The "established limit" is, of course, way above the realm of what is naturally possible.

No it's not. It's over the realm of what's naturally possible for most people, especially at the end of a prolonged period of exercise. But Damiano Cunego, for instance, in rest periods, has been naturally a little over the fifty since the age of thirteen.

Well, well, Tricky Beltran, one of LA's all conquering disco boys.
Let's just hope it's the old guard being rooted out once and for all. Ever the optimist, eh?

Until that announcement, made during the post-stage programme, I'd thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's stage. I had a crash the day before, involving a prodigious amount of blood, gravel and hot tarmac, so it was my excuse to plant myself in front of the telly all afternoon.

The president of the AFLD was quoted as saying ten of the riders have been sent warning letters telling them that their blood samples show a number of anomalies and that they should speak to their team doctors, because "their results aren't abnormal but are worrying for their health," that it's for medical and not disciplinary reasons, but telling them «qu'ils sont dans le collimateur de l'AFLD» (a weirdly colloquial choice of phrase for an official statement - it means 'to have it in for someone').

By a strange coincidence, William Fotheringham pointed out yesterday with regards to Ricco that "there are other question marks, at least so far as the drug testers are concerned: he has been tested four times in the past five days."

What happened BSS? How badly were you hurt?

The SPanish and Italian riders who are guilty or a concern must be in so deep that they can't step away. The stress of being caught these days must enormous. Look at how the likes of Landis, Rasmussen et al have had their lives cave in. I don't understand them.

Nothing broken, thanks Fausto, but bruising and lots of cuts to my legs, shoulder and arm and three quite deep slices and a fascinating chunk of flesh taken out of one hand. (I had a helmet on, but no gloves).

It didn't help that I fell in loose gravel with hot tarmac underneath (they were re-laying the road and rely on traffic rather than steamrollers to pack it down) so had gravel and hot tarmac stuck in all the wounds. (Handy hint from the road-workers' boss: sunflower oil is a gentle but time-consuming way to remove tarmac from human skin). French gravel seems unnecessarily sharp, if you ask me.

The doctor thought that hydrogen peroxide poured into the open wounds would be fun, and suggested little sticky things to hold my hand together rather than stitches, in case there was still anything underneath.

I just have to get the blood and tarmac off the bike, my sunglasses and drinking bottles, now.

Jesus Christ, Bafflin. Pls take care of yourself.

Yikes.

That's sad but unsurprising news* about Ricco, perfectly consistent with his utter, utter brattiness, even though that's the best thing about him.

On the other hand - I think the targeted testing is a superb idea, a brilliant move by Anne Gripper**, but it's surely unfair to allow details of who is being targeted to become public like that. It opens the way to all sorts of whispering campaigns...







*not that he's actually tested positive for anything, but that he's aroused enough suspicion with his bio profiles tomerit targetting.
**I heart Anne Gripper

Yikes Baff! Sounds grim. Stillyou'll look like a real road warrior if you can get out on your bike while you've still got the gauze on.

Riding without mitts? You're a genuine hardman aren't you?

Another win for Cavendish and another very gracious post-race interview, thanking his team for controlling the race, helping him up the cat 3 climb and then giving him the best possible lead-in to the sprint.

Saying that, credit to him, he looked unstoppable at the end.

He did look unstoppable. I'm not sure he had a great lead out. His team sort of controlled the race but in the final straight he had Ciolek but Steegmans and Friere were in just as good positions, but Cavendish popped out MacEwan style and had too much speed. It was fairly comfortable in the end. A tough day for all concerned, terrible conditions especially for Ricco.

Evans looks in control but he's bound to have a bad moment - but how bad depends on whether he can win the whole thing. His time hasn't come yet. Monday should be his first tomorrow. Tomorrow may see the end of Millar's top ten place.
Good though isn't it?

Yeah, I'm really enjoying it. I'm Growing an increasing fondness towards Kim Kirchen. Even though he's in the yellow jersey, he refuses to take his place safely tucked behind the head of the peloton, instead he takes to the front, tries to win points on stage sprints and was doing everything he could to assist team-mate Cavendish for today's win.

Yeah you're right. I've a feeling he might pay for that though.

Kirchen looks like he is trying to cover points to hold the green jersey overall - a real yellow jersey wouldn't mess with sprints, too risky, he has also been quite cautious about his prospects in the Pyrenees. To date he has been inconsistent in the mountains having the occasional off day. His preparation this year has been different though but only the next few days will show how effective.

toro toro wrote:

QUOTE:
No it's not. It's over the realm of what's naturally possible for most people, especially at the end of a prolonged period of exercise. But Damiano Cunego, for instance, in rest periods, has been naturally a little over the fifty since the age of thirteen.

Fair enough, I thought the Tour limit was 60%, but it seems it has been lowered down to 50%.

According to my medical of last month my level is 47%.

Some riders have won both yellow and green. Hinault and Mercx both did it. Mercx on more than one occasion. I'm not suggesting that Kirchen compares to either of those two but it might be possible in a transition year like this. AC will be back to dominate next year, so this is the big chance for the likes of Evans, Kirchen and Valverde. It's probably their only chance. May as well go for it.