It’s certainly starting to look that way for the Chicken. It was Contador who cracked today. But at least the Disco boys gave it a go, with Leipheimer and Contador throwing everything they had at Rasmussen on the lower slopes of the Aubisque. They couldn’t drop him today, and by the end he rode away from both of them to take the stage win and put more time between himself and the rest of the field. Leipheimer finished second, 25 seconds back and Contador was third, followed by Evans and Soler. Sastre, who also gave it a valiant effort with an early attack, came in 8th. Bummer. So that’s it for the mountains. And it’s probably pretty much it for the Tour too, unless Rasmussen implodes in Saturday’s ITT. But it just doesn't look like anybody's going to beat him. At least on the road. If he's going down, it'll most likely take place in the lab. And as much as I don't want him to win, that would suck too. At any rate, it seems like eveyone's as resigned to a Chicken win as we have been to Matt's victory for some time now.Jonny B takes the stage win. Too bad he doesn't care any more.
Stage 16 results:
1) Jonny B - 277
2) Rachel - 212
3) David L - 186
4) Johnny S - 177
5) Jonny G - 167
6) Matt - 160
7) Charlene - 72
8) Chris - 71
9) James - 37
10) Vic - 27
11) David S - 0
12) Cheryl - 0
13) Hal - 0
General Classification after stage 16:
1) Matt - 23812) Jonny G - 1539
3) Chris - 1397
4) David L - 1356
5) Rachel - 1114
6) James - 1102
7) Jonny B - 1067
8) Charlene - 988
9) Hal - 946
10) Vic - 926
11) Cheryl - 920
12) Johnny S - 887
13) David S - 658
I haven't done the math in light of Vinokourov's booting yet. Don't know if I will. But if his B sample comes back positive (which is surely will--his test from stage 15 showed the same thing), his record would officially be erased and everyone behind him will move up. This applies for each stage and for time bonuses as well, which could become a significant factor for Evans' fight with Leipheimer for a podium spot. Hope the B test comes in before the ITT.
It was Christian Moreni whose positive test was announced today. This only confirms what we've been suspecting all along: Johnny S is a cheater.
OTT: White Whale, Matchbook
1 comment:
I really hope this doesn't end up being a case of my doper is better at not getting caught than your doper.
Perhaps my brain is preparing me to board the Jonny-train, because I'm starting to hear politcs when I listen to pro cyclists speak now. The Millar interview, Hushvold on the protest today... they all sound a little unconvincing.
I'm also finding it a little weird how quickly everyone has rushed to Vino's guilt. If the jury is still out on the competency of testing labs (right honourary capt?) - and face it, there's one of the few places in the world outside of a war zone where you'd find a very real chance of getting someone else's blood intermixed with your own - how is it that the press is pouncing on guilt?
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