustly) took advantage of the mechanical issues and attacked. In the end Alberto may have gained the GC lead and the maillot jaune, but he only managed to scrape 31 seconds off the previous time between himself and Andy and only has an 8 second lead over Schleck. The real Tour may have only just begun.

2010 Le Tour de France: Schleck v/ Contador: Amidst more controversy the race truly has just begun!

Just 3km from the summit the chain on Andy's bike came off (no break - just dropped) as he attempted a breakaway from the group of 5 (all GC leaders) in which he was obviously leading the way. Andy had to stop and rechain but found himself having to play severe catch up as the group made their "getaway". Contador, Samuel Sánchez and Denis Menchov sped off. Sánchez led the dare-devil 21km descent, but clearly it was Contador with the advantage and his hopes of taking the lead and the yellow jersey were improving. The antics by the three riders may have been crude, rude and all things NOT definitive of the Tour ("a gentleman's race"), but they all took advantage and attacked until the three finished with enough gap for the defending Champ to take the 8 second lead in the end. Riding at speeds of about 100 km per hour (which is roughly 62 miles an hour) as they made their decsent down the giant , one Andy Schleck found himself having to chase quickly but carefully as he manuevered the "ride of his life".
As commentators began to take note of the blatant attack after Schleck's "mechanical failure", they began to count the time which separated the top riders especially Contador and Schleck. At first only 24 seconds separated Schleck and Contador then 20 seconds with only a few km to go. They further added that if the 24 second margin of separation remained Schleck would keep the maillot jaune but that if Alberto gained one more second, he would rip through and take both the lead and the yellow jersey. Indeed the lead and jersey would see an exchange of hands, but was it fair or just? That is up to each individual to decide.
After today's stage Schleck called out Contador for not showing “fair play.”. Contador said he was not fully aware of the situation when he sped around Schleck but was satisfied at what he had done in the end. Adding that all was fair and that a mere 30 seconds (obviously referring to the gap between Andy and him at today's beginning stage) will not yet determine who wins the Tour.
Today's stage began with only 31 seconds separating previous GC leader Schleck and Contador. However, at the finish Contador scraped away at that time gap and came in at 7th place as Schleck finished in 12th. Schleck was clearly upset and a bit agitated at the bad luck just having been handed to him by the lady who has a non-discriminating view of all riders, "Lady Luck"! Schleck may have lost 39 seconds to Alberto this stage and the yellow jersey, but Contador now only leads in GC over Schleck by 8 seconds. A feat which Schleck will not soon forget, and I am betting will surely encourage him to retake the jersey and the lead and probably see him as this year's 2010 le Tour de France Champion. At least that is my hope after today's finish as I have clearly and fully joined "Team Schleck"!

2010 Le Tour de France: 20 Stages, Jerseys, GC, TEAM

The Tour began on Saturday 07-03-10 and will end on Sunday 07-25-10. The usual 2 days of official day/time off is in play. Last Monday 07-12-10 was the first day off with the 2nd day off coming this Wednesday 07-21-10. Currently we are in Stage 15 in Pamiers, Bagnères-de-Luchon.
SURPRISES:Many surprises have taken place such as the likes of Lance Armstrong having been taken out of Yellow Jersey (maillot jaune) contention or any podium finish. It occurred during Stage 8, Station des Rousses, Morzine-Avoriaz when his hopes of winning the Tour ended. The Texan (wannabe Longhorn) endured several crashes, blow outs and such during stage 8. He began that stage in 14th place (he had only been behind the leader in GC + 03' 16") through that stage/day but finished the day in 39th place and his overall time fell to + 13' 26". Lance announced he would retire for certain (again) after this Tour.
Withdrawals: Some riders had to withdraw along the way: Stage 3: Fränk Schleck, Christian Vandevelde (listed as a nonstarter). Stage 11: Robbie Hunter. Stage 12: Tyler Farrar.