Tour de France 2009

can't believe eurosport thinks boys synchronised diving is more important than TdF
FFS

i'm sure they didn't give a fuck either way till "one of our boys" won it.

I'm not too fussed if the side effect is that British cyclists become big news in the TdF

Brad to join Lances new team, just a thought?

And we're back online.

(*ITV4 red button, that is)

Brad to join Lances new team, just a thought?

Bit-part in the Lance show or new team leader at Garmin?

It is me or does team Garmin need beefing up?

They tried to sign Contador when it looked like Astana was going to fold a month or so ago.

Quite how that fits with their anti-doping stance I don't know.

Have you actually seen any of the race? Armstrong has successfully attacked Wiggins just once, on Wednesday's stage. In all the mountain top finishes so far Wiggins has finished ahead of Armstrong.

Oh ok. Yeah I have seen some of it.

Lance confirms that he will ride the tour next year.

Let's hope his team are invited then. Otherwise he'll look a right twat.

Oh ok. Yeah I have seen some of it.

Sorry, that came out a bit harsh. It wasn't meant to be.

he'll definitely be invited. it'll be just like cervelo test team this year.

Cervelo were invited because they had Sastre, as defending champion, Hushovd, who is widely liked in France and always does well in the Tour, and they went to the Tour of Qatar, which is organised by ASO, and rode brilliantly. That sealed their place.

Armstrong's new team probably will get an invite but it's presumptuous of him to assume this. A lot could happen between now and next July too.

fair enough. but Armstrong carries a lot of weight in cycling and his relationship with the french media isn't quite as bad this year as it has been.

spotted in parliament square this morning. Aaah teh good ol days.

ha!

Why is Millar on an escape? Is it meant to help Wiggo somehow?

This Millar break was predicted yesterday. I can't see him being much help to Wiggins tomorrow even if had today off.

I saw that. Its obviously someone who was previously regarded as clean as a whistle or Brailsford wouldn't have been sniffing round. If Brailsford and his team can spot a manipulated blood profile surely the UCI can see it. If that's the case why haven't the UCI brought a case against the rider?

Over to you Andyp ;)

Hell of a difference between "this looks a bit funny - no way I'll risk my investment and my team's reputation on this guy" and "this proves that so and so doped with this substance between these dates". It's two entirely different determinations you're talking about.

Surely none of the GC guys are going to do anything today? Saving it all for Ventoux. Hope Wiggo is drafting to the max.

Garmin haven't won a stage in the race yet. I presume they want to.

Back to the racing. Today's break was caught just before the 2nd category climb that comes with about 30 kms to go. Rabobank did most of the work, presumably to set up Oscar Freire. Cervelo have also been helping out.

Their on the climb now and the peleton is shrinking fast. Leferve of Bouygues Telecom has a 15" gap at the moment.

Ballan has bridged across to Leferve. The gap is only 10" though.

8" now

13" according to my stream.

19"

(is this the last post thread?)