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Silence Lotto - Cadel "dont touch me" Evans on his way to Tour victory
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 31-07-2008 23:35
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Yeah, Cadels lawyers threathened to i quote " cut my head off" if I mentioned his dog |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 00:41
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Early season recap - Silence Lotto
Our 2008 season started with the Tour Down Under in Australia, where we brought Robbie McEwen as our leader.
Robbie had a great start to his season and won stage 1,2 and 6.Robbie is no climber however and lost his race
lead on the hilly stage five to Wilunga. But overall thanks to Robbie a nice start to the season
Cadel had a relaxed start to the season, but his first race kilometers where recorded in Paris-Nice. Cadel didn't
have overall victory in mind when he started the race, but after a good showing in the prologue(2nd), the team
realised that Cadel could be a top 5. But in this race the determined aussie showed that he was on a mission.
He raced consistently on every stage and got third in stage 4,7 and 8. Since Cadel showed such good form we had
hoped he would win the stage to Mount Ventoux, but there he got beat by the the little prince Damiano Cunego, Cadel
got a 4th place tough and only lost a few seconds to Cunego. In the end it was all decided on stage 7 where Evans
showed his smartness by slipping away on the downhill course to the finish. In the end Cadel won Paris-Nice 2008
with only 9 seconds to Franco Pelizotti with Garate in third. Cadel also won the point jersey thanks to his stability.
Our season continued with Robbie's 4th place in Milan-San Remo. Next it was time for Leif Hoste's important classic
campaign, but Leif dissepointed us with a 6th place in Vlaanderen and 5th in Paris-Roubaix. This was a huge dissapointment
to our sponsors but Cancellara and Boonen were simply to strong. The team scored an huge upset when Bart Doxx won the
Köln rundfahrt from a breakaway. Our new signing Popovych impressed with a 7th in Amstel Gold Race.
In the Giro, Jurgen Van Den Broeck placed a impressive 18th and lacked only 47 seconds from taking the white jersey
away from Soler. Alejandro Valverde suprisingly won the giro, with Cunego and Schleck also on the podium.
Leif Hoste has to face the press after a poor 6th spot in GP Vlaanderen
Cadel racing in Catalonia and in the Dauphine
While our classic team had a few dissapointing results Cadel Evans continued building on his tour form by racing the
Volta a Catalonia, Cadel showed good form by taking third in the mountain tt and placing an ok 12th overall.
But by The Criteritum Dauphine Libere Evans had taken yet another step in the right direction. Cadel was never outside
the top 10 in the GC, and also managed to win stage 5 to Annemasse. Cadel is a dedicated sportsman and instead of
some of the overall contenders who do not give it there all in the Dauphine Libere and Tour De Suisse he was really
trying to win it. But at the mountain top finish in La Toussouire Alejandro Valverde cashed in on his Giro form and
crushed the opposition. Cadel had to settle for third in the end behind Valverde and Sammy Sanchez but he was happy
with how his form had progressed.
Cadel showed his strong time trialing skills in the Dauphine Libere. Next stop Le Tour!!!! |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 12:05
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Silence Lotto 2008 Le Tour De France
After a ok start to the season the time is finally here, this July the Silence Lotto team will battle in France
and going all out to capture the overall victory with Cadel Evans. We are strong and confident that this team
has the strenght to assist Cadel in the mountains and on the flat. Robbie McEwen will get less help from the team
this year, altough if he is in a good position to take the green jersey we will help him defend it.
Silence Lotto 08 Tour De France team
Cadel Evans(31) Australia
Yaroslav Poppvych(28) Ukraine
Robbie McEwen(36) Australia
Leif Hoste(31) Belgium
Matthew Lloyd(25) Australia
Dario Cioni(33) Italy
Johan Van Summeren(27) Belgium
Cristophe Brandt(31) Belgium
Mario Aaerst(33) Belgium
Henrik Redant Team Manager
" A very balanced and good team for helping Cadel. Yaroslav will of course be important in the mountains, his form
is getting better after the Dauohine, Leif and Johan will also try to help Robbie a bit in the third week.
This year we also brought Matthew Lloyd who could be a possible tour contender in the future".
Eddy Merckx 5 time Tour De France champion
" I honestly think this team is good enough for Cadel, mainly because of Jaroslav Popovych who was the best helper
in last years tour. I also think Leif Hoste will win a stage after his classic campaign dissapointment.
The fight for the overall will be between Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador, no doubt about it".
Eddy Merckx thinks the battle for victory will be between Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador
The Favourites for the Tour victory
Alberto Contador Astana *****
The winner from 2007 is motivated to be on the top step again. Has had a quiet early season, but showed class with
a second place in the Tour De Suisse. Has an incredible punch in the mountains and his tt skills are improving.
His team is also by far the strongest with Klöden and Leipheimer also capable of winning.
Cadel Evans Silence Lotto ****
The runner up from 2007 has had strong early season with victory in Paris-Nice and third place in the Dauphine.
He lacks the ability to really attack in the mountains but his tt skills are exellent.
Carlos Sastre Team CSC ***
The quiet spaniard is 100 percent focused on the tour this year, and showed with his fine victory in the Tour De Suisse
that he is on the right track. Has a very strong team, but his weak tt skills could steal his chance for victory
Alejandro Valverde **
Victory List 2008:
Gp Al Pais Vasco
Tour De Romandie
Giro d' Italia
Dauphine Libere
No doubt that Alejandro has had an incredible season this year and judging by these results Alejandro should be the
top favourite for the tour. But we have never seen Alejandro perform at his best in the tour before and the Giro must
have cost alot of powers. But maybe this is just Valverde's year?
Valverde going for the Giro/Tour double
Denis Menchov *
The russian had a good showing in the Tour De Suisse and is capable of winning the tour.
Good in both the mountains and in the time trial, altough he tends to have one off day in the tour. |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 18:10
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Evans angry at wheel sucking pictures
Evans resisting to suck the wheel
Times are tough for Cadel Evans, who not only have to deal with a difficult preparation for the tour, but also pictures
showing Evans natural ability to suck wheels. " I never try to just follow wheels but I have to accept that natural
climbers like Ricco and Contador have better accelerations than me in the mountains. My goal is to ride a steady tempo
and not lose to much time in the mountains. That's the way Indurain did it, and I never saw him being critisized for it".
Cadel's lawyers has sent a cease and desist message to all magazines who have printed the picture, if these guidelines
are not followed Mr. Evans lawyers will take nessesary action against these publishers
Evans struggling with knee injury
Reports have also surfaced saying Evans has been experiencing problems with his knee lately. " Cadel felt a sharp pain
in his knee after the last stage of the Dauphine" says team manager Redant, " but he has been treated by our team doctor
the last few days and should be fine for the tour". Evans is expected to travel to Brest on the 2nd of July.
Speculation over Valverde's performance
Many reports in the cycling industry lately says that people are questioning Valverde's incredibly strong performances
this year. Valverde has von Gp Al Pais Vasco, Tour De Romandie, Giro D'Italia and the Dauphine Libere this year.
He is now also going for the Tour win, and looks promising after his 2nd place in the spanish tt championship. An insider
said " I have never seen an cyclist dominate stage races like Alejandro has done this year, he is super human". Valverde's
involment with doctor Fuentes is still being investigated, but he has earlier that he never worked with Fuentes. Valverde
reckons the tour will be a battle between himself, Contador and Evans. |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 19:24
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Leipheimer left of Astana Squad
Levi Leipheimer has suprisingley been left off the Astana Squad for the Tour de France. Team manager Johan Bruyneel
said Leipheimer's poor performance in this years Giro was the reason for him being left home. Bruyneel also stated that
Levi's contract would not be renewed for next season. Rock Racing has shown interest in signing Leipheimer next season. |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 20:13
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Tour De France 2008 ( The stages up to the Alpe D'Huez will only be short reports as I played these stages before i started the career)
Stage 1: Brest-Plumelec 194km Hilly
Stage 1 of this years tour offered a great start for the Silence Lotto team. The finale of the stage suited Cadel who
only lost out to Stuart O'Grady in the sprint and got 2nd. Alberto Contador was third and Alejandro got ninth. Several
of the big favourites like Sastre, Menchov and Klöden lost 1'38 in the difficult last hill. A great start to the tour for Cadel!!!!!!!
Stage 2: Auray-Saint Brieuc 164km Flat
The first real flat stage this year and Robbie McEwen was dissapointed after his 18th place in a difficult sprint.
Robbie lost the wheel of Freire 4 km's from the goal, and never recovered his position. Oscar Freire won in front
of Clerc and O'Grady who kept his leader jersey.
Stage 3: Saint Malo - Nantes 208km Flat
Another flat stage where Cadel saved energy before next day's time trial. Robbie McEwen beat Stuart O'Grady today but
it was only enough for a 4th. Vaitkus won in front of Domoulin and Clerc while Stuey kept the Maillot Jaune.
Stage 4: Cholet - Cholet 29km TT
The first important test for Cadel, and it went ok. Cadel was actually not as strong as we could have expected as he
was only 5th, one second behind an impressive Contador in fourth. David Zabriskie won the test, while Valverde unsuprisingly
lost time. But the most important thing was that Cadel now was in the yellow yersey with 7 seconds to Contador. We had
not expected him to be in yellow this early but it was a nice bonus. Chapau Chadel!!!!!!
Results - top 5 TT
1. D Zabriskie 34'22
2. M Rogers + 13
3. A Klöden + 19
4. A Contador + 22
5. C Evans + 23
Stage 5: Cholet - Chateauroux 232km Flat
This was a perfect day for Silence Lotto. Robbie McEwen rode a perfect sprint and won the stage comfortably in front
of Bennati and Vaitkus. Cadel also kept his race lead without any problems. The team is really in great shape.
Stage 6: Aigurande - Super-Besse 195km Mountain/Hilly
The first mountain test for Cadel and the guys. The finish was after a 11km hill with 3.8%. Our goal was to defend Cadel's
yersey but it didn't quite work as Contador placed 2nd while Cadel was only fourth. Alejandro Valverde was again unbeatable
in the mountains and won 13 seconds before Cadels group. But we were still satisfied as Evans was close to the Maillot Jaune.
Results - Super-besse top 5
1. A Valverde 5H 04.42
2. A Contador + 13
3. D Menchov + s.t
4. C Evans + s.t
5 D Cunego + s.t
Cadel Satisfied with his tour start |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 23:21
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Silence Lotto - Tour De France 2008
Stage 7: Brioude - Aurillac 158km Hilly
What a stage for Silence Lotto, our second stage win and this time it was Cadel Evans himself who did it. Cadel escaped
together with Alberto Contador on the run in to the finish in Aurillac, and beat the former tour winner in the sprint.
Cadel also took back the maillot jaune from Contador, in a beautiful day for the Silence Lotto team.
Results: Stage 7
1: C. Evans 3'54'54
2: A. Contador + s.t
3: A. Valverde + 20
4: F. Schleck + 20
5: M. Fothen + 20
Stage 8: Figeac - Toulouse 172km Flat
A quiet, flat stage, with a sprint finish. This time it was dominated by the strong riders in the peleton with Rebellin
winning it in front of Schumacher and Pineau. Robbie tried in the sprint but a poor 31th spot showed that this was no
usual sprint. As expected Cadel kept his race lead
Stage 9: Bagneres - De Biggores 222km Mountain
The first real mountain stage with two first categories mountain's in the end. But the day didn't become very selective as the¨
top 10 riders stayed together over the Col D'Aspin. Valverde took his second stage win in the sprint while Cadel took
third and increased his lead over Contador to 8 seconds. Still very close in the GC, but the next stage to Hautacam was
expected to make the difference.
1: A. Valverde 5H'32'36
2: D. Cunego + s.t
3: C. Evans + s.t
4: A. Contador + s.t
5: C. Sastre + s.t
Stage 10: Pau - Hautacam 157km Mountain
Today Alberto Contador put his stamp on the tour, when he outclassed the opposition to Hautacam. Cadel tried to follow him
but Contador was clearly the superior and also took over the race lead from Cadel. The team was of course dissapinted but the
time gap was not so big in the end. Yaroslav Popovych had a ok ride to lose 4'21 to his former team-mate.
1: A. Contador 4H'36'23
2: D. Menchov + 16
3: C. Evans + 24
4: A. Valverde + 48
5: D. Cunego + 1'20
Stage 11: Lannemezan - Foix 167km Hilly
Cadel bounced back today and cut Contador's lead to 7 seconds. Evans yet again showed his smartess and decending skills
by slipping away from Contador on the run in to the finish. A group including Cunego and Menchov had attacked on the
last mountain while Evans and Contador only watched each others move. This also meant that Menchov gained time on both
Evans and Contador and moved in to third. Menchov must now be considered a serious threat after a strong performance
in the last two stages.
1: D. Cunego 3'56'36
2: R. Ricco + s.t
3: D. Menchov + s.t
4: C. Moreau + s.t
5: M. Rogers + s.t
8: C. Evans + 38
9: A. Contador + 1'00
Stage 12,13,14:
Flat stages, where Robbie placed second on stage 12 and won stage 13, his second stage win. A great tour and performance
from McEwen who certainly deserved his tour spot.
Stage 15: Embrun - Prato Nevoso 181km Mountain
The tour visits Italy on this stage, and Damiano Cunego was eager to show his homefans a good performance. On the small
third categorie before Prato Nevoso, Alberto Contador made a suprise attack and got a lead wich he kept until 2 kms from
the finish. Behind Evans, Cunego, Valverde, Sastre and Menchov had escaped and they caught Contador. Alberto was so tired
that he had to let go 1km from the goal and he lost valuable seconds to Cadel who was third on the stage. Cadel now leads
the tour with 27 seconds to Contador.
1: A. Valverde 4H 54'07
2: C. Sastre + 10
3: C. Evans + s.t
4: D. Cunego + s.t
5: D. Menchov + s.t
6 A. Contador + 36
Stage 16 Cuneo - Jausiers 157km Mountain
A difficult stage with the Col De Bonette(2800m) the main difficulty. Silence Lotto controlled the whole stage and only
let Moreau and Ricco escape on the Bonette. Contador attacked 3kms from the top but he couldn't shake Evans. In the end
end Evans sprinted to third and increased his lead to 35 seconds in the GC. Another great stage for Silence Lotto.
1: C. Moreau 4H'35'01
2: R. Ricco + s.t
3: c. Evans + 2.33
4: A. Valverde + s.t
5: A. Contador + s.t
GC After 15 stages:
1: C. Evans 74H'31'41
2: A. Contador + 0.35
3: D. Menchov + 2.23
4: C. Moreau + 4.04
5: A. Valverde + 4.06
6: M. Rogers + 6.08
7: D. Cunego + 6.47
8: R. Ricco + 7.01
9: M Bruseghin + 11.47
10: F Schleck + 13'25 |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 01-08-2008 23:39
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Leif Hoste Abandons the tour
Leif Hoste continued his dissapointing season when he abandoned the tour on the stage to Jausiers. Hoste stated fatigue was
the reason for his early exit, but team manager Redant was not impressed. " Leif has been the weak link in our tour squad
and his fitness is simply not good enough. We seriously need to think if we want to keep him next year".
Popovych on the rise
Yaroslav Popovych had a dissapointing opening to the tour, but now he only get's better and better. After staying with the
lead group on stage 15 and 16 Yaroslav now thinks he can crack the top 10 and also help Cadel. " On the Alpe D'Huez I will
definantly be there to help Cadel. Popovych also hopes for a stage win in one of the last stages.
Transfer News - Monfort chased by Silence Lotto
Reports from the tour are saying that Silence Lotto is interested in signing Maxime Monfort from Cofidis.
Henrik Redant says " Maxime is a great rider for the big tours, he is also belgian which is perfect". |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:08
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Stage 17: Embrun - L'Alpe D'Huez 210.5km Mountain(really? )
Today is the big stage of the tour, the queen stage. Cadel will play it defensive on Alpe D'Huez and follow attacks by
Menchov and Contador.
Vladimir Miholjevic has escaped early on in the race, Cardenas, Trofimov, Rigotto and Tonti are chasing him.
On the top of the Galibier Miholjevic is still in the lead before Tonti and Cardenas, the peleton is still quiet
The Col De Croix De Fer was again dominated by Miholjevic but just before the top Valverde attacked and was first over the top
At the start of the Alpe D'Huez, Moreau and Valverde are in the lead but only by a small minute
Contador attacks!!!!! at the very foot of The Alpe D'Huez, Cunego, Evans and Sastre follow him
Valverde has dropped Moreau, but is now being caught by the Contador/Evans group. All is together 10km from the finish
With three kms to go Evans forces the pace, sensing that Contador has problems. But the spaniard wont give up and stays with the group.
Another spaniard Valverde is however dropped and the leading group is now Evans,Contador,Cunego,Menchov,Sastre,Schleck and Dekker.
Evans has started the sprint but Cunego is coming fast from behind, Valverde is back in the Maillot Jaune group again.
And Cunego wins it!!!!!!!!! Contador takes third and gains 8 seconds on Evans. Still a good day for Silence Lotto
The tour will probably be decided in the final time-trial as Evans now has 27s on Contador.
Stage Result: L'Alpe D'Huez
1: D. Cunego 6H'21'47
2: D. Menchov + s.t
3: A. Contador + s.t
4: C. Evans + s.t
5: C. Sastre + s.t
6: F Schleck + s.t
7: A.Valverde + s.t
8: R.Ricco + s.t
9: T Dekker + s.t
10: M Rogers + s.t
11: Y Popovych + s.t
Damiano Cunego wins the Alpe D'Huez stage |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:11
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Pheeew, lot of updates today |
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| popkorn |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:17
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Hey, love your story! Even though it's almost no screens I think it's one of the best on the forum. Very easy to read. Keep up the good work. |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:19
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Thanks Zimao, there will probably be more screens eventually as I improve my reporting |
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| popkorn |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:24
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Are you finishing the Tour tonight? 
Can't wait to see the final outcome, even though I think I know how it will end |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:43
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Haha no I'm dead tired from writing, will probably finish the tour tomorrow. Im actually not sure of victory as Contadot
beat Evans in the first time trial, but we will see |
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| hakab |
Posted on 02-08-2008 01:57
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Btw, what is the difficulty level? |
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| G_Larsson |
Posted on 02-08-2008 07:54
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Really good story! Even if Contador was better in the first time trial I don't think he can win against you this time. Maybe he had a +5 that day?
Team Manager of Team IKEA-Bianchi
[url=(color=#0000ff] Team Info[/url]
Media Room
You'll Never Walk Alone |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 15:24
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Silence Lotto - Tour De France 2008
Stage 18: Le Bourge D'Oisans - St Etienne 197km Hilly
A hilly day but normally we should have no problem defending our yellow yersey.
An escape has gone with Tiralongo in the front, we have sent Aaerst in the break but he's been dropped after Tiralongo
set's a very high tempo
At the top of the last climb Tiralongo has a very good advantage and will probably keep his lead to the finish
Back in the peloton, Contador and Cunego tries to shake Evans, but Popovych is attentive and reels him in again.
On the descent all the main contenders are in the same group again after hard work from Astana.
Tiralongo has won the stage!!!!!!! A great victory for the italian who won a similar stage in the Giro. Evans and
Contador finish at the same time in the main group
Stage 19: Roanne - Montlucon 163 km Flat
A flat stage where the GC will stay the same, and McEwen will try to go for the stage victory.
The early breakaway is quickly reeled in and this will be another sprint finish. McEwen is on the wheel of Bettini.
McEwen started the sprint from too far behind, it looks like it will be between Hushovd, Benatti and Petacchi.
And the norwegian powerhouse wins another stage, in front of Benatti and Petacchi. Robbie McEwen gets a 9th.
Next stage is the tt where the battle between Evans and Contador finally will be decided |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 19:21
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Stage 20 - Cerilly - Sant Amand Montrond 53km TT
This is it, today the tour 08 will have a winner, either it's Cadels first or its Contador's second tour victory.
The favourite for the stage will no doubt be Cancellara but Zabriskie could also challenge.
Contador is starting his 53km race, Contador is only 27 behind Evans, he has improved in the tt's.
A big factor in this tt is also freshness and recovery. Those who have recovered well could ride a better tt than expected.
53kms is all that separates Cadel from finally getting a tour victory. Cadel debuted in 2005 with 8th, he improved to 4th
in 2006, last year he was second, and this year he might finally be getting the win.
Contador has reached the first time check in 4th place, reports from the course are saying that Cadel has already lost
his tour lead to Contador.
Evans is 1'16 behind, this is clearly not his day, he still has the Maillot Jaune however, because he is 24s behind Contador
who is on the same time as Zabriskie and riding the time trial of his life. This is too painful.
Contador continues to pile on the pressure and now he is the new maillot jaune at the second time check. Cadel is really fighting
but it does not look good sadly. Popovych is 10th in the GC at the second time check but Thomas Dekker is about to steal
his place.
Noooooooo!!!!!!!!! Our dreams are shattered as Cadel hits the finishes in ninth 1'51 behind stage winner Michael Rogers.
Contador rode the time trial of his life to finish third 55 behind Rogers, and take the Maillot Jaune by 29s.
29 seconds from his dream.
Alberto Contador was fresher than Evans and could time trial his way to the second Tour victory. |
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| popkorn |
Posted on 02-08-2008 19:25
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Bad luck, Remove Contador from the game after he tested positive in the following doping test |
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| Goldberger |
Posted on 02-08-2008 20:05
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Yeah it's tempting He's going to be even harder to beat next year. |
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