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Sorry for triple posting.
Saturday saw the start of this year’s tour with Cancellara winning the prologue time trial. Andy Schleck lost 42 seconds to Contador, but the all the overall contenders finished unscathed, which was the main thing.
Nothing much happened yesterday concerning the main riders, but today there were multiple crashes on a wet decent and the big names were scattered all over the place. Chavenel, who was in the breakaway of the day, finished alone to take the yellow jersey. Things looked really bad for the Schlecks for a while, but there was a big regrouping on the run in, as the riders decided not to race hard and risk more crashes. This angered the ITV commentators who were baying for blood (Idiots).
Tomorrow the race heads for some of the cobbles used in Paris–Roubaix. The tour organisers seem hell-bent on eliminating some of the favourite is the first week. Hopefully the riders will all survive.
Edit 06/07/10:
A big blow to Saxo Bank’s hope for overall victory as Frank Schleck is taken down on the cobbles and breaks a collarbone. I think Paris–Roubaix is a the best of the single day classics, but it is wrong to put the Tour contenders at risk on the crazy paving. ITV are ecstatic that Frank is out. Now just Andy and Contador to go and all will be wonderful.
Edit 11/07/10:
First day in the Alps and the favourites just watched each other until the last kilometre, where Schleck rode away with Samuel Sanchez, to take 10 seconds out of the other contenders. Wiggins lost 1:45. Evans took the yellow jersey. More Alps await after tomorrow’s rest day.
Edit 13/07/10:
The Saxo Banks set a fierce pace on the last climb of the day and put Evans into difficulties. Seeing the chance to eliminate a rival, the Astanas raised the pace further and Evans was distanced. With more of the favourites under pressure, Schleck attacked and only Contador could stay with him.
Edit 20/07/10:
Contador had cut Schleck’s lead to 31 seconds on a short sharp climb at the end of Stage 12. Yesterday Schleck’s chain jumped off while he was attacking on the final climb. Contador had little choice, but to ride on with Sanchez and Menchov. It was enough for Contador to take the leader’s Jersey by 8 seconds. There was no major action in today’s Pyrenean stage because of a long run into the finish. Tomorrow is a rest day.
Thursday’s stage should be the showdown between Contador and Schleck. The mountain top finish will make it a race of attrition. Compelling TV viewing for any sports fan.
Edit 22/07/10:
Schleck attacked on the final climb, but he wasn’t able to shed Contador though he matched a searing counter attack. Schleck won the stage with Contador retaining his 8 second lead in the tour.
Edit 24/07/10:
Very strange 52km individual time trial today. With the exception of Menchov, who finished 3:51 down on Cancellara and moved up to third place overall, all the top ten riders in the general classification were hammered. Last year Contador won the final time trial of the tour, beating Cancellara in the process. Today he finished 5:43 down, but it was easily enough to keep the yellow jersey.
Edit 25/07/10:
Contador claims his third Tour de France. He obviously found it very hard this time, but it is still difficult to see anyone beating him in the next few years.
Cavendish easily won on the Champs-Élysées, his fifth stage this year, but Petacchi got the green Jersey.
Another great tour for the tv viewer. I just hope in future they don’t make the opening stages so dangerous.
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