Dauphine Libere and Tour de Suisse

Well I'm back sorry for that short leave I had to take. It's just when summer comes I take trips which do include cycling but I leave home for a days at a time. Enough about me I've got a lot of race coverage to tell you. Well the Dauphine Libere has concluded, during my leave, but the winner is... Christophe Moreau. This is his second victory of the French race. He now can gain the ranks of Lance Armstrong who also has completed this feat. Also I was unaware that the Tour deSuisse has also started. I am deeply sorry I fell behind on my reporting I will try not to let it happen again. The fifth stage ended with Robbie McEwen taking the win with the sprint. But my man of the CSC team Frank Schleck remaining in the overall lead. Andy has a lead of 49 seconds to the second and third placed racers. Tomorrow's stage is a grueling 191 kilometer. I will return tomorrow with all the updates from the Tour De Suisse.

Short leave

Sorry but my busy life has taken my time away again today. I will have to take a short leave for up to two days from now. I have no race updates due to that the Dauphine Libere is still under way as we speak. I will return with all the news I missed and I am very sorry its just that during summer my time gets cut short.

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.

New Author and Dauphine

Today I would like everyone to welcome my newest author to the Cyclist Blog. He is my coworker and I hope all you readers enjoy his input. Anyway Moreau one today's treacherous stage four. He took the win atop the legendary Ventoux climb. He crossed the finish a full 1 minute and 8 seconds ahead of Sylvester Szmyd. Another notable finish is Levi Leipheimer in eighth place today. Moreau also cut his overall time to 14 seconds behind Kasheckin who took the lead today . I'll return tomorrow with the stage 5 results.

Dauphine Time Trail

Dauphine Time Trial has been completed today. Alexandre Vinokourov won the TT by a total of 9 seconds. David Zabriske placed third and Levi Leimpheimer placed eighth place. Vinokourov now has taken the overall lead from Moreau. Alexandre has a slight lead be 2 seconds in the overall category. Tomorrows stage is a blistering 197 kilometer stage. It will include three cat. 4 climbs before they riders will reach to treacherous Ventoux climbs. If you can get this on TV I would recommend watching this stage. O yeah an update on my guest author. I am still awaiting his approval and I will let you know ASAP of any knowledge I get on his approval.

Dauphine Report

The second stage of the Dauphine Libere has concluded today with a win from Christophe Moreau. He also snatched the lead away from Bradley Wiggins. Moreau now has a lead of seven seconds over second place. Other notable names in the overall standings would be Levi Leipheimer at 25 seconds out, his teammate George Hincapie is 26 seconds out, and David Zabriskie is 27 seconds out. All three are in the top eight overall. Tomorrow is a shorter stage, 40.7 kilometer time trial, is expected to be exciting.

Dauphine Coverage

Well the first stage of the Dauphine Libere took place today. It ended with a fantastic sprint. Favorites like Tom Boonen where beat to the line by Heinrich Haussler from the Gerolsteiner. This is Haussler third year in the pros and this is quite a awesome feat for such a young rider. He beat out some major talent that's expected to win the Tour De France this year. The Briton Bradley Wiggins still remains in the lead following yesterday's prologue. After today's stage tomorrows is a 157 kilometer stage. There will be a few climbs tomorrow but relatively a less interesting stage because with the hills there will most likely not be a sprint. I will see you all tomorrow my readers I have also just added a new author today I am still awaiting his approval by invitation so I'll let you know If he joins. He is my coworker so I value his opinions and views.

Prologue

Dauphine Libere prologue ended today. The 4.5 kilometer time trail was won by the Briton Bradley Wiggins. He edged out Levi Leipheimer by one second and Levi's teammate George Hincapie was out by another two seconds. Also fellow American David Zabriskie of CSC rounded out the top six. Tomorrow the first stage will start. It will be a 219 kilometer stage. Tom Boonen also finished just out of the top five in seventh position just to let you know. Lets go all American riders and Team CSC I'm behind you.

Levi and T-Mobile

Well today is another slow day as we wait for the races to start again but I found out the pictures I talked about yesterday will be up tomorrow. Also T-Mobile is trying to drop there sponsorship for the Tour De France following the doping problems from then team Telekom which is now T-Mobile. Also Levi Leipheimer is the defending champion of the Dauphine Libere which starts today. He is a heavy favorite for that win and also the Tour De France. Plus hes a fellow American. Good luck Levi i rooting for you. I will see you all tomorrow for the race updates and pictures.