Nice to see VdV there. Maybe he'll be in top shape and make a run at the podium. Also, I have a feeling that Tyler Farrar is very happy that Cav isn't on the startlist.
Vinokourov to head to the Tour of Spain with Astana http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-to-head-to-the-tour-of-spain-with-astana
We know Lance is leaving, but I would be highly surprised if Bert stuck around after the season finished, despite what Astana have said.
According to whats been going around Velonews and Cyclingnews, the latest stories have him fulfilling the last year of his contract. To a certain degree I'd take Bert's staying with Astana with a grain of salt but whomever tries to pry Bert away is going to have to spend a pretty penny buying out his contract. How many pro teams are in that position to be able to afford such a move?
I think that's exactly why Astana are taking such a hard line. They need money, and Bert is worth a ton of it. I still think Bert leaves, even if he has to buy himself out.
1st stage starts today. 4.8km prologue around Assen's motorcycling grand prix circuit. One for Cancellara, definitely.
I actually have no idea who's going to win it this year around, hopefully that'll make for a more exiting race. Take your pick from Sanchez, Valverde, Basso, Gesink, Kreuziger, Zubeldia, Rodriguez, Mosquera etc. The likes of Evans, Vino, Cunego and the Schleck brothers claim they aren't riding for the GC but we will have to wait and see how things pan out. They might decide to change their minds if they find themselves in a good position.
1. Cancellara 5:20 2. Boonen 5:29 3. Farrar 5:32 4. Mouris 5.34 5. Bennati 5.36 6. Kreuziger 5.37 7. Vinokourov 5.38 8. Basso 5.38 9. Valverde 5.38 10. Bodnar 5.39 No real suprises there, a lot of the sprinters did well on this pan-flat course. Most of the main GC men came in pretty close to each other. (Edit) Full results now in. Good efforts from both Vino and Basso, didn't expect either one of them to finish so high up.
I'm pulling for Chris Horner for some reason. We old guys have to stick together plus he's had some very good form aside from some untimely crashes. He's also climbs well and this course should suit him.
That would be awesome, if a bit farfetched. I'm guessing Basso. Really I'd like to see Farrrrarrrrr take a few stages. Other than that, I'd just like to watch an exciting race.
Speaking of Horner, he's doing a blog for the Vuelta. I always like reading about what these things are like from an insider's perspective.
I'll be checking the blog. Horner is a bit far fetched but he does have the abilities plus he's the Astana leader for this race so while a long shot it could happen.
Too bad Farrar couldn't get the stage. His sprint was a bit disappointing today. Good to know I have Universal Sports.
I think that has to do with the fact that sprints nowadays are so controlled by certain teams. Sprinters lacking the support of teammates might just only get one chance to have a go at it. As a consequence, they end up looking a bit silly. On the other hand, what kind of choice do they have? BTW. Did you guys saw how Columbia managed to halt the advance of Garmin during the run-up to the sprint?
Henderson (Cloumbia) gets the stage. Farrar is 11th. # 1. Greg Henderson Team Columbia - High Road # 2. Borut Bozic Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at m.t. # 3. Óscar Freire Rabobank at m.t. # 4. André Greipel Team Columbia - High Road at m.t. # 5. William Bonnet Bbox Bouygues Telecom at m.t. # 6. Tom Boonen Quick Step at m.t. # 7. Roger Hammond Cervelo Test Team at m.t. # 8. Wouter Weylandt Quick Step at m.t. # 9. Stuart O'grady Team Saxo Bank at m.t. # 10. Jurgen Roelandts Silence-Lotto at m.t.
GC # 1. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Team Saxo Bank # 2. Greg Henderson (NZL) Team Columbia - High Road at 06 # 3. Gerald Ciolek (GER) Team Milram at 08 # 4. Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step at 09 # 5. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream at 12 # 6. Jens Mouris (NED) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at 14 # 7. Lars Boom (NED) Rabobank at 16 # 8. Daniele Bennati (ITA) Liquigas at 16 # 9. Roman Kreuziger (CZE) Liquigas at 17 # 10. David GarcÍa (ESP) at 18
Columbia were lucky that they were at the front. Greipel gets the win. Columbia get 3 of the top 4. They are still checking if the crash was within 3km Bogus way to end the stage.