Do-over

Well, let's try that again. Didn't have the right line there. Or something. Sometimes things just don't work out the first time around.

Presenting the new and improved FGBC TdF Pool:

The slate has been wiped clean of Vinokourov, Rasmussen, and Moreni. Nothing but a bad dream. And so we wake up to face a brand new day. Matt still has the lead, of course, demonstrating just what a powerhouse team he had. But it's much, much closer. And bearing in mind the points awarded for the final GC, it now looks like it just might not hold up. Depends what his sprinters do in the days that remain. The big winner coming out of all this is Rachel, who now holds on to two of three podium spots. Recall that the final podium gets 500, 450, and 400. Points for green and polka-dot too, but not as much. See below. Just like all those failed breakways we root for, Matt might end up getting caught within sight of the finish. But he does have Zabel and Hunter, not to mention Chavanel, so will be getting some points for himself from the green jersey competition. It's going to be close.

Please, please let this be the end of it. Realistically, of course, it's highly unlikely that this is it. But it seems as though the end might just be in sight. Cadel is legit. He has to be. Just look at his chin. Contador and Leipheimer? That's a little more difficult. But maybe, just maybe.

General Classification after stage 16:

1) Matt - 1737
2) Chris - 1499
3) Rachel - 1231
4) James - 1214
5) Charlene - 1096
6) Jonny G - 1066
7) Vic - 996
8) Cheryl - 968
9) David L - 965
10) Hal - 950
11) Jonny B - 671
12) Johnny S - 438
13) David S - 342

Stage winners so far:

Prologue - Charlene
Stage 1 - Matt
Stage 2 - Hal
Stage 3 - Matt
Stage 4 - Matt
Stage 5 - Vic
Stage 6 - Matt
Stage 7 - Matt
Stage 8 - James
Stage 9 - Charlene/Rachel
Stage 10 - Johnny S
Stage 11 - Chris
Stage 12 - Matt
Stage 13 - Charlene
Stage 14 - Rachel
Stage 15 - Jonny B
Stage 16 - Rachel

55 km to go in today's stage. Three of my boys in the breakaway: Millar, Fothen, and Bennati. Giddy up guys. You can hold off Matt's gaggle of sprinters. Go! Hurry hard!

Points for Final General Classification:

1) Yellow

1st = 500 pts
2 = 450
3 = 400
4 = 375
5 = 350
6 = 325
7 = 300
8 = 250
9 = 200
10 = 150
11 = 100
12 = 90
13 = 80
14 = 70
15 = 60
16 = 50
17 = 40
18 = 30
19 = 20
20 = 10

2) Green

1st = 250
2 = 225
3 = 200
4 = 175
5 = 150
6 = 125
7 = 100
8 = 80
9 = 70
10 = 60
11 = 50
12 = 40
13 = 30
14 = 20
15 = 10

3) Polka dot

1st = 150
2 = 125
3 = 100
4 = 90
5 = 80
6 = 70
7 = 60
8 = 50
9 = 40
10 = 30
11 = 25
12 = 20
13 = 25
14 = 10
15 = 5