From Wikipedia: Roy Cazaly (13 January 1893 – 10 October 1963) was an Australian rules football player famous for his high marks and ruck work, which gave rise to the phrase “Up There Cazaly”. The expression later became the basis of a song recorded and composed by The Two Man Band (Mike Brady & Peter Sullivan).

The song was recorded in 1979, intended as a promotion for Channel Seven’s Australian Rules Football (VFL) coverage, and the following year, it was used in the film version of David Williamson’s The Club. The single, released on the independent Fable Records label, sold over 250,000 copies and became the largest-selling Australian single ever released up to that time…

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=360462

Up There Cadely

When you pedal to earn a living
In July comes the time
They’ve made you captain of the team
They hope that you can climb
Me, I rode less races
Than the other pros around
To save my energy for the Tour
And put the hammer Down!

Up there Cadely, now in full flight
On Mur de Bretagne, you timed it just right
Up there Cadely, we know that you’ve been
Second twice over, this time its to win

Now there’s a lot more to the Rest Day
Than really meets the eye
Some like to eat a Wagyu steak
While I stay media shy
There were those that didn’t rate me
But I out-rode Contador
And if you match the Schlecks on Alpe d’Huez
You’re going to win the TOUR!!

Up there Cadely, you’ve shown you can fight
With BMC Racing, your team is just right
On the Galibier, where the air is thin
You silenced the doubters, believed in the win

Up there Cadely, you’re out there to win
No one can touch you, the zone you are in
Up there Cadely, the Schleck’s you’ve defied
Trial like a jury, the time’s on your side

Ahhh…

Up there Cadely, you’re out there to win
No one can touch you, the zone you are in
Up there Cadely, the Schleck’s you’ve defied
Trial like a jury, the time’s on your side

The time… is on… your side!

Stage honors on the Champs for Rogier, but overall honors to the unbeatable Pantini. Congrats once again. Matt repeated his runner-up position from last year, making him the Andy Schleck of our tipping competition. This, though, only 2 points separated it from the ultimate prize. Rogier took his second Champs victory in a row and jumped onto the final spot of the podium. Astrid also had a repeat Top 5 performance. Finally, Sapna sprinted to fourth place. In all, eight of us finished in the Top 100 of the Erik TKS Game. Well done to all of you.

Stage 21 results:

1. Rogier (Oncles) 42

2. Cameron, Todd (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 40

Final GC

1. (35) Pantini (Pistachios) 682

2. (40) Matt (Oncles) 680

3. (59) Rogier (Oncles) 671

4. (64) Sapna (Oncles) 668

5. (68) Astrid (Oncles) 665

6. (71) Bec, Cameron (Pistachios) 663

8. (78) Ronnie (Oncles) 660

9. (111) Jeroen (Pistachios) 644

10. (141) Jon (Pistachios) 629

11. (153) Milton (Pistachios) 623

12. (178) Lucas (Pistachios) 613

13. (254) Todd (Pistachios) 569

14. (298) Michael (Pistachios) 548

15. (301) Paul (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 547

17. (312) Suchi (Oncles) 540

18. (352) Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 507

19. (354) Alan (Oncles) 502

The Pistachios beat the Oncles 2397 to 2365.

Torgeir Gamst Moen Trophy:
1. Astrid (Oncles) 31

2. Sapna (Oncles) 30

3. Bec (Pistachios) 26

The Wim van Est Trophy (for the team with the lowest Petacchi Index):

1. Rogier (Oncles) 2

2. Lucas (Pistachios) 5

3. Matt (Oncles) 6

The C-Bung Trophy:

1. Jon (Pistachios) 47

2. Alan (Oncles) 39

3. Bec (Pistachios)

Once more thanks to all for participating and see you all at next year’s Grand Boucle.

Robin

Congrats to Pantini on a terrific repeat win! Heartbreak for Matt who could only close the gap to 2 points, still excellent job! Brilliant second stage victory on the Champs for Rogier and this time also a podium spot. Congrats, Rogier.

Tour de France 2011 Top 5:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 682

2. Matt (Oncles) 680

3. Rogier (Oncles) 671

4. Sapna (Oncles) 668

5. Astrid (Oncles) 665

The lone Pistachio in the Top 5 takes top honors.

More later.

Robin

While my scenario for Paris would include a nice terrace, some wine, nice food and so on, but here we go for a few scenarios for the ultimate prize in Tour de France tipping.

This one is going down the wire all the way to the Champs, where last year we were enjoying Paris while the heroes on two wheels came storming into town. So, who will win? Well, based on the four sprint stage wins by Cavendish, I have produced four scenarios (taking Feillu and Galimzyanov out of the scores). Finally, I decided for myself which would be likely Top 10 sprinters tomorrow. Cavendish, of course, Farrar (over Hushovd, since he seems to be the fast man on the team), Greipel (over Gilbert, see Farrar), Petacchi, Rojas and Boasson Hagen (over Swift, since he seems to be the man in form).

Sprinters in Top 10 for scenario 5:

Cavendish

Farrar

Greipel

Rojas

Petacchi

Boasson Hagen

Wild cards:

Ciolek (Matt for 4)

Dumoulin (Astrid for 1)

Gilbert (if not Greipel) (Astrid for 7, Matt for 8, Pantini for 14)

Hushovd (if not Farrar) (Astrid for 10, Matt 12, for Pantini for 13)

Swift (if not Boasson Hagen) (Astrid for 4)

GC after stage 20:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 645

2. Matt (Oncles) 642

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 634

4. Astrid (Oncles) 630

5. Rogier (Oncles) 629

6. Sapna (Oncles) 628

7. Bec (Pistachios) 627

8. Cameron, Jeroen (Pistachios) 623

GC after stage 21 – scenario 1 (based on stage 5 minus Feillu)

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 703

2. Matt (Oncles) 690

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 686

GC after stage 21 – scenario 2 ( based on stage 7 minus Feillu, Galimzyanov)

1. Matt (Oncles), Pantini (Pistachios) 695

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 689

GC after stage 21 – scenario 3 (based on stage 11 minus Feillu, Galimzyanov)

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 690

2. Matt (Oncles) 686

3. Cameron (Pistachios) 680

GC after stage 21 – scenario 4 (based on stage 15)

1. Matt (Oncles) 707

2. Astrid (Oncles) 696

3. Pantini (Pistachios) 690

GC after stage 21 – scenario 5 (see below)

1. Matt (Oncles), Pantini (Pistachios) 696

3. Astrid (Oncles) 686

Two scenarios have Pantini win, one time Matt wins and twice the spoils are shared. I did not take into account bonus points, which may well be crucial.

In case Swift gets to sprint instead of Boasson Hagen then, everything else being equal, all scenarios except one have Matt win. If Gilbert sprints instead of Greipel then, everything else being equal, all scenarios have Pantini win. If Ciolek scores a Top 10 then, everything else being equal, one scenario has Pantini win, three scenarios have Matt win and one would lead to a tie.

 

Essentially, the results hangs absolutely in the balance and can really go either way. Had Boasson Hagen not had a bike change today, he would have finished in the Top 10 and Pantini would have been the odds on favorite for victory on the Champs.

Enjoy!

Robin

Winner of the 2011 Tour de France! Congrats to him and all the Aussies on a well deserved win after a near perfectly ridden Grand Boucle. Schleck the Younger put in an excellent time trial, but it was not enough. He will be able, though, to fight many more years to get that Maillot Jaune in Paris.

In our tipping competition Cameron and Milton took the stage win, while Matt edged 1 point closer to Pantini, who now has a 3 point lead going into the final stage. There is no tie breaker, so if it ends up tied for the win, the winners will have to share the trophy. In that case, Pantini would have to send the trophy to Matt at the beginning of 2012. Ronnie, sits in third place and it is all bunching up behind him in the fight for the podium.

In the pancake stakes, Sapna has simply demolished Robin this year. She did the same to her sister, Suchi. The Van Koert honors are still being fought over by Astrid and Jeroen, although Astrid would seem to have her brother covered for the final stage. Astrid also looks to have the upper hand over hubby Rogier, but they are only separated by 1 single point. Cameron handsomely beats his younger brother Michael, while Jeroen and Cameron will decide who will be the winner of the tipping fanatics (those who go for all three Grand Tours, Jeroen, Cameron, Jon, Milton, Lucas and Robin).

Stage 20 results:

1. Cameron, Milton (Pistachios) 34

3. Jon (Pistachios) 31

4. Jeroen, Michael (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 29

7. Paul (Pistachios) 28

8. Bec (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 27

10. Alan, Rogier, Suchi (Oncles) 26

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 24

14. Ronnie (Oncles) 22

15. Astrid (Oncles) 20

16. Matt (Oncles) 19

17. Pantini (Pistachios) 18

18. Todd (Pistachios) 15

19. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 14

GC after stage 20:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 645

2. Matt (Oncles) 642

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 634

4. Astrid (Oncles) 630

5. Rogier (Oncles) 629

6. Sapna (Oncles) 628

7. Bec (Pistachios) 627

8. Cameron, Jeroen (Pistachios) 623

10. Jon, Milton (Pistachios) 604

12. Lucas (Pistachios) 582

13. Todd (Pistachios) 529

14. Paul (Pistachios) 528

15. Suchi (Oncles) 527

16. Michael (Pistachios) 519

17. Robin (Oncles) 512

18. Alan (Oncles) 482
19. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 476

The Pistachios have a healthy 2280 versus 2245 lead over the Oncles.

Robin

… three men riding their hearts out over 42.5 km of undulating terrain with a steady 10 km/h NW wind in 20°C weather with sun and some clouds for the afternoon. The last 15 km are are an almost continuous descent favoring the power riders, which would mean Evans over the Schleck brothers.

The Schlecks, Cancellara, Contador, Cunego and others did not ride the Criterium du Dauphine, but here’s the Top 10 of those who did and are still in this year’s Grand Boucle. Note that this time trial took place before the mountain stages.

1. T. Martin

2. E. Boasson Hagen

3. C. Evans

4. G. Thomas

5. C. Riblon

6. R. Taaramae

7. R. Faria da Costa

8. A. Malori

9. J. Coppel

10. J. Roy

The Tour de Suisse, where the Schlecks, Cancellara, Cunego and others rode after all the mountains. The Top 10, excluding all those who were not or are no longer in the Tour.

1. F. Cancellara

2. L. Leipheimer

3. T. Danielson

4. J. Fuglsang

5. T. de Gendt

6. C. Vande Velde

7. M. Monfort

8. L. Gerdemann

9. S. Chavanel

10. S. O’Grady

Schleck the Younger who did not ride for real finished 46^th, 2’32” behind Spartacus, while his brother ended up trying but failing in slot 60, 3’06” behind his team mate.

Finally, last year’s final individual time trial, excluding all those who will not ride tomorrow.

1. F. Cancellara

2. T. Martin

3. M. Tjallingii

4. G. Thomas

5. J. Roy

6. S. O’Grady

7. M. Monfort

8. N. Sörensen

9. D. Millar

10. J. Roelandts

The one comment to make would be that Leopard Treek have several good time trial riders (Cancellara, O’Grady and Monfort) who will start at different times and can set different intermediate times as markers.

I am not sure how a tie would be decided, but I think that is usually done on placings over the entire Tour, meaning the Maillot Vert standings. So here we go:

5. C. Evans                             191

10. F. Schleck                          94

15. A. Schleck                          74

So it seems, Cuddles owns the tie breaker, making the required gap 57 seconds. I have no doubt that Evans will be faster than the Schleck brothers. Plenty faster than The Older, but beating The Younger by enough will be a challenge. Still, I believe he will be up to the challenge. Go Cadel!

Enjoy,

Robin

What a stage! Awesome! Now the one remaining question is can Evans take 58 seconds out of Schleck the Younger in the time trial. Remember, Evans has already done this very time trial in the Criterium du Dauphine in June. He knows the roads, he knows what he can do and where. You would have to bet your money on him. Also, he looked the better rider on the ascent, not too bothered about Contador. He was right. In the end, The Accountant overestimated his powers and gained only half a minute and, more importantly, missed out on the stage. He will thank his ‘friend’ Samuel Sanchez for that one for sure. Still, another nailbiting stage for those of us in Oz.

Anyways, Lucas surged to his second stage win, courtesy of Ryder Hesjedal. Pantini saw his lead cut into half, but will look to extend his lead tomorrow again. The final battle for victory will take place on the Champs. Pantini will have to hope for Gilbert and Hushovd to get the nod over Greipel and Farrar, respectively, and would like to see Petacchi out of the sprint. Remember the last GH-less sprint (Stage 15): Matt 65 versus Pantini 45. Of course, Boasson Hagen could hand Pantini the victory, but will the Norwegian be picked by his British team or will they go for the Englishman Ben Swift?

Stage 19 results:

1. Lucas (Pistachios) 53

2. Michael, Milton (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 46

5. Cameron (Pistachios) 43

6. Robin (Oncles) 42

7. Paul (Pistachios) 41

8. Bec (Pistachios), Rogier, Sapna (Oncles) 40

11. Jeroen (Pistachios) 38

12. Jon (Pistachios) 37

13. Alan (Oncles) 36

14. Matt, Ronnie (Oncles) 33

16. Pantini (Pistachios) 29

17. Astrid (Oncles) 28

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 27

19. Todd (Pistachios) 21

GC after stage 19:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 627

2. Matt (Oncles) 623

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 612

4. Astrid (Oncles) 610

5. Rogier (Oncles) 603

6. Bec (Pistachios) 600

7. Sapna (Oncles) 599

8. Jeroen (Pistachios) 594

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 589

10. Jon (Pistachios) 573

11. Milton (Pistachios) 570

12. Lucas (Pistachios) 558

13. Todd (Pistachios) 514

14. Suchi (Oncles) 501

15. Paul (Pistachios) 500

16. Michael (Pistachios) 490

17. Robin (Oncles) 485

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 462

19. Alan (Oncles) 456

The Pistachios are leading the Oncles 2181 versus 2163.

Robin

Yes, I still count Voeckler among the contenders, in addition to the two Schleck brothers and Evans. Tomorrow is a short stage with major climbs and descents, so a similar attack as today would have to start on the Col du Télégraph or early on the climb to the Galibier. We know that Evans and Voeckler will not attack that early, so why would the Schleck brothers attack.

First of all, they still need to get rid of Voeckler. The only way for that to happen is by attacking him with acceleration after acceleration on the final climb and/or an early attack. Secondly, they need to put time into Evans. Schleck the Younger already has time on Evans and will be able to get rid of Voeckler on the final climb to Alpe d’Huez plus put a few more seconds into Evans. Schleck the Older is too far behind to leave it to the final climb, so he will attack early. Question is, will Evans be able and, perhaps more importantly, willing to gamble on trying to follow the older brother and risk blowing himself up on the final climb? My answers are, he should and perhaps, but he should not be racing just for the podium.

Is Evans isolated, as Cameron mentioned? Maybe. Still, Vanendert would surely like to keep his polka dot jersey and would certainly lose that if Schleck the Older were to escape on the early climbs. There also must be a few riders with hopes of winning the stage to Alpe d’Huez who would also prefer not to have another runaway Schleck spoil their hopes. I am not sure whether Evans is still on any kind of terms with his former team mates, but necessity can make friends out of enemies, so he should check out the OmegaPharma-Lotto boys. I doubt whether any Dutch rider presently has the ability to win tomorrow’s stage, but Gesink and Mollema will definitely try, so maybe a chat with Rabobank would be useful for Evans as well.

Still, the legs will speak, so if Schleck the Older has anything like the legs he clearly had today, but did not use, Evans will most likely find himself losing everything on the ascent to Alpe d’Huez. I hope not, if only because I would like the uncertainty to continue into Saturday. Of course, Evans can prove my earlier statement wrong and attack himself early on in the hope of catching out Schleck the Younger, who will surely feel some effects from today’s exertions. At least early on. Actually, that is the way forward for Evans, as far as I am concerned. After all, he still has some time to play with versus Schleck the Older. Offense is the best defense. Is it a likely scenario?

Anyways, I am ready for a spectacle.

Enjoy,

Robin

A little bit of “you read it here first”, but most of all in awe of a gutsy attack by the younger Schleck. My guess is that tomorrow we will see a reverse with Fränk going early on the Galibier while Andy counters all the attacks by … well, by who actually, I guess by Evans who is on his own now against the two brothers. This time though, I see Schleck the Younger attack on l’Alpe d’Huez in order to drop Voeckler and, maybe, Evans. After tomorrow’s stage it will be a Schleck 1-2 at the top of the GC.

Evans’ victory in Paris will depend, apart from on himself, on what allies he can find in the peloton. If I were him, I’d check out the Belgian and Dutch teams for support. I still think Cadel can be within time trial striking distance. In 1976, Belgian climber Lucien van Impe attacked, while his only remaining rival Joop “Paris is still far away” Zoetemelk waited for the others to respond until the gap was well over 3 minutes. He then went himself, but too late … . Did history repeat itself today?

A glorious stage victory for Lucas. Congrats! Pantini extended his lead in the GC and is inching closer to a repeat.

Stage 18 results:

1. Lucas (Pistachios) 44

2. Suchi (Oncles) 42

3. Alan (Oncles) 36

4. Michael (Pistachios) 32

5. Bec (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 30

7. Milton (Pistachios) 28

8. Sapna (Oncles) 27

9. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 25

10. Rogier (Oncles) 23

11. Cameron, Jon, Paul (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 19

15. Pantini (Pistachios) 18

16. Matt (Oncles) 15

17. Todd (Pistachios) 14

18. Astrid (Oncles) 13

19. Jeroen (Pistachios) 11

GC after stage 18:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 598

2. Matt (Oncles) 590

3. Astrid (Oncles) 582

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 579

5. Rogier (Oncles) 563

6. Bec (Pistachios) 560

7. Sapna (Oncles) 559

8. Jeroen (Pistachios) 556

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 546

10. Jon (Pistachios) 536

11. Milton (Pistachios) 524

12. Lucas (Pistachios) 505

13. Todd (Pistachios) 493

14. Paul (Pistachios) 459

15. Suchi (Oncles) 455

16. Michael (Pistachios) 444

17. Robin (Oncles) 443

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 435

19. Alan (Oncles) 420

The Pistachios have seen their lead shrink to 1 single point.

Robin

 

 

The Pistachios are very anxious about the chances of Cadel tonight.

This may come as some surprise to many of the Oncles who would be saying: “Don’t worry, we know what you’re going through, even Joop Zoetmelk won the Tour in the end!”.

However, though attention has been drawn this Tour, to the parallels (or not) between cycling and sports involving bat and ball, it is unlikely that the Oncles would have considered any commonality with another ball and stick pursuit – that of the game of golf.

But for the Pistachios, the similarities are eerily familiar… having been haunted for decades by another Pistachio trying to wave the Aussie flag and achieve sporting immortality on the world stage, the Great White Shark: Greg Norman.

Time after time he would lead into the closing holes of a major tournament; and year after year we would all rise at some ungodly hour to watch his inevitable triumph… only to witness a carefully camouflaged monkey emerge on his back at the 11^th green and place a banana skin underneath his putter. That same species that we have witnessed deflating Cadel Evans’ tyres on previous alpine stages of the Tour.

Don’t take my word for it though, here is what the famous British Naturalist David Attenborough has to say on the matter:

“One of the most fascinating and unique primates on this planet is the migratory species Homo-Pistachius-Gargantuas. Native to the Pistachio Isle Australia, this rare and fearsome creature has claimed many an unsuspecting sporting champion with its devious predatory instincts.”

“Normally found in the wooded areas, or exposed sandy outcrops, at the side of long manicured naturally contoured lawns, or hidden in rocky crags at the side of alpine roads, the carnivorous Gargantuas possesses an extraordinary survival strategy and the ability to pursue its victims to all corners of the Earth.”

“A fussy eater, preying only upon the antipodean male Homo Erectus, Gargantuas is rarely seen stalking its prey, preferring to remain hidden; emitting a sound resembling applause until the testosterone levels of its unsuspecting victim reach incredible levels. Having lulled its victim into a false sense of security, the nearly invisible primate then leaps onto its victims back, sucking it dry all of testosterone (causing it to shrivel) and then unleashing a devastating nerve attack rendering the victim completely incapable of further physical performance.”

“Its appetite not yet satisfied, Gargantuas then descends upon the stunned fans of its original victim subduing all of them with a secondary feeding attack known as Erectus Crumbilis.”

“And in an even more horrifying twist, the Gargantuas doesn’t then move on to another victim. Instead it has demonstrated a sinister ability to farm its victims – going into hibernation… until years later, when the casualty’s
testosterone levels finally return, the Gargantuas readies itself for another terrifying strike.”

[Attenborough Crouches Down...]

“And here we are on the slopes of the Col du Galibier. Over to the side here at 2000m in altitude is (we suspect) a preferred feeding location for the Homo Pistachius Gargantuas. We will never actually see this creature until it
is too late and there is no known defence against it – not even a bag of peanuts. The victim’s only hope is that Gargantuas has not yet arisen from its hibernation.”

“Several reports have been documented in recent decades and in each case, scientists have attempted to classify the sub-species:

Homo-Pistachius-Gargantuas-Mizeus

Homo-Pistachius-Gargantuas-Twayus

Homo-Pistachius-Gargantuas-Faldus

Homo-Pistachius-Gargantuas-Espagnolus

With sightings of this creature so rare, scientists have only now realised that all these apparent substrains of this primate, are in fact one and the same creature….”

 

“Homo – Pistachius – Gargantuas – Farkus”

Jon took his first stage of this year’s Grand Boucle and Pantini restored order in the GC by taking sole posession of the Maillot Jaune. In the French Alps, Contador and Sanchez showed themselves to be excellent team mates, one of whom took his shirt out of the wrong drawer over the past two days. Still, a menacing looking Schleck the Younger countered the uphill  attacks by The Accountant with ease and managed to erase the gap the two Spaniards had created just before the finish line. Tomorrow should be an epic stage. Hopefully, Gesink has rested enough now to have a go either tomorrow or Friday. I reckon he fancies Friday, but tomorrow may suit him better.

Stage 17 results:

1. Jon (Pistachios) 13

2. Pantini (Pistachios) 7

3. Cameron (Pistachios), Robin, Sapna (Oncles) 5

6. Lucas, Todd (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 4

9. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios), Matt (Oncles) 2

11. Jeroen (Pistachios) 1

12. Bec, Michael, Milton, Paul (Pistachios), Alan, Astrid, Rogier, Suchi (Oncles) 0

GC after stage 17:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 580

2. Matt (Oncles) 575

3. Astrid (Oncles) 569

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 560

5. Jeroen (Pistachios) 545

6. Rogier (Oncles) 540

7. Bec (Pistachios) 530

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 527

9. Sapna (Oncles) 532

10. Jon (Pistachios) 517

11. Milton (Pistachios) 496

12. Todd (Pistachios) 479

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 461

14. Paul (Pistachios) 440

15. Robin, Suchi (Oncles) 413

17. Michael (Pistachios) 412

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 410

19. Alan (Oncles) 384

The Pistachios have regained the leade by 1930 vs 1927

Robin

Pantini won the stage and replaced Astrid as a joint ruler of the roost. More later, because today’s stage provided lots of food for thought and a ‘daring and he won’ attack by Cuddles. Contador only lost a few seconds, but Voeckler and Schleck the Older a little over 20 seconds and Schleck the Younger more than a minute.

So, Alberto shows a remarkable recovery again after the second rest day. Anyways, this was the kind of powering away on lower category climbs Cadel, Contador and Sanchez had already shown they can do earlier on in the Tour. Then, Schleck the Younger only lost a few seconds, now a few more, but the descent is what did it to him. No more waiting until the last mountain to attack, that’s for sure. The Schleck brothers will have to go for broke on at least one of the coming stages.

Tomorrow is another day for the descenders, so Leopard-Trek better come up with a plan if all is not to be lost before the final two mountain stages. True, Schleck the Older is still in third, but he is even a worse time trial rider than his brother.

My guess is that the team now have to decide to ride for The Older. They will have to sacrifice The Younger. Don’t know how exactly, but I would imagine a far out attack by the younger brother tomorrow, early on the climb to Sestrière or even already on the Col de Montgenèvre. Waiting until the last climb would risk more losses in the descent. Who would follow such early attacks, since they really make no sense? I am not sure. Would Voeckler, Evans, Sanchez, Contador and Basso call the young man’s bluff by letting him go? On Thursday, the Col d’Angel could be a launching pad. On Friday the lower slopes of the Galibier.

Now is the time for the Schleck brothers to use up whatever credit they have with various teams or individual riders, if any. Any early attack would need the support of good climbers from French teams and Euskatel-Euskadi and other riders who are no longer interested in the GC, but just would like to win a stage, for example Zubeldia, Karpets, Trofymov, Leipheimer, Gusev, Barredo, Thomas and/or Arroyo. Finally, too early an attack may alienate lots of riders as they risk missing the cut off time at the end of the day. A true balancing act combined with genuine gambling bravado is what is needed from the Luxemburgers.

Still, I don’t think the Schleck brothers, or their team directors, have the imagination to conceive of such a plan nor the guts to initiate such an attack for tomorrow’s stage (or Thurday / Friday). Most likely they’ll try to avoid further losses and continue with whatever was their original plan of attack. I hope they will prove me wrong, because that would make for some nice racing over the coming days.

All in all, Evans was the big winner of the day. He should have a go again tomorrow and then defend against whoever seems strongest. In this form, none of the main GC contenders is going to take much, if any, time out of him in Saturday’s ITT. Victory is still a tantalizing, but ever more realistic prospect for the Aussie. Go Cadel!

Back to the tipping. My crystal ball gazing had the God of Thunder score a Top 10 today, so the predicted Top 5 for Paris remains valid.

Stage 16 results:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 20

2. Ronnie (Oncles), Todd (Pistachios) 18

4. Sapna (Oncles) 17

5. Jon (Pistachios) 16

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 15

7. Bec, Chris & Mandy, Milton, Paul (Pistachios), Matt, Rogier (Oncles) 14

13. Lucas (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 13

15. Alan (Oncles) 12

16. Cameron (Pistachios) 11

17. Astrid (Oncles) 10

18. Michael (Pistachios) 7

19. Robin (Oncles) 4

GC after stage 16:

1. Matt (Oncles), Pantini (Pistachios) 573

3. Astrid (Oncles) 569

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 556

5. Jeroen (Pistachios) 544

6. Rogier (Oncles) 540

7. Bec (Pistachios) 530

8. Sapna (Oncles) 527

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 522

10. Jon (Pistachios) 504

11. Milton (Pistachios) 496

12. Todd (Pistachios) 475

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 457

14. Paul (Pistachios) 440

15. Suchi (Oncles) 413

16. Michael (Pistachios) 412

17. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 408

19. Alan (Oncles) 384

The Oncles lead the Pistachios by 1913 over 1905.

Robin

Ssssst, don’t wake up the Schleck Brothers, let them continue dreaming about having to beat Contador to win this year’s Grand Boucle.

You have to make a choice to win, so who will be sacrificed if necessary: The Younger or The Older?

Check out that Alpe d’Huez video, Cadel, you don’t want to lose by 58” (or worse 23”) again, do you now?

You too, Ivan, and that stage to the Galibier, because come Saturday you’d better be ahead.

Don’t be too cool about not winning, Alberto, it is not like you and not cool. We all know better.

Quo vadis?, Thomas, the road to Paris is still long, but also short. How deep can you dig?

Of boys and men, Robert, mark that day and make the Dutch mountain go Orange once again.

Towards Gap and Pinerolo, those who can and dare will win.

Note to all GC contenders, winners race for the win, not for being on the podium.

Enjoy the final week,

Robin

Once more my magical jinx has worked! Or so it seems. First, predicting Cameron’s overall win was followed by a stretch of lesser results by the Champ from Eltham. Next, my musings about Pantini’s stronghold on the Maillot Jaune, saw his reign come to an abrupt end to be replaced by joint rulers Astrid and Matt. A bit like William and Mary perhaps. As a team, the Oncles smoked the Pistachios, salted them and then devoured them as a snack. Personally, I like Matt’s changes, but Pantini will be looking for ways to grab that jersey back. Perhaps a brief visit to the pharmacy and a trip to France.

Stage 15 results:

1. Astrid (Oncles) 68

2. Matt (Oncles) 65

3. Rogier (Oncles) 52

4. Sapna (Oncles) 50

5. Cameron, Jeroen, Todd (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 46

9. Pantini (Pistachios) 45

10. Lucas (Pistachios) 42

11. Jon (Pistachios) 36

12. Bec, Paul (Pistachios) 29

14. Robin (Oncles) 28

15. Michael, Milton (Pistachios) 23

17. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 21

18. Alan (Oncles) 20

19. Suchi (Oncles) 13

GC after stage 15:

1. Astrid, Matt (Oncles) 559

3. Pantini (Pistachios) 553

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 538

5. Jeroen (Pistachios) 529

6. Rogier (Oncles) 526

7. Bec (Pistachios) 516

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 511

9. Sapna (Oncles) 510

10. Jon (Pistachios) 488

11. Milton (Pistachios) 482

12. Todd (Pistachios) 457

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 444

14. Paul (Pistachios) 426

15. Michael (Pistachios) 405

16. Robin (Oncles) 404

17. Suchi (Oncles) 400

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 394

19. Alan (Oncles) 372

The Oncles lead the Pistachios by 1864 to 1851.

Rest Day 2 GC in Paris Crystal Ball Gazing Top 5:

1. Matt (Oncles)

2. Pantini (Pistachios)

3. Rogier (Oncles)

4. Astrid Oncles)

5. Ronnie (Oncles)

Oh, those nicely toasted Pistachios will be so good will watching the finish on the Champs.

Robin

… as Jelle Vanendert claimed a famous victory for himself and Belgium just ahead of Samuel Sanchez. Surprisingly, Thomas Voeckler stayed in yellow and the main GC contenders were unable to distance each other. Of those, Basso could not create a Basso Day and finished 11th on the stage. I reckon we have to add Voeckler to the list of GC contenders. Dutchman Rob Ruijgh finished 17^th, while his countryman Laurens ten Dam continued Rabobank’s unlucky streak by crashing while in the front of the GC peloton.

Milton won the stage over Michael followed by Paul, Robin and Suchi in tird. Pantini lost a few points of his lead, but is still comfortably in the Maillot Jaune. Actually, it is difficult to see who will dislodge him from his top slot.

Stage 14 results:

1. Milton (Pistachios) 54

2. Michael (Pistachios) 46

3. Paul (Pistachios), Robin, Suchi (Oncles) 44

6. Bec, Cameron, Lucas (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 42

10. Rogier (Oncles) 40

11. Jon (Pistachios) 35

12. Alan, Matt, Ronnie (Oncles) 33

15. Jeroen (Pistachios) 31

16. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 30

17. Pantini (Pistachios) 29

18. Astrid (Oncles) 28

19. Todd (Pistachios) 21

GC after stage 14:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 508

2. Matt (Oncles) 494

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 492

4. Astrid (Oncles) 491

5. Bec (Pistachios) 487

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 483

7. Rogier (Oncles) 474

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 465

9. Sapna (Oncles) 460

10. Milton (Pistachios) 459

11. Jon (Pistachios) 452

12. Todd (Pistachios) 411

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 402

14. Paul (Pistachios) 397

15. Suchi (Oncles) 387

16. Michael (Pistachios) 382

17. Robin (Oncles) 376

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 373

19. Alan (Oncles) 352

The Pistachios lead the Oncles by 1713 over 1679.

Robin

Yes, that’s right. No analysis. Instead we enjoyed a few glasses of wine on our balcony on a balmy New York evening. On Bastille Day we had the first serious stage in the Pyrenees and the second stage will be Basso Day. Ivan will win. Dutch riders to watch: Rob Ruijgh and Laurens ten Dam.

Enjoy!

Robin

Congrats to the God of Thunder on a magnificent win. At the same time, we can only be in awe of Pantini’s tipping prowess. Putting Gilbert in the #2 slot seemed to be a bit of a stretch, but it may be what brings him victory again come Paris. For now he has a solid hold on the Maillot Jaune. Alan gained 16 points on Robin in the battle for (or rather to avoid) the Lanterne Rouge.

Stage 13 results:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 43

2. Ronnie (Oncles) 41

3. Jon (Pistachios) 40

4. Jeroen (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 37

6. Matt (Oncles) 35

7. Astrid (Oncles) 30

8. Milton (Pistachios) 27

9. Paul (Pistachios) 24

10. Bec (Pistachios) 23

11. Alan (Oncles) 22

12. Sapna (Oncles) 21

13. Todd (Pistachios) 18

14. Suchi (Oncles) 16

15. Cameron, Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 14

17. Lucas, Michael (Pistachios) 7

19. Robin (Oncles) 6

GC after stage 13:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 479

2. Astrid (Oncles) 463

3. Matt (Oncles) 461

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 459

5. Jeroen (Pistachios) 452

6. Bec (Pistachios) 445

7. Rogier (Oncles) 434

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 423

9. Sapna (Oncles) 418

10. Jon (Pistachios) 417

11. Milton (Pistachios) 405

12. Todd (Pistachios) 390

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 360

14. Paul (Pistachios) 353

15. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 343

17. Michael (Pistachios) 336

18. Robin (Oncles) 332

19. Alan (Oncles) 319

The Pistachios are leading the Oncles 1569 to 1549

Robin

… but the Schleck brothers fail to gain much on a clearly struggling Contador. Gesink is gone, but Basso makes a statement of intent. Evans showed he can hold his own in the high mountains, but lost a few seconds to Schleck the Older. Could Basso be the winner in Paris? The heroic Thomas Voeckler stays in yellow for probably two more days. Well done.

Suchi confirmed her reputation as the mountaineer of our competition by taking the first high mountain stage, despite having lost several of her riders already. Pantini holds on to the Maillot Jaune, but saw Matt and Ronnie gain a few valuable points, while Bec cut her deficit into half by gaining 16 points on Pantini. As a result, Bec has been the big winner of today’s stage. Will she be able to take the yellow come Monday?

Stage 12 results:

1. Suchi (Oncles) 58

2. Milton (Pistachios) 52

3. Michael (Pistachios) 51

4. Bec, Lucas (Pistachios) 46

6. Robin (Oncles) 44

7. Cameron (Pistachios) 42

8. Paul (Pistachios) 41

9. Jon (Pistachios), Rogier, Sapna (Oncles) 40

12. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 38

13. Alan (Oncles) 36

14. Matt, Ronnie (Oncles) 33

16. Jeroen (Pistachios) 31

17. Pantini (Pistachios) 30

18. Astrid (Oncles) 28

19. Todd (Pistachios) 21

GC after stage 12:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 436

2. Astrid (Oncles) 433

3. Matt (Oncles) 426

4. Bec (Pistachcios) 422

5. Ronnie (Oncles) 418

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 415

7. Cameron (Pistachios) 409

8. Rogier, Sapna (Oncles) 397

10. Milton (Pistachios) 378

11. Jon (Pistachios) 377

12. Todd (Pistachios) 372

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 353

14. Chris & Mandy, Michael, Paul (Pistachios) 329

17. Suchi (Oncles) 327

18. Robin (Oncles) 326

19. Alan (Oncles) 297

The Pistachios continue to lead the Oncles by 1449 to 1436.

Robin

Finally … the high mountains! So what will happen tomorrow? Will Contador’s talk of a painful knee turn out to be some (attempt at a) cunning ploy to fool everyone? Will Evans be able to climb the high mountains like he has been climbing the smaller ones? What about Basso and Cunego? Martin and Velits have been working hard for the Manx Missile. Too much, perhaps? What about Klöden’s back or Gesink’s injuries? Samuel Sanchez will surely be looking for a stage win, but will he have the legs? And what will be Luis-Leon Sanchez’s role? Voeckler will fight until he has no more fight left in him and beyond, but will it be enough? And, of course, all eyes will be on the Schleck brothers. What if one of them cannot follow, what will the other one do? Will Andy attack if Fränk is not having his best day? Or the other way around. Do they have the guts to attack in the first place?

One things is for sure, climbing the high mountains will place different demands on the bodies of the riders. Therefore, on the first two cols, the main GC contenders will probably be trying to find out what their form is on the day. I would expect a steady pace with riders popping one after the other until a smallish group reaches the top of the second col. My guess is that a small breakaway will still be ahead at that point in time. You would expect some French riders, Hubert Dupont, Christophe Riblon, David Moncoutie, Anthony Charteau, Jérôme Coppel or Jonathan Hivert perhaps, a few Euskatel riders and some other decent climbers that are not a GC threat, Tejay van Garderen, David Arroyo, Yuri Trofimov or Rob Ruijgh, for example, but there are many other candidates.

Given that this is the first mountain stage, I reckon a few surviving breakaway artists may fight for the stage win. As for the GC riders, it will largely depend on the Schleck brothers and Contador whether anything will happen. If Contador is not feeling very good, he’ll bide his time. So will the Schlecks. In case Contador is clearly struggling, the Schlecks will attack. My guess is that the former is what will happen. So, look for a relatively unheralded rider to take the stage ahead of a few other decent climbers and for some of the GC contenders to complete the Top 10.

GC after stage 12:

1 Cadel Evans 

2 Fränk Schleck

3 Andy Schleck

4 Luis Leon Sanchez

5 Ivan Basso

6 Alberto Contador

7 Robert Gesink

8. Peter Velits

9. Kevin de Weert

10. Samuel Sanchez

Enjoy!

Robin

 

… and wins the last sprint before the first high mountains. Far away in Malaysia, Astrid will be celebrating her third stage victory of this year’s Grand Boucle. An emphatic victory it was, but Pantini just managed to hold on to the Maillot Jaune for at least one more day. Other big winners of the day were Matt and Cameron. Robin handed the Lanterne Rouge to Alan. All this because of the absence of Hushovd and Gilbert in the sprint. May we see a few more HG-less sprints.

Stage 11 results:

1. Astrid (Oncles) 62

2. Cameron (Pistachios) 57

3. Todd (Pistachios) 52

4. Matt (Oncles) 50

5. Lucas (Pistachios) 46

6. Pantini (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 45

8. Robin (Oncles) 42

9. Jon (Pistachios) 39

10. Ronnie (Oncles) 37

11. Bec (Pistachios) 36

12. Jeroen (Pistachios) 34

13. Rogier (Oncles) 30

14. Michael (Pistachios) 29

15. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 28

16. Paul (Pistachios) 20

17. Milton (Pistachios) 19

18. Suchi (Oncles) 13
19. Alan (Oncles) 7

GC after stage 11:

1.Pantini (Pistachios) 406

2. Astrid (Oncles) 405

3. Matt (Oncles) 393

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 385

5. Jeroen (Pistachios) 384

6. Bec (Pistachios) 376

7. Cameron (Pistachios) 367

8. Rogier, Sapna (Oncles) 357

10. Todd (Pistachios) 351

11. Jon (Pistachios) 337

12. Milton (Pistachios) 326

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 307

14. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 291

15. Paul (Pistachios) 288

16. Robin (Oncles) 282

17. Michael (Pistachios) 278

18. Suchi (Oncles) 269

19. Alan (Oncles) 261

The Pistachios continue to lead the Onlces by 5 points.

Enjoy tomorrow’s stage!

Robin

… leaving a stunned manx Missile in his wake. Brilliant tactics from OmegaPharma-Lotto with Gilbert shredding the field on a little climb and forcing Cavendish into an effort that probably weakened his sprint. Also, HTC-Highroad had to chase because Gilbert could have taken the stage himself otherwise. The GC remained unchanged and no further riders fell victim to crashes or other sorts of misfortune. Another good stage for Gesink to recover. In front whenever that was required. Watch out for the lanky Dutch climber and his team. Probably not yet in the Pyrenees, although who knows, but do expect grand performances from the Great Dutch Hope in the Alps.

In a reversal from the first stage, Todd edges out Astrid by a single point to grab his first stage victory of this Tour. Congrats Todd! In the overall, Pantini conceded one point of his lead but is holding on to the Maillot Jaune. Your expert (yes, laughing is allowed) predicted that Pantini would get hammered in the mountains preventing a repeat of last year’s win. However, with so many GC riders out, the daring gamble of placing Gilbert second may yet lead him to another victory come Paris. Still, Jeroen, Ronnie, Astrid, Matt and Bec are still very much within striking distance. Jeroen could achieve a glorious Giro – Tour double, potentially setting him up for a Giro – Tour – Vuelta triple. Of course, Robin still has a firm grip on the Lanterne Rouge.

A mere 21 points are separating the first 6 teams, while 28 points separate the bottom 7 teams. Looks like we will be having a fierce fight for the Maillot Jaune and the Lanterne Rouge on our hands. Rogier is in a league of his own, going from top to middle of the pack on a daily basis, while the real Middle Of The Pack runs from Sapna in 8th place to Jon (yup, really, you too Jon) in 12^th place.

Anyways, here are the scores.

Stage 10 results:

1. Todd (Pistachios) 43

2. Astrid (Oncles) 42

3. Chris & Mandy, Jeroen (Pistachios), Matt, Ronnie (Oncloes) 39

7. Pantini (Pistachios) 38

8. Cameron (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 37

10. Bec (Pistachios) 35

11. Paul (Pistachios) 31

12. Milton (Pistachios) 30

13. Lucas (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 29

15. Robin (Oncles) 26

16. Michael (Pistachios) 25

17. Jon (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 24

19. Alan (Oncles) 21

GC after stage 10:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 361

2. Jeroen (Pistachios) 350

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 348

4. Astrid, Matt (Oncles) 343

6. Bec (Pistachios) 340

7. Rogier (Oncles) 327

8. Sapna (Oncles) 312

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 310

10. Milton (Pistachios) 307

11. Todd (Pistachios) 299

12. Jon (Pistachios) 298

13. Paul (Pistachios) 268

14. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 263

15. Lucas (Pistachios) 261

16. Suchi (Oncles) 256

17. Alan (Oncles) 254

18. Michael (Pistachios) 249

19. Robin (Oncles) 240

The Pistachios lead the Oncles 1145 versus 1137.

Robin

“Despite all the teams and tactics, friends and foes, in the end, much of it comes down to the individual riders’ ability to be with the best in the high mountains”, wrote my brother in an e-mail. I don’t necessarily entirely disagree with him, but I do think the importance of team tactics is a nice subject to discuss. So here goes.

The relevant teams right now appear to be (in order of Top 25 GC positions) Leopard Trek (4. F. Schleck, 5. A. Schleck, 10. J. Fuglsang and 23. M. Montfort), Rabobank (2. L. Sanchez, 15. R. Gesink and 21. C. Barredo), HTC-Highroad (6. T. Martin and 7. P. Velits), Radioshack (8. A. Klöden and 25. H. Zubeldia) and Garmin-Cervelo (17. T. Danielson and 19. C. VandeVelde ). Of course, BMC (3. C. Evans), Liquigas (11. I. Basso), Lampre-ISD (12. D. Cunego), AG2R-La Mondiale (13. N. Roche) and Quiskstep (14. K. de Weert) have contenders in their team, but just one GC card to play.

Assuming no more crashes, which is quite an assumption, Rabobank might, at some rather early point this coming Thursday, decide to attack first –this is crucial: produce the facts, don’t end up running after them- and send out L. Sanchez on the road to Luz Ardiden. He is a decent to good climber, a good trime trial rider (Spanish time trial champion), a former winner of Paris-Nice and he finished 11^th overall in last year’s Grand Boucle. Right now he is in second place, but not expected to stay there, so what will Leopard Trek and the other main teams do? Rely on maillot jaune Voeckler to respond? Will Voeckler respond to every attack? Can he? So will the Luxemburgers let him go? The Schlecks are marked men, but perhaps they could counter with Fuglsang. Radioshack could send Zubeldia up the road and I am pretty sure Danielson will not be a marked man.

On the climbs all this does not matter a whole lot, but on the valley roads in between it might. Depending on who is with L. Sanchez, they may or may not want to send someone after him. If he is in strong company, the Fuglsangs of the TdF are needed to lead the chase, so will either not counter or will fall back to help their team leaders. Still, those team leaders will have to make more of an effort than those who have a potential GC threat in a leading position. Of course, you can replace Rabobank with Leopard Trek and L. Sanchez with the same Fuglsang and the dynamics change. Long story short, I think that with L. Sanchez in the #2 slot,  Gesink improving daily, a solid support crew for the mountains (Barredo, Mollema and Ten Dam), Gesink by now a better time trial rider than the Schlecks, Rabobank are the main headache for Leopard Trek.

My brother disagrees and label it chauvinism or unwarranted optimism, but I am a believer. Gesink for Paris!

Enjoy the coming days.

Robin

Last year, after Schleck the Younger had crashed, Spartacus decided to take matters of fortune and luck into his own hands and persuaded the peloton to wait. However, the Lady that Giveth and Taketh Away Luck was not amused. About two weeks later, she came to collect Schleck the Younger’s debt and derailed his chain. So, chaingate was born, because fewer and fewer mortals believe in Acts of the Gods. Anyways, fast forward to 2011: the Tour de Crash or la Grande Chute.

Our lady has been kind to the Schlecks, Evans and a few other contenders, but not so much to Contador, Gesink, Horner, Sanchez, Van den Broeck, Vinokourov, Wiggins and a few others, notably Hoogerland. The lucky trio better not annoy her or she may come to ask for her payment from the Luxemburgers and the Man from Oz. So did Team Sky perhaps celebrate too much after their stage win? Did they presume too much to be in control of their own destiny? Maybe Gilbert should not have been so greedy to want to take victory away from the more deserving Ruis Costa. For what did Van den Broeck do to deserve his wrotten luck? And how did Hoogerland annoy the woman who dispenses good and ill fortunes for him to see such a change of fortunes inside of one single stage?

Questions, questions, but I reckon some of those mentioned above may want to check with Team Rabobank what they did after yesterday’s stage to see such a change in their race fortunes. Sanchez winning the stage and Gesink smilingly answering questions about today’s stage. Thanks to Sanchez who went out, as he said afterward, “para dar un golpe de moral” to the team. Muchas gracias, Luis!

Alan took his first stage win of this year, leaving Robin in sole possession of the Lanterne Rouge. Congrats, Alan! Gilbert came through again for Pantini, who strengthened his lead in the GC. Several key riders crashed and the only two teams that have not last any riders are Astrid and Rogier.

Stage 9 results:

1. Alan (Oncles) 46

2. Bec, Lucas (Pistachios) 37

4. Milton (Pistachios) 36

5. Rogier (Oncles) 35

6. Jon (Pistachios) 32

7. Pantini (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 31

9. Michael (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 29

11. Jeroen (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 27

13. Matt (Oncles) 25

14. Sapna (Oncles) 24

15. Astrid (Oncles), Cameron (Pistachios) 20

17. Paul (Pistachios) 19

18. Chris & Mandy, Todd (Pistachios) 14

GC after stage 9:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 323

2. Jeroen (Pistachios) 311

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 309

4. Bec (Pistachios) 305

5. Matt (Oncles) 304

6. Astrid (Oncles) 301

7. Rogier (Oncles) 298

8. Milton (Pistachios) 277

9. Sapna (Oncles) 275

10. Jon (Pistachios) 274

11. Cameron (Pistachios) 273

12. Todd (Pistachios) 256

13. Paul (Pistachios) 237

14. Alan (Oncles) 233

15. Lucas (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 232

17. Chris & Mandy, Michael (Pistachios) 224

19. Robin (Oncles) 214

The Pistachios lead the Oncles by 1024 to 1017.

Take your deserved rest day tomorrow, particularly those of you in Oz.

Robin

… if you want to be a Grand Tour winner you’ve got to show determination, fight and grit. During his immediate post-stage musings Gesink voiced doubt about continuing tomorrow, although he did qualify his comment by adding that he had just gotten of the bike. Surely, with one –admittedly tough- stage remaining before the rest day he cannot leave the Tour????? The Dutch journalist was just as stunned as I was when I heard him mutter those words. I reckon the podium is beyond him now, as Schleck the Younger –and perhaps even the Older- Van den Broeck, Evans and Contador look like they will fight for the win. Plus a few others, perhaps. Still, the white jersey and/or a stage win are still options and surely not prizes to sneeze at by our despondent Dutchman. I am convinced the team will get him over his understandable disappointment.

Come on, Robert, don’t let us down!

The God of Thunder put in a major effort today and managed to hold on to the Maillot Jaune. Robert Gesink was eventually slowed down by his injuries, but managed to limit his damages and only lost a little over a minute on his GC rivals. Tomorrow is another tough day, so it remains to be seen whether he can recover enough to play a role in the high mountains. After the race, he complained that he just could not follow and was wondering aloud whether he should continue the race. I would think he owes it to his team, but perhaps they are already thinking of the Vuelta. In that case, dropping out now might be best. That will surely help Team Robin in the battle for the Lanterne Rouge. Evans was impressive again today, but has been all year around on these sort of climbs. In the high mountains, he has generally come up just a wee bit short. Perhaps now it will be different? Contador ans Schleck tried but could not, while Jurgen van den Broeck let Gilbert take the honors. After Evans, the Belgian seems to be the sharpest rider so far.

Bec took the stage win and, thanks to an impressive Gilbert, Pantini took sole possession of the Maillot Jaune. Perhaps he can repeat after all? Still, the Top 5 are only separated by 13 points!  Maybe Jeroen can do the double, Giro and Tour? Alan and Robin are battling it out for the Lanterne Rouge.

Stage 8 results:

1. Bec (Pistachios) 52

2. Milton (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 51

4. Jon (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 50

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 47

7. Alan (Oncles), Lucas, Michael, Pantini (Pistachios) 46

11. Robin (Oncles) 44

12. Cameron (Pistachios), Ronnie, Sapna (Oncles) 43

15. Matt (Oncles), Paul (Pistachios) 41

17. Astrid (Oncles) 35

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 27

19. Todd (Pistachios) 21

GC after stage 8:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 292

2. Jeroen (Pistachios) 284

3. Astrid (Oncles) 281

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 280

5. Matt (Oncless) 279

6. Bec (Pistachios) 268

7. Rogier (Oncles) 263

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 253

9. Sapna (Oncles) 251

10. Jon, Todd (Pistachios) 242

12. Milton (Pistachios) 241

13. Paul (Pistachios) 218

14. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 210

15. Suchi (Oncles) 201

16. Lucas, Michael (Pistachios) 195

18. Alan, Robin (Oncles) 187

The Pistachios lead the Oncles 914 to 905.

Robin

Three years ago the stage to Super-Besse was the beginning of the end for the young Italian climber Riccardo Riccò. He won the stage by beating Alejandro Valverde in a sprint. A few stages later he soloed to a phenomenal stage win in the Pyrenees and, in the process, handed Team Robin the maillot jaune and a very real prospect of winning the famous trophy. And then it all fell apart. EPO. Riccò got caught, was thrown out of the Grand Boucle, Team Robin finished as runner-up and the young Italian was suspended. In 2010 he was given a second chance by the Dutch team VacanSoleil. Earlier this year, however, he attempted to perform a blood transfusion on himself and ended up in hospital. In the meantime, the number two of that day Alejandro Valverde is serving his own two year suspension for involvement in Operacion Puerto. It was the year that Contador could not ride the Grand Boucle because Astana was banned as a result of Vino’s blood transfusion mess of the year before. And so here we are again on the road to Super-Besse, hoping everything is OK now, but with a Contador under a cloud. Plus ça change, although I hope things have actually changed.

So, what about tomorrow. What will happen and who will win? Obviosuly, a break will form, but this time probably with good climbers that are not considered a GC threat and are riding on smaller teams, at least regarding the GC. Think David Moncoutie of Cofidis, one or more of the Euskatel-Euskadi riders, Kevin de Weert of Quickstep, Sandy Casat of FDJ, one or more of the riders from Europcar, Johnny Hoogerland of VacanSoleil, somebody from Katusha and Jérôme Coppel, to name a few. David Millar of Garmin is another candidate. That would be an excellent strategy by Garmin.

Depending on whether riders like Cadel Evans, the Schleck brothers or Jurgen van den Broeck want to make a statement with a stage win, their teams may bring everything together before the final ascent. In that case, my money would be on Jurgen van den Broeck. In case of a succesful breakaway, I’d go with a French rider. Let’s pick David Moncoutie.

Enjoy.

Robin

… but neither Contador nor Gesink were involved. A serious crash about 25 K from the end caught out Wiggins who had to give up due to a broken collar bone. Earlier on the day, Boonen also abandoned this year’s Grand Boucle. Another consequence of the crash was that a peloton of about 80 riders lost a little over three minutes, that peloton included GC hopefuls Hesjedal, Kreuziger and Leipheimer and sprinter Farrar. Another GC rider, Horner, finished last for the day more than 12 minutes behind. His hopes of a Top 10 finish are well and truly over. Thomas and Boassan Hagen were in that same group, so Gesink took over the white jersey, a morale booster for the lanky Dutch climber if ever there was one and at exactly the right time.

Just like Cavendish, Astrid took her second stage win of the race in emphatic style and sprinted herself in a tie for the maillot jaune with Pantini. Thanks to Astrid, the Oncles closed the gap with the Pistachios to 3 points.

Stage 7 results:

1. Astrid (Oncles) 69

2. Matt (Oncles) 59

3. Jeroen (Pistachios) 58

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 55

5. Pantini (Pistachios) 50

6. Todd (Pistachios) 46

7. Cameron (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 45

9. Chris&Mandy, Paul (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 42

12. Bec, Milton (Pistachios) 38

14. Jon (Pistachios) 34

15. Robin (Oncles) 30

16. Lucas (Pistachios) 29

17. Michael (Pistachios) 25

18. Suchi (Oncles) 24

19. Alan (Oncles) 19

GC after stage 7:

1. Astrid (Oncles), Pantini (Pistachios) 246

3. Matt (Oncles) 238

4. Jeroen (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 237

6. Todd (Pistachios) 221

7. Bec (Pistachios) 216

8. Rogier (Oncles) 213

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 210

10. Sapna (Oncles) 208

11. Jon (Pistachios) 192

12. Milton (Pistachios) 190

13. Chris&Mandy (Pistachios) 183

14. Paul (Pistachios) 177

15. Suchi (Oncles) 150

16. Lucas, Michael (Pistachios) 149

18. Robin (Oncles) 143

19. Alan (Oncles) 141

Later more.

Robin

… we managed to get a few words out of a weary looking pre-race GC contender. “So, Robin, another long day and another struggle for you”. [Dejected] “Pfff … what can you say. It has been tough. You start a Grand Tour like this with expectations, but sometimes it just does not work out they way you expected”. Holding the Lanterne Rouge could indeed not have been an objective for this seasoned rider. “So, where did it all go wrong?” [Despondent] “Hmmmppf … there are causes and reasons. It is a result of several factors working against you. That as well”. It looks like a shift of focus may be necessary. “Still aiming for the GC, Robin?” [Laughing now] “Aiming alright, but misfiring”. “No, it is day to day for me from now on. I’ll try to get something going. Anything. Perhaps this Saturday or else … the high mountains. Stage wins. That’s what is left. I’ll just have to recover and refocus. OK, gotta go”. With that, our soaked and mud covered fallen favorite went on his way to a hot shower.

In the real race it was that man Pantini again! A second stage win by edging out Jon and he also gets the Maillot Jaune. On the other end of the GC ranking, Robin has grabbed the Lanterne Rouge from Alan. Time to come up with a trophy for the rear light of the GC standings, so our veteran can have a trophy to put on his desk after all.

Stage 6 results:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 45

2. Jon (Pistachios) 44

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 37

4. Jeroen (Pistachios), Matt (Oncles) 36

6. Todd (Pistachios) 33

7. Astrid (Oncles) 32

8. Rogier (Oncles) 30

9. Sapna (Oncles) 29

10. Bec (Pistachios) 26

11. Cameron (Pistachios) 23

12. Alan (Oncles), Milton (Pistachios) 22

14. Chris & Mandy, Paul (Pistachios) 17

16. Lucas (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 16

18. Robin (Oncles) 9

19. Michael (Pistachios) 7

GC after stage 6:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 196

2. Ronnie (Oncles) 182

3. Jeroen (Pistachios), Matt (Oncles) 179

5. Bec (Pistachios) 178

6. Astrid (Oncles) 177

7. Todd (Pistachios) 175

8. Rogier (Oncles) 168

9. Sapna (Oncles) 166

10. Cameron (Pistachios) 165

11. Jon (Pistachios) 158

12. Milton (Pistachios) 152

13. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 141

14. Paul (Pistachios) 135

15. Suchi (Oncles) 126

16. Michael (Pistachios) 124

17. Alan (Oncles) 122

18. Lucas (Pistachios) 120

19. Robin (Oncles) 113

The Pistachios lead the Oncles by 607 v 575.

Later more.

Robin

The Pistachios gathering at Cameron’s house for Stage 3 of this year’s Tour initiated an interesting topic of conversation. As it happened the four of us in attendance at one stage of the evening were watching the live Tour coverage whilst also playing a game of 500, and Todd remarked that you wouldn’t be playing a game of cards during a baseball match, hence cycling was clearly more boring than baseball.

I for one take massive exception to that suggestion. IMHO, other than Test Cricket and Curling I can’t think of a sport that is more boring to watch than baseball.

Now I will admit that there are some cycling race stages that are far from exhilarating over the entire distance, including Stage 3 of this year’s Grand Boucle, but baseball is way more boring, all the time.

Of course, the strongest form of scientific evidence is anecdote, especially if it is your own anecdote. So the best reason why cycling is more interesting to watch than baseball is because of my own life experiences.

I grew up surrounded by neighbours that played baseball and I was frequently invited to come and watch the games at the local diamond. As a direct outcome of being invited to these games I became an avid cyclist. A group of us would all ride down to the baseball club, and during the games I was so bored that I divided my time equally between choosing which lollies at the club canteen were going to help me develop Type II diabetes the fastest, and disappearing into the surrounding parks to explore the bike trails.

Now you may argue that watching a local junior baseball game is of course less exciting than watching the professionals in action, but if that was the case then the National League games wouldn’t have some imbecile that wasn’t good enough to play organ at the local church banging out the same three inane and mind-numbing tunes throughout the entire match – and they are mind-numbing for the exact reason that if any of the spectators actually reflected for one moment about the time they were wasting watching almost nothing happen they would leave the stadium en-masse.

Now sure, cycling has its own rather repetitive and mildly inane set of ‘tunes’ that are repeated ad infinitum by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen – “He’s done a power of work”, “He’s putting himself through absolute purgatory out there”, “Saxobank are putting on an absolutely infernal pace”. But at least you don’t have to put up with them when you are watching cycling live.

And what is it with baseball having nine innings. I mean come on, Test Cricket with two innings per team was already just an excuse to spend more time in the clubhouse getting pissed, but at least they spread it out over 5 days so it feels like a genuine holiday from life. Baseball on the other hand has nine innings for no apparent reason at all – WTF.

I mean the most interesting thing to happen at a baseball match is when some dude walks by selling hot dogs, and you get to choose whether you want the ketchup – full of antioxidants to hopefully kill the salmonella that has been breeding on the frankfurt since it was taken out of the cooker an hour ago – or the hot mustard – which might help to shock your heart out of an arrhythmia induced by the sugar and cholesterol overdose. Or maybe that’s what all the red food colouring is for?!

Anyway, as for Todd’s comment that you wouldn’t find yourself playing a card game during a game of baseball, well I beg to differ.

A card game is an integral part of National League Baseball games – it’s the one where scantily-clad cheerleaders are holding up cards showing the running tally of Strikes and Balls whilst the crowd rates how hot they are.

Or it is the one with baseball swap cards, but they’re not much good for poker or 500.

As far as card games with a real deck of cards, any attempts would be drastically impaired by the IQ-lowering effect of the organist’s tunes, and even if that factor could be nullified, there would still be some dialect issues – baseball viewers think that Diamonds are for running around, Hearts are what stop beating after you eat a hot dog with no ketchup or mustard, Clubs are where you go to see some Hollywood celebrity behaving badly, and Spades are the things they use to clean up all the discarded hot dog wrappers after the game.

Although, come to think of it, the wonderful card game called Solitaire, also known as Patience, was invented in the same year as baseball, so draw your own conclusions about that one. My gut feeling is that some original baseball spectator that had gone to the game alone – probably to watch his brother play “the next big thing” – had to come up with a card game that you could play alone, time and time again. Not sure if you could concentrate now though with that ….ing organist.

Anyway, for those who care, Jon’s arrival at Cameron’s place brought the game of 500, and the discussion, to a premature end, but for the record Cameron and I were annihilating Michael and Todd – just in case you were wondering

Lucas

So much for my stage predicting prowess as Cavendish takes the win, while Hushovd continues to burn my team with Galimzyanov nowhere to be seen. In addition, my joker, Christophe Kern, gave up, as well as Janez Brajkovic in Michael’s team. Boonen continued to the finish line after a crash, but we’ll have to wait and see whether he will continue. Pantini takes the stage, while Bec narrowly holds on to the maillot jaune.

Stage 5 results:

1. Pantini (Pistachios) 58

2. Ronnie (Oncles) 52

3. Jeroen (Pistachios) 51

4. Astrid (Oncles) 49

5. Bec (Pistachios), Matt (Oncles) 48

7. Todd (Pistachios) 46

8. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 44

9. Cameron (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 42

11. Milton (Pistachios) 41

12. Jon (Pistachios) 39

13. Sapna (Oncles) 38

14. Paul (Pistachios) 34

15. Alan, Suchi (Oncles) 29

17. Lucas (Pistachios) 26.

18. Michael (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 25

GC after stage 5:

1. Bec (Pistachios) 152

2. Pantini (Pistachios) 151

3. Astrid, Ronnie (Oncles) 145

5. Jeroen (Pistachios), Matt (Oncles) 143

7. Cameron, Todd (Pistachios) 142

9. Rogier (Oncles) 138

10. Sapna (Oncles) 137

11. Milton (Pistachios) 130

12. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 124

13. Paul (Pistachios) 118

14. Michael (Pistachios) 117

15. Jon (Pistachios) 110

16. Suchi (Oncles) 110

17. Lucas (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 104

19. Alan (Oncles) 100

An excellent day for Team Robin it was not, but hope springs eternal.

Later more.

Robin

Another one for a bunch sprint, so it would seem. However, from Plouha to Yffiniac, the birth place of The Badger, for about 45 K the riders will be cycling in cross-winds along the (English) Channel. According to Météo France the winds will come from the south-west, but perhaps they are not strong enough to lead to echelons. It may well rain, so the finale could be on wet roads with a tailwind. For the latest weather info check out:

http://france.meteofrance.com/france/meteo?PREVISIONS_PORTLET.path=previsionsregion/REG05/20110706120000V

Look for Rabobank to try and break up the peloton, like they tried on Stage 3. It could be an excellent day for Gesink the Silent.

Apparently, the run in to the finish consists of narrow, winding and undulating roads, which should thwart sprinter-trains and will most likely benefit sprinters who know how to operate on their own in the chaos of the final Ks. Those would be riders like Rojas (or Ventoso if he is on form), Greipel, Galimzyanov, Feillu, Engoulvent, Ciolek, Bozic and perhaps Farrar if piloted by Hushovd. Cavendish and Petacchi may well be in the Top 10, but I would not put any money on them taking the ultimate prize. The little kick from 4 – 3 K to the finish may even take out the Manx Missile entirely.

So, where would I put my money? For stages like this putting your money anywhere is a bit like holding your finger up in the air and predict the weather for the next week. It is anyone’s guess which thunder thighs will be able to stay near the front. No excuses, though, so I’ll have a go. Well, if he would be fully healthy, I would say Francisco Ventoso is in with a good chance on the slighty upward sloping finish. However, I am not sure what is going on with Ventoso, so I’ll go for Денис Рамильевич Галимзянов.

Read more about young Денис: http://inrng.com/2011/04/denis-galimzyanov/

Enjoy,

Robin

So, Evans did win and edged out Contador by inches. The Accountant had a go, but looks well short of his best form. Schleck the Younger and Robert the Silent lost a few seconds, but they probably would have expected to lose a bit, as the same happened in Mende last year.

Team Robin is already in disarray as Christoph Kern’s TdF appears to be over soon and the team is getting burned by not including the God of Thunder. Silly move, really. Can’t wait for the high mountains to appear. Besides, after decades in the wilderness, the Dutch finally seem to be getting their GC act together. Anyways, Milton took the stage just before Suchi and Bec and Michael. Astrid loses the maillot jaune to Bec, but will surely try to win it back tomorrow to wear it on her birthday.

Stage 4 results:

1. Milton (Pistachios) 59

2. Suchi (Oncles) 57

3. Bec, Michael (Pistachios) 56

5. Rogier (Oncles) 55

6. Alan (Oncles) 52

7. Jeroen (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 51

9. Cameron (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 50

11. Jon (Pistachios) 47

12. Paul (Pistachios) 46

13. Pantini (Pistachios) 45

14. Matt (Oncles) 44

15. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 41

17. Todd (Pistachios) 40

18. Astrid (Oncles) 39, Lucas (Pistachios) 39

GC after stage 4:

1. Bec (Pistachios) 104

2. Cameron (Pistachios) 100

3. Sapna (Oncles) 99

4. Astrid, Rogier (Oncles), Todd (Pistachios) 96

7. Matt (Oncles) 95

8. Pantini (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 93

10. Jeroen, Michael (Pistachios) 92

12. Milton (Pistachios) 89

13. Paul (Pistachios) 84

14. Suchi (Oncles) 81

15. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 80

16. Robin (Oncles) 79

17. Lucas (Pistachios) 78

18. Jon (Pistachios) 75

19. Alan (Oncles) 71

The Pistachios lead the Oncles 325 to 321.

Later more.

Robin

This stage has Philippe Gilbert written all over it, so presumably his team will work hard to avoid a successful breakaway. In addition, The Accountant will be looking for a confidence booster and what better reassurance of one’s ability than a scorching dash to the finish while leaving all your rivals in the metaphorical dust. So, that makes two teams to want to keep things together. There is, of course, the issue of Jurgen van den Broeck being on Gilbert’s team. So, will Gilbert be allowed to go all out for the stage win or will he be asked to pilot his GC man to the finish?

The final kilometers of the stage are fairly similar to those of the Flèche Wallonne, which ends with 400 m @ 4,75 % followed by 400 m @ 10,5 %, 400 m @ 15,3 % and, finally, 100 m @ 6 % (Stage 4 ends with 1 K @ 9,7% followed by 1 K @ 4%)

If we leave out the Top 20 finishers in that race who are not riding in the TdF, this would be the Top 10.

1 P. Gilbert

2 S. Sánchez @ 5 sec

3 A. Vinokourov @ 6 sec

4 J. Vanendert s.t.

5 F. Schleck s.t

6 A. Contador @ 15 sec

7 R. Hesjedal @ 18 sec

8 R. Gesink @ 20 sec

9 J. van den Broeck @ 23 sec

10 R. Uran (Col) @ 28 sec

Some of the contenders did not ride this one day classic, of course. Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck would most likely be in the Top 10.

Actually, I would put my money on Cadel coming good tomorrow.

Enjoy,

Robin

Stage 3 developed nicely according to my mid-stage analysis (and pre-race guessing), except for that Ciolek and Ventoso got caught in one or the other incident and missed out on the sprint. As, more or less, did the Manx Missile, who did however finish 5th to hand Robin his first bonus points.

Astrid, though, took the first stage win of 2011 by edging out Todd by 1 point and she’ll proudly be wearing the maillot jaune. Perhaps she can hold on all the way to her birthday on the 7th of July.

Stage 3 result and GC:

1. Astrid 57

2. Todd 56

3. Matt 51

4. Cameron 50

5. Sapna 49

6. Bec, Pantini 48

8. Ronnie 42

9. Jeroen, Rogier 41

11. Chris & Mandy, Lucas 39

13. Paul, Robin 38

15. Michael 36

16. Milton 30

17. Jon 28

18. Suchi 24

19. Alan 19

More later.

Robin

Here’s for a theory. The Manx Express is considered too strong, so several teams have brought two (or more) acknowledged sprinters to the Tour. The intermediate sprints are left to the sprinter who will not contest the finish, while Cavendish is contesting both.

Stage 1 intermediate: Farrar (Garmin), Greipel (Lotto), Ventoso (Movistar), Boonen (Quick Step).

Stage 1 finish (uphill): Hushovd (Garmin), Gilbert (Lotto), Rojas (Movistar)

Stage 3 intermediate: Hushovd (Garmin), Gilbert (Lotto), Rojas (Movistar), Boonen (Quick Step)

Stage 3 finish (flat): Farrar (?), Greipel (?), Ventoso (?), Ciolek (?)

By the time you read this, my thought may seem silly already, but perhaps not.

Next. Some tipping. Anybody willing to volunteer the GC podium, the green, polka dot and white jersey winners, as well as the team ranking?

… but a bunch gallop in the streets of Redon is still on the cards. If the intermediate sprint in stage 1 would be a pointer to the outcome of today’s stage, these would be the Top 10 fast men:

1. T. Farrar

2. A. Greipel

3. F. Ventoso

4. D. Galimzyanov

5. B. Bozic

6. T. Boonen

7. J. Engoulvent

8. M. Cavendish

9. A. Petacchi

10. M. Delage

It would be surprising to see Cavendish that low in the Top 10, but who knows. The Manx Express had a slow start to the TdF last year as well. His 15 wins have brought him within one of the (in)famous Freddy Maertens, an enhanced sprinter who won the Vuelta in 1977 and 13 (!) of that year’s stages. The year before he had won 8 stages in the TdF. He was almost unbeatable at the time, but controversy swirled around him like dead leaves and paper trash on the streets of Brooklyn on a windy autumn day.

Here are a few images from that 1976 TdF, which Lucien van Impe won and Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk famously lost. The first sprint has Maertens winning while wearing the yellow jersey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn6fCFbi-Kw&feature=related

Back to 2011. With some 130k to go, the break has a lead of about 7 minutes. It will all come together for sure, but it would be nice of Niki Terpstra could open the Dutch stage winning account. By the way, 12 Dutchmen have taken the start, as have 6 Aussies and 10 Yankees.

From an internet café in an obscure alleyway in Dubrovnik, via a rather more upscale hotel in Prague and an apartment in the Rosemont- La Petite Patrie neighborhood of Montréal our tipsters on the move have been preparing with a vigorous and fierce determination. Using modern mobile technology they methodically searched the information expanses of the internet for any little bit of useful information in order to be able to match those who chose to stay at home with all their virtual and real world data on hand. The coming weeks will reveal whether our digital nomads will have been able to compensate for their obvious informational disadvantage with the skill and genius of winners.

In the meantime, The Accountant is already facing an uphill battle after a botched first stage and a mediocre team time trial. Mindful that offense is the best defense, his ever scheming boss decides to charm the locals and win their hearts and minds by filing an appeal against the time losses of his team leader instead of directing his phenomenal ire towards the Darth Vader of modern cycling, JB of the Shack who, in a double role as the Time Lord, attempts to win the TdF with two-and-a-half pensioners and a fly weight.

The coming weeks will show whether Schleck the Younger has the guile of a winner, whether Cadel the Aggressor, Robert the Silent or Jurgen the Fierce Flamand can handle the present that was gifted them. Look to these pages for updates, notes, trivia and other scribblings to hopefully entertain you.

Good luck to all and enjoy!

P.I.S.F.A.

Not only did Petacchi make it to Paris this year, he won the Green Jersey… making a mockery of our ridicule. In honour of his achievement, and the fact that he has now made it to Paris on 2 occasions, it is only fair that we reconsider the naming of the somewhat derogatory competition in his name.

The Question: Should we rename the Petacchi Index the Cipollini Index based on his natural predecessor?

In Favour of Re-Naming:

Petacchi has made it to Paris not once but twice and has now won the Green Jersey, previously thought impossible. Mario Cipollini never even looked like making it to Paris!

Against Re-Naming:

Petacchi is the subject of a current drug investigation. Maybe we should wait to see if his great result stands up to that scrutiny…

As a final bookend to this year’s TdF, your vote is sought in the Comments Section to this post. Please register a vote for or against the renaming of the Petacchi Index competition no later than 10GMT Thursday 28th July (entertaining analysis optional).

Till then, Au Revoir

Fiddygig

Message from Obi-Wan-Legged-Pants:    …The Force will be with you… Always!…

pettachey 

The Best:

As the Accountant defeats Schleck the Younger by the width of a Chainring and the Manx Missile counts Robin amongst his collateral damage, its…..

CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Adrian ‘Padawan Pantini’ Maher on his second victory in VK&F TdF tipping to go with his triumph in 2007, and an extremely impressive, 8th place overall in the Erik TKF game. Interestingly, whenever Pantini wins VK&F a Norwegian viking called Rune ‘The Red’ Forsund has won Erik TKF. I’m sure both Erik and Jeroen will love that piece of trivia. Magnificent performance by the cult leader in the fluorescent blue star glasses, clearly the rest of us are spellbound when we attempt to look into your eyes and read your tipping secrets.

And while Adrian is dusting off his hoover-boucle and searching for some yellow star-glasses, Rogier is celebrating a breakthrough Stage Victory on the Champs Elysees – congratulations! Is this your first ever victory? or did you win one of the breakaway stages in previous editions? Either way, the opportunistic exploits of the Rouleur pale in comparison with the big-time Sprinter, making the peloton eat cobble-dust on the Champs Elysees! You have arrived Rogier and in true fast-man style you also clinched the Petacchi Index… who needs climbers anyway! On to bigger things in 2011…

Congrats to our other podium placegetters: Matt (2nd) who was in the running until the races final stages courtesy of some excellent ‘positioning’. You take away Torgeir Gamst Moen award for most bonus points as consolation with a whopping 28 – only surpassed last year I believe, when the Missile instead fired a six-shooter. Completing the podium was Astrid who snatched 3rd on the final stage, completing a barnstorming performance by the Van Kooten household. As ever, it was a case of ‘what-if?’, as the youngest of the Van Koert siblings scored a massive 49 C-Bung points… enough to frustrate her ambitions of victory, if not-quite overtake Pants-Man in the final analysis.

Not as frustrated however, as our secretaire-en-vacance Robin, whose ambitions of pretty much anything fell flat with a dull ‘Bung’ in the key of C, the note ringing in his ears 57 times sounding more like a dirge than a victory march. Never mind Robin, as Giro winner, you’ve got a whole year of pancakes over which to uncover your team’s lacklustre showing in the Tour, and wonder if it is possible to win both the Giro and the Tour in the post PED tipping era.

In the Team Classification Rob was ya Farva’s for the Oncles, who turned the Pistachios into a nut crumble with a 2340 to 2269 crushing.

The Rest:

Ronnie, even though you are now packing Le Trophee de Petite Cycliste (or whatever you call it Robin) into a padded matchbox for the journey across the Pacific, congratulations on a spirited defence of your title in 4th place… and JB, you may be dissatisfied with 5th but are no doubt secretly pleased that you thrashed me by 40 points courtesy of one Sammy Sanchez.

After a low-key buildup in the Vuelta and Giro tipping, Lucas finished a very creditable 6th in his second attempt at VK&F… thats the last time I ever discuss any Jedi secrets on the physio table!

Jeroen will no doubt keep asking me why I didn’t select Vinokourov and Wiggins all year. Not that they did that much but they were enough to secure him some bragging rights over both Robin and I.

Alan, I can truly say that the only pleasure I get from occupying the middle position is in sharing it with you

Milton strayed from his untouchable 2008 sprinter strategy as Vande Velde showed that the Garmin Team has not really made its Transition from Slipstream. Still you did more than enough to close out a years worth of family bragging rights over Chris & Mandy, with you guys responding with a huge performance on the last stage once you felt the vulnerability of being close to the Lanterne Rouge.

Michael again failed to knock his brother off, but has about 500 (AUD) reasons to tell you why Armstrong beating Wiggins by 4 seconds was the real story of the 2010 Tour!!

Todd, you never quite managed to get that revenge for a certain ‘fluke’ victory in the World Cup tipping, not that I find that much consolation! However, you have secured bragging rights over stablemate Bec, and the C-Bung competition is still the best new idea IMO.

Sapna, Suchi and Rhino – all previous winners had a year to forget this time, but that is mainly because you are rightly more focussed on making a valuable contribution to the global economy rather than jeopardising your career (as JB once claims) on 3 frivolous weeks of tipping…

Bec… our Lanterne Rouge. Well, the results may not have gone your way, but you have delivered plenty of publicity for your sponsor!

Drew… get your arse out of that boat and submit a bloody team next year!!

And Finally…

That is almost it – after this there will be one final post. But in closing the results for this year and thanking one and all for your participation and contributions, I was interrupted by a disturbance in the Force… Hmmm… strong in the force this one is… blue star-glasses from a galaxy far far away, I see…. Pantini Connick Jr it is!….

…Use the Force to receive the message below from the Latest Jedi Grand-Master Pantini Starwalker!…

pettachey 

Stage 20 (Champs Élysées) results:

1. Rogier (Oncles) 70

2. Lucas (Pistachios) 62

3. Matt (Oncles) 61

4. Pantini Maher (Pistachios) 57

5. Astrid (Oncles) 56

6. Milton (Pistachios) 54

7. Rhino (Pistachios) 52

8. Sapna (Oncles) 48

9. Robin (Oncles) 47

10. Ronnie (Oncles) 46

11. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 43

12. Todd (Pistachios) 41

13. Cameron (Pistachios), Michael (Pistachios) 39

15. Jeroen (Pistachios) 38

16. JB (Pistachios) 37

17. Alan (Oncles) 25

18. Bec (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 20

Final GC:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 670

2. Matt (Oncles) 645

3. Astrid (Oncles) 620

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 616

5. JB (Pistachios) 609

6. Lucas (Pistachios) 593

7. Rogier (Oncles) 582

8. Jeroen (Pistachios) 580

9. Cameron (Pistachios), Alan (Oncles) 570

11. Milton (Pistachios) 562

12. Michael (Pistachios) 549

13. Robin (Oncles) 548

14. Rhino (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 544

16. Todd (Pistachios) 499

17. Suchi (Oncles) 486

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 460

19. Bec (Pistachios) 435

Teams:

1: Oncles 2340

2: Pistachios 2269

Agony for Schleck who closed the gap to Contador early in the Time Trial, even taking a virtual 1s lead at one point, before fading. Ecstasy for the accountant who survived his most difficult challenge in ages, and irony because the final margin of 39 seconds was exactly what Schleck lost to Contador in the infamous ‘Chaingate’ scandal.

During the coverage I found myself cheering Schleck on at first, then when it was clear the result would not go his way, urging Contador on to make the gap more than 39 seconds. The irony was compounded by the fact that in what most agree was the best Tour in many years, the final margin was only decided by controversy. C’est la vie.

At least we can look forward to a great Tour next year!

The scoring reflected the closeness of the battle up front with very narrow margins, courtesy of a strong cross-wind that sprang up when the favourites took to the course.

Congratulations to Lanterne Rouge Bec who has made a last ditch surge to close the gap on Chris & Mandy. That one will only be decided in Paris! Not so the battle between myself and Jeroen who gave me the ‘Wiggo Wedgie’ to cleave an unassailable lead down here in the land (a former prime minister) once referred to as the ‘arse end of the Earth’. Trust me, that hurts… Well done Jeroen!!

Stage 19 results:

1. Bec (Pistachios) 14

2. Jeroen (Pistachios), Todd (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 12

5. Michael (Pistachios). Milton (Pistachios), Astrid (Oncles), Robin (Oncles), Ronnie (Oncles) 9

10. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 8

11. Sapna (Oncles) 6

12. Paul (Pistachios) 4

13. Adrian (Pistachios) 3

14. Alan (Oncles), Matt (Oncles), Rogier (Oncles) 1

17. Cameron (Pistachios), Jon (Pistachios), Lucas (Pistachios) 0

GC after stage 19:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 613

2. Matt (Oncles) 584

3. Jon (Pistachios) 572

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 570

5. Astrid (Oncles) 564

6. Alan (Oncles) 545

7. Jeroen (Pistachios) 542

8. Cameron, Lucas (Pistachios) 531

10. Rogier (Oncles) 512

11. Michael (Pistachios) 510

12. Milton (Pistachios) 508

13. Robin (Oncles) 501

14. Sapna (Oncles) 496

15. Paul (Pistachios) 492

16. Suchi (Oncles) 466

17. Todd (Pistachios) 458

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 417

19. Bec (Pistachios) 415

Adrian is flying into Paris in 6th position in overall Erik TKF standings. Best of luck for improving your position on the Champs Elysees.

No changes of note in the TGM. No riders abandoned so (perhaps so-called for only 1 more day) the Petacchi Index was unchanged. A few teams would have increased their C-Bung courtesy of Menchov but Robin still leads Astrid by 8 in that competition.

In the words of our vacationing scorer…

A Demain.

P-Fiddy

The question on everyone’s lips before the final Race of Truth:

Is Andy Schleck the Heir Apparent?…

Or, after dropping back to the Race Doctor’s car on the last stage because of some saddle sores, is it just a case of….

Sorbie Hynde and the Pretender…

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pretenders/back+on+the+chain+gang_20110705.html  (press ‘Play’ button on left for music, re-open lerealtour in a separate browser)

Had half a minute on you, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
You hijacked my jersey that stage
When disaster struck my winning move, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
… That wasn’t a fair fight.
Stopped, I popped my Chain… (Ooh…Ahh)
Oh (Ahh), back on the Chain Ring

Circumstances beyond my control, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
My rage on TV, it was the news of the world
Chased you up that Col like a bat out of hell, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
You threw sand in my eyes and descended like flies
As I flipped it back on the Chain… (Ooh…Ahh)
Oh (Ahh… Ooh, Ahh), back on the Chain Ring

On the Port de Balès
I couldn’t believe what I saw
Had you on your knees
But you took the Maillot Jaune…
…Then up on the Col du Tourmalet
I wanted to take my revenge
But as I tried to power away
It almost happened again… (Ahh-Ahh-Ahh)

I had a friendship with you, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
I’ll show you my style on the final time trial, Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
… maybe I’m just in a state of denial
(Ooh) And if it happens again… (Ooh…Ahh)
Oh (Ahh) I’ll flip it back on the Chain Ring

… the likely top sprinter in all other teams is what I have learned the hard way this year. The Manx Express was at it again in a most devastating way.

As we will be flying to Paris this evening, this will be my last post for this year’s TdF. I’ll be watching the ITT on French TV (probably) and the final Ks on the Champs in person (definitely).Hopefully, someone else will be willing and able to take over the posting and scoring duties. Thanks in advance for doing so.

Despite the “must I/we wait or not” controversies, I think this edition of the TdF was much more interesting than last year’s race. Thanks for all the contributions so far and keep them coming. In particular, I am looking forward to Adrian’s new film about the Tipping Jedi, starring the Champ from Eltham as himself. It seems, though, that the Tipping Jedi’s Knights have outgrown his powers as he is now on a four Grand Tour long winning drought. Anyways, may the force be with my team for the final days to finish ahead of Sapna in the Pancake Stakes.

Stage 18 results:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 59

2. Matt (Oncles) 52

3. Ronnie (Oncles) 48

4. Astrid (Oncles) 43

5. Rogier (Oncles) 42

6. Lucas (Pistachios) 40

7. Robin (Oncles) 35

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 32

9. Sapna (Oncles) 30

10. Jeroen, Milton, Todd (Pistachios) 29

13. Paul (Pistachios) 28

14. Jon, Michael (Pistachios) 23

16. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 18

17. Suchi (Oncles) 14

18. Alan (Oncles), Bec (Pistachios) 13

GC after stage 18:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 610

2. Matt (Oncles) 583

3. Jon (Pistachios) 572

4.Ronnie (Oncles) 561

5. Astrid (Oncles) 555

6. Alan (Oncles) 544

7. Cameron, Lucas (Pistachios) 531

9. Jeroen (Pistachios) 530

10. Rogier (Oncles) 511

11. Michael (Pistachios) 501

12. Milton (Pistachios) 499

13. Robin (Oncles) 492

14. Sapna (Oncles) 490

15. Paul (Pistachios) 488

16. Suchi (Oncles) 454

17. Todd (Pistachios) 446

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 409

19. Bec (Pistachios) 401

In the minor standings, Lucas and Matt are tied for first place in the TGM Trophy with Adrian, Astrid and Jeroen only 2 points behind. The Champs will decide that one. In the Petacchi Index, Rogier remains 4 points ahead of Lucas and is likely to stay on top all the way to Paris. Robin leads the C-Bung Index by 8 points over Astrid, but with two stages to go nothing has been decided yet. Astrid is on course to be the best of the Van Koerts, while Robin has once more taken a nose length lead over Sapna in the Pancake Stakes.

I’ll try to post a comment, but otherwise enjoy and until we meet again in 2011!

Robin

… destroyed everybody else on the Tourmalet, but could not drop each other. So,no doubt AA are the top riders in the TdF 2010. The ITT will shake up the Top 10 a little bit with Menchov and Sanchez battling it out for the final podium spot.

As for our tipping competition, Adrian has held on to the “maillot jaune” by 2 points over Jon and 20 over Alan and Matt. Rojas may well make everything clear for Adrian in tomorrow’s expected bunch sprint as otherwise he and Matt are evenly poised. Still, in the absence of Rojas in tomorrow’s Top 10, Menchov could further close the gap in the ITT leaving it all to the good old positioning on the Champs for bonus points.

Alan grabbed another stage win, followed by Jon and Suchi.

Stage 17 results:

1. Alan (Oncles) 56

2. Jon (Pistachios) 51

3. Suchi (Oncles) 47

4. Bec (Pistachios) 39

5. Michael (Pistachios) 35

6. Cameron, Jeroen (Pistachios) 30

8. Matt, Sapna (Oncles) 28

10. Milton (Pistachios) 27

11. Todd (Pistachios) 26

12. Paul (Pistachios) 25

13. Lucas (Pistachios) 24

14. Robin (Oncles) 23

15. Astrid, Ronnie (Oncles) 21

17. Adrian (Pistachios) 20

18. Rogier (Oncles) 15

19. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 9

GC after stage 17:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 551

2. Jon (Pistachios) 549

3. Alan, Matt (Oncles) 531

5. Ronnie (Oncles) 513

6. Astrid (Oncles) 512

7. Jeroen (Pistachios) 501

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 499

9. Lucas (Pistachios) 491

10. Michael (Pistachios) 478

11. Milton (Pistachios) 470

12. Rogier (Oncles) 469

13. Paul (Pistachios), Sapna (Oncles) 460

15. Robin (Oncles) 457

16. Suchi (Oncles) 440

17. Todd (Pistachios) 417

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 391

19. Bec (Pistachios) 388

No changes in the minor classifications. Lucas, Rogier and Robin all held on to their leads. However, Sapna took back the lead in the Pancake Stakes.

A demain,

Robin

Chris & Mandy have won stage 16 in the Erik TKS Game! Huge congrats! This is the first time a member of the Van Koert & Co and Friends Tipping Comp has won a stage!

Well done!

Stage 16 results:

1. Chris &Mandy (Pistachios) 34

2. Michael (Pistachios) 27

3. Cameron (Pistachios) 24

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 22

5. Adrian, Paul (Pistachios) 21

7. Jon (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 20

9. Bec (Pistachios) 19

10. Matt (Oncles) 16

11. Jeroen, Milton (Pistachios) 15

13. Astrid (Oncles), Lucas (Pistachios) 14

15. Alan, Rogier (Oncles) 12

17. Todd (Pistachios) 11

18. Sapna (Oncles) 10

19. Suchi (Oncles) 9

GC after stage 16:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 531

2. Matt (Oncles) 503

3. Jon (Pistachios) 498

4.Ronnie (Oncles) 492

5. Astrid (Oncles) 491

6. Alan (Oncles) 475

7. Jeroen (Pistachios) 471

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 469

9. Lucas (Pistachios) 467

10. Rogier (Oncles) 454

11. Michael, Milton (Pistachios) 443

13. Paul (Pistachios) 435

14. Robin (Oncles) 434

15. Sapna (Oncles) 432

16. Suchi (Oncles) 393

17. Todd (Pistachios) 391

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 382

19. Bec (Pistachios) 349

Lucas is still top dog in the TGM Trophy, Rogier continues to lead the Petacchi Index and Robin has extended his lead in the C-Bung Index to 8 points, courtesy of Rojas claiming the C-Bung spot today. More importantly, Robin edged out Sapna in the Pancake Stakes.

A jeudi,

Robin

… another Top 3 stage finish in the Erik TKS Game for you. Runner-up together with Jon and a few others. Congrats to both of you! Matt came in third and took 9 points out of Adrian’s lead. Plenty of lead left for Adrian, though.

Stage 15 results:

1. Alan (Oncles), Jon (Pistachios) 29

3. Matt (Pistachios) 21

4. Milton (Pistachios) 17

5. Sapna (Pistachios) 16

6. Michael (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 15

8. Bec (Pistachios) 14

9. Jeroen, Paul, Todd (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 13

13. Adrian, Cameron, Lucas (Pistachios), Astrid (Oncles) 12

17. Robin (Oncles) 10

18. Rogier (Oncles) 8

19. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 5

GC after stage 15:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 510

2. Matt (Oncles) 487

3. Jon (Pistachios) 478

4. Astrid (Oncles) 477

5. Ronnie (Oncles) 470

6. Alan (Oncles) 463

7. Jeroen (Pistachios) 456

8. Lucas (Pistachios) 453

9. Cameron (Pistachios) 445

10. Rogier (Oncles) 442

11. Milton (Pistachios) 428

12. Sapna (Oncles) 422

13. Michael (Pistachios) 416

14. Paul (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 414

16. Suchi (Oncles) 384

17. Todd (Pistachios) 380

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 348

19. Bec (Pistachios) 330

No changes on the minor standings. Lucas, Rogier and Robin still lead the TGM Trophy, the Petacchi Index and the C-Bung Index, respectively. Sapna extended her lead in the Pancake Stakes.

A demain,

Robin

Sorry Robin, P-Fiddy pre-empting your post based on the disgraceful display of sportsmanship just shown by Contador.

Schleck puts in a huge attack to which Contador cannot immediately respond, nor any of the other favourites… too much power even for his chain, which succumbs uselessly from the ring.

Contador sees all of this unfold… and what does he, and Sanchez… and Menchov… do? Pour on the pace when their hapless opponent has a mechanical in the moment where he makes the race, the moment when they admit to themselves that it if they cannot respond to such a beautiful attack, it is they that should be the vanquished.

They all saw it happen… these guys have radios! They should have waited! We all know about Kazakhstan, but is there no such concept as fair play in Spain?? Utter Disgrace!!! Talk about making Armstrong and Ullrich look like a pair of saints!

Despite tipping Schleck, prior to this stage I still wanted Contador to win the Tour. The guy even had the gall brandish the pistolero salute on the podium… what a rotten bastard!

I hope Andy Schleck totally puts him to the sword on the Tourmalet!!

The Accountant and Schleck the Younger are extremely preoccupied with each other. So much so that they found time for a near “sur place” and some “after you, no really after you, no you go first” kind of game. In the end they were good enough to limit the time loss to a mere 14 seconds to Menchov and Sanchez, despite their weird antics. It seems Contador cannot drop the Luxemburger, but the “maillot jaune” beter have something up his sleeve to extend his lead before the time trial.

Schleck the Younger announced that tomorrow would suit him more, so will we see him drop the Chief Number Cruncher? Somehow I don’t think so. What about Menchov and Sanchez? Will they try something? Gesink said on Dutch TV that after he came back he actually felt like attacking, but obviously held back after Menchov went. So look for a white flash to the finish line tomorrow for a famous Dutch victory! He ‘ll attack on the climb. The two matadors will be locked “sur place” and the other will have to pass. Robert Gesink to win stage 15. You read it here first.

Jon and Suchi shared the stage win with Alan a close third. The rest of us where distanced considerably. Adrian must be feeling very comfortable in his yellow shirt, while Matt in second may still have hope thanks to Menchov. Astrid completes the podium.

Stage 14 results:

1. Jon (Pistachios), Suchi (Oncles) 49

3. Alan (Oncles) 45

4. Bec (Pistachios) 32

5. Cameron, Jeroen, Milton (Pistachios) 30

8. Michael (Pistachios) 29

9. Matt, Sapna (Oncles) 28

11. Todd (Pistachios) 27

12. Paul (Pistachios), Ronnie (Oncles) 24

14. Robin (Oncles) 23

15. Astrid (Oncles) 21

16. Adrian (Pistachios) 20

17. Lucas (Pistachios), Rogier (Oncles) 17

19. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 10

GC after stage 14:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 498

2. Matt (Oncles) 466

3. Astrid (Oncles) 465

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 457

5. Jon (Pistachios) 449

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 443

7. Lucas (Pistachios) 441

8. Alan, Rogier  (Oncles) 434

10. Cameron (Pistachios) 433

11. Milton (Pistachios) 411

12. Sapna (Oncles) 406

13. Robin (Oncles) 404

14. Michael, Paul (Pistachios) 401

16. Suchi (Oncles) 369

17. Todd (Pistachios) 367

18. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 343

19. Bec (Pistachios) 316

Lucas continues to lead in the TGM Trophy, Rogier still tops the Petacchi Index and Robin finds himself once more on top of the C-Bung Index. Sapna has moved ahead in the Pancake Stakes.

A demain,

Robin

The sprinters caught me by surprise, as I had thought their days had been over for the time being. I adjusted the prediction accordingly. In addition, Armstrong has been extremely quiet and has been saving himself like he did in last year’s Giro d’Italia. He is very much riding a similar race in this year’s TdF. Out of contention early, anonymous riding for several stages and finishing with a flourish with two Top 10s. Let’s assume, he’ll manage a similar feat over the coming stages. Others, like Wiggins, may score as well, but Lance is probably planning to go out in a blaze of glory and the Pyrenees are the only stages left for him. Now stage win, of course, but two Top 10s.

GC after stage 17 (prediction):

1. Alan (Oncles) 564

2. Jon (Pistachios) 561

3. Adrian (Pistachios) 556

4. Matt (Oncles) 532

5. Cameron (Pistachios) 526

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 525

7. Astrid (Oncles) 515

8. Michael (Pistachios) 511

9. Ronnie (Oncles) 506

10. Lucas (Pistachios) 501

11. Sapna (Oncles) 486

…

15. Robin (Oncles) 471

Looking good for Adrian. Too close to call for the Pancake Stakes.

Enjoy tomorrow’s cracker!

Robin

Having been denied a victory in the scramble for seconds in the GC the day before, Vinokourov simply tried again on the next stage and succeeded. A great victory for an attacking rider. His performances are more like his pre-TdF contender days, so may well be clean.

Adrian took another stage win, forcing me to correct my prediction for the standing after stage 17 (see next post). Ronnie finished second and Astrid posted another stage top three. In the GC, Adrian now has a very healthy lead of 34 points over Astrid and 40 over Matt. In addition, his lead over Alan and Jon is  89 and 78 points, respectively.

Results stage 13:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 55

2. Ronnie (Oncles) 53

3. Astrid (Oncles) 45

4. Milton (Pistachios) 44

5. Matt (Oncles) 43

6. Jeroen (Pistachios) 42

7. Rogier (Oncles) 41

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 40

9. Lucas (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 33

11. Michael (Pistachios) 31

12. Paul (Pistachios) 29

13. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 28

14. Jon (Pistachios) 26

15. Alan, Sapna (Oncles) 25

17. Suchi (Oncles) 23

18. Bec (Pistachios) 20

19. Todd (Pistachios) 15

GC after stage 13:

1. Adrian (Pistachios) 478

2. Astrid (Oncles) 444

3. Matt (Oncles) 438

4. Ronnie (Oncles) 433

5. Lucas (Pistachios) 424

6. Rogier (Oncles) 417

7. Jeroen (Pistachios) 413

8. Cameron (Pistachios) 403

9. Jon (Pistachios) 400

10. Alan (Oncles) 389

11. Milton (Pistachios), Robin (Oncles) 381

13. Sapna (Oncles) 378

14. Paul (Pistachios) 377

15. Michael (Pistachios) 372

16. Todd (Pistachios) 340

17. Chris & Mandy (Pistachios) 333

18. Suchi (Oncles) 320

19. Bec (Pistachios) 284

Lucas does not want to relinquish the lead in the TGM Trophy, Rogier holds on to top spot in the Petacchi Index and Robin is still top dog in the glorious C-Bung Index. Also, Robin has taken the lead again in the Pancake Stakes.

A demain,

Robin