Tour de France

[tdf4077]

Seeing how no one else has done this yet, I will do daily updates on the Tour de France here.

Why should we care? Well, there are 6 Americans in the race this year: Levi Leipheimer, Freddy Rodriguez, Chris Horner, Dave Zabriskie, Christain Vande Velde, and George Hincapie!

So, yesterday was the prologue:

Stage Top 10/General Classification

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.50 (53.7 km/h)
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.13
3 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.23
4 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
5 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.25
6 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 0.26
7 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0.30
8 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.31
9 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Liquigas 0.32
10 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux

Points Jersey
Fabian Cancellera

Young Rider
Vladimir Gusev

Best Team
Astana

[tdf4077]

Today was Stage 1

There was a crash at 20 KM to the end that took down stage favorite Robbie McEwan, injuring his wrist. Nonetheless...

Stage Top 10

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 4.39.01 (43.65 km/h)
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
5 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
6 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
7 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
8 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) T-Mobile Team
9 Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
10 Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team

GC
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 4.47.51
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.21
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.23
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.25
7 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 0.26
8 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
9 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0.30
10 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.31


Points Jersey
Robbie McEwan 35 points
Thor Hushovd 30 points

KOM Jersey
David Millar

Young Rider
Vladamir Gusev

Team
Astana

[tdf4077]

Exciting finish today! Huge crash inside the last 3 KM brought down most of the peleton, but, of course, since it was inside the last 3, they all get the same time.

Stage 2 Results

1 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 3.48.22 (44.2 km/h)
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas
4 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
5 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
6 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto
7 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
8 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner
9 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
10 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux

GC after Stage 2

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.36.13
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.21
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.23
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.25
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.26
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
10 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0.30

Green Jersey
Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 56 pts
Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 55

KOM
David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 5 pts
Stéphane Augé (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 5


Best Young Rider
Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 8.36.38Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.06

Best Team
Astana
CSC (2 seconds back)

[tdf4077]

Stage 3

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 6.36.15 (35.81km/h)
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
3 Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
4 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
5 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
6 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
7 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto
8 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) T-Mobile Team
9 Mark Cavendish (GBr) T-Mobile Team
10 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner

GC
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 15.12.08
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
4 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.49
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi

Green Jersey
Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 80 pts
Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 74

KOM
Stéphane Augé (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 8 pts
David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 5

Young Rider
1 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 15.12.53
2 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.06

Team classification
1 Astana 21.38.42
2 Team CSC 0.02

[tdf4077]

Today was one of the last of the flat, sprint stages for awhile....tomorrow has a lot more hills, so the GC should get its first shake-up!


Stage:

1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 4.37.47 (41.69 km/h)
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
3 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
4 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
5 Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
6 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
7 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
8 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
9 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
10 Mark Cavendish (GBr) T-Mobile Team

Overall

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 19.49.55
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.29
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
4 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
5 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel 0.43
6 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
7 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 0.44
8 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 0.46
10 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne


Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 98 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 86
3 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 84

Mountains Classification

1 Stéphane Augé (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 9 pts
2 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 7
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 7

Young Rider Classification

1 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel 19.50.40
2 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.06
3 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux 0.07

Teams Classification

1 Astana 11.32.03
2 Team Csc 0.02
3 Discovery Channel Team 0.05

[tdf4077]

I'm going to be out of town tomorrow, so it may be later in nthe day tomorrow before I can post!

[tdf4077]

That was one crazy stage! Most of the GC guys crashed, including Kloden who fractured a vertebrea but still finished strong somehow! Oh. And check out the new standings in best team!!!!!!!!!! Anyways:

Stage 5
1 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas 4.39.01 (39.67 km/h)
2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
3 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
4 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team
5 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
6 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel
7 Cristian Moreni (Ita) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
8 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
9 Bram Tankink (Ned) Quickstep - Innergetic
10 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom

GC

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 28.56
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas 0.35
4 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
5 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.43
6 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.45
7 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 0.46
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0.49
9 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.51
10 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux 0.52

Points classification

1 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 102 pts
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 98

Mountains classification

1 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 37 pts
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française des Jeux 23

Young rider classification

1 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
2 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.06

Team classification

1 Team CSC 73.29.08
2 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.03
(both of their crashes caused Astana to drop down to 15th, 1.23 off the lead)

[tdf4077]

Today was the last of the sprint stages...we head to the mountains tomorrow where the gc will get a huge shake up!

Vino and Klodi both are still racing, but both are VERY badly banged up.
Bradley Wiggins made a valiant effort today with an incredibly long solo break, but it got caputred right at the end, resulting in a "chaotic" bunch sprint.

Stage 6
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 5.20.59 (37.29 km/h)
2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
4 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
7 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
8 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
9 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
10 Murilo Fischer (Bra) Liquigas

GC
Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 29.49.55
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0.33
3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas 0.35
4 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.41
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank 0.43
6 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Team
7 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro 0.45
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 0.46
9 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 0.48
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0.49

Points classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 141 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 130
3 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank 114

Mountains classification

1 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 37 pts
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française des Jeux 23
3 William Bonnet (Fra) Crédit Agricole 15

Young rider classification

1 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 25.50.40
2 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.06
3 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux 0.07

Team classification

1 Team CSC 89.32.05
2 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.03
3 Caisse d'Epargne 0.16

[tdf4077]

As predicted, huge shake-up today with it being the first day in the Alps. EVERYTHING changed! It'll change tomorrow, too.

Stage 7
1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.53.13 (40.41 km/h)
2 Inigo Landaluze Intxaurraga (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0.40
3 David De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 1.39
4 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 2.14
5 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 2.21
6 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner 3.32
7 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quickstep - Innergetic 3.38
8 Xavier Florencio Cabre (Spa) Bouygues Telecom
9 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance
10 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

GC

1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 34.43.40
2 Inigo Landaluze Intxaurraga (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 1.24
3 David De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.45
4 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 2.55
5 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.05
6 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.39
7 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.51
8 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 3.52
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 3.55
10 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 3.57

Points Clssification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 147 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 134
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 103

Mountains Classification

1 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 42 pts
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 30
3 David De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 30

Young Rider Classification

1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 34.43.40
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.05
3 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.51

Teams classification

1 T-Mobile Team 104.19.04
2 Euskaltel-Euskadi 0.52
3 Saunier Duval-Prodir 2.04

[tdf4077]

Now this was a stage! So very, very much drama, including a dramatic crash by Stuey O'Grady resulting in 5 broken ribs, a broken wrist, and a broken collarbone!

Front-runner Michael Rogers also crashed, possibly breaking his wrist or collarbone, preventing him from finishing.

And, the last in the trio of Australian devastations, sprinting master Robbie McEwan finished outside of the time limit, probably being DQ'ed tomorrow.

But, the Chicken fought bravely, ultimately winning all the spoils on the stage:

Stage 8
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 4.49.40 (34.18 km/h)
2 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.47
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 3.12
4 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.13
5 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto
7 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.31
9 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 3.35
10 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC

GC
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 39.37.42
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.43
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.51
5 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 2.52
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.53
7 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.06
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.10
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 3.14
10 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 3.19
11 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.35
12 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.46
13 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.53
14 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 3.54
15 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 4.00
16 Manuel Beltran Martinez (Spa) Liquigas 4.19
17 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quickstep - Innergetic 4.22
18 David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 4.51
19 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.02
20 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Lampre - Fondital 5.03
21 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.14
22 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.23

Points classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 147 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 134
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 103

Mountains classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 82 pts
2 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 42
3 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 30

Young rider classification

1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 39.38.25
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 2.27
3 Kanstantin Siutsou (Blr) Barloworld 5.35

Teams classification

1 Rabobank 119.02.30
2 Caisse d'Epargne 1.18
3 Astana 2.37

Tomorrow is a much-needed rest stage. When the race continues on Tuesday, it looks like it could be down to 139 riders potentially (from the 189 who started last Saturday)....it'll ultimately depend on the time cuts.

[tdf4077]

Yet another amazing stage.

Today was the last day in the Alps, so tomorrow is an undulating stage.

Stage 9
1 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 4.14.24 (38.92 km/h)
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.38
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto
4 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Team 0.40
5 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 0.42
6 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Team
8 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 0.46
9 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
10 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC

GC
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 43.52.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Team 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06

Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 147 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 134
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 103

Mountains Classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 98 pts
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 79
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 69

Young Rider Classification

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 43.55.56
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3.37
3 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.41

Teams Classification

1 Caisse D’Epargne 131.52.51
2 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.06
3 Astana 3.02

[tdf4077]

Despite the small "scandal" with Patrick Sinkewitz of T-Mobile testing positive for doping, the race continued with passion:

There was a massive break away that shattered up the last two climbs. The peloton finished with Chavanel.

Stage 10
1 Cédric Vasseur (Fra) Quickstep - Innergetic 5.20.24 (42.978 km/h)
2 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Michael Albasini (Swi) Liquigas
4 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole
5 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC
6 Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 0.36
7 Paolo Bossoni (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
8 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) T-Mobile Team 1.01
9 Aleksandr Kuchynski (Blr) Liquigas 2.34
10 Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Rabobank
11 Andry Grivko (Ukr) Team Milram 3.42
12 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux 10.36

GC
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 49.23.48
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.08
6 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance 3.18
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.53
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06

Points classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 114

Mountains classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 98 pts
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 79
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 70

Young rider classification

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 49.26.56
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3.37
3 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.41

Teams classification

1 Team CSC 148.20.49
2 Caisse D'Epargne 5.02
3 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 5.08

[tdf4077]

Today should have been a boring flat stage with no developments...just an exciting sprint finish.

SHOULD HAVE...

Team Astana decided otherwise. Vino may be injured, but he's not out! He fought hard and managed to split the field. Some of the favorite sprinters were caught in the back. Those in the front got too antsy and found themselves in an accident in the last km.

American Dave Zabriskie finished outside the time limit and was disqualified.

Stage 11 Results:
Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 3.47.50 (48.06 km/h)
2 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC
3 Murilo Fischer (Bra) Liquigas
4 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas
5 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
6 Paolo Bossoni (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
7 Claudio Corioni (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
8 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française des Jeux
9 William Bonnet (Fra) Crédit Agricole
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team

GC
General Classification After Stage 11

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 53.11.38
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Team 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20

Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 160 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 149
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 144

Mountains Classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 98 pts
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 79
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 70


Young Rider Classification

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro 53.14.46
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3.37
3 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.41

Teams Classification

1 Team CSC 159.44.19
2 Caisse D’epargne 5.02
3 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 5.08

[tdf4077]

So today was what was supposed to happen...small break away, caught at the end (1 km left!), and bunch sprint. Tomorrow, everything will change with tomorrow's extremely important time trial!

Stage 12
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 4.25.32 (40.33 km/h)
2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
4 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
6 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) T-Mobile Team
7 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
8 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Agritubel
9 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner
10 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana

General Classification After Stage 12

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 57.37.10
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.35
3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 2.39
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 2.41
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.08
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 3.39
7 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 3.50
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.53
9 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.06
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 5.20

Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 195 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 175
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 174

Mountains Classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 98 pts
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 89
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 86

Young Rider Classification

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 57.40.18
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3.37
3 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 3.41

Teams Classification

1 Team CSC 173.00.55
2 Caisse D’Epargne 5.02
3 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 5.08

[tdf4077]

Today was the first long Time Trial. Everyone was expecting Rasmussen to lose a lot of time (probably drop away from number 1), but he battled strong!

Team Astana was friggin' amazing! VINO'S BACK!!

It rained for a considerable portion of the course, so there were probably at least 20 some odd crashes, but everyone managed to finish.

So, Stage 13:
1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 1.06.34 (48.661 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.14
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 1.39
4 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 1.44
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis 2.14
6 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 2.16
7 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Team 2.18
8 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis 2.38
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 2.39
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel 2.42
11 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 2.55

GC
General classification after stage 13

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 58.46.39
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.00
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Team 2.31
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 2.34
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 3.37
6 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 4.23
7 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 4.45
8 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel 5.07
9 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.10
10 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 5.29
11 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 5.48
12 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
13 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 6.59
14 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 7.04
15 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 7.37
16 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 7.45
17 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 7.49
18 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.18
19 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 9.13
20 Kanstantin Siutsou (Blr) Barloworld 10.25
21 Chris Horner (USA) Predictor - Lotto 10.37
22 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 10.50
23 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r 13.09
24 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Saunier Duval 13.23
25 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Lampre - Fondital 13.41

Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 195 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 175
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 174

Mountains Classification

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 98 pts
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 89
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Team 86

Young Rider Classification

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 58.49.10
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.28
3 Kanstantin Siutsou (Blr) Barloworld 7.54

Teams Classification

1 Astana 176.32.04
2 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.54
3 Team CSC 2.19