Free Republic

Yet SC produces more than twice the peaches that GA does.

And they’re both behind CA.

Iris Steensma?

Thx!

You should check out the Mel Brooks article, hilarious excerpts from his movies.

nm, got it - http://www.jewishjournal.com/david_suissa/article/what_happened_to_obama

Do you have a link for this article? Yours goes to a Mel Brooks article. Thx

“Those damn onions”

Great comment on the vid

Thx!

"The association's insurer, Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, filed suit in federal court in August, asking a judge to clarify its liability in the case, but that suit was dropped in November.

"Travelers is not a party to the settlement," the company said in a prepared statement. "The settlement would have been with other insurers of the homeowners association and/or the property managers."

The policy had a $1 million limit, according to federal-court records, and went into effect March 30, 2012, a few weeks after Trayvon was shot. Trayvon's mother filed a claim with the insurer after it went into effect, according to federal-court records."

“Their lawyer, Benjamin Crump, says he intends to file suit against Zimmerman, as well.”

Headline of previous article: “As rape trial opens, prosecutor says girl was ‘too impaired to say no’”

Prosecutor, esp a female, should know better. It’s ‘too impaired to say “yes”’, although it’s not as if a 16yo girl can grant consent (legally)

"Consider this historical question: Could it have been the original intent of the Founders to disqualify themselves from serving as president? It was not until Martin Van Buren, eighth president, that we elected a man who had been born an American citizen."

These guys are really stoopid.

A worthless analysis, really.

How would Israel deliver such a device?

ping

Lockheed AC-130 gunship, armed with a variety of ordnance.

The parties to the Oslo Agreements, not our political parties.

BREAKING NEWS: Lance Armstrong drops fight against US Anti-Doping Agency drug charges — AP

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48773712/ns/sports-cycling/

~~~~~
Can’t say as I blame him. It will never, ever, stop.

Harry Truman: no visit

Dwight Eisenhower: no visit

John Kennedy: no visit

Lyndon Johnson: no visit

Richard Nixon: sixth year of presidency

Gerald Ford: no visit

Jimmy Carter: third year of presidency

Ronald Reagan: no visit

George H.W. Bush: no visit

Bill Clinton: 4 visits—in the second, third, fourth and sixth years of his presidency

George W. Bush: 2 visits—in the eighth year of his presidency

Quite a change from last year

Ol' Phil showing his colors...:

As Wiggins cues up to start the TT, Phil says "this is the greatest moment in cycling history".

Hey, I don't blame him, a very big deal for British cycling. Gotta love the enthusiasm.

Sorry about no graphics last 2 days, travel for work interfered.

Thanks for the kind words, DollyCali.

Stage 16 graphics are up! d'Aubisque & Tourmalet!! As luv2ski said - EPIC!!

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Tour de France 2012

Stage 16 - Pau > > > Bagnères-de-Luchon (197km)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Mastery of all aspects of cycling

"Pau, a stronghold? Pau, a strategic place? On today's menu, a 197 km classic succession of great Pyrenean cols: the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin and Peyresourde. As Christian Prudhomme said, a mere four days from the finish, this stage will turn the thumbscrews on the peloton! Moreover, such a course is exactly my idea of a true mountain stage: not with a summit finish, which tends to lock up the race a bit, but an up-and-down course which calls for a mastery of all aspects of cycling. Two years ago, Andy Schleck vacillated somewhat on the descents..."

The classic Pyrenean stage A Tour staple in the pre-war years, the linking of the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde passes is rarely seen in modern times. There’s no summit finish but the organisers believe this is likely to make the action more intense as riders won’t be tempted to sit back and wait for the final climb before racing. The fact that the Aubisque and the Tourmalet – the ‘roof’ of this year’s race – come first won’t suit the climbers. Some of them may not appreciate the final descent of the Peyresourde either as it’s very speedy and suits daredevils. It won’t be an easy day for whoever is defending the yellow jersey.

Janez Brajkovic: "In 2010, we went over the Tourmalet and that was the most difficult stage I’ve ever done. It will be tough and a few people will lose the Tour here. If you’re dropped before the last climb then you’re going to lose a lot of time."

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(Commentary - letour.com, cyclingnews.com, & steephill.tv)

Tour de France 2016

Stage 16 - Pau > > > Bagnères-de-Luchon (197km)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 53.5 - Col d'Aubisque (1 709 m) 16.4 km climb at 7.1% - category HC
Km 120.5 - Col du Tourmalet (2 115 m) 19 km climb at 7.4% - category HC
Km 150.5 - Col d'Aspin (1 489 m) 12.4 km climb at 4.8% - category 1
Km 181.5 - Col de Peyresourde (1 569 m) 9.5 km climb at 6.7% - category 1

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The Hills Today

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Results of Stage 15 - Overall individual time classification

1. FRA FEDRIGO Pierrick 142 FDJ-BIGMAT 03h 40’ 15’’
2. USA VANDE VELDE Christian 68 GARMIN-SHARP 03h 40’ 15’’ + 00’ 00’’
3. FRA VOECKLER Thomas 21 TEAM EUROPCAR 03h 40’ 27’’ + 00’ 12’’
4. DEN SORENSEN Nicki 179 TEAM SAXO BANK-TINKOFF BANK 03h 40’ 27’’ + 00’ 12’’
5. BEL DEVENYNS Dries 194 OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP 03h 40’ 36’’ + 00’ 21’’
6. FRA DUMOULIN Samuel 83 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 03h 41’ 23’’ + 01’ 08’’
7. GER GREIPEL André 114 LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
8. USA FARRAR Tyler 63 GARMIN-SHARP 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
9. SVK SAGAN Peter 57 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
10. BEL BOECKMANS Kris 122 VACANSOLEIL-DCM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
11. SLO BOZIC Borut 182 ASTANA PRO TEAM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
12. FRA HINAULT Sébastien 75 AG2R LA MONDIALE 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
13. NED DE KORT Koen 213 TEAM ARGOS-SHIMANO 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
14. AUS CANTWELL Jonathan 171 TEAM SAXO BANK-TINKOFF BANK 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
15. FRA ENGOULVENT Jimmy 93 SAUR-SOJASUN 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
16. NED CURVERS Roy 212 TEAM ARGOS-SHIMANO 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
17. BEL ROELANDTS Jurgen 117 LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
18. FRA LADAGNOUS Matthieu 144 FDJ-BIGMAT 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
19. SUI SCHÄR Michael 8 BMC RACING TEAM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’
20. SLO BRAJKOVIC Janez 181 ASTANA PRO TEAM 03h 52’ 05’’ + 11’ 50’’

Overall individual time classification after Stage 15

1. GBR WIGGINS Bradley 101 SKY PROCYCLING 68h 33’ 21’’
2. GBR FROOME Christopher 105 SKY PROCYCLING 68h 35’ 26’’ + 02’ 05’’
3. ITA NIBALI Vincenzo 51 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 68h 35’ 44’’ + 02’ 23’’
4. AUS EVANS Cadel 1 BMC RACING TEAM 68h 36’ 40’’ + 03’ 19’’
5. BEL VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 111 LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM 68h 38’ 09’’ + 04’ 48’’
6. ESP ZUBELDIA Haimar 19 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 68h 39’ 36’’ + 06’ 15’’
7. USA VAN GARDEREN Tejay 9 BMC RACING TEAM 68h 40’ 18’’ + 06’ 57’’
8. SLO BRAJKOVIC Janez 181 ASTANA PRO TEAM 68h 40’ 51’’ + 07’ 30’’
9. FRA ROLLAND Pierre 29 TEAM EUROPCAR 68h 41’ 52’’ + 08’ 31’’
10. FRA PINOT Thibaut 146 FDJ-BIGMAT 68h 42’ 12’’ + 08’ 51’’
11. GER KLÖDEN Andréas 15 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 68h 42’ 50’’ + 09’ 29’’
12. LUX SCHLECK Frank 11 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 68h 43’ 06’’ + 09’ 45’’
13. IRL ROCHE Nicolas 79 AG2R LA MONDIALE 68h 44’ 10’’ + 10’ 49’’
14. FRA COPPEL Jérôme 91 SAUR-SOJASUN 68h 44’ 48’’ + 11’ 27’’
15. USA HORNER Christopher 14 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 68h 46’ 02’’ + 12’ 41’’
16. RUS MENCHOV Denis 131 KATUSHA TEAM 68h 50’ 42’’ + 17’ 21’’
17. BEL MONFORT Maxime 16 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 68h 51’ 02’’ + 17’ 41’’
18. ESP MARTINEZ Egoi 35 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 68h 51’ 25’’ + 18’ 04’’
19. POR COSTA Rui Alberto 163 MOVISTAR TEAM 68h 52’ 23’’ + 19’ 02’’
20. DEN SORENSEN Chris Anker 178 TEAM SAXO BANK-TINKOFF BANK 68h 53’ 33’’ + 20’ 12’’

Stage 15 graphics are up! A shorter version of yesterday, albeit with more hills. Then Rest Day 2, then the Pyrenees proper with Col d'Aubisque & Col du Tourmalet on Wednesday!

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Tour de France 2012

Stage 15 - Samatan > > > Pau (158.5km)

Monday, July 16, 2012

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A strategic place

"A tip of the hat to provincial France, the France of the Tour. Our caravan will set off from Samatan, a large town with 2,200 inhabitants which is the main town of the Gers canton. It will probably be a calm start, as the stage is not particularly tough. A sprint finish would be the logical outcome, and I actually hope it happens, because pure sprinters will not get many chances to shine in this Tour. The finish in Pau will be beautiful, like always. This is the 64th time that the Tour visits this city, which is almost a record. Let us pay homage to this city, which we see as a stronghold and a strategic place."

Calm before the storm

Rather than heading straight into the Pyrenees, this stage is flirting with them, bumping through the range’s foothills as it heads into Pau and the second rest day. There’s a string of climbs in the final third of the stage but they won’t knock all, if any, of the sprinters out of contention if the bunch is compact at that point. The teams that have failed to register any kind of success up to now will need to take advantage of days like this, especially if they don’t have an in-form climber in their ranks. Realistically, this stage and the one to come into Brive-la-Gaillarde will be their last chances to reap some kind of reward.

Allan Peiper: "The question here is how many of the top sprinters can get over the climbs? Matt Goss is a really good climber so he should be there to contend the finish. We’ll have to wait and see."

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(Commentary - letour.com, cyclingnews.com, & steephill.tv)

Tour de France 2012

Stage 15 - Samatan > > > Pau (158.5km)

Monday, July 16, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 107.0 - Côte de Lahitte-Toupière 2.1 km climb at 5.3% - category 4
Km 123.5 - Côte de Simacourbe 1.9 km climb at 6.3% - category 3
Km 129.0 - Côte de Monassut-Audiracq 1.5 km climb at 5.4% - category 4

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Stage 14 graphics are up! Had connection and/or FR server problems all morning, and I missed an edit:

Stage 14 is 191km, Limoux >>> Foix, of course.

Tour de France 2014

Stage 14 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > > > Annonay - Davézieux (226km)

Sunday, July 15, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 30.0 - Col du Portel (601 m) 5.3 km climb at 6.3% - category 2
Km 126.5 - Port de Lers (1517 m) 11.4 km climb at 7% - category 1
Km 152.5 - Mur de Péguère (1375 m) 9.3 km climb at 7.9% - category 1

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The Hills Today

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Stage 13 graphics are up! On to the Med on a long, flat-but-bumpy stage to bring them closer to the Pyrenees. And, of course it's Bastille Day, Vive la cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys!

Tour de France 2012

Stage 13 - Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > > > Le Cap d'Agde (217km)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

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Not a piece of cake

"Another long stage. This one stretches 217 km from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Cap d'Agde, where the bunch will embrace the Mediterranean. A treasure trove of beautiful TV pictures... and the prospect of a sprint finish, at least among those fast men who have managed not to lose contact on the climb up the Mont-Saint-Clair, 23 kilometres from the finish. In other words, the stage is not a piece of cake and the race could go crazy. Moreover, the wind is always a menace near the Mediterranean, and we already saw what it can do when the Tour visited La Grande Motte in 2009..."

Flat but not straightforward

Prudhomme and his team have not offered the sprinters too many certainties on this year’s route. A quick glance suggests this stage is one but it’s not quite as simple as that. The stage runs close to the Mediterranean and it’s not far from one of France’s prime windsurfing locations. It often blows in hard off the sea and if it’s gusting today, the riders will be heading into it. That could result in the peloton splitting. The climb of Mont-Saint-Clair is almost certain to cause splits. It looms up above the Med and offers a prime launch pad for a late escape. The sprint teams may get it back but don’t count on it.

André Greipel: "Who knows what could happen on a stage like this? We’ll want a small, unthreatening break to go early and then slowly reel them in. But it could go the other way and if it’s hot and windy like it often is down here, it could be a horrible day."

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(Commentary - letour.com, cyclingnews.com, & steephill.tv)

Tour de France 2013

Stage 13 - Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > > > Le Cap d'Agde (217km)

Saturday, July 14, 2013

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 194.0 - Mont Saint-Clair 1.6 kilometre-long climb at 10.2% - category 3

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Or not...

I want to go to there

Everyone in the top 5 is a great rider, but none of them, including Wiggins and Evans, seem to have "it". "It" being the ability to individually overpower their competition on climbs, I guess. It looks like Sky has the horses to get Wiggins through the mountains without damage, and maybe even gain some as he did on Evans in the first mountain stage, but I don't see any legendary solo mountain performance coming from Wiggins.

Nothing wrong with that, just another way to win the Tour. Contador, Andy Schleck; they are in the mold of Armstrong, Ulrich, Indurain (goat+, tho), etc, in their ability in the hills. Froome might be, too, but chances are we won't get to see that this year.

The guys that Bay mentioned when he surmised that this could end up being a classic matchup like those of yore were "all-arounders+", do everything well, plus be able to climb with the mountain goats when need be. I don't see Wiggins having that ability, and it's now clear that Evans doesn't.

Hey, 'splain me this one - what exactly does the underlined part mean?

This finish is well suited for Peter Sagan, but he isn't likely to make it over the first two cat 1 climbs if he's part of the break and if he's not part of the break will Liquigas-Cannondale chase it down?

Stage 12 graphics are up! Interesting stage today, two catégorie 1 climbs near the start, then a ~100km run to the finish with a catégorie 3 close to the end.

Widely differing opinions as to what this Stage will do to the GC.

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Tour de France 2012

Stage 12 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > > > Annonay - Davézieux (226km)

Friday, July 13, 2012

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Many will get fidgety

"Yet another strategic stage, one which could tip the balance in the points classification on its own. Why? Because we have adorned the first part of this long stage (226 km) with the Col de Grand Cucheron and the Col du Granier. The latter will be climbed on its most difficult side. A high pace will knock out the sprinters, favouring riders who are fast and capable of hanging onto the bunch on climbs. We will insist that time limits be applied strictly, so I bet many riders will get fidgety, and some of them will not forget the finish in Annonay any time soon..."

Complicated for the sprinters

The sprinters will have been quiet for a few days now – and some of them may well have fallen by the wayside – but this one could go their way depending on how the first 80km goes. Some riders are sure to view the Grand Cucheron and Granier as the ideal opportunity to break clear and perhaps build a stage-winning advantage. It’s the kind of day Thomas Voeckler will appreciate if he’s not in overall contention. After the climbs, though, the sprinters have got plenty of terrain on which to set their rouleurs to work. The final cat 3 climb might foil the sprinters, especially after 200km and two weeks of racing.

Janez Brajkovic:"This is somewhere that a break can stay away all day and take the stage victory. If the day’s break hasn’t gone by the first climb it will be pretty hard to go after that. I don’t think there will be major changes to the GC here."

July 12 update: Stage 12 will exit the Alps via two cat 1 climbs as we head west from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay for the longest stage of this year's Tour at 226 km. Annonay is often featured in the Criterium du Dauphine but this is the first time it will be featured in the Tour de France. Actually, to be precise, the finish is in Davezieux just northeast of Annonay and both towns are considered joint hosts for this stage.

A break should gain significant advantage in the mountainous first half of the stage before we settle into a long, rolling/lumpy ride to the finish where two hills near the finish could whittle the break down before the flat final km.

This finish is well suited for Peter Sagan, but he isn't likely to make it over the first two cat 1 climbs if he's part of the break and if he's not part of the break will Liquigas-Cannondale chase it down? They'll need help from other teams like Orica-GreenEdge (for Matt Goss), but the peloton will be tired after two mountain stages so it's quite likely another break will succeed. Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) missed out on a stage win on Wednesday's Stage 10 as part of the break, but he'll have another chance on this day and the finish is better suited to him. — Steve

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(Commentary - letour.com, cyclingnews.com, & steephill.tv)

Tour de France 2012

Stage 12 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > > > Annonay Davézieux (226km)

Friday, July 13, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 34.0 - Col du Grand Cucheron (1 188 m) 12.5 kilometre-long climb at 6.5% - category 1
Km 80.5 - Col du Granier (1 134 m) 9.7 kilometre-long climb at 8.6% - category 1
Km 207.5 - Côte d'Ardoix 5.9 kilometre-long climb at 3.4% - category 3

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The Hills Today

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Mystery solved, luvvy:

We've been thinking of Col de la Colombière as opposed to:

Col du Grand Colombier in Stage 10 this year.

So, you're not crazy after all. ;)

I agree, tho, mighty odd that Col du Grand Colombier hasn't been done in the Tour until this year. It has been featured in the Critérium du Dauphiné (for the first time this year as well, apparently).

Ready4Freddy, stage 11 looks freakin’ crazy.

And here we are, Vision!

Stage 11 graphics are up! Two Hors catégorie to start, then a 2 to rest their legs, and finish at the top of a catégorie 1.

Brutal!

Tour de France 2012

Stage 11 - Albertville > > > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles (148km)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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A tough one

"One of the shortest stages in the 99th edition. But riders beware, it is a tough one! The course is simple: after the first thirteen kilometres from Albertville, the peloton will be hard pressed to find a single inch of flat terrain! The cyclists will tackle La Madeleine, La Croix de Fer and Le Mollard one after the other before the final climb up La Toussuire. Let me tell you, the final podium will start to take shape on the finish line here! Those who falter in this stage will get no second chances. The winner will not be known yet, but the losers certainly will."

A day for the big guns

It may have become a hackneyed phrase but it’s certainly apt to describe this as a day when the Tour can’t be won but can certainly be lost. The only day in the heart of the Alps also features the first high mountain finish, at the resort where Michael Rasmussen won in 2006. It’s a stage that is cut out for specialist climbers. The Madeleine and the Croix de Fer, which is tackled via the Glandon, are both very tough 2,000-metre passes that will sap everyone’s reserves. The riders will have to take care on the descent of the Mollard, where the hairpins are tightly packed. The finish will reveal the real GC contenders.

Allan Peiper: "This is a very typical Tour de France stage and most of the climbs have been ridden before. Mountain top finishes are the only chances that the climbers who don’t time trial that well can get some gaps before the final stages."

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(Commentary - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Tour de France 2012

Stage 11 - Albertville > > > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles (148km)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 40.0 - Col de la Madeleine (2000 m) 25.3 km climb at 6.2% - category HC
Km 93.0 - Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m) 22.4 km climb at 6.9% - category HC
Km 113.0 - Col du Mollard (1638 m) 5.7 kilometre-long climb at 6.8% - category 2
Km 148.0 - LA TOUSSUIRE 18 km climb at 6.1% - category 1

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The Hills Today

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

greeny, the weapons are kept in the team half-tracks until needed.

That is Obergruppenführer Cadel von Evans leading, the gelbes Trikot is in the peleton surrounded by his team in khaki. The entire team was banned in 1945.

And yes, luvvy, you're right - am having waaayyyy too much fun with this to be ashamed. lol!!

Vintage pics of yesteryear

Apparently this is the first visit in the TdF, luvvy.

There are steeper mountains on the Tour, but this has got to be one of the longest climbs.

Hey, wheres leilani this year!?

Stage 10 graphics are up! The first Hors catégorie mountain of the 2012 TdF.

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Tour de France 2012

Stage 10 - Mâcon > > > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (194.5km)

Tuesday, July 11, 2012

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Break away and come together

"Back to the mountains. On paper, the Grand Colombier is a monster. In my opinion, it is the toughest mountain in France, with sections at 12%. Nevertheless, its location 43 km from the finish changes the story altogether. Rather than a single devastating attack, I see a group of five or six strong riders break away and then come together before the finish. This is a classical but always exciting scenario, especially if one of the big names is missing from the breakaway. Look out just before the riders reach Bellegarde-sur-Valserine: we found a small bump which could very well make things easier for the finish line judge..."

Into the unknown

Tour director Christian Prudhomme and his route team have really mixed up the mountain challenges in the first half of the race, sending the riders into unfamiliar terrain that presents plenty of opportunities for the attack-minded. The main complicating factor on this one is the Col du Grand Colombier, which has never appeared on the Tour before. Logic suggests that it’s too far out from the finish to be decisive but there are some very steep ramps on its 17km ascent. Will the climbers cook something up? If they’ve lost a lot of time in the TT they might have to. If not, a small group will contest the uphill finale.

Janez Brajkovic: "This will be the first time we ride the Grand Colombier and there will only be a small selection of riders at the top. Some will come back on the descent but it will be full gas as it’s only 20km from the Richemonde’s summit to the finish."

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(Commentary - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Tour de France 2012

Stage 10 - Mâcon > > > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (194.5km)

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

Km 90.0 - Côte de Corlier 6.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.5% - category 2
Km 151.5 - Col du Grand Colombier (1 501 m) 17.4 km-long climb at 7.1% - category HC
Km 174.0 - Col de Richemond 7.2 kilometre-long climb at 5% - category 3

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Profile of Col du Grand Colombier

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Stage 9 graphics are up! A rather bumpy course for an ITT, what?

Tour de France 2012

Stage 09 - Arc-et-Senans > > > Besançon (41.5km) ITT

Monday, July 9, 2012

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A clearer picture

"How shall I put it? A crucial stage riddled with heritage sites and tourist landmarks. I mention heritage and tourism because it starts from the Royal Salt Works, which date from the time of Louis XV. The stunning pictures will be broadcast in 190 different countries. And I say it is a crucial stage because, after ten days of racing, the time trial will give us a much clearer picture of the state of affairs. The beautiful course is similar to the stage around the Lac de Vassivière a few years ago. We chucked in a climb which will no doubt sap cyclists' legs. We chose this terrain to make it easier for strong riders to prevail."

The battle for yellow begins

If a time trial specialist does win this year’s Tour, it’s a fair bet that he will be among the top three or four finishers today. Initially announced as 38km, this stage is now another 3.5km longer. It’s a test of two halves, with the first 20 kilometres much more rolling than those near to the finish. However, there is not much here that will worry the stronger time trialists, such as Wiggins, Martin and Cancellara. They will power up the climbs and should gain three to four seconds a kilometre on Frank Schleck and the other climbers – some two and three minutes by the end. If it’s any less than that, the RadioShack-Nissan leader will be very happy.

Sean Yates: "This could be decisive to the final GC. Bradley will be trying to win the stage and put as much time into his rivals as possible – every second counts. It’s an ideal length for him but not really as straightforward as the second time trial."

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(Commentary - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Tour de France 2012

Stage 09 - Arc-et-Senans > > > Besançon (41.5km) ITT

Monday, July 9, 2012

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Route

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Profile of the Stage

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Profile of Last Kilometers

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Mountain Passes & Hills

None - Individual Time Trial

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(Graphics - letour.com & cyclingnews.com)

Same here, Pete. I’m less familiar with many of the riders than in prior years, but the ‘new wave’ of younger folks have been quite fun to watch.

And then the Commonwealth guys like Evans and Wiggins are turning in great performances as well.

Overall individual time classification - Result after the Stage 8:

1. GBR WIGGINS Bradley 101 SKY PROCYCLING 38h 17’ 56’’
2. AUS EVANS Cadel 1 BMC RACING TEAM 38h 18’ 06’’ + 00’ 10’’
3. ITA NIBALI Vincenzo 51 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 38h 18’ 12’’ + 00’ 16’’
4. RUS MENCHOV Denis 131 KATUSHA TEAM 38h 18’ 50’’ + 00’ 54’’
5. ESP ZUBELDIA Haimar 19 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 18’ 55’’ + 00’ 59’’
6. GBR FROOME Christopher 105 SKY PROCYCLING 38h 19’ 28’’ + 01’ 32’’
7. BEL MONFORT Maxime 16 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 20’ 04’’ + 02’ 08’’
8. BEL VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 111 LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM 38h 20’ 07’’ + 02’ 11’’
9. IRL ROCHE Nicolas 79 AG2R LA MONDIALE 38h 20’ 17’’ + 02’ 21’’
10. EST TAARAMAE Rein 81 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 38h 20’ 23’’ + 02’ 27’’
11. FRA GALLOPIN Tony 13 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 21’ 09’’ + 03’ 13’’
12. POR COSTA Rui Alberto 163 MOVISTAR TEAM 38h 21’ 20’’ + 03’ 24’’
13. FRA PINOT Thibaut 146 FDJ-BIGMAT 38h 21’ 37’’ + 03’ 41’’
14. USA HORNER Christopher 14 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 21’ 39’’ + 03’ 43’’
15. LUX SCHLECK Frank 11 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 21’ 43’’ + 03’ 47’’
16. SLO BRAJKOVIC Janez 181 ASTANA PRO TEAM 38h 21’ 59’’ + 04’ 03’’
17. USA VAN GARDEREN Tejay 9 BMC RACING TEAM 38h 22’ 04’’ + 04’ 08’’
18. ITA BASSO Ivan 52 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 38h 22’ 08’’ + 04’ 12’’
19. GER KLÖDEN Andréas 15 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 38h 22’ 20’’ + 04’ 24’’
20. FRA ROLLAND Pierre 29 TEAM EUROPCAR 38h 22’ 22’’ + 04’ 26’’
21. USA LEIPHEIMER Levi 191 OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP 38h 22’ 42’’ + 04’ 46’’

Stage 8 results - helluva race by the youngest rider, Pinot:

1. FRA PINOT Thibaut 146 FDJ-BIGMAT 03h 56’ 10’’
2. AUS EVANS Cadel 1 BMC RACING TEAM 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
3. FRA GALLOPIN Tony 13 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
4. GBR WIGGINS Bradley 101 SKY PROCYCLING 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
5. ITA NIBALI Vincenzo 51 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
6. BEL VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen 111 LOTTO-BELISOL TEAM 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
7. GBR FROOME Christopher 105 SKY PROCYCLING 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
8. RUS MENCHOV Denis 131 KATUSHA TEAM 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
9. ESP ZUBELDIA Haimar 19 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 03h 56’ 36’’ + 00’ 26’’
10. LUX SCHLECK Frank 11 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 03h 56’ 40’’ + 00’ 30’’
11. USA HORNER Christopher 14 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 03h 56’ 40’’ + 00’ 30’’
12. SWE KESSIAKOFF Fredrik 187 ASTANA PRO TEAM 03h 56’ 57’’ + 00’ 47’’
13. IRL ROCHE Nicolas 79 AG2R LA MONDIALE 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
14. DEN SORENSEN Chris Anker 178 TEAM SAXO BANK-TINKOFF BANK 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
15. BEL MONFORT Maxime 16 RADIOSHACK-NISSAN 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
16. FRA ROLLAND Pierre 29 TEAM EUROPCAR 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
17. ITA SCARPONI Michele 41 LAMPRE - ISD 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
18. USA VAN GARDEREN Tejay 9 BMC RACING TEAM 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
19. POR COSTA Rui Alberto 163 MOVISTAR TEAM 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’
20. USA LEIPHEIMER Levi 191 OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP 03h 57’ 35’’ + 01’ 25’’

Pinot just made a helluva move, damn.