[Ready4Freddy]

Sidney Morning Herald 7/5/10 - Le Tour de Crash: Big names come tumbling down on another day of carnage

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Among the victims who fell - some even slipping over after they crashed and got back up on their feet were Evans, Alberto Contador (Astana), Lance Armstrong (RadioShack), Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Transitions), Andreas Kloden (RadioShack), Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack), Ivan Basso (Liquigas), Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and the Schleck brothers - Andy (Saxo Bank) and Frank (Saxo Bank).

The chaos began when one of the early breakaway members, Italian Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre) was about to be caught by the peloton. Gavazzi came a cropper, as did the television motor bike that was following him. It is believed the oil on the road came from the motor bike that crashed.

With the peloton close behind the mayhem was inevitable.

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[Vision]

And the riders didn’t bother to sprint to the end in protest. Tomorrow’s route contains cobblestone roads so this could get ugly.

[leilani]

I haven't seen the stage yet & it sounds pretty bad. And if the moto spilled oil, it's probably quite a different story than the usual early tour whining. But it surely does seem like every year at the beginning the riders are always pretty cranky about the horrid conditions. It's almost like they forget how godawful grueling it is or something - sorta like the woman who only remembers the good stuff about childbirth & completely blocks out the blood-curdling agony...until she gives birth the next time,lol.

Thor is not happy with the slowdown/protest:

“I feel frustrated by what happened today. Our team was working hard and we would have had a good chance for victory. I feel like they have taken something away from us today. There were a few sprinters who did not make it to the front group, but there was no reason to not contest the sprint today,” Hushovd said. “Everyone made a gentleman’s agreement not to sprint, but I lost an important opportunity to try to win the stage and gain points.”

...Race organizers decided not to award finish-line points, with the lone exception of Chavanel, who also claimed the green jersey. Hushovd slotted into fifth with 26 points to Chavanel’s 44 points. “If the crash wasn’t there, I am 100 percent sure that there would have been a sprint and Thor would have been a big favorite. What the other teams decide to do, that’s their problem. It doesn’t matter what they want or not want, our guys are really motivated,” said Cervélo sport director Jean-Paul van Poppel. “The group decided not to sprint for the points, and Thor was really upset about that.

[concentric circles]

Joel Saget
The peleton during happier times in fields of lavender.

Roberto Bettini
A Cajun two step in Belgium

Lionel Bonaventure
What could go wrong on such a beautiful day?

Spencer Platt
Juan Jose Oroz Of Euskaltel-Euskadi is down for the count.

Spencer Platt
American cyclist Christian VandeVelde, of team Garmin-Transitions.

Spencer Platt
American cyclist Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Transition
Spencer Platt
Hi Mom, I'm okay!

Joel Saget
Lance Armstrong

Joel Saget
Luxembourg's Andy and Frank Schleck of SaxoBank back in the saddle.

Joel Saget
France's Sylvain Chavanel of team Quick Step realizes that no one will catch him.

Pascal Pavani
Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, Mark Cavendish of Manx, and Thor Hushovd in the Norwegian champion's jersey approach the finish line in neutral.

Bryn Lennon
Another chapter of "The Women of Le Tour."

Spencer Platt
The Tour is always a family affair.

Spencer Platt
Nice to see the Franks and Normans getting along so well.

Lionel Bonaventure
Even the inmates love the Tour.