Implosion of Team Astana

After learning that Team Astana's Co-Captain Alexandre Vinokourov had tested positive during a later stage in the Tour de France forced the team to remove themselves from the competition. It resulted in Vino's suspension and maybe firing from Astana. But now he is not the only rider that has tested positive from Team Astana. Kazahk Andrey Kashechkin now has also tested positive. His positive test result came from an out of competition test in which the positive test resulted from homologous blood doping. He was suspending and any further action will be taken once the team has received the results from his B sample test.

Another major blow to cycling

More and more blows are happening to this years Tour de France. Following Astana's withdrawal comes today's ejection of the yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen. Except today's ejection came from within the Rabobank management. Michael had made a mistake by violating his team rules. Supposedly he stated that he was on a vacation in Mexico and would miss two mandatory drug tests. But today a former rider has come forward and stated that he saw Michael in Italy during that time period. This violated Rabobank's rules and thus forced them to eject their leader. Now the yellow will be awarded to the 24 year old Alberto Contador from Team Discovery Channel. This also will advance Cadel Evans to second place and Levi Leipheimer is in third. This now places two riders from the Discovery Channel Team in the top three positions. It's looking good for Alberto he deserves this victory if he team allows him to become the leader.

Astana Out!! and the Results of stage 16

Once again steroids are back in the news. And this time it led to a whole team withdrawing from the race. This all happened after Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping in his b sample following his win of the 15th stage. The race officials now started putting pressure for Team Astana to withdrawal from the race. This was not the first time this year that a major contender has withdrawal from the tour. First is was Ivan Basso formally of Team Discovery Channel. I have not seen all the news yet this is all that I have heard today. But as soon as I see all the details I will place a post. Plus I have the results right now for today's stage. They were provided by velonews at velonews.com Also today Levi made his promised move to make a effort in the mountains. But his attack that also contained Alberto Contador was outed by the yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen.

Results - Stage 16 (Orthez Gourette - Col D’aubisque)
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 6:23:21
2. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 00:26
3. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 00:35
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 00:43
5. Mauricio Soler Hernandez Juan (Col), Barloworld, at 01:25
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 01:52
7. Jose Cobo Acebo Juan (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 01:54
8. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 02:12
9. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, at 02:27
10. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, at 02:27
11. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 03:11
12. David Arroyo (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 03:37
13. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC, at 04:42
14. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, at 05:32
15. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 06:02
16. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 06:06
17. Manuel Garate Juan (Sp), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 06:17
18. Manuel Beltran (Sp), Liquigas, at 06:36
19. David De La Fuente (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 07:05
20. Christopher Horner (Usa), Predictor - Lotto , at 07:05
21. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 07:11
22. Tadej Valjavec (Slo), Lampre-Fondital, at 07:15
23. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, at 07:23
24. Stephane Goubert (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 07:27
25. Charles Wegelius (GB), Liquigas, at 07:50
26. Patrice Halgand (F), Credit Agricole, at 08:00
27. Moises Duenas Nevado (Sp), Agritubel, at 08:31
28. Ivan Gutierrez José (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 08:48
29. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Caisse d'Epargne, at 08:50
30. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, at 09:13
31. Luis Arrieta Jose (Sp), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 09:42
32. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 10:11
33. Christian Vandevelde (Usa), CSC , at 10:11
34. Gorka Verdugo (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 10:14
35. Amets Txurruka (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 10:27
36. George Hincapie (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 17:08
37. Dmitriy Fofonov (Kz), Credit Agricole, at 17:08
38. Denis Menchov (Russia), Rabobank, at 18:30
39. Vladimir Gusev (Rus), Discovery Channel, at 20:02
40. Carlos Barredo (Sp), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 21:06
41. Cristian Moreni (I), Cofidis, at 21:06
42. Thomas Lövkvist (S), Francaise des Jeux, at 21:36
43. Patxi Vila Errandonea (Sp), Lampre-Fondital, at 21:36
44. Ruben Perez (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 21:36
45. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 21:36
46. Michael Albasini (Swi), Liquigas, at 21:36
47. Frederik Willems (B), Liquigas, at 21:36
48. Christophe Rinero (F), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 21:36
49. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 21:36
50. Xavier Florencio (Sp), Bouygues Telecom, at 21:36
51. Alexandre Botcharov (Rus), Credit Agricole, at 21:36
52. Iker Camano (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 21:36
53. Cédric Vasseur (F), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 21:36
54. Stéphane Auge (F), Cofidis, at 22:01
55. Sergio Paulinho (P), Discovery Channel, at 22:03
56. Inigo Cuesta (Sp), CSC, at 23:29
57. Vicente Garcia Acosta (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 27:30
58. Thomas Dekker (Nl), Rabobank, at 29:20
59. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 29:20
60. Dario Cioni (I), Predictor - Lotto, at 29:20
61. Linus Gerdemann (G), T-Mobile, at 29:20
62. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (N), CSC, at 29:20
63. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, at 29:20
64. Lilian Jegou (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 29:20
65. Johan Van Summeren (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 29:20
66. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 29:20
67. Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr), Liquigas, at 29:20
68. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 29:20
69. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 29:20
70. Jorge Azanza (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 29:20
71. Gianpaolo Cheula (I), Barloworld, at 29:42
72. Félix Cardenas (Col), Barloworld, at 29:42
73. Francisco Perez Sanchez (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 29:42
74. Nicolas Portal (F), Caisse d'Epargne, at 29:42
75. Alessandro Ballan (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 30:13
76. Daniele Bennati (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 30:13
77. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 37:03
78. Matthieu Ladagnous (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 41:49
79. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 41:49
80. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
81. Bernhard Eisel (A), T-Mobile, at 41:49
82. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, at 41:49
83. Alessandro Cortinovis (I), Milram, at 41:49
84. Julian Dean (Nz), Credit Agricole, at 41:49
85. Alexander Efimkin (Rus), Barloworld, at 41:49
86. Enrico Poitschke (G), Milram, at 41:49
87. Steven De Jongh (Nl), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 41:49
88. Paolo Bossoni (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 41:49
89. Martin Elmiger (Swi), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 41:49
90. Claudio Corioni (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 41:49
91. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 41:49
92. Sébastien Rosseler (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 41:49
93. Benjamin Noval Gonzalez (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 41:49
94. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
95. Marcel Sieberg (G), Milram, at 41:49
96. Ronny Scholz (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
97. Benoit Salmon (F), Agritubel, at 41:49
98. Miguel Mercado Juan (Sp), Agritubel, at 41:49
99. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Milram, at 41:49
100. John Gadret (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 41:49
101. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 41:49
102. Simon Gerrans (Aus ), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 41:49
103. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
104. Ralf Grabsch (G), Milram, at 41:49
105. Sébastien Hinault (F), Credit Agricole, at 41:49
106. Axel Merckx (B), T-Mobile, at 41:49
107. Mickaël Delage (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 41:49
108. Thor Hushovd (N), Credit Agricole, at 41:49
109. William Bonnet (F), Credit Agricole, at 41:49
110. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr), Barloworld, at 41:49
111. Bert Grabsch (G), T-Mobile, at 41:49
112. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 41:49
113. Staf Scheirlinckx (B), Cofidis, at 41:49
114. Benoît Vaugrenard (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 41:49
115. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 41:49
116. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Agritubel, at 41:49
117. Christian Knees (G), Milram, at 41:49
118. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 41:49
119. Sébastien Chavanel (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 41:49
120. Freddy Bichot (F), Agritubel, at 41:49
121. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 41:49
122. Mario Aerts (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 41:49
123. Grischa Niermann (Nl), Rabobank, at 41:49
124. Markus Fothen (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
125. Robert Hunter (Rsa), Barloworld, at 41:49
126. Johann Tschopp (Swi), Bouygues Telecom, at 41:49
127. Anthony Charteau (F), Credit Agricole, at 41:49
128. Paolo Longo Borghini (I), Barloworld, at 41:49
129. David Canada (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 41:49
130. Pieter Weening (Nl ), Rabobank, at 41:49
131. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
132. Antonio Flecha Juan (Sp), Rabobank, at 41:49
133. Kjell Carlström (Fin), Liquigas, at 41:49
134. Bram De Groot (Nl), Rabobank, at 41:49
135. Bradley Wiggins (GB), Cofidis, at 41:49
136. Murilo Fischer(Brz), Liquigas, at 41:49
137. Thomas Geraint (GB ), Barloworld, at 41:49
138. David Millar (GB), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 41:49
139. Heinrich Haussler (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
140. Manuel Quinziato (I), Liquigas, at 41:49
141. Sven Krauss (G), Gerolsteiner, at 41:49
142. Nicolas Vogondy (F), Agritubel, at 41:49
143. Gert Steegmans (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 41:49
144. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 41:49
145. Wim Vansevenant (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 41:49
146. Leif Hoste (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 41:49
147. Marcus Burghardt (G), T-Mobile, at 41:49
148. Nick Nuyens (B), Cofidis, at 41:49
149. Rik Verbrugghe (B), Cofidis, at 41:49
150. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 41:49

Overall, After Stage 16
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 76:15:15
2. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 03:10
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 05:03
4. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 05:59
5. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 09:12
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 09:39
7. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 13:28
8. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 14:46
9. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 16:00
10. Mauricio Soler Hernandez Juan (Col), Barloworld, at 16:41
11. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 16:52
12. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 17:17
13. David Arroyo (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 21:08
14. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 25:24
15. Christopher Horner (Usa), Predictor - Lotto , at 26:22
16. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Caisse d'Epargne, at 27:37
17. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, at 31:00
18. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC, at 31:48
19. Manuel Beltran (Sp), Liquigas, at 32:58
20. Tadej Valjavec (Slo), Lampre-Fondital, at 36:31
21. Jose Cobo Acebo Juan (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 37:42
22. Manuel Garate Juan (Sp), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 39:23
23. Denis Menchov (Russia), Rabobank, at 45:15
24. Ivan Gutierrez José (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 48:33
25. Amets Txurruka (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 49:04
26. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, at 50:08
27. Christian Vandevelde (Usa), CSC , at 56:33
28. Dmitriy Fofonov (Kz), Credit Agricole, at 57:15
29. George Hincapie (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 57:45
30. Stephane Goubert (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 1:04:57
31. Patxi Vila Errandonea (Sp), Lampre-Fondital, at 1:07:07
32. Patrice Halgand (F), Credit Agricole, at 1:10:57
33. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, at 1:13:30
34. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr), Barloworld, at 1:15:07
35. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, at 1:17:40
36. Alexandre Botcharov (Rus), Credit Agricole, at 1:19:42
37. Vladimir Gusev (Rus), Discovery Channel, at 1:29:46
38. Thomas Dekker (Nl), Rabobank, at 1:31:20
39. Linus Gerdemann (G), T-Mobile, at 1:32:01
40. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 1:32:30
41. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 1:33:39
42. Moises Duenas Nevado (Sp), Agritubel, at 1:34:13
43. Carlos Barredo (Sp), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 1:34:48
44. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 1:36:59
45. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 1:37:02
46. Markus Fothen (G), Gerolsteiner, at 1:39:10
47. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 1:39:43
48. Charles Wegelius (GB), Liquigas, at 1:44:15
49. Xavier Florencio (Sp), Bouygues Telecom, at 1:49:20
50. David De La Fuente (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 1:50:05
51. Christian Knees (G), Milram, at 1:52:11
52. Gorka Verdugo (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 1:52:28
53. Inigo Cuesta (Sp), CSC, at 1:55:08
54. Cristian Moreni (I), Cofidis, at 1:56:11
55. Ruben Perez (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 1:56:41
56. Luis Arrieta Jose (Sp), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 1:58:21
57. John Gadret (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 2:03:12
58. Iker Camano (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 2:03:52
59. Cédric Vasseur (F), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 2:04:48
60. Dario Cioni (I), Predictor - Lotto, at 2:06:52
61. Nicolas Portal (F), Caisse d'Epargne, at 2:15:03
62. Michael Albasini (Swi), Liquigas, at 2:16:38
63. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 2:17:03
64. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, at 2:17:13
65. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:19:22
66. Johan Van Summeren (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 2:20:50
67. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:21:22
68. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:22:10
69. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (N), CSC, at 2:22:35
70. Sergio Paulinho (P), Discovery Channel, at 2:22:59
71. Thomas Lövkvist (S), Francaise des Jeux, at 2:23:04
72. Axel Merckx (B), T-Mobile, at 2:28:10
73. Mario Aerts (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 2:29:54
74. Frederik Willems (B), Liquigas, at 2:30:38
75. Francisco Perez Sanchez (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 2:34:13
76. David Millar (GB), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 2:34:24
77. Christophe Rinero (F), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 2:37:10
78. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 2:37:50
79. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, at 2:38:25
80. Kjell Carlström (Fin), Liquigas, at 2:38:39
81. Ronny Scholz (G), Gerolsteiner, at 2:40:37
82. Miguel Mercado Juan (Sp), Agritubel, at 2:40:56
83. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Milram, at 2:42:15
84. Daniele Bennati (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 2:44:17
85. Martin Elmiger (Swi), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 2:46:00
86. Jorge Azanza (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 2:46:07
87. Benoît Vaugrenard (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 2:47:37
88. Antonio Flecha Juan (Sp), Rabobank, at 2:52:21
89. Grischa Niermann (Nl), Rabobank, at 2:52:24
90. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:52:47
91. Alessandro Ballan (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 2:55:35
92. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 2:56:15
93. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, at 2:57:09
94. Nicolas Vogondy (F), Agritubel, at 2:58:41
95. Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr), Liquigas, at 2:58:55
96. Vicente Garcia Acosta (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 3:00:17
97. Johann Tschopp (Swi), Bouygues Telecom, at 3:00:58
98. Simon Gerrans (Aus ), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 3:06:22
99. Paolo Bossoni (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 3:06:34
100. Alexander Efimkin (Rus), Barloworld, at 3:08:47
101. Stéphane Auge (F), Cofidis, at 3:10:06
102. Lilian Jegou (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 3:10:25
103. Murilo Fischer(Brz), Liquigas, at 3:10:36
104. Freddy Bichot (F), Agritubel, at 3:11:20
105. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 3:11:37
106. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 3:12:00
107. Félix Cardenas (Col), Barloworld, at 3:12:25
108. David Canada (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 3:13:32
109. Staf Scheirlinckx (B), Cofidis, at 3:14:35
110. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, at 3:15:32
111. Gianpaolo Cheula (I), Barloworld, at 3:17:39
112. Julian Dean (Nz), Credit Agricole, at 3:18:44
113. Sébastien Rosseler (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 3:19:48
114. Benjamin Noval Gonzalez (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 3:20:18
115. Matthieu Ladagnous (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 3:20:28
116. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Agritubel, at 3:20:45
117. Bert Grabsch (G), T-Mobile, at 3:21:08
118. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 3:22:01
119. Marcus Burghardt (G), T-Mobile, at 3:22:23
120. Ralf Grabsch (G), Milram, at 3:22:33
121. William Bonnet (F), Credit Agricole, at 3:22:53
122. Robert Hunter (Rsa), Barloworld, at 3:23:00
123. Bernhard Eisel (A), T-Mobile, at 3:23:06
124. Benoit Salmon (F), Agritubel, at 3:23:12
125. Mickaël Delage (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 3:23:32
126. Paolo Longo Borghini (I), Barloworld, at 3:23:51
127. Manuel Quinziato (I), Liquigas, at 3:24:03
128. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 3:24:07
129. Alessandro Cortinovis (I), Milram, at 3:24:09
130. Claudio Corioni (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 3:24:10
131. Bradley Wiggins (GB), Cofidis, at 3:24:29
132. Marcel Sieberg (G), Milram, at 3:25:01
133. Leif Hoste (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 3:25:32
134. Steven De Jongh (Nl), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 3:25:56
135. Pieter Weening (Nl ), Rabobank, at 3:26:54
136. Rik Verbrugghe (B), Cofidis, at 3:27:51
137. Heinrich Haussler (G), Gerolsteiner, at 3:28:45
138. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, at 3:30:38
139. Enrico Poitschke (G), Milram, at 3:31:11
140. Sébastien Hinault (F), Credit Agricole, at 3:31:58
141. Sébastien Chavanel (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 3:32:03
142. Anthony Charteau (F), Credit Agricole, at 3:33:40
143. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, at 3:34:44
144. Gert Steegmans (B), Quick Step - Innergetic, at 3:36:57
145. Bram De Groot (Nl), Rabobank, at 3:37:08
146. Thor Hushovd (N), Credit Agricole, at 3:38:03
147. Sven Krauss (G), Gerolsteiner, at 3:40:29
148. Thomas Geraint (GB ), Barloworld, at 3:42:07
149. Nick Nuyens (B), Cofidis, at 3:44:08
150. Wim Vansevenant (B), Predictor - Lotto, at 3:47:07

Tour de France Squad updates.

Well some more teams have released their rosters for the Tour de France. Some very important names have been left out of the rosters. This is due to the connection to steroids usage. This is a good sign that the Tour is going to be cleaned up. They are on the right track to cleaning up the cycling world. The sooner it is cleaned up the better. I hope more teams follow the examples of the likes of Astana.

Astana Squad

1. Antonio Colom
2. Maxim Iglinskiy
3. Serguei Ivanov
4. Andrey Kashechkin
5. Andreas Kloden
   
6. Daniel Navarro
7. Gregory Rast
8. Paolo Savoldelli
   
9. Alexandre Vinoourov

Saunier Duval-Prodir Squad

1. David Canada
2. Fran Ventoso
3. Iban Mayo
4. David de la Fuente
5. Juan Jose Cobo
6. Iker Camano
7. Buben Lobato
8. Christophe Rinero
9. David Millar

T-Mobile Squad

1. Michael Rogers
2. Mark Cavendish
3. Marcus Burghardt
4. Linus Gerdemann
5. Kim Kirchen
6. Bernhard Eisel
7. Axel Merckx
8. Giuseppe Guerini
9. Patrick Sinkewitz
   

New Dauphine Leader!!

Today Moreau takes the lead of the Dauphine Libere from Kashechkin. Zabriski has retained his spot in 5th place. Once again today's stage was won by a rider from Astana team. It was Maxim Iglinskiy. He claimed first place a 51 seconds. Today's post is really short because I am short on time but I promise I will make up for it tomorrow if time permits.

Race Coverage and Basso

Andrey Kashechkin remains in the lead today after stage 4 was completed todayof the Dauphine Libere. Andrey has expanded his lead from 8 seconds to 14 seconds. Astana showed a strong finish today with taking the first two places today in stage 4. Colom came in first place and Vinokourov took second. Leipheimer and Zabriski are still placed at 6th and 5th place in that order. Once again steroids are back in the news this time its a big name that is involved. Former Discovery Channel member Ivan Basso has ban banned by the Italian Cycling Federation for two years. This is another big blow that has been dealt to cycling in the recent month following all of the Telekom members admitting use of steroids. Basso was suspended due to his involvement in Operacion Puerto.