The End of a Dynasty

I got some bad news today. It has just been announced that the Discovery Cycling Team will cease its operations. After following a search for a new sponsor, since Discovery decided to not continue its sponsorship, the team has decided to stop searching and to end all talks. This is quite a surprise due to the success the team has shown. Tailwinds Sports, the parent company of the Discovery Cycling Team, has taken the 8 of the last 9 victories of the world renowned Tour de France. One of the main reasons it has been difficult for the team to find a new sponsor is that companies don't want to be linked with a rider who is guilty of doping. This is following the release of Ivan Basso due to his connections. This should not alarm the riders from this team. They all are very talented and should be able get contracts with other teams. Some already have for example George Hincapie has signed with T-Mobile. Others will definitely land on their feet. There is interest in this years Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and his teammate Levi Leipheimer. This is a sad day in cycling for every. This will be a great loss to the sport.

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

Once again I'm quite impressed!

I have two words to say. Alberto Contador. This kid is gonna become a record setter in the future. He once again showed his incredible abilities on today's I mean yesterday's stage. He continuously attack Rasmussen on the second and last climbs of the day. Not only could you start to see that he wasn't tiring even after stage 14's win. Not only does this young kid deserve to win the white jersey he should also convince Johan Bruyneel's strategy and make him their GC man. Even though Levi is not out yet Alberto deserves it after his incredible recent stages. Now all the riders can get their rest day and recover after such a tough past two days. Also I have an update on my new addition to the cyclist blog, iRide will be receiving a lot of pictures from the writers of the blog from their trip to Louisville. Feel free to check it out in the near future.

Rest Day

Well after yesterday this was a much needed rest day. Not only did the riders need it, I needed it. Just to much excitement in such a short period of time. All right I feel very sorry for Michael Rogers. He has such a tough day. Rogers had been riding with Rasmussen until he over shot that left handed turn and crashed into the guard rail which also sent another rider straight over it. This left Rogers injured and his pace suffered greatly. Final trying to ride through the pain he stopped. He was unable to move his right arm. The injury appeared to be in the shoulder area thus leading me to think he has suffered a broken collarbone. Even though some riders struggled other just dominated that stage... mainly Michael Rasmussen. He turned on the juice and just absolutely dominated. He didn't show any weakness until he reached the 10 kilometer mark when his pace started to slow a little. But he still beat, the late run, of Iban Mayo by a full two minutes and some change. Then Levi was struck with the penalty due to his method of returning to the peloton when his chain came loose and messed his rear derailleur up. Tomorrows stage 9 looks like is gonna be just as exciting as the previous' day was.

The Discovery Team Announces Tour De France Squad

Well today Johan Bruyneel announced the team which he will bring with him the Tour de France. It will include the notables of Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie. Also Valdimir Gusev did guarantee his spot among the nine riders thanks to his win in a stage of the Tour de Suisse. Here is the complete list of all nine riders attending.

1. Levi Leipheimer
2. George Hincapie
3. Alberto Contador
4. Benjamin Noval
5. Egoi Martinez
6. Sergio Paulinho
7. Tomas Vaitkus
8. Valdimir Gusev
9. Yaroslav Popovych

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.

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.