Cavendish Sets Sights on Olympic Gold

Cavendish is having the best year ever

It seems all the news is coming out of London today.....

Mark "The Missile" Cavendish has Olympic Gold on his mind these days. He is coming off the best Tour De France of his career which he immediately followed up with Road Race Champion, the first Brit to do so in 46 YEARS.

His chances are as good as they are ever going to get and we wouldn't bet against him. Especially since the 2012 Olympics are on his turf.

However, it will be gruelling. The Olympic cyclists call date is just 6 days after The Tour ends. 6 days! Mon Dieu!

The father-to-be is in super high spirits and is hopeful that he can take the gold. First though, his supermodel girlfriend is due very soon and Mark says:‘It’s the most exciting news I’ve had all year, and that includes what I’ve done in cycling.’

Awwww.

News Article

Let's Hear it for "The Missile!"

Ok class. Pop Quiz.
You have 5 seconds to answer the following question: Who is currently the Best British Athlete? And the words Andy Murray better not cross your lips!

1
2
3
4
5

Have it?

MARK CAVENDISH, that's who.

Mark "The Missile" Cavendish, who fresh off his Green Jersey (for fastest sprinter or racer) at the Tour De France, JUST WON the Title and Rainbow Jersey as World Road Cycling Champion in Copenhagen.

"A performance like that has never been seen before - it was mind-blowing."

"This is the pinnacle,” he (Cavendish) said. “This is what we’ve all been working for. As a British citizen, the Olympics is a big thing. But as a professional cyclist, you can’t get bigger than winning the rainbow jersey.

"I always said when I was younger that I wanted to be world champion. I can’t win the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. For me, this jersey signifies the biggest thing I can get.”

As he has done throughout his career, Cavendish was quick to attribute his success to the strength of the team behind him, with the likes of Bradley Wiggins, David Millar and Geraint Thomas throwing all their efforts into seeing him to the finish.

Performance director Dave Brailsford was overjoyed after a week that saw Britain top the medal table at the championships with two gold, two silvers and two bronze.

“I’ve watched world championships for many, many years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team dominate from start to finish like a British team did today,” he said.

“They made their intentions very clear right from the very start. The turn that Bradley Wiggins did at the end was mind-blowing.”

Oh! We can hear Phil Liggett calling it now...It must have been glorious.

It's a HUGE win for Britain who has been putting all of its love behind Andy "Chokeartist" Murray and golfer Rory McIlroy.

As David Millar put it: “The UK needs to understand he’s the country’s greatest athlete,” said Millar. “He is probably the greatest sprinter in the history of cycling.”

You can feel the frustration in Millar’s comment, which stems from Britain’s lukewarm enthusiasm for cycling."

Well, England would be still be crowing about David Henman if it wouldn't be so laughable. Still, England's heart and soul is with its footballers so cycling takes a distant 6th seat behind squash of all the stupid things.

We celebrate for Britain and Mark Cavendish who is a highlight in the Tour. He really is something to watch during the final sprints. He can hide in plain sight, pop out of nowhere and cycle like the fucking devil to stage victory after stage victory. He rocks.

Cavendish celebrates his win

Telegraph News Article

BBC News Article

Next up? The 2011 edition of Paris-Tours on Sunday October 9.

Big Tom Boonen OUT of World Championships - Sastre Retires

One of our favorite cyclists is in the news this week and it's not good.

Due to injury and general wear and tear, Tom Boonen will not be able to defend his World Cycling Championship title at the 2011 UCI Road Race in Copenhagen this week. The event runs 9/19-9/25.

“I’m really upset,” he explained. “I really wanted to participate in this World title. The route was perfect for me and the preparation program I was working on would have taken me to the championship event in top form. Unfortunately, rather than diminishing, the pain in my hand is increasing day by day and I simply cannot race in this condition. I relinquish my place on the squad to an athlete who can be of use to our national team.”

This is a total bummer as we really wanted Tom to win again!

News Article

Official Website - Copenhagen 2011

_________________________________________

Carlos celebrates his 2008 TDF win with the
traditional glass of champagne on the Champs d'Elysees

Also in cycling news everyone's favorite Spaniard and perennial Tour De France contender Carlos Sastre retired today after a well-respected 15 year career.

"The moment has arrived to bring this cycle to its close," the 36-year-old Spaniard said. "Next year I will begin a new stage, even though I am no sure what I will do."

Sastre won the Tour in 2008. He also finished runner-up in the Vuelta in 2005 and 2007 and the Giro d'Italia in 2009.

We will miss him at next years race but wish him well in his retirement.

TDF: Champagne on the Champs Elysees!

Cadel Evans enjoys the traditional last ride into Paris

FRANK SCHLECK, CADEL EVANS and ANDY SCHLECK. 3,1 and 2.

Some traditions are meant to last and the few on the last day of the Tour are pretty cool.

The First tradition is that there is no attacking on the final day. The remaining cyclists and teams ride into Paris like a fraternity group. Many riding up and down the peloton talking to friends on other teams and occasionally riding to the front to congratulate the winner.

Today, that winner was Cadel Evans, the first Australian to ever do so. At his side were the runners up, #2 Andy Schleck and his brother #3, Frank Schleck.

The Second tradition is that the winner gets to have a glass of champagne on the way into Paris in between all the publicity shots and fraternization.

Today was no exception and the drinking, driving and riding is fun to watch. It's so French.

The Third tradition is the sprint along the Champs Elysees from Place de Concord to the Arch D' Triumph and back 8 times.





Mark "The Missile" Cavendish took this Stage and the Tour's Green Jersey and now has a remarkable 20 total Tour Stages. He's only a year or two away from beating Lance's record 22.



Thor Hushovd's Team Garmin won for Best Team.

It was such an awesome Tour. Everything about this year was great. If you've stopped caring about The Tour becuase Lance Armstrong no longer runs, then you are really missing a renaissance of new and seasoned riders.

Read more:
News Article

News Article

TDF: Yell for Cadel; The "Andy" Curse

Cadel hugs and kisses the Famed Tour De France's
Yellow Jersey winner's Lion

Yesterday's Stage ended with young Andy Schleck grabbing the yellow Jersey from 10 Day Leader Thomas Voeckler. It ended the Alps run beautifully with Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans all cycling like demons to win the famed Tour.

Andy's Yellow shirt lasted but a day as he fell short in the Stage 20's Time Trial today by MINUTES. The Australian Cadel Evans WILL WIN THE TOUR TOMORROW. It's a tradition that YOU DO NOT ATTACK on the Final Run into Paris and so Cadel will finally win the Tour after coming in second multiple times.

It's a First for Australia prompting parties and capping Cadel's historic 2011 Tour.

The Curse of the Andy's continues as yet another mega sports star named Andy fails to clinch a major title. Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and now poor Andy Schleck who gave his heart and soul in the Alps only to fall short today. His time trial was a total bonk. He must've have given his all yesterday and had no more energy to give.

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

Roll of honor Result after stage 20:

YELLOW: EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 83h 45' 20"
GREEN: CAVENDISH Mark HTC - HIGHROAD 280 pts
CLIMBER: SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 108 pts
WHITE: ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 83h 56' 03"
TEAM: TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 250h 57' 43"

The first win ever for an Australian, The first Green (Fastest rider) ever for a Brit and a Frenchman wins White (The best young rider).

Sadly, our Big Norwegian Friend, Thor Hushovd, rode with a black armband today to show some support for his home country that was devastated by terror attacks yesterday. Thor had a wonderful Tour and this was complete and utter tragedy for him and his fellow countrymen. There was so much support for him throughout the month of July with Norwegian flags flying everywhere along the routes and Stages every day. Today many more people waved those flags in total support and solidarity for the Norwegian Thor Hushovd. So fucking sad for him and the poor victims.

However...

What a Tour! It was the best in years and a total blast. We loved every minute of it and plan to sit and relax watching the riders come into Paris tomorrow and circle the Champs Elyssees. It will be MAGICAL.

So Yell for Cadel. He earned it.

TDF: Mayhem and Madness on The Mountain

It was a day for the schmenges today on Alpe d'Huez.

Here's a quip from the British newspapers that sums it up:

The approach road to the Alpe, a quarter-mile stretch from Bourg d'Oisans, a town which comes alive whenever Le Tour visits, was even rowdier, with people as far as the eye could see on either side and in the roadway itself.

Anything goes on the Alpe at Tour time. Rational thinking and rational behaviour are left behind as a crazed euphoria grips what Police estimate could be up to half a million people lining a mountain road today. By the time the race passes, between 4pm and 5pm this afternoon, most of them will have drunk themselves back into oblivion, whether on alcohol or simply the intoxicating atmosphere of a street party which rivals the Rio Carnival for the dazzle of its sound and vision.

That's right. A Massive Mountain Street Party.

A schmenge is a person that has camped on said mountain for DAYS, drinking themselves silly and waiting for the riders to zoom by. Only the riders don't zoom on mountain stages. They crawl painfully up the sides, dodging drunks left and right.

Which brings us to Alberto Contador. Yes, we've called him a douchebag. Yes, we've said we hope he doesn't win. But you know what? 'ole Alberto redeemed himself today in the most splendid fashion. HE PUNCHED SOMEONE OUT! WTG, Alberto!

Riders have enough to contend with and then they have to deal with people who refuse to move out of the way and dare we say it...TOUCH THEM AT WILL.

DO NOT TOUCH THE RIDERS.

Contador punches a dude

See what can happen?

TDF: Andy Schleck Goes Balls Out!

Andy celebrates his hard-earned Stage win today

Balls Out: To exude tremendous effort, to try extremely hard

BRAVO ANDY!!!!

STAGE 18 SHOCKER!

IT WAS AN EPIC DAY IN THE TOUR as Andy Schleck (Team TEAM LEOPARD-TREK) attacks on the second climb of the day, overcomes the breakaway leader and rides to victory on the highest climb EVER on the Tour on the most beautiful day in the French Alps.

Andy made up over a minutes time and is now only 15 seconds from the Yellow Jersey with Thomas Voeckler clinging to it one more night in a shocking display of power from the Frenchman.

Voeckler's pain was clearly written across his face as he valiantly rode up the 3 steepest climbs of the Tour including the Galibier pass. Voeckler is not known for mountain stages and it was on-the-edge-of-your-seat action as the world watched Andy ascend and attack and try like hell to not only win the stage but to take the Yellow as well.

If Andy can keep this up and attack one more day, he'll own the maillot jaune (Yellow Jersey) and win in Paris on Sunday.

Another action packed day in the Alps is set for tomorrow with the peloton riding the famed Alpe d'Huez. The Alpe d'Huez is as anticipated as the Col Du Tourmalet and WE CANNOT WAIT!

Saturday's time trial will be a barnburner as Cadel Evans and maybe Alberto Contador will try and wrestle the Yellow back from Andy (we think he'll have it after tomorrow).

Sunday's ride to Paris WILL BE SPECTACULAR in what has been the best tour of the past decade.

Thomas Voeckler leads the Peloton up the Izoard pass

Voeckler almost killed himself today in a grueling Stage
and you can see the happiness at the finish

Andy was the King today in the gorgeous Alps

READ: One Reporters Joy and Anguish at the Tour End...

TDF: It's Thor's Tour - All Hail The God of Thunder

"Oh Hi!" - Thor Hushovd from the podium today

Oh what a Tour so far! This year has been absolutely one of the best we've ever seen...and we've been following since the Greg Le Mond days and watching since cable starting carrying it.

"Hushovd, of Garmin-Cervelo, outsprinted Norwegian compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen to take his second victory of the race after a rainy 162.5km ride over undulating terrain from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler retained the race leader's yellow jersey but the Europcar leader, like the Schleck brothers Andy and Frank, lost time to both Contador and Australian Cadel Evans in a thrilling finale."

Yes, ANOTHER THRILLING FINALE. Every Stage this year has been packed with thrills and excitement. And for the first time in what seems like decades WE'RE NOT SURE WHO IS GOING TO WIN.

In the "Lance Years", we knew 2 weeks in who had it in the bag. Lance.

Last year's fiasco with that snake Contador attacking Andy Schleck as Andy's bike chain broke at the last minute really pissed alot of people off...and then we knew Contador would win.

We really don't want that to happen again this year. Alberto is a douchebag.

This year we have a laundry list of guys that we would WANT to win including the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank and the Aussie, Cadel Evans.

1. VOECKLER Thomas 181 TEAM EUROPCAR 69h 00' 56"
2. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM + 01' 45"
3. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 01' 49"
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 03' 03"
7. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE + 03' 49"
26. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK + 20' 12"
29. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO + 20' 50"
30. VANDE VELDE Christian 58 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 21' 39"
53. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 51' 04"
60. MILLAR David 56 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 1h 04' 48"
68. CHAVANEL Sylvain 121 QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM + 1h 13' 08"
95. HOOGERLAND Johnny 204 VACANSOLEIL-DCM + 1h 36' 09"
100. PETACCHI Alessandro 169 LAMPRE - ISD + 1h 43' 11"
105. HINAULT Sébastien 105 AG2R LA MONDIALE + 1h 48' 24"
122. CANCELLARA Fabian 12 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 1h 59' 57"

And of course, the #1 Sprinter and owner of the Green Jersey:
Mark Cavendish Team Highroad

Now of course only the top few guys have a shot but what we would give to see Big Thor win the entire thing.

A note on Thomas Voeckler who has the yellow again tonight. It seems like yesterday Little Tommy Voeckler was new to the race and winning the White Jersey for Best Young Rider. Well, that was 10 years ago and this "seasoned professional" as Paul Sherwin put it has really come into his own. A Frenchman, Voeckler has the entire country rooting for him...and us too!

Today's Roll of honor - Result after stage 16

YELLOW: VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 69h 00' 56"
GREEN: CAVENDISH Mark HTC - HIGHROAD 319 pts
POLKA: VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 74 pts
WHITE: URAN Rigoberto SKY PROCYCLING 69h 08' 51"
TEAM: GARMIN - CERVELO 206h 31' 24"

Read this GREAT article:

ESPN - HOW TO WATCH THE TOUR DE FRANCE

We're in the final week but it's never too late!

TDF: THOR HAMMERS AWAY!

Big Thor Wins the Stage...
and look at all the pretty colors

Big Thor Hushovd wins Stage 13 in what has to be one of the most dramatic stages of the Tour's history.

So much for "not doing much in the mountains". Thor, World Champ, PROVES, that he is out for blood this year and pretty much put on a "clinic" today.

From Le Tour.fr
"The world champion can do it all: he can time trial (to victory as he did in the world championships as an under-23 rider and again in the prologue at the start of the 2006 Tour), he can sprint (as two green jerseys in the Tour proves), he can win stages on the pavé (as he did in 2010) and he can climb the Aubisque and beat the peloton home with panache. This is his ninth stage victory (including the prologue) in the Tour de France."

"This is the best moment ever in my career," Hushovd said.

"Winning alone, after going over the Col d'Aubisque in the rainbow jersey, is incredible.

"It is the craziest thing I've ever done."

The win was Hushovd's ninth at the Tour de France and continues a stunning race for the veteran sprinter. He is being praised for cycling the strongest he ever has. So far this year is a glory run for the giant Norwegian. GO THOR!

The Stage ended in the historic holy town of Lourdes.

And without a prayer, Andreas Klöden of Team Radioshack, is out from injuries, although he really tried hard to keep up today before abandoning.

TDF: Col du Tourmalet! Col du Tourmalet!

At last! The Col du Tourmalet (Tour-Ma-Lay), THE MOST ICONIC RIDE ON ALL THE TOUR DE FRANCE.

Located in the picturesque Pyrenees mountains of France, this mountain is the most anticipated and lovely stage of the tour. Although not on every years itinerary, when it is - it's a GREAT TIME.

Just hearing Phil Liggett say Col du Tourmalet makes us happy. Of course, any time Phil speaks we're happy, but there's something about the Tourmalet that makes us...giddy!

PHIL LIGGETT IS A LEGEND.

The Col Du Tourmalet is the highest road in the Pyrenees and has been included in the Tour more than any other mountain pass. At the col is a memorial to Jacques Goddet, director of the Tour de France from 1936 to 1987, and a large statue of Octave Lapize gasping for air as he struggles to make the climb. Also, it is so popular and so legendary that thousands of amateur riders make the climb every year and many take documents to have rubber-stamped in the shop at the summit to show they have made it.

It's just a fan favorite. If you love the Tour de France then you know the Col Du Tourmalet very well. The coolest mountain in France.

Today's Stage 12 went well. There were some crashes, notably Andreas Kloden and Tommy Voeckler. Both recovered and finished well today. Spanish cyclist Samuel Sanchez won the Stage. It's his first Stage win ever.

Here are the standings so far.

Top Ten-Overall Standings After Stage 12

1. Thomas Voeckler, Team Europcar

2. Luis-leon Sanchez, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 01:49

3. Cadel Evans, Bmc Racing Team + 02:06

4. Andy Schleck, Team Leopard-Trek + 02:17

5. Ivan Basso, Liquigas-Cannondale + 3:16

6. Damiano Cunego, Lampre-ISD + 3:22

7. Alberto Contador, Saxo Bank Sungard + 4:00

8. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltal Euskadi + 4:11

9. Tom Danielson, Garmin-Cervelo + 4:35

10. Nicolas Roche, AG2R LaMondiale + 4:57

Watch the race on Versus. More days in the mountains to come!

TDF: The Missile Gets Torpedoed

Today's although-not-crash-free-but-relatively-quiet Stage 10 had quite the sprinters run for the finish as Brit favorite Mark "The Missile" Cavendish was beat out at the last second by German Andre Greipel (Team Omega Pharma-Lotto).

Greipel is described as Cavendish's "Arch Rival", so this must have really pissed Mark off today.

The duo were team-mates and outspoken rivals last season, with Greipel denied his chance to ride in the Grand Tours by Cavendish's presence in the HTC-Highroad squad.

In other words, Cavendish took Greipels spot on the team. So today's sprint was a grudge-match.

However it was the first time ever that Greipel beat Cavendish outright in a sprint. Cavendish must've timed something wrong or thought that Greipel was further behind then he was and let up too soon.

Also today, Yarosolav Popovych (Team Radioshack) retired from the race this morning after coming down with a fever and in big news, Alexandr Kolobnev (Team Katusha), quit the race after failing doping controls.

The rider dropped out of the Tour on Monday after the International Cycling Union said a urine sample collected from Kolobnev last Wednesday tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that can also be used as a masking agent.

Police searched his room but found nothing.

Kolobnev said he doesn't know how the banned diuretic got into his urine sample. He said he was waiting for the results of a test of his 'B' sample.

Katusha's team statement said that "If the 'B' sample also tests positive, he will be fired and will have to pay five times his salary as a fine."

Doesn't pay to dope unless you're named Lance.

In the other news regarding the now infamous car crash from the other day, tour organizers and tour officials have passed tough new rules to keep the media cars away from the riders DURING the fucking race.

Between cycling teams, organizers, police, and media, nearly 170 cars and motorcycles are on the course each stage. Many, like the France Télévisions car that clipped Flecha, are authorized to drive around the peloton throughout the day.

170 cars! That's so ridiculous. What on God's Earth would Eddie Merckx or Bernard Hinault have to say? In their day the Tour was riders and support cars only.

But Tuesday brought new restrictions for media vehicles on the course, including a mandate that cars must keep a two-minute distance from the race when roads permit.

“What we witnessed two days ago was both unacceptable and shocking,” said Jean-François Pescheux, the race’s director of competition.

Flecha, a rider for Britain’s Team Sky, spent Monday morning undergoing X-rays in a local hospital. He arrived at an afternoon press conference heavily bandaged. “I haven’t heard anything from the driver,” he said. “I don’t even know his name.”

The driver is known to French police, however.

Police spent yesterday interviewing witnesses, riders, and even the driver, though neither investigators nor Tour de France officials have released his or her name.

Trust us, the driver is IN TROUBLE.

Stay tuned for more mountain stages this week!

TDF: Vinokourov Suffered Career Ending Injury

Vino has his leg looked at by the doctor
before being taken to the hospital

The crash yesterday that involved Alexander Vinokourov, Jurgen van den Broeck, David Zabriskie and Frederik Willems might have ended poor Vino's career.

This was supposed to be his last Tour anyway, but to go out like this is difficult to accept.

The poor guy ended up in the woods and was lifted out by friends. He suffered a broken leg and a pelvic fracture.

Alberto Contador had this to say about the condition that led to the pile-up in the woods. "I went past a little later and saw a rider down and my hair stood on end. That curve should have been signposted."

Riders are FURIOUS at the obscenely high number of injuries, crashes and mayhem at this years tour and are not holding back about the car crash:

From: The Herald Sun
"Anyone involved with a bike race (including riders) should take written and practical tests before getting licenses. Hope all who crashed are ok," Mark Cavendish tweeted.

It was a familiar theme.

Former rider Magnus Backstedt said: "Hoogerland is a hard man. Respect to get back up after that. I hope he can continue.

"Left feeling disgusted and saddened by result of the action of that driver."

Chris Boardman questioned why officials would allow a television car to pass the breakaway of five with trees enroaching on the roadside. "What was commisare doing waving press car through on such a narrow lane anyway?," Boardman tweeted.

South African sprinter Robbie Hunter was blunter. "Ok that was just fucked...French tv car just crashed the break...Hoogerland went down hard! That driver needs a beating!!!," he tweeted.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara followed up with: "This car driver should get the same pain as my friend flecha... He corst (caused) the crash...This is a disaster what happen."

And the Stage winner Luis Leon Sanchez went off at his press conference:
"There were cars going past us all day, far too close, and it was pretty much going to happen at any moment," Sanchez said. "I have to ask the Tour organisation to sort this out. Measures have to be taken. You don't expect something like that to happen in the best race in the world."

No you don't, Luis. This is pretty fucked up.

The abandoned riders so far (from Independant.co.uk)

Stage 4
* Jurgen Van De Walle (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto

Stage 5
* Christophe Kern (Fra) Team Europcar
* Janez Brajkovic (Svn) Team Radioshack

Stage 6
* Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Movistar Team
* Ivan Velasco (Esp) Euskaltel-Euskadi

Stage 7
* Rémi Pauriol (Fra) FDJ
* Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step Cycling Team
* Bradley Wiggins (GB) Sky Procycling

Stage 8
* Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar Team
* Christopher Horner (US) Team Radioshack

Stage 9
* Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Pro Team Astana
* Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
* Frederik Willems (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
* David Zabriskie (US) Team Garmin- Cervelo
* Woulter Poels (Hol) Vacansoleil-DCM
* Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha Team
* Juan Manuel Garate (Esp) Rabobank Cycling Team
* Amets Txurruka (Sp) Euskaltel-Euskadi

TDF: Car Crash Fallout - Graphic Pics

Team Sky Manger Dave Brailsford is considering filing charges against the driver of the vehicle that slammed into Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha yesterday during Stage 9 of the Tour de France.

We would say "Considering?" Considering what? How much you are going to sue for?

What happened was inevitable considering that the Tour is followed and supported by dozens of cars - mechanical supply cars, food and water cars, medical cars, TV news cars, etc...However, that doesn't excuse what occurred. It's shocking how HARD the guys were hit and it's a miracle they were able to finish the stage, although both were in such obvious pain that it was written across their faces in winces and scowls.

The vehicle in question, a French media car, was immediately sidelined and thrown out of the race. And it was the second vehicle induced crash of this years tour after last Wednesday a photographer's motorbike was involved in a crash with Danish rider Nicki Sorensen of Team Saxo Bank.

As of right now, the police are officially investigating the accident.

The Spaniard, Juan Antonio Flecha, feared he had suffered a fractured elbow, but plans to start tomorrow's 158km 10th stage from Aurillac to Carmaux. He said: 'Tomorrow I'll be able to ride, how well I don't know but I really don't care. 'At first I want to see how everything goes. I'm thinking more long term. 'I'm more concerned about the Pyrenees. I can't bypass the Pyrenees.'

Spoken like a Tour Rider. As avid Watchers, we cannot bypass the Pyrenees either!

The crash was nothing short of spectacular though as Hoogerland flew head over heels and landed in barbed wire.

Later Hoogerland will refuse to place blame, not even on the driver of the car, who is kicked out of the race. He says that in his pain, his mind turned to Wouter Weylandt. "I just said to Flecha – we're still alive, and Weylandt died," he said. Hoogerland will later claim he was lucky. It could have been worse. Every cyclist rides with a fresh memory of Wouter Weylandt's death on a descent in May's Giro d'Italia.

This years Tour is full of broken bones...and dreams

Here are the photos:

Johnny Hoogerland's falls hard into a barbed wire fence

He has to be carefully extracted
Mind the family jewels there!

He's helped back to the road

His injuries are "superficial" but terribly painful

Johnny bleeds his way to the Podium,
dripping blood all over France

Johnny breaks down in tears,
after winning the famed polka dot jersey for Best Climber,
earned before the horrific crash

Video of the car crash



Johnny Hoogerland (Who is very cute, btw) cries at the podium.
We're pretty sure if we went head first into a barb wire fence and then rode 34 more miles we would have cried LONG before the podium.

TDF Stage 9: Tour De Crash

Johnny Hoogerland tangled in the barb wire
after the car crash

It was a day of blood, sweat and tears as close to 12 riders, some big names too, abandoned the race today. One huge crash took out vets David Zabriskie and Jurgen Van Den Broeck and really messed with Christian Vande Velde. Vandelveld had this to say: "I was never the same after the crash. We were going too fast."

Alexandre Vinokourov also abandoned after crashing today on the 129.2 mile trek stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour.

BUT THE BIG NEWS WAS WHEN 2 RIDERS WERE SIDE SWIPED BY A FRENCH TV NEWS CAR AND ALMOST KILLED.

The car swerved to avoid hitting a tree and instead took out, Team Sky rider Juan Antonio Flecha, who was hit directly by the car and subsequently almost ran over by 3 others. And in one of the most dramatic crashes in the history of the Tour, Dutch cyclist Johnny Hoogerland was thrown upside down in to a barbed wire fence.

These two cyclists were awarded the "Fighting Spirit Award" of the day, which has never been given to two people on the same day as a tie.

There have been so many injuries this year it has to be setting some sort of record. Chris Horner of Team Radioshack is also out with broken bones.

In fact, Chris Horner had his bell rung so badly, that when tour doctors examined him he didn't even know he was in the tour even though he was riding on his bike clinging to the side of the medical car. He was retired immediately.

Little Tommy Voeckler, now a ten-year veteran, has taken the lead and snatched the leader's yellow jersey from everybody's favorite Norwegian Thor Hushovd.

Tomorrow is a rest day.

Current Standings:

Overall standings
1. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar) 38hrs 35mins 11secs
2. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Rabobank) +1:49"
3. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) +2:26"
4. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +2:29"
5. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +2:37"
6. Tony Martin (Germany / HTC - Highroad) +2:38"
7. Peter Velits (Slovakia / HTC - Highroad)
8. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / RadioShack) +2:43"
9. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Lotto) +2:55"
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Leopard) +3:08" 11.
Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas) +3:36"


King of the Mountains standings
1. Johnny Hoogerland (Netherlands / Vacansoleil) 22 points
2. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar) 16
3. Tejay Van Garderen (U.S. / HTC - Highroad) 5

Team standings 1. Europcar (France) 115hrs 03mins 31secs
2. Leopard (Luxembourg) +32"
3. RadioShack (United States) +1:02"
4. Rabobank (Netherlands) +1:18"
5. Garmin (United States) +1:50"
6. AG2R (France) +4:23"
7. Katyusha (Russia) +4:40"
8. HTC - Highroad (United States) +4:55"
9. Quick-Step (Belgium) +6:14"
10. Omega Pharma - Lotto (Belgium) +7:45"

Alexandre Vinokourov has to be carried out of the
ditch after one of today's crashes

Video of the car crash

TDF: Two Faves Are Out

To say it rained in France today is an understatement

The Tour lost two of it's favorite riders today: Former world champion Big Tom Boonen and contender favorite, Team Sky's leader, Bradley Wiggins.

Poor Boonen was hurt in Wednesday crash and said this: "Yesterday it was OK, I felt OK, but today I'm really doing bad, my head hurts, I can't concentrate and I'm a danger for my colleagues".

Sounds like he has a concussion or something.

Bradley Wiggins was involved in another GREAT crash today that affected dozens of riders in the pouring rain. Someone slammed on the brakes in the front of the peloton and that was it...bodies hit the road.

"I think the guys were moving Bradley up, he went into a tailwind, they knew it was coming. Somebody apparently slammed the brakes on, the whole peloton skidded and then powered into the back of him at a great speed. There's a lot of guys (who) hit the deck."

Wiggins, a favorite to be in the top three, if not the Tour winner, broke his collar bone and was taken to hospital.

There was no change at the top of the standings, with Big Thor Hushovd in Yellow, Cadel Evans still in second place, just one second behind, and Frank Schleck still in third place, four seconds behind Hushovd.

Mark "The Missile" Cavendish won his second straight stage. "It's a very special day for me ... it's a very sentimental moment," Cavendish said. "I have to thank the guys for all their work today, it was a hard windy day, and the guys rode hard for me all the way through. They were marvelous", he said."

Cavendish takes the stage

Giant Norwegian Thor (Tor) Hushovd accepts
another yellow jersey and Lion

TDF: There Will Be Blood

Brajkovic on pavement after crash

Janez Brajkovic of Team Radioshack was involved in just ONE of the MANY crashes in Stage 5 today that also shook up Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, Sylvain Chavanel, Bradley Wiggins and Christophe Kern.

Kern had to abandon the race with three other riders, so there is now 195 riders on the Peloton. The Tour De France is just brutal sometimes.

Brajkovic needs some stitches
but returned to the race

Our favorite Norwegian, Thor Hushovd, still holds the Yellow Jersey by only one second!

Today's stage winner: Mark "the Missile" Cavendish.

TDF: An American Wins on the 4th of July

Just a few months after American Tyler Farrar contemplated quiting the sport, he comes up big on America's day.

Farrar was best friends with Wouter Weylandt who was tragically killed in the Giro a few months ago and was so depressed he quit cycling.

He came back big for the Dauphine Libere, a week long race that is kind of a "tune-up" for the Tour.

"After crossing the finish line, Farrar held up his hands to form a "W" with his fingers and thumbs in tribute to Weylandt.

"This has been a horrible last two months with everything that happened in the Giro," Farrar said. "I've had a lot of ups and downs. But in the end, I wanted to be able to come back, and do something special to pay tribute, and this is certainly the biggest stage in the world to do that.

"I certainly would have taken it on any day," Farrar said. "But as an American, winning on the Fourth of July, it's the icing on the cake. ... Lucky me.""

Farrar is the first American to win a stage since Levi Leipheimer in 2007 and the first in all time to win on the 4th of July.

Big Thor Hushovd gets to keep the yellow jersey for now. He won't be able to keep it during the mountain stages in weeks 2 and 3 when the climbers really take hold. That is "Contador's time" and the anemic looking Spaniard has to win all the mountain stages to make up for the lost time on day one.

Big Thor Takes The Tours Yellow

Norway's Thor Hushovd takes the maillot jaune (the yellow jersey) today after his team - Garmin-Cervelo - won today's team time trial. Big Thor shares it by just one second with his teammate and Brit David Millar.

Australia's Cadel Evans is only a second back after coming in 2nd today, a mere 3 seconds behind the giant Norwegian.

"Hushovd, who has worn the yellow jersey three times previously, told reporters: "It was a big dream of mine to pull on the yellow jersey as world champion, so you can imagine how happy I feel."

Defending champ Alberto Contador? Not good. Contador is now trailing in 75th position in the general classification, one minute and 42 seconds behind Hushovd.

However, crucially, he is now 1:41 and 1:38 behind Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck.

The Top ten:

1. HUSHOVD Thor
TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 5h 06' 25"

2. MILLAR David
TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 5h 06' 25" + 00' 00"

3. EVANS Cadel
BMC RACING TEAM 5h 06' 26" + 00' 01"

4. THOMAS Geraint
SKY PROCYCLING 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

5. GERDEMANN Linus
TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

6. SCHLECK Frank
TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

7. CANCELLARA Fabian
TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

8. HAGEN Edvald Boasson
SKY PROCYCLING 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

9. QUINZIATO Manuel
BMC RACING TEAM 5h 06' 29" + 00' 04"

10. SCHLECK Andy
TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 5h 06' 29" +


Tomorrow's Stage 3: Olonne-sur-Mer to Redon (198km)

The TDF: Today's Time Trial

Day two of the Tour De France is on Versus - now - and it's the Team Time Trial.

Day one saw Alberto Contador fall to the back of the pack after getting booed the day before at Pre-Race events.

The alleged doping charges against him has turned public opinion and it seems this years tour is off to a bad start for him.

Big Thor Hushovd had a GREAT first day as did fave, Cadel Evans.

The time trial should only take a few hours today and the race will progress normally tomorrow.

Tune in for updates!