Water Carrier

I can't tell you how much I hate reading cyclist's blogs about how they did in their last race.  I mean seriously post some pictures of yourself and tell all of us how much you love you.  I'm tired of just the total self love out there, and really, if you are gonna write about you, you might as well tell the truth.  What happens in races and what gets transformed into words seems to take a transformation that just does not seem to equal the sum of the parts.  I'm not throwing stones at anyone in particular, I'm just being general.  Truth in journalism, I mean blogs.

With that being said... I raced this race the other day, and I was so awesome I was asked on the spot to become PRO and race in Europe.  Just like that.  True story.  Then I woke up realized I had been asleep and decided to make some coffee and breakfast.  I did race a race the other day for the first time in, a long time.  It was a un-retirement ,it's not that I retired -I just have not had the time or money.  Wait for it, it is coming... the point to this.  Don't skip ahead and spoil the ending.  You silly monkey.

Can't tell you how good it felt to turn blood into acid, lungs into barbed wire, and legs into cement.  I love that feeling of turning ones-self inside out, because one can.  It is not a self-loathing torment, but rather a rendering of ones soul on a physical level that has the power to heal.  The true feeling of goodness is when you do this with people you share a common bond, or a common jersey and bibs.  I'm talking about my teammates.  Teammates that work and suffer together for a common purpose.  Selfless teammates that know, that understand what they need to do to accomplish greatness.

Cycling is not a stick and ball sport.  Cycling is about teammates working together so that only one can claim victory.  Yes, there is only one First Place, and there can be only one winner.  Why would you enter a race and not try and win?  Who does this?  That is just so stupid not to try and win every time you toe the line.  I feel that there is no explanation as to why I would work rather than win, but it is an argument waiting to happen.  Eddy Merckx once said that a Belgian child knows more about cycling than the United States does collectively.  There is some truth to that.  There are Stars and there are Water carriers.  The true power lies in knowing which one you are.

I'm gonna flip it on you this time... in life you need to know for what or who you are working.  Going for the Win might mean different things to different people.  Knowing your station in life and doing that job to the best of your ability is true LIVIN'.  You are not what you do...

 "you are not the contents of your wallet." -Tyler  FC

Ronde van Vlaanderen recap

Let me start off by saying that Ronde van Vlaanderen was everything that I had wanted and then some.  Not to say that I wanted Fabian to crash out with injuries, I wanted the battle to be one of pedals turned in anger.  Tom even said that it would have been better to win with Fabian still upright.  Seeing Langeveld collide with what was surly a tourist, a Belgian would have know better, was sickening.  His front wheel exploded off the fork and was sent tumbling.  Except for the carnage and injury, this was a beautiful race and a fantastic ending.

I would love to say that Boonen was my "pick", but I was never bold enough to come out and choose my favorite.  I did want him to win, so I guess it is a win win situation for me.  Omega Pharma QuickStep is a Classics force, always have been, and put three riders in the top ten.  Steegmans, Chavanel, Terpstra all rode an incredible race in support of Tom and made it his to lose.  At one point I thought that if Tom faltered, Terpstra was sitting in a pretty good position to take over.  And, my boy Chavanel was so impressive yesterday, he and Boonen look to have kissed and made up.  Last year Chavanel looked stronger than Tom, but yet had to ride in support.  Yeah, that would make any mortal angry.  All is good in the OPQS camp and the cross-hairs are set on Roubaix.

I have always been a fan of Pipo, but he has been very unimpressive the past few years.  This year he has found that new spark and seems to be riding better than of old.  Pozzato was a negative racer in the past and would just place himself in Tom's pocket or just become a shadow.  As of late he looks to have changed his style and seems to be taking more risk.  He is still shadowing Tom, but isn't everyone?

I bad-mouthed Ballan just a few days ago and now have to eat my words, his move became the winning move.  BMC is less than stellar and Ballan has been part of the lack-luster.  Yesterday was the exception.  Ballan and teammates looked to be riding in support of the once stellar Gillbert who never materialized.  Van Avermaet has always impressed me and yesterday once again I think BMC is riding for the wrong guys.  Yes he is young, but he can ride.  Let him loose and ride for this guy already, he will win you races.  He finished just off the podium behind Ballan.  I'll give BMC a little credit for getting a podium and fourth.

1	Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	6:04:33
2	Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
3	Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team	0:00:01
4	Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team	0:00:38
5	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale
6	Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
7	Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha Team
8	Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
9	Matti Breschel (Den) Rabobank Cycling Team
10	Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
11	Grégory Rast (Swi) Radioshack-Nissan
12	Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Katusha Team
13	Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
14	Björn Leukemans (Bel) Vacansoleil-Dcm Pro Cycling Team
15	Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha Team

Can't forget the likes of Peter Sagan.  22yrs old and a horse, a really strong fast horse.  He looked really strong, might have been a little tired from racing most of last week.  Liquigas doesn't have much of a Classics support team (besides Ted) that can really do work for this kid.  Put a OPQS like team around Sagan and he would crush, or should I say will crush.  Tommy Voeckler.  Where did this guy come from?  Is he still on form from last year?  You have to love Voeckler for his bdassery, this guy is tenacious.  It was good to see him doing work, and then get a top ten.

One of my dark horse favorites, Leukemans was able to squeeze out a top 15.  Gregory Rast of Radioshack was the only bright star for them after Fabian went down with injury.  Rast is one to watch out for the next couple of weeks.  Always always good to see Freire battling it out, he and Paolini could be dangerous.  Big losers on the day have to be Sky.  All that firepower and nothing to show for it.  EBH?  Where are you pal?  With Cav out of the line-up, throw Bernie a bone and work for that guy.  I don't think we will ever know the true strength of Bernie the super domestique.  Heck work for Flecha, that guy can finish when put in the set-up.  Garmin?  We are going to work for Vanmarcke.  You guys have problems, putting Tyler in the early break?  Why?  If I saw Tyler in a break I would not have my team work. Useless.  You work for Vanmarcke and Haussler finishes better, you work for Haussler and Vanmarcke-Vansummeren finish better.  ????????? Come together on this and get a team of monkeys to formulate a plan.

Is it tornado season?

Tommeke is looking good.  Fabian says that Tom is the favorite for Ronde and Tom says that Fabian is the one to beat.  Taking a look at the top 15 from Sunday's Gent - Wevelgem

1	Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quickstep	5:32:44
2	Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale
3	Matti Breschel (Den) Rabobank Cycling Team
4	Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Katusha Team
5	Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
6	Daniele Bennati (Ita) Radioshack-Nissan
7	Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
8	Steve Chainel (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat
9	Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
10	Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar Team
11	Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Garmin-Cervelo
12	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) GreenEdge Cycling Team
13	Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Radioshack-Nissan
14	Christian Knees (Ger) Sky Procycling	0:00:03
15	Jon Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi	0:00:04

There are some pretty stand out names in this list.  Three time World Champ Freire has gone back in time and found his legs.  Sagan is a hoss, he an Cancellara made what now looks like a stupid move, if it had gone the other way they would have looked brilliant.  But for Sagan to challenge for the win is true testament to the strength of this rider.  This guy is in his 20's.  Sick.  Breschel, finally on a team that will use him the way he should be used, doesn't hurt that he is Dutch on a Dutch team, now does it?  Earth calling Garmin.  Vansummeren is the real deal when it comes to the Classics.  Yes, he may be 8' tall and look like the missing link (wait that's Ten Dam) he is tall, and can ride a bike in the roughest toughest conditions.  Who's the man now?  That brings me to one of my favorites, Pipo.  Pozzato has struggled the last few years with team issues injury and too many tattoos.  Looked like he was going to repeat the cycle this year with his broken collarbone just last month.  Dude went under the knife is back on the bike and is looking to come into form, -with a hand full of top tens in his pocket. 

Gent was a great race, would have liked to see it whittled down to a smaller group, or have the break stick it.  Anyway what a race.  People are saying how strong Tom is right now, I do not disagree, but is he?  Tom is older, and I think that he is riding so much smarter plus he is such a strong rider to begin.  This is a deadly combo.  Brains and brawn.  Let's not discount the fact that he has a team around him that is so dangerous, anyone of them could go up the road and beat you.  Tom was not the strongest rider at Gent, I think it was Sagan, but he rode a very smart race, got lucky in the sprint and came out with a three time win.  Sound the sirens there is a tornado coming.

Can't wait for the weekend and Ronde van Vlaanderen.  Watching Three Days of De Panne Stage 1 right now with 40km to go.  These guys are taking turns punching each other in the face up the climbs.  Oh, how I love the Classics.

IMDO

We are elbow deep in the Classics season and the big monuments are just around the corner.  Yes, everyone is sucking at the teat of Paris - Roubaix, and fail to see the beautiful brutality of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Gent Wevelgem, E3 Harelbeke, and Dwars door Vlaanderen.  Don't get me wrong and all misquoted, I love Roubaix with the Trouée d'Arenberg, and all the sectors of cobble.  BUT.  I'm a big fan of the quick steep climbs, muurs, bergs, whatever you wish to bestow upon them.  It's Belgium.  It's cycling at it's toughest.  It is so beautiful and brutal.

I am a fan of the dark horse, or more importantly the work horse.  Last year Vansummeren winning was poetic, and Nuyens crossing the line first made me a believer in my own religion.  Breakaways that stick, the solo that gets away...this is The Classics.  Terpstra won at Dwars just the other day.  Not a superstar.  Love it.  Did you see the winning move?  Was it when he got in the break or when he attacked his breakaway companions?  You tell me.  Bunch sprints are for Grand Tours, Classics are supposed to be won by men who have not broken or have been broken the least.  This is a hardman's race.  Today was E3, and a Tom Boonen won it out of the bunch, a small bunch that had been whittled down, strung out, and broken down.  Tommeke almost got taught a tough lesson by Freire at the line.  Don't get caught sleeping and don't celebrate too soon.  Wake up Tom and throw the bike, you got lucky this time.  Millimeters lucky. 

BMC.  What the ____ guys?  Superstar team my____.  What a bunch of overpaid comfortable well fed, okay I've got to stop there.  I know BMC has a winner on their squad, and his name is... Greg.  Don't scratch your head.  Greg Van Avermaet.  Kid can outride anyone on that team, just give him the chance put those "superstars" to work for him and you will have a magic show that you can take to Vegas.  Gilbert, what the heck happened there?  Too much money and now you can't pedal a bike?  Ballan, I don't even know what to say about Ballan, when he had the Rainbow Stripes he only won like a second tier race.  Now what?  Thor, are you just getting too old?  Or are you on the wrong team?  This guy is a Green Jersey machine and an all around bdass, but where did he put his cape?  George, I love you George.  Drop some knowledge on these fools and get them to work.  Hang up the cleats and get in the car and win some races with the real talent on this team.

Why why why is Garmin squandering their talent?  Vansummeren can win races, go to work for him.  Sep Vanmarcke is also a great talent that is being overshadowed by lesser riders.  Let 'em loose and see what they can do.  They can work in the Grands, but let them have their day in the Classics on their home soil.  Haussler, the man with a nationality confusion, are you German-Australian, Australian-German, or just Australian?  Just ride your dang bike already.  We know you have the ability, or you lost it drinking and driving, and changing nationalities. 

Don't know how many time I have to say it, but Chavanel needs to have his leash cut and given full gas.  Let him go, he has proven his loyalty time and time again when victory was in sight.  Green light this guy, stop making me yell at the screen and get all angry.  It is so frustrating to see him pulled from a break to come back and help Tom.  Love Tommeke, but give Chavanel his due.  Give him Roubaix.   I have to say that OPQS is my new favorite team.  Brian Holm is in the car, 'nuff said.

Cancellara.  Is he beatable?  Did you see him get taken out today?  What was that?  Then some dude stole his front wheel.  You will burn in a very hot place for that one.  Fabian gets taken out during a wheel change gets up back on the bike and chases back on.  He even passes his teammate that came back for him, drug him back up to the bunch.  I'm not a fan of Cancellara, but this guy scares me anytime he toes the line.  Said I was not a fan, didn't say that I did not have much respect for the guy. R E S P E C T. 

Guys to watch in the Classics.  Vacansoleil's Devolder, Leukemans, and Hoogerland are tough as nails.  Devolder is one of my favorites, although he has done nothing in the past few years.  Once a teammate of Boonen, he was the Champ of Belgium and a winner of Ronde van Vlaanderen.  I still have hopes for him.

Leif Hoste of Accent Jobs-Willems very very very dark horse, but could surprise.  Or Not.  In other news Jens Voigt is racing Criterium International for like the 100th time, as of this morning he is in 12th.  You know he can taste it, he has won this race like six or seven times???

Racing 'Cross -fun?

This is not a race report.

Since I built up my frame and turned my first laps at practice I have been undecided about my feelings toward cyclo-cross.  I think it has to do with not having the intensity in my legs that I have in the past, and not being used to the pain and suffering.  As if you ever get used to pain and suffering.  I have a good enough imagination and knack for words that I could probably come up with about 200+ excuses for why I can't, why I don't, or why I'm so freaking slow.  I'm not going to insult your intelligence.

'Cross requires an engine that has to be run in the red all the time.  I do not have that kind of engine.  You know what, I don't really care that much.  This time of year I am in chill mode, which means railing single-track on the mtb and just riding for fun.  Not like I have a training program that I follow, but especially this time of year it is only riding.  Now that I have thrown 'cross into the ring there is this temptation to get all crazy into racing and training.  I don't want to lose sight of what the big picture is, and it is after all...to have fun.

I have great teammates and friends that keep me with my head on straight.  No, they really don't, but what they do...is make sure I am having fun.  That is why we are on a team and that is why we ride bikes together.  Do my teammates care if I win or if I come in last.  Yes, they care that I have a good time.  I like to do good, don't get me wrong I would like to win a race, but winning is not my motivation.  The process is better than the end result.  Riding a bike with friends and teammates is more important than the podium.

Standing on the podium is brief, but the process that gets one to that position is what matters.  My teammate destroyed the field and stood on the top step today.  He deserved it.  I have been struggling with 'cross, and today was no different.  Suffering, pain, and fun.  That's right I had fun today, I lined up dead last 1) because I am learning 2) I wanted to see how many people I could pick off.  In the process I suffered, I felt pain, I had fun, and I got to race with my teammates.  And this folks is what it is all about.

TdF Stage 15

Quatre!!!


Yes!  I asked for it, competition on the sprint stages.  The intermediate sprint was no different than a sprint finish.  How cool is that?  I love when it gets crazy, and I really like it when Cav has some competition.  It only makes for awesome racing, we are talking edge of the seat, yelling at the TV, beer drinking ruckus racing.  Not your everyday boring Golf Channel snooze on the couch with a Zima and Jolly Rancher.

Cav holds off Tyler for his fourth win of this Tour and picks up his 19th.  Breaking hearts, winning races, and breaking records.  Love to hate this guy, Hate to love this guy, but you better Respect.  He has the team that can stomp you into a million pieces, and then he will pip you at the line, or better yet he will beat you by a mile.

Time to take a rest.  Voeckler is in yellow and claims that he can't win le Tour.  Really?  I'm not so sure, this guy is tough as a weathered catcher's mitt.  This is such an awesome Tour to watch.  I am so impressed with the spectacle that is le Tour de France.

TdF Stage 14

Who?

I have to start off by saying I'm sorry to Thomas Voeckler for not mentioning what a b'dass he is.  The former National Champ of France is riding like a man possessed with, well his former self from a few years ago when Lance had to grind and claw every second he could to pry the yellow jersey from Voeckler.  Has everyone underestimated Thomas just as Lance did?  Voeckler can ride a bike, he may not be the most picturesque of climbers but the man can descend like an avalanche -and he will leave devastation in his wake.  Since his stint in the Yellow a few years ago he has been know as a stage hunter or breakaway artist, and if you want a dictionary definition of what he does best check out the last stage of Paris-Nice 2011.  Rainy nasty hilly, oh and cold.  Thomas is for real and by real I mean this guy is hardened dolomite.

Jelle Vanendert
Growing up in Texas I don't have the best pronunciation skills so his name comes out something like: Jello Van in the Dirt.  I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.  No, Who is this guy again?  And, Wow what a performance he just laid down.  I will admit, I was waiting for him to blow into a million pieces about 5k to go.  Where has Omega been keeping this guy?  Did they just make him in the lab or something?  Nonetheless I am impressed and will keep an eye on this guy, could be a one hit wonder.

The GC guys were a little less animated on this stage.  I waited and waited for Andy and Frank to take off the gloves and start pimp slapping, but it never materialized.  Andy put in a dig in the end, but it only netted him a few seconds, it looked cool, but was not quite a stage stopper.  Contador looked a lot better than stage 12 when he was punched in the face by the Schlecks -repeatedly.  Basso was doing some work, WHY?  Evans looks like he is on a mission, a mission with a plan and he is sitting pretty.  Don't forget that Cadel can TT and can take a lot of time out of the Schlecks, Basso, and Sanchez.  Game on.

TdF Stage 13

Lucky #13 is his ninth stage win.

One word... THOR, 'nuff said.

We talked about this guy when we were all amazed that he could keep the yellow jersey when the roads started to go up.  I think we are so used to seeing Thor in sprints and in the Classics that we forget that he can ride his bike.  The guy can ride, period.  He is super strong, one might say mythically strong, he is named after the god of  thunder.  Respect.  Respect is what we need when we speak of Thor.  We all know that he can drill it in the mountains, he did it two years ago in le Tour when he went rogue and clinched the Green Jersey.

I am a fan of the guy, plus you have to love it when the Rainbow Jersey wearer does it justice by crossing the line first.  I mean here is the world champ tearing it up, wearing the yellow jersey and winning stages.  Can you ask anymore of the Champ?  Not going to mention any names, but there have been a few World Champs that failed the jersey and seemed to cheapen the position.  Thor has done the opposite, he has brought great honor to the Jersey.  Awesome.

I do have to say poor Jeremy Roy.  I am a fan of the Breakaway.  Realized or Failed you have to love what these guys do.  What do they do?  Well for starters they ride darn near full gas for nearly the whole stage, if that is not enough some do it solo.  Jens said that you have to try, if you don't try you have no chance to succeed.  I also like that fact that having someone up the road the peloton has to go fast to make the catch.  So back to Roy, this kid is aggressive, trying to get TV time for FDJ and some notoriety for himself, and just possibly a stage win.  How can you not love the spirit that these guys have, knowing that they have a 1% chance that killing themselves will end in victory.  99% chance that they will finish mid pack at best after getting caught with 5-10k to go.  That takes big brass ones.

TdF Stage 12

Mountains -Tourmalet

You got to love the mountains, and today was the first stage with the big ones.  This is when the favorites come out to play, the selection is made, and the marking starts.  Well, at least Frank and Andy put on a little show that I loved every second.  I have grown bored of the GC's sitting and marking each other, if I wanted to watch a staring contest I would go to the local elementary school.  I know these guys are probably so evenly matched that if you show your @ss, you are probably going to pay for it.

Not taking away from the Olympic Champ, but Frank's move was awesome, a worthy attack that was set up perfectly by his brother and multiple gauging attacks.  The ole one-two rope-a-dope set to perfection by the brothers Schleck.  I am impressed with Evans' ability, or is it form?  He looks comfortable and not like he is about to blow up at any second.  I think Cadel is playing the game and he is holding more cards than the other players, he's not going to show what he has and he sure as heck not going to play any right now.

Basso is not a name we have talked about much since his fall from grace.  I named my dog Basso if that gives you any indication of what I thought about him before his brush with the long arm of the UCI law.  Anyway, Basso is looking good, but, and it is a big but, he has no support in the mountains.  He is naked out there, and that is really not a good look on a bike.

Contador, man I love to throw stones at this guy, I know this makes me low class, guess that is the price I pay.  Ok, I will be positive.  He won the Giro, that's about all I got.  I can't figure out if he is done or if he is just playing possum right now?  As much as I don't like him he is talented, and Riis is super smart.  I'm not counting him out yet, there is a lot of racing left.  A lot.

TdF Stage 11

Boom rhymes with home, for real look it up.

Lars BOOM! Not like the noise a bomb makes, but like the sound of a perfectly executed attack.  Boom!!!  How cool would it have been for this CX rider to take a stage of le Tour?  I was yelling for him to stick it, but the peloton was just not going to let him go.  HTC had marching orders from Cav, who was edged out the day before by the German Gorilla.  Cav was looking for a little in your face, thanks for playing, but I am looking for some green, the W will be mine.

Greipel sat on Cav's wheel waited for him to go, launched and came up just a little short.  Once again, what would these finishes look like if Omega would provide a train for Andre?  I would love to see the fireworks that would consume the finish line if these two when head to head with equal lead outs.  Take a moment and think about it.  Nice, right?

Really, I want more competition in the sprints.  We have some incredible talent, but HTC is the only team that is remotely exploiting the team train concept.  How freaking strong is HTC?  Danny Pate was an excellent pick-up for HTC, this guy is a motor of punishment.  Lars Bak shares the work with Danny and they pretty much drive the whole peloton.  How the heck can these two GO day-in-day-out full gas?  Somebody check their passports, 'cause they are not human.  So impressive.  Lets not forget the "help" that Tejay, Peter, and Tony put in at the run into the finish.  Check it, these three are GC guys and they are -doing work.  Last but not least Cav has the best lead-out men in the business, men that are capable of winning stages on their own, but prefer to lay it down for their man.  Mark Renshaw and Matt Goss.  These two are two of the fastest men in professional cycling.  That's right I said it, why? Because it's true.

TdF Stage 10

Rivals

The two former teammates once again get a chance to go head to head and this time the German Gorilla gets one on the Manx Missile.  I am a Cavendish fan, but Andre looks pretty strong.  Give that man a proper lead out train and we would have some interesting sprinting.  Omega Lotto has always hung their sprinters out in the wind to fend for themselves, just ask Robbie Mc... only if you have the time and don't mind a few expletives.

Is there really such a giant rivalry?  I'm sure Greipel is not a big fan of Cav, since he is the sole reason that this is Andre's first Tour de France.  Cav really has the upper hand when it comes to Tour wins, Greipel does have several W's to his credit, he is no slouch.  I'm not totally sure that Omega Lotto was the best choice for a sprinter looking for a sprint supportive team, plus they have Gilbert, who is not a sprinter per say but is their cash cow.  Oh, yeah he is from Belgium, The Gorilla is German.  What you gonna do?

I have to say that Johnny Hoogerland is awesome, just try and dispute that.   If your name is Michael Smith and you work for ESPN you should do the world a favor and keep your ignorance a secret.  Stick to the teleprompter and only read what others have told you, please for the love of all things holy do not ever let people know what you are really thinking...Because Sir you are an unbelievably incredible ignoramus. Sorry did not mean to leave out Juan Antonio Flecha, because you are awesome also.

TdF Stage 9

Cover the kid's eyes, we have gore and partial nudity

First off I have to say that whenever you mix cars and bikes in any situation it is never a good thing.  Next, what and the heck was that Idiot (best French accent I can muster) doing?  Cars Kill.  Yes, we all see these Pros on their machines and we think that they are gods, but they most assuredly are mortal.  Or, maybe they are immortal except for when it comes to cars.  Seriously save the Champagne for the last stage, FranceTV.  Drinking and driving are bad.  I wanted to see Voeckler win just as much as the next FrenchTV Spanish hating homi-auto-cidal person, but taking out Flecha (with a car) is no way to help your man win a race.  Above all else it is not very sporting.

How sickening was it to watch Flecha bounce of the front quarter-panel and then helplessly slide just out of the way of the 1200lb death machine?  Better yet, let's toss a guy into the ditch, no how about we put a fence in there to break his fall?  Hoogerland stuck in the fence like a tuna in a net just waiting to be pulled aboard, was nausea at it's best.  I can't believe that Johnny didn't lose an appendage in that fall, I'm talking about my favorite appendage.  He did lose his bibs, blood and maybe some dignity. 

At least they stayed in the race, we will see if they start on Tuesday.  Some were a little less unfortunate.  Vino took a nasty (horribly nasty) flip and fall over a guardrail into some trees where he broke his pelvis.  Ouch.  Hate him or not, you still have to feel bad for the guy.  Van Den Broeck crashed out.  He was Omega's #1 and was only 0:0:39 down.  Omega also lost Frederik Willems, who is a huge workhorse for the Belgian team.  One who I am sorely going to miss is Dave Z.  Zabriskie was involved in the big pile-up and broke his wrist.  Dave has been killing it on the front and animating this race.  He and Danny Pate were like the American wrecking crew, pulling in breakaways almost at will.  You know Danny is going to miss him.  After Zabriskie's crash he tweeted "So be it..." I'm not sure what that means, well to be honest I don't know what most of what Dave says, means.  Love ya' Dave hope to see you in CO.

So after FrenchTV took out Flecha and Hoogerland that left Voeckler, Sanchez, and Casar to duke it out.  Sanchez played the Frenchmen and had the freshest legs he took Voeckler for the win.  I'm going to have to deduct coolness points from Sanchez for his "sucking the thumb" victory.  Buy a full length mirror and practice your V's on a trainer, or better yet just phone a friend.  A good buddy will tell you when you look a fool.  Gilbert once again attacked the group on the final pitch up and drilled it.  Nice.

Anyone see Contador fall on the left side of the road?  Did he wheel rub?  Was he "helped" into the ditch by another rider?  Better yet, did you see his teammate turn around and then just keep on going as if nothing happened?  What about no one pacing him back into the peloton?  Is his team as sick of him as I am?

TdF Stage 8

The God of Thunder is Yellow, but he ain't no chicken.

What the heck?  How awesome is Thor?  He put in such a good ride, we are talking about riding way outside of his normal bunch sprint in the finale, or are we?  Thor is not your normal run of the mill sprinter, he is a though-man's tough man.  One word:  Roubaix.  What about the attack that Thor put in two years ago at le Tour that put him in green?  If you recall it was a little bumpy that day, and I'm not talking about the road.  So to see Thor in the yellow this long really should be no surprise, plus it is one of the best tributes to the Rainbow Jersey wearer.

Van Garderen is awesome.  22yrs of age in his first appearance at le Tour and he pulls on the "dots" of the KOM.  In my best Jens' voice:  How cool is that?  Tejay was relentless in attacking his breakaway companions, and in the end the only one who could pick up what he was laying down was the stage winner Costa.

Gilbert is in no way backing down, he is pretty amazing to watch when the line is perched on a steep incline.  It just seems that he owns hard finishes.  Point it toward the sky, light it on fire, put monkeys with lasers, and some clowns on unicycles, he will still find a way to win or finish strong.

FYI: my post of stage 6 is really stage 7, somehow I skipped stage 6, I went from stage 5 right into 7.  Too much riding out in the heat, or too many man sodas?

Stage 6 was won my EBH of Sky, sorry but that's all I got to say about that. -Forest

TdF Stage 6

Carnage part Duex

I had a team of monkeys up all night working on facts and figures, but they went on strike.  So, that being said I don't have any stats, bear with me -any facts quoted are probably incorrect by + or - 100%.  It doesn't take a rocket surgon to know that once Cav and HTC get the first one that the others will come, almost at will.  HTC is gunning for the Green.  They have been training it up for the intermediate sprint, how cool is that?  It's like two sprints a stage.  I'm a fan.  Gilbert lost his jersey to Rojas, who he took it from earlier.  Turn about is fair play.

First heartbreak of the day came when Tom had to abandon and was seen getting into the team car.  I like Tom and really miss seeing him work magic in the sprints. (yeah, like three years ago)  Then Wiggo hit the deck and hung it up with a broken collarbone.  Not a super huge fan, more of a fan when he was killing the track and TTs.  I do feel for him, having to abandon and being broken is probably an emotional dark place that most of us don't have a clue.

Can RadioShack not catch a break, bad choice of words.  Levi gets caught up in the big crash, but the big story is Horner crashing into the ditch motionless.  If that isn't crazy enough, dude gets back on the bike, visits with the race Dr. and finishes the race.  "Did I finish?"  Little scrambled brain with a side of toast?  Horner was looking so good, -understatement of the year.  Man I wanted Horner and Levi in there to mix it up.

I do not wish harm upon anyone, that would be horrible of me, but how did Alberto miss out on the carnage?  I am looking for some karma of epic proportions.  I am praying that he breaks a chain or has a mechanical, something anything.  -Is that wrong?

TdF Stage 5

Carnage

I heard something like 10 crashes?  Wow, not cool.  I hate watching bike wrecks, in person or on TV.  It's horrible when you hear one, carbon scraping pave, the sound of grinding.  It's even worse when you see one ahead of you or next to you.  Pucker factor 11.  I've been fortunate to have not been involved in too many crashes, now I've jinxed myself.  I better invest in some bandages.  Crashing is inevitable it will happen, it is a reality that you accept anytime you throw a leg over a top tube.  Can you remember how many times you fell over when you first got clip-less pedals?  How embarrassing -when you do it in a crowd on a group ride, or at a stoplight.

Cavo broke the seal, so now it is time to make it rain.  He did what he does best, win races.  Gilbert gave him a nice run, but did not have the six speed transmission that Cavendish seems to have when he is "On".  Doubt Cav, but don't question if he is going to win, only ask when.  HTC has not been real consistent with their lead-out so far this Tour.  If they get the train on the tracks Cav will be unstoppable.  The race for the Green Jersey is starting to look like it is going to be a good one.  This new format of one intermediate sprint with big points on the line, and the finish heavily weighted, has made for entertaining results and a race for points like no other. Boonen just made the cut, but Janez was carried off in an ambulance. Tough stage only due to the massive amounts of human and mechanical mishaps. Oh, yeah Levi, who was sitting pretty had a little tumble with a guardrail and lost about a min. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

TdF Stage 4

I call "BS"!

I'm not buying it.  I think little Al took a page from Lance's playbook and put in an Oscar worthy performance.  You have to give it to the little weasel, he attacks to draw out his competition is able to size them up, and then acts as if he doesn't have it.  This puts doubt in the minds of the contenders and they might just get caught sleeping if they think el pistolero is not 100%.  Chuck D said "don't believe the hype".

By the way BS stands for Beautiful Sprint, Cadel.  As they say is your part of the world -good on ya.  One, I really didn't think Cadel was that type of rider, and then he went and won the Rainbow Jersey a year ago, switched teams to BMC, which I thought was more about the money than about "a plan".  Two, BMC is for real, at best they were a very competitive Continental team, and somehow in the last few months they have turned into a Grand Tour contender.  I'm impressed and I think I might be turning into a fan -more on that later.

It was billed as a sprint stage, and then they took that back and said it was a climber's finish, I looked at the profile and was a little curious as to what was going to happen.  I wanted to see Gilbert grab another one as a from me to me birthday present, but it was not to be.  I'm pretty sure I could try and put into words what happened in the final k's but watching it for yourself is much better.  Look it up and you be the judge.

I've got my eye on the little fake finger gun pointing punk.  Mark my words, Al is not done yet, oh I wish he was.  I read somewhere about not booing the poor little guy, my opinion is that if you have an opinion you should be able to voice that opinion and if it happens to sound like a boo, then so be it.  Sport's stars are in the public and are subject to public opinion.  So, if you want to boo, boo.

TdF Stage 3

Happy 4th of July America and Tyler got you a stage win.

HTC ran out of team and Garm-elo timed it perfect and ended it with a W.  How classy is Tyler?  For the second time in two weeks he remembers his friend after crossing the line first.  I've busted Tyler's chops because Cav has had his number and was forever the bridesmaid.  I have to say that I am becoming a fan.  His stature has grown in my book since the loss of his friend in the Grio.  Tyler has class.  Tyler is class.

Yeah, so I am a big fan of the new sprint format.  It has only been around for two stages and it rocks.  Today's stage sprint was nice, well except for someone got their panties in a wad over Cav and Thor mixing it up.  Was it really that dangerous?  Thor was fighting for a wheel moved into Cav's line and Cav gave the God of Thunder a little Renshaw.  Well it was not like the trifecta that Renshaw unleashed, it was more of a "heavy" lean.  That's racing and they kept their hands on the bars.  Dangerous, you know what's dangerous -the people making these kinds of decisions.  Ignorance = danger.  I'm scared just thinking about these people being in charge.

Gutierrez gets my Jens trophy for today's stage.  That guy would not stop, he would attack, and then attack, and when it was all said and done he attacked again.  I like Movistar and would like to see them do something, anything. Rojas finished 3rd and pulled on the green.  This is a good start.

Hey where the heck is Tom Boonen?  He is sitting in 44th and has been nowhere in the sprints.  Come on Tom mix it up, for real do something.  Speaking of Quickstep, Sylvain Chavanel is just stages away from going on a flyer getting into a break and sticking it.  It's a bold prediction but it could happen.  Well I would like to see it happen.

Hey we are three stages into this thing and it is looking good so far.  I am excited and look forward to watching the replay of stage 4 tomorrow after work, so don't spoil it for me or anyone else.  If you do I will find you and annoy.  Just don't do it.

TdF Stage 2

Team Time Trial

For the record I picked HTC to take it, I was just a little off the mark.  Would they have done better if Bernie had not taken a little slip-and-fall action about 500m into the race?  I'm not saying that they would have won, but would they have placed better?  What about the boys in argyle?  Can they work a TTT over or what?  I thought they would have been top three or top five.  They were all work taking it to the line, and they looked good doing it, well it was funny seeing Thor in the KOM 'dots.  Phil and Paul were remarking how he was the KOM and this and that, I think the stat they should have talked up was the fact that Thor is probably the biggest rider to ever don the 'dots.  Now, there is a trivia question in the making.

BMC was not going to go away quietly, and they showed Garm-elo that they are not the only American team that can work a paceline.  Cadel was in good hands with efforts from Big George and Bookwalter, heck the whole team rode their guts out to put a little more time into Contador.  Speaking of Contador, I got a huge laugh at the booing that was going on out there, score one for the home crowd.  Good job out there letting that little punk know what you think, keep it up.  I love it.

Little punks, and now I am using punk as an affectionate term when I speak of Frank and Andy.  How many times did Paul and Phil say how bad the Schlecks are at TT?  Should have turned that one into a drinking game.  Drink up, he said it again.  Fabian took the whole Leopard team stuffed them into his jersey and rode a massive TTT.  I would have never picked them to do that well, color me surprised.  Good surprise.  I'm a fan and like to see them do well.

All in all it was nice to see the TTT back in le Tour, if the other Grands can include it why not le Tour?  As they say, it really does showcase how this is a team sport and stresses the importance of having a team that is good at all disciplines.  I got to ride in a 3-man TTT a month ago and it was probably one of my favorite races, even the couple of practice runs I did with my teammates was fun.  -and I hate TT, because I have the same problem as Frank and Andy...What was that again Phil?  That's right, I suck at it.  Drink up!!

TDF Stage 1

OMG

That stands for One More for Gilbert, I don't know what you were thinking??  What an awesome stage, classic first day of le Tour, we had the break go right at the start, Omega went to work to keep the leash short and then the catch.  Did I miss anything?  Oh, yeah Crashes, it is the first week of le Tour so the riders will take a few days to work out the nerves.

What's up with the new Sprint format?  How cool was it to have an all out team train intermediate sprint?  I say awesome job whoever came up with that, can't wait to see more, you know this is going to open up the Green Jersey competition and make it so much better than it already is.  Yeah, I'm a fan of the jersey competitions.  Tyler and his Garm-elo mates tore it up.  Keep up that kind of riding and this could be interesting.  Cavo looked like he was put out like yesterday's garbage.  After that poor showing look for HTC to turn it up to 11 or switch it over to Goss.

I have no sympathy for Contador and am glad that he lost time.  I have taken the stance that he should not be riding in le Tour because of his "implications".  Rasmussen was kicked out because of not knowing his geography, and several riders were not allowed to race two years ago because of knowing or having dealings-with a certain Dr.  So why do we allow someone to race even though there has been a positive test?  Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?  $Money$.  That's why.  [Pardon my French]  So Suck it Contador I hope you lose so much time you go backwards in history and take up golf.

Wow, after the big crash the selection was made and time was put into the gap.  Those teams who had good positioning went full gas.  BMC was paid dividends by having Cadel up front as was Omega, Leopard, and Radio Shack.  Sorry Saxo! Ha!  Once I saw Fabian attack I knew that it was over, turn off the TV fire up the internet.  Hold the phone, Gilbert followed and then dropped Spartacus.  There was no answer from the field until Cadel was able to break free from being boxed in, and he put in an attack that might have gone if he had been freed up earlier.  Gilbert has the magic when it comes to up-hill sprint finishes winning 12 of the last sixteen races he has entered.  Not a bad stat to carry around.  I must say, completely biased opinion, that seeing the Belgian tri-color come across first was beautiful.  Not a bad way to celebrate winning the national camps -winning your first race in your country's colors.

Of Note:
You might have seen the crash where the riders were pointing out some road furniture and then the Omega rider hits the speed bump and ends up on the tarmac.  That was Jurgen Van De Walle.  He gets up off the ground, patched up and then goes back to the front of the peloton,  and then puts in work and works and works.  How long was Jurgen on the front?  Really?  Impressive.  I have a new favorite super domistique.  Jurgen gets my Jens trophy for the day.

Cutlery

Across the pond in the land of all things pasta Cavendish put another notch on the toptube.  I have pretty much given up on the Giro now that Alberto is a min up on Sivtsov (HTC) second place and Nibali (Liquigas) is 1:21 down in third.  I'm so done with the Giro, Please for the love of all things cycling Please would someone else Please win this or at least get him out of the Miglia Rosa so I don't have to see his stupid face on the podium every day.  No, really that is how I feel.  I'm gettin a little sick just picturing him on the podium fake-shooting people.  Great, just threw up in my mouth.  Stick a fork in this one...it's done, well done.  Or is that over-done?

Once again if it were not for the excellent racing going on right here in the states, the people in white coats would have to come and pad my walls and take away all my sharps.  I would have stabbed my eyes out with a butter knife long ago having to witness the unholy act of Contador on the podium day in and day out.  Horner lit it up yesterday and I have that burned into the memory dvr in my head and have been playing it over and over.  And, Yes, it puts a smile on my face every time I see him out-of-the-saddle dropping everyone and killing it to the end.  Smiley face wink.

Oscar Freire put on a show today, one that I would gladly pay admission.  En Fuego.  I enjoyed the sprint finish and was on the edge of the couch ready to jump, legs twitching, looking to head-butt or elbow anyone in my way.  Yeah I was in it to win it.  Even though I was so enamored with the sprint, I secretly was heart broken when the leadouts caught Freire.  I would have been just excited to see Oscar solo this stage.  The man owned it today, he took the first sprint, the first KOM, and then second on the fourth KOM.  He just needed the break to stick and solo it in for the glory.  That's why cycling is cycling.

If you don't follow me on Twitter, you might not know that I picked Tejay Van Garderen to win Cali.  I know, a little ambitious on my part -but you got to like this guy.  I'm a little torn with Horner leading this thing, I wouldn't mind seeing him take it on home.  Tejay is 2:05 down in 10th place, he has a decent TT and should move up higher in the top ten.  Also keep an eye on Andrew Talansky sitting in 12th, and Brent Bookwalter in 16th.  Bookwalter was in a crash at 5km to go and lost some precious time today.

I'm down to just spoons, they took all my forks and knives.  What's next my shoelaces?