Lance’s Comeback to Cycling in 2009

I have to say I’m pretty surprised and though I don’t think it’s such a good idea, I have to admire his panache. He looks lean, mean and motivated. I like that he made the announcement with a video to put an end to all of the written speculation. 2009 is going to be a very interesting year for professional cycling. Good luck dude.

We tried to sell you on E-Bay but 0 bidders for this auction!!

Wow, one helluva Tour and hopefully this means at least one more year of OLN TV coverage. I’ve watched stage 17 three times now and still think it was the greatest performance of any bike race at any time during my life. I get goose bumps even writing about it.

FINAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER 20 STAGES:
1, LANDIS Floyd, PHO, USA, 89h 39′ 30″ (40.784 km/h)
2, PEREIRO SIO Oscar, CEI, ESP, 00′ 57″
3, KLÖDEN Andréas, TMO, GER, 01′ 29″
4, SASTRE Carlos, CSC, ESP, 03′ 13″
5, EVANS Cadel, DVL, AUS, 05′ 08″
6, MENCHOV Denis, RAB, RUS, 07′ 06″
7, DESSEL Cyril, A2R, FRA, 08′ 41″
8, MOREAU Christophe, A2R, FRA, 09′ 37″
9, ZUBELDIA Haimar, EUS, ESP, 12′ 05″
10, ROGERS Michael, TMO, AUS, 15′ 07″
11, SCHLECK Frank, CSC, LUX, 17′ 46″
12, CUNEGO Damiano, LAM, ITA, 19′ 19″
13, LEIPHEIMER Levi, GST, USA, 19′ 22″
14, BOOGERD Michael, RAB, NED, 19′ 46″
15, FOTHEN Marcus, GST, GER, 19′ 57″
16, CAUCCHIOLI Pietro, C.A, ITA, 21′ 12″
17, VALJAVEC Tadej, LAM, SLO, 26′ 25″
18, RASMUSSEN Mickael, RAB, DEN, 28′ 33″
19, AZEVEDO José, DSC, POR, 38′ 08″
20, BRUSEGHIN Marzio, LAM, ITA, 43′ 05″

Luembourgan Frank Schleck won today’s stage up to L’Alpe D’Huez. From the race reports I’ve read, it was a pretty good stage but I haven’t had time to watch it yet since I spent the day worrying and getting back my car. Amy would have killed me anyway :)

Jean-Marie Leblanc, Director of the Tour de France is now saying that there is “compelling scientific evidence” that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs in winning the 1999 Tour and says the seven-time champion owes cycling fans an explanation.

“For the first time — and these are no longer rumors or insinuations, these are proven scientific facts — someone has shown me that in 1999, Armstrong had a banned substance called EPO in his body,” Leblanc told the paper.

“The ball is now in his camp. Why, how, by whom? He owes explanations to us and to everyone who follows the Tour,” Leblanc said. “What L’Equipe revealed shows me that I was fooled. We were all fooled.”

L’Equipe reported that six urine samples provided by the cancer-surviving American during the 1999 Tour tested positive for the red blood cell-booster EPO. The drug, formally known as erythropoietin, was on the list of banned substances at the time, but there was no effective test to detect it.

The allegations surfaced six years later because EPO tests on the 1999 samples were carried out only last year when scientists at a lab outside Paris used them for research to perfect EPO testing. The national anti-doping laboratory in Chatenay-Malabry said it promised to hand over its finding to WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency), provided it was never used to penalize riders.

EPO (Erythropoietin) was banned by the UCI in 1990 but a reliable test wasn’t developed until 2001. Up until the 2000 Olympics, it had been impossible to detect the drug, which builds endurance by boosting the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells.

So what does all this mean? Well, this is pretty damn serious even if Lance has retired. As I stated before, finding out Lance used EPO during his Tour reign would be absolutely devastating to cycling and probably cancer survivor groups worldwide. To be honest, the happenings of this week haven’t change my feelings on his victories- I’m suspicious but I think he won cleanly. It’s disappointing that the Tour De France organization would come to such a hasty conclusion. I’m for once glad I’m not living the life of Lance.

The famous French sporting newspaper L’Equipe ran a story today that samples taken from Lance Armstrong in 1999 tested positive for EPO in 2004. The story claimed that the positive samples were from six “B” samples (the “A” ones were used during the ‘99 doping controls) and that the tests were 100% accurate. On a side note, in 1999, there was no reliable method to detect EPO use. According to the paper, the tests on 1999 urine samples were done last year to help scientists improve their EPO detection methods.

However, the director of Canada’s top anti-doping laboratory on Tuesday said she had “serious concerns” over the allegations and brought up some very interesting scientific facts

Doctor Christiane Ayotte, director of the Doping Control Laboratory at Montreal’s Institute National de la Recherché Scientifique, said that the L’Equipe story, outlining charges that seven-time Tour de France winner had used EPO at the 1999 edition of the race, raised several important scientific and ethical questions, beginning with the assertion that France’s anti-doping lab had tested frozen urine samples five years after the fact.

“We are extremely surprised that urine samples could have been tested in 2004 and have revealed the presence of EPO,” Ayotte said in an interview with VeloNews on Tuesday. “EPO – in its natural state or the synthesized version – is not stable in urine, even if stored at minus 20 degrees.”

“One of two things happens,” De Ceaurriz said. “Either EPO, which is a protein, degrades as time passes and becomes undetectable. In that case we have a negative test result or, as in this case, the EPO persists as it is. We have therefore no doubt about the validity of our results.”

Also, if the tests were positive in 2004 and there were six (SIX!), why didn’t anyone come forward sooner, like before the Tour?

Of course, Lance denied the allegations saying he has never, ever used performance enhancing substances.

So it’s over. The most incredible run in cycling history and the 2005 Tour De France. Despite my envy, I’m thankful for Lance’s triumphant return to cycling and an unimaginable seven consecutive Tour De France victories. I remember when Miguel Indurain of Spain won his fifth consecutive and I thought how impossible that must have been for him. Seven. Seven Tours. Jesus.

Lance brought validation and mainstream acceptance to my passion and I’ll be forever thankful even if it fades after the 2006 Tour. Having each stage of the tour televised live was a dream come true, no wait, I couldn’t have ever dreamed such a thing! I remember the days when I felt so lucky when ESPN would show 30 minutes every other day and even then the coverage was often pre-empted by a Mark McGuire or Sammy Sosa home run notification. It took a couple of years for the mainstream press to catch on but by 2001, the Tour was in every major newspaper, TV and radio show from June to August and I just ate it up. Too bad it can’t last. Even if an upcoming American take Lance’s place in the Grand Boucle, nobody could match his cancer survival story.

Now comes the big letdown that comes with the end of every Tour. I’m sad that I wasn’t able to watch most of coverage and give my take here on RCS but I take comfort in knowing that there’s only 49 more weeks until next year’s race.

Top Ten Signs Lance Armstrong Is Getting Cocky (David Letterman show)

10. Race starts at 9, Lance rolls out of bed around noon

9. Has already figured out that the trophy can hold a 3-gallon margarita

8. He eats frosting by the fistful

7. For the last leg, he rode one of those crazy 1920s bikes with the big front wheel

6. Deliberately crashing into things to get more air time on sportscenter

5. Making a couple extra bucks delivering pizzas during the race

4. After the starter pistol is fired, he hangs around hitting on french babes

3. Turns to the other riders and says, “oooh, I’m sooooo scared”

2. Instead of training, spent last 2 months pimping his bike

1. Has started selling ad space on his ass

I guess it wasn’t any surprise that Lance Armstrong’s Team Discovery won the team time trial today. What was surpising was the average speed of 35.55 mph for 42 miles was the fastes stage in Tour history. Ever. It’s even more surpising to learn that 12 teams broke the previous record. Just for fun tonight, I lumbered up the 2.21 mile Snoqualmie Parkway climb (in the freakin’ rain) and on my way down, noticed how fast 36 mph was. Then I thought what it would be like to travel that fast for 42 miles. I couldn’t finish the thought…

Poor David Zabriske though. About 1.9 miles from the finish, David clipped the rear wheel of a teammate and bit it. Just like that, his stint in yellow was over. I’m betting that was the first time in Tour history that a team left behind their rider in yellow during a team time trial. Zabriske’s CSC team finished just two seconds down on Discovery but also putting Lance in yellow. It is unlikely that Lance will want to expend the energy required to defend the Maillot Jaune and would be smart to let someone get away during a break away tomorrow. There are four flat stages remaining until the mountains begin.

STAGE 4 RESULTS :

1, DISCOVERY CHANNEL TEAM 00′00″
2, TEAM CSC, 00′ 02″
3, T-MOBILE TEAM, 00′ 35″
4, LIBERTY SEGUROS – WÜRTH TEAM, 00′ 53″
5, PHONAK HEARING SYSTEMS, 01′ 31″
6, CREDIT AGRICOLE, 01′ 41″
7, ILLES BALEARS-CAISSE D EPARGNE, 02′ 05″
8, GEROLSTEINER, 02′ 05″
9, FASSA BORTOLO, 02′ 19″
10, LIQUIGAS – BIANCHI, 02′ 26″
11, DAVITAMON – LOTTO, 02′ 32″
12, RABOBANK, 02′ 48″
13, DOMINA VACANZE, 03′ 04″
14, QUICK STEP – INNERGETIC, 03′ 05″
15, BOUYGUES TELECOM, 03′ 08″
16, EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI, 03′ 59″
17, LAMPRE – CAFFITA, 04′ 09″
18, COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE, 04′ 28″
19, FRANCAISE DES JEUX, 04′ 46″
20, SAUNIER DUVAL – PRODIR, 05′ 06″
21, AG2R PREVOYANCE, 05′ 23″

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 4:

1, ARMSTRONG Lance, DSC, USA,
2, HINCAPIE George, DSC, USA, 00′ 55″
3, VOIGT Jens, CSC, GER, 01′ 04″
4, JULICH Bobby, CSC, USA, 01′ 07″
5, RUBIERA José Luis, DSC, ESP, 01′ 14″
6, POPOVYCH Yaroslav, DSC, UKR, 01′ 16″
7, VINOKOUROV Alexandre, TMO, KAZ, 01′ 21″
8, NOVAL GONZALEZ Benjamin, DSC, ESP, 01′ 26″
9, ZABRISKIE David, CSC, USA, 01′ 26″
10, BASSO Ivan, CSC, ITA, 01′ 26″
11, ARVESEN Kurt-Asle, CSC, NOR, 01′ 32″
12, PADRNOS Pavel, DSC, CZE, 01′ 32″
13, SAVOLDELLI Paolo, DSC, ITA, 01′ 33″
14, ULLRICH Jan, TMO, GER, 01′ 36″
15, SASTRE Carlos, CSC, ESP, 01′ 36″
16, AZEVEDO José, DSC, POR, 01′ 37″
17, ROBERTS Luke, CSC, AUS, 01′ 38″
18, GONZALEZ GALDEANO Igor, LSW, ESP, 01′ 44″
19, BODROGI Laszlo, C.A, HUN, 01′ 45″
20, LANDIS Floyd, PHO, USA, 01′ 50″

OTHER GC NOTABLES :
27, BOTERO Santiago, PHO, COL, 02′ 18″
28, KLÖDEN Andréas, TMO, GER, 02′ 29″
30, LEIPHEIMER Levi, GST, USA, 02′ 31″
33, BELOKI Joseba, LSW, ESP, 02′ 43″
36, HERAS Roberto, LSW, ESP, 02′ 58″
53, EVANS Cadel, DVL, AUS, 03′ 29″
58, MANCEBO Francisco, IBA, ESP, 03′ 39″
67, HONCHAR Serhiy, DOM, UKR, 03′ 56″
76, GARZELLI Stefano, LIQ, ITA, 04′ 08″
147, MAYO Iban, EUS, ESP, 05′ 48″

Belgian sprinter Tom Boonen won his second (and most definitely not his last) of the 2005 Tour De France on the eve of the always exciting team time trial. Lance and the rest of the top GC played it safe and finished within the pack but the Aussies Robbie McEwen and Stuart O’ Grady brawled at the finish line (see image below). McEwen clearly impeded O’ Grady by leaning into him and was relegated to dead last in the stage by the comissares (referree). He’s damn lucky he didn’t take anyone else out while traveling over 43 mph.

STAGE 3 RESULTS:

1, BOONEN Tom, QST, BEL,
2, WROLICH Peter, GST, AUT, 00′ 00″
3, O’GRADY Stuart, COF, AUS, 00′ 00″
4, EISEL Bernhard, FDJ, AUT, 00′ 00″
5, DAVIS Allan, LSW, AUS, 00′ 00″
6, FÖRSTER Robert, GST, GER, 00′ 00″
7, BACKSTEDT Magnus, LIQ, SWE, 00′ 00″
8, GESLIN Anthony, BTL, FRA, 00′ 00″
9, HUSHOVD Thor, C.A, NOR, 00′ 00″
10, FURLAN Angelo, DOM, ITA, 00′ 00″
11, GALVEZ Isaac, IBA, ESP, 00′ 00″
12, TRENTI Guido, QST, USA, 00′ 00″
13, BORTOLAMI Gianluca, LAM, ITA, 00′ 00″
14, PAGLIARINI Luciano, LIQ, BRA, 00′ 00″
15, BECKE Daniel, IBA, GER, 00′ 00″
16, QUINZIATO Manuel, SDV, ITA, 00′ 00″
17, FLECHA Juan Antonio, FAS, ESP, 00′ 00″
18, GLOMSER Gerrit, LAM, AUT, 00′ 00″
19, RODRIGUEZ Fred, DVL, USA, 00′ 00″
20, LANG Sebastian, GST, GER, 00′ 00″

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 3:

1, ZABRISKIE David, CSC, USA,
2, ARMSTRONG Lance, DSC, USA, 00′ 02″
3, BODROGI Laszlo, C.A, HUN, 00′ 47″
4, VINOKOUROV Alexandre, TMO, KAZ, 00′ 53″
5, HINCAPIE George, DSC, USA, 00′ 57″
6, LANDIS Floyd, PHO, USA, 01′ 02″
7, CANCELLARA Fabian, FAS, SUI, 01′ 02″
8, VOIGT Jens, CSC, GER, 01′ 04″
9, KARPETS Vladimir, IBA, RUS, 01′ 05″
10, GONZALEZ GALDEANO Igor, LSW, ESP, 01′ 06″
11, JULICH Bobby, CSC, USA, 01′ 07″
12, ULLRICH Jan, TMO, GER, 01′ 08″
13, BOONEN Tom, QST, BEL, 01′ 09″
14, GUTIERREZ José Enrique, PHO, ESP, 01′ 12″
15, LEIPHEIMER Levi, GST, USA, 01′ 13″
16, RICH Michael, GST, GER, 01′ 13″
17, RUBIERA José Luis, DSC, ESP, 01′ 16″
18, POPOVYCH Yaroslav, DSC, UKR, 01′ 18″
19, HUNTER Robert, PHO, RSA, 01′ 24″
20, MC GEE Bradley, FDJ, AUS, 01′ 24″

OTHER GC NOTABLES:
22, BASSO Ivan, CSC, ITA, 01′ 26″
26, BOTERO Santiago, PHO, COL, 01′ 30″
36, EVANS Cadel, DVL, AUS, 01′ 41″
41, HONCHAR Serhiy, DOM, UKR, 01′ 48″
52, KLÖDEN Andréas, TMO, GER, 02′ 01″
54, HORNER Christopher, SDV, USA, 02′ 01″
57, BELOKI Joseba, LSW, ESP, 02′ 05″
79, HERAS Roberto, LSW, ESP, 02′ 20″
123, VOECKLER Thomas, BTL, FRA, 02′ 44″
170, MAYO Iban, EUS, ESP, 03′ 15″

As is custom in the Tour De France, the first week is usually for the sprinters. Long but flat stages allow the guys with some serious horsepower to duke it out in the final few meters of every stage. I t is unusual for large GC (General Classification) changes to occur during the sprint stages but sometimes the race will finish in a small town with narrow roads. Trying to shove 193 of the world’s best bike riders down a street that the Mini was designed for can cause caustrophies and has in the past. Today’s run into the small town of Les Essarts with it’s small roads could have been a disaster but all of the favorites will still start tomorrow. It was no surprise the 24-year-old Belgian, Tom Boonen won today’s stage especailly with the absecnce of Allessandro Petacchi, the undisputed fasted man in the world. Stage 3 will be (hopefully) another quiet sprinter stage before the awesome and alwasy exciting 67.5 team time trial on Tuesday.

Stage 2 Results:

STAGE 2 RESULTS :
1, BOONEN Tom, QST, BEL,
2, HUSHOVD Thor, C.A, NOR, 00′ 00″
3, MC EWEN Robbie, DVL, AUS, 00′ 00″
4, O’GRADY Stuart, COF, AUS, 00′ 00″
5, PAGLIARINI Luciano, LIQ, BRA, 00′ 00″
6, FLECHA Juan Antonio, FAS, ESP, 00′ 00″
7, WROLICH Peter, GST, AUT, 00′ 00″
8, PINEAU Jérôme, BTL, FRA, 00′ 00″
9, COOKE Baden, FDJ, AUS, 00′ 00″
10, DAVIS Allan, LSW, AUS, 00′ 00″
11, QUINZIATO Manuel, SDV, ITA, 00′ 00″
12, HUNTER Robert, PHO, RSA, 00′ 00″
13, ISASI Inaki, EUS, ESP, 00′ 00″
14, KRIVTSOV Yuriy, A2R, UKR, 00′ 00″
15, FURLAN Angelo, DOM, ITA, 00′ 00″
16, IGLINSKIY Maxim, DOM, KAZ, 00′ 00″
17, HINAULT Sébastien, C.A, FRA, 00′ 00″
18, GESLIN Anthony, BTL, FRA, 00′ 00″
19, ULLRICH Jan, TMO, GER, 00′ 00″
20, RODRIGUEZ Fred, DVL, USA, 00′ 00″

OTHER STAGE NOTABLES:
21, MC GEE Bradley, FDJ, AUS, 00′ 00″
22, HORNER Christopher, SDV, USA, 00′ 00″
23, KIRSIPUU Jaan, C.A, EST, 00′ 00″
28, KLÖDEN Andréas, TMO, GER, 00′ 00″
38, BASSO Ivan, CSC, ITA, 00′ 00″
42, HERAS Roberto, LSW, ESP, 00′ 00″
56, VINOKOUROV Alexandre, TMO, KAZ, 00′ 00″
57, HINCAPIE George, DSC, USA, 00′ 00″
61, JULICH Bobby, CSC, USA, 00′ 00″
63, ARMSTRONG Lance, DSC, USA, 00′ 00″
71, ZABRISKIE David, CSC, USA, 00′ 00″
84, BOTERO Santiago, PHO, COL, 00′ 00″
102, MAYO Iban, EUS, ESP, 00′ 00″
113, LANDIS Floyd, PHO, USA, 00′ 00″
124, HONCHAR Serhiy, DOM, UKR, 00′ 00″
149, VOECKLER Thomas, BTL, FRA, 00′ 00″
169, LEIPHEIMER Levi, GST, USA, 00′ 00″
172, BELOKI Joseba, LSW, ESP, 00′ 00″
187, ZANINI Stefano, QST, ITA, 00′ 36″
188, VAN BON Leon, DVL, NED, 00′ 39″
189, VANSEVENANT Wim, DVL, BEL, 00′ 47″