Tour de France

[Posh Red]

Gutted for Brad, was looking forward to seeing how he was going to do in the mountains.

Good day for Cav though, will be interesting to see if he concentrates on the intermediate sprints over the next few days in an attempt to win the green jersey.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Every time I watch the cycling, whether it's Tour De France, the Giro or whatever I'm always amazed it doesn't end up like the Demolition Derby with about 20 crashes per race. With so many cyclists so close together travelling at such high speeds with fucking loons jumping on to the course, not to mention the occasional dog it's remarkable how few crashes and injuries there are. There seems to have been a bit of a spate of them this week though and Levi Leipheimer seems to be jinxed. I don't know if this year is any worse than other years, probably not I would guess.

[Posh Red]

The first week of the tour is often the worst for crashes. So many of the guys are pushing to be at the front to stay out if trouble, that incidents are more likely.

Once the first set of mountains have come & gone it usually settles down a bit

[michael]

Horrendous luck for Wiggo.

Team Sky will go for stage wins now.

[horlock07]

Gutted for Wiggins but hopefully means that some of the other Sky lads (Thomas EBH for instance) be given a go - also looking forward to how Uran goes in the hills.

Anyway need to catch up on yesterday highlights, was doing a sportive yesterday and it nearly killed me, 48 lumpy miles round the lake district with a streaming cold - not that keen on my bike at the moment!

[bullethead]

Blimey, the stage 9 crashes were horrible particularly the one involving Flecha, Hoogerland and the car! Those blokes have got balls I'll give them that

[donkey]

Blimey, the stage 9 crashes were horrible particularly the one involving Flecha, Hoogerland and the car! Those blokes have got balls I'll give them that

I think he may only have one left after that.  Ouch.

[Posh Red]

Contador banned for two years, but it is retrospective so he is stripped of the 2010 Tour title which now goes to Andy Schlek (and also last years Giro).However, he is is eligible to ride again from August this year (after the Tour & the Olympics) but in time for the Vuelta.

Does seem a bit bonkers that the ban starts from the time that the test was taken.

Would have thought that either you are banned immediately until the issue is resolved (would stop the competitor trying to delay the hearing), or not at all until the hearing has taken place.

[Batch]

So is he handing back all prize money and wages taken from when the ban started. Thought not.

Tour de Farce.

[STFC_Chris]

So is he handing back all prize money and wages taken from when the ban started. Thought not.

Tour de Farce.

Yes, actually. His team Saxo Bank may also have their race licence reviewed, as without his points their ranking will drop.

Justice for Schleck at last. Even if the dodgy steaks had little effect, those 39 seconds that Contador illegitimately gained when Andy's chain came off made a huge difference. Shame it's taken so long for it to happen.

[Batch]

Well that told me!

[LucienSanchez]

It'd be much fairer if they just let everyone take whatever they wanted... adds a whole new level of tactics and competition

[Bob's Orange]

Probably the biggest result in Luxembourg sporting history!

What a way to win it though!!

[horlock07]

Yes, actually. His team Saxo Bank may also have their race licence reviewed, as without his points their ranking will drop.

Justice for Schleck at last. Even if the dodgy steaks had little effect, those 39 seconds that Contador illegitimately gained when Andy's chain came off made a huge difference. Shame it's taken so long for it to happen.

In what way was it illegitimate - Schlecks chain came off, this was either a mechanical problem (and if so are you suggesting that say Lewis Hamilton should wait if an opponent has a problem) or it was due to him changing down when drivetrain was under severe pressure which is a mistake on his part as even with the best electronic systems this can happen and thus riders should know to avoid.

I am not for one moment condoning the steak eating Spaniard, but, as with the tour this year in fact, if Andy was prepared/able to ride without having to keep next to his brother he would and could have won these tours - hopefully the change of management will change his tactics and help him reach his potential.

Interestingly (and ironically) the Giro Italia from last year will revert to Michele Scarponi who himself came back from a doping ban in 2010!

[Batch]

Its "just" protocol to wait in those circumstances isn't it? Not illegal not to, a bit like kicking the ball back to the opposition.