Found some quotes from Cadel and I'm very dissapointed in him. He's definitely implying that Sastre and others were doping. But if you look here, you'll see that Sastre's numbers were just about what they normally were, it was Cadel who was worse. And Sastre was about where he normally is in terms of placement on the TT too.


In 2006 Sastre rode the long TT at: 47.20 Km/h
In 2007 Sastre rode the long TT at: 47.26 Km/h

This year? 47.87 Km/h. That IS faster and a great TT, but not outside the capabilities of Sastre when he's holding yellow and riding to win the TDF. (And last year's TT was 2.5 KM longer and just slightly hillier)

Evans?

In 2006 he rode the long TT at: 47.87 Km/h
In 2007 he rode the long TT at: 48.92 Km/h

This year? 48.23. He was probably tired, but that's actually not that far off his time from last year.


http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_lqRXPz-e9b_fuNyjwyfCrA-kJg

"Sastre's ride in the time trial today for me was a real surprise," Evans said after finishing the 53-kilometre ride from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond in seventh place.
...
"There were some guys riding surprisingly fast," Evans said. "I got some time checks from the other riders and thought, 'What's going on here?"'


That's a very dangerous and misleading implication. Sastre was not riding on a different level from normally, he simply rode one of his best ever and Cadel did not. In fact, if Sastre had ridden at the exact speed he did last year, he'd have finished in 1:07:20 and STILL beaten Cadel Evans!!

And of course he gets in the whine about 3 on one:

"On the climbs, CSC were so strong. It comes down to they have two or three times the budget we do," Evans said. "They can straight away buy much better quality riders. Strength in numbers ... it was no surprise."

Though it is a little whiny to say it, the second point is true. If Cadel had any team support in the mountains he probably would have had the energy to ride a normal final TT and finish in yellow.

Yea, Cadel's issue is his team was never there for him in the big mountain stages. Crashing twice could not have helped either. Of course if he would have attacked instead of wheel sucking up the mountains, he might have had the lead. CSC was a strong mountain team and blew Lotto out the door. Would have been nice too see what Astana would have done. CSC was the top team for sure.

Yup. Cadel chose to mark Menchov in the mountains, figuring he was the #1 danger man. He also probably figured he could give Sastre a certain amount of rope, and it appeared that 2 minutes was that amount. Had he chased Sastre down, perhaps F. Schleck and Menchov would have attacked and then where would he be? I think he played it the best he could under the circumstances. You can't chase everything down without some help. He lost the Tour to a rider who took the right opportunity at the right time in the mountains and who then rode the TT of his life. It's easy to play Monday morning quarterback, I give credit to both Evans and Sastre (and CSC) for coming up with a plan and executing it as best they could. Evans could gain a ton of credibility if he simply said "I lost to a better man and better strategy!"

Nice way to get popular in the peloton. If CSC tests clean, he's gonna look like a total weiner. Hell if Astana had been there it would have been twice as many riders giving him the rope a dope.

He took a calculated and what looked at the time smart risk to let Sastre go. He always had the option of ignoring the Schlecks and riding a harder, more consistent pace up Alpe d'Huez. Just didn't pan out.

Whining should be done over a beer with your closest friends, if at all - never in public.

Whining should be done over a beer with your closest friends, if at all - never in public.

:thumb:

I'm not a fan of the way he chose to ride the race, but you gotta give him credit for sticking with his plan. He knew CSC was going to go to town on him, and he had to be able to let people go at times. From what I saw on Alpe d' Huez was that he was willing to give them 2 minutes. As soon as the gap got to 2 minutes exactly, he came to the front and started just time trialing the last bit. As I said, not the best strategy I don't think, but he had the discipline to go with his strategy.

I don't see any implication of doping in those comments. I see it as more of a "Oh ****, everybody's riding faster than me today. Guess my legs are kinda dead. Surprised everybody else is going faster than me.", kind of comment. I don't think there was any anger in it, just frustrated the plan didn't work. As was mentioned above, Sastra didn't do anything that fantastic, just an average TT for him. Difference was that Evans didn't have the race he expected. That's where the surprise came from.

What a gracious looser. Pure class.

Anyone got anything nice to say about Sastre, the Mastre of Disastre no more. I think he had a great ride.

Anyone got anything nice to say about Sastre, the Mastre of Disastre no more. I think he had a great ride.

Absolutely! I think he rode exactly to plan on L'Alpe and followed it up by his ride today. The yellow jersey itself was probably worth 60 seconds in motivational time!

Sastre was never that bad of a TTer to start with. He has never been in a situation where the TT was make or break and he just rode his race and rode it well. Not outstanding, but well.

It was pretty cool. I never really have him much until I watched Overcoming. Then I realized what a selfless guy he really is. Like 2 days later he wins on Le Alp. That sealed it for me I am Sastre fan.

Yea, Cadel's issue is his team was never there for him in the big mountain stages. Crashing twice could not have helped either. Of course if he would have attacked instead of wheel sucking up the mountains, he might have had the lead. CSC was a strong mountain team and blew Lotto out the door. Would have been nice too see what Astana would have done. CSC was the top team for sure.

Hows he supposed to attack when CSC has 3 men in the lead group and hes all alone?

Put Cadel on CSC and put Sastre on Lotto and Cadel wins this tour by 3 minutes.

I hope McEwen rips him a new one. "If I had a better team ..." Blah Blah Blah. Of course, while he might be right don't whinge in public - it is what it is. All he has done is slag off his team in public - he should have cleaned Sastre's clock in the final TT and he didn't.

I hope McEwen rips him a new one. "If I had a better team ..." Blah Blah Blah. Of course, while he might be right don't whinge in public - it is what it is. All he has done is slag off his team in public - he should have cleaned Sastre's clock in the final TT and he didn't.

+1

Lotto was assembled to help Evans claim his tour. Robbie got no support. I think robbie deserved it, and Cadel is turning into the new Ricco with his whining about support. I didn't really like Cadel's riding style before this, and I really don't like Cadel now. His comments are just bullcrud.

Though it is a little whiny to say it, the second point is true. If Cadel had any team support in the mountains he probably would have had the energy to ride a normal final TT and finish in yellow.

+1.......... CSC kept a "full court press" on Cadel all week and it definitely showed in his TT today. You see how tired the Schleck brothers were today. Evans is a little unjustly bitter and just venting right now.

+1

His comments are just bullcrud.

Bullcrud=awesome word.

Cadel will be on Olegs new team Katusha. I am certain he will not be on lotto. They have the biggest budget and will certainly be VERY strong next year. Stegmanns , Pozzato, keep them coming!!!

Also I find Sastre win more impressive than that of contrador. For AC the tour fell in his lap. He did make it exciting but he did not win the Jersey. It was given to him. Sastre's tour was won by team and pure strategy.

It is true Cadel had no support so I would probably whine also. Cadel also raced a full schedule which Sastre did not. he was very (god forbid) " lance like" in focusing only on the tour and it paid off.

I said at the begining he would win as he was the most focused. and as the raced progressed I stuck with it and was waiting for stage 17.

This victo is sweet as since I started cycling and watching the tour and CSC had basso I always felt Sastre was teh more genuine cyclist. Also felt that his role would never be that of leader. Once Basso went out the back door I was pumped, even tho i liked him I thought it was Sastre time to shine. It didn't happen because of injuries and bad luck but , stuff happens. It's nice to see that nice guys ca finish first every now and then.

qoute: Just to add to the "Sastre is a great guy" pile: he has a fanclub in Belgium, who -at his request- donate their yearly membership fees and money from their fundraising to the Child Cancer Fund in the city of Ghent. In fact, he doubles every donation made by them and has visited the hospital of Ghent on several occasions. According to the president of the fan club, only a handful of the kids really knew who he was (probably gonna change now, I suppose) but he still made the effort. And it's not like a rider like Sastre spends a lot of time in Belgium during the season.

Class.

and another story ... in the video interview "Stage 19 Cadel Evans Pre-race" on the SBS site Evans mentions how in his first Tour (2005) when he was really on his own and Sastre was riding for Basso, Sastre would help him out by getting him Cokes/bottles in the high mountains (Evans was asked about Sastre "as a person" and this was an example of the respect he has for him).

I think that Cadel's behavior all comes down to frustration. What with Contador likely back in the picture next year, and with a host of promising younger talents developing, Cadel might well have thought this was his only (or at least his best) shot for the title. Hopefully, he'll reflect back on his behavior and carry himself with a little more dignity in the future.

Yea, Cadel's issue is his team was never there for him in the big mountain stages. Crashing twice could not have helped either. Of course if he would have attacked instead of wheel sucking up the mountains, he might have had the lead. CSC was a strong mountain team and blew Lotto out the door. Would have been nice too see what Astana would have done. CSC was the top team for sure.

It's extremely difficult to attack, when "his team was never there for him on the big mountain stages."

He's getting attacked and hanging on. Something he did fairly well.

Good grief.

By the way, those of you that have a copy of "Overcoming", go back and watch that and look at the Sastre that's in that documentary (the one Riis keeps picking on because of the way he behaves) and the one that won the Tour. Big difference.

For those that are being critical of Evans "sitting in"...Sastre essentially did the same thing until D'Huez. He picked his spot and went. You win with your head, not your testosterone.

Maybe some cat 4's and 5's can learn from that.

+1

Lotto was assembled to help Evans claim his tour. Robbie got no support. I think robbie deserved it, and Cadel is turning into the new Ricco with his whining about support. I didn't really like Cadel's riding style before this, and I really don't like Cadel now. His comments are just bullcrud.

Well they did a lousy job.

Fact is they essentially brought in one rider that could help. Fact is that when the race really started last week, they were nowhere to be found. Popovych rode decently, Aerts rode the best I've seen him outside of the classics. It's still a classics team with Evans and Popovych. Hoste was brought into Disco to help beef up their classics side. Not due to his great climbing skills. He's a three time Belgian Time Trial National Champion. A team made up of mostly Belgians (5 of their 9 starters) is not going to be strong in the mountains. And that's where the Tour is generally won.

Fact is that you can't win one against three or four. I see a lot of similarity between this year's Lotto and the 1999 US Postal team. Difference is that Cadel is not Lance. Lance won that race virtually on his own. That's damn tough to do.

I think Evans road the best race he could have. Just like RW said, how the hell is he supposed to attack when the CSC train is dragging their people up the mountains? All he can do is hang on. And he did it well. He just didn't have the legs for the TT.

And to the OP, I read those quotes, and never once that he was implying that people were doping. I think you're reading too much into it. He was surprised that he wasn't gaining time, I don't think saying "I got some time checks from the other riders and thought, 'What's going on here?"' means 'they're doping.'

I think Evans road the best race he could have. Just like RW said, how the hell is he supposed to attack when the CSC train is dragging their people up the mountains? All he can do is hang on. And he did it well. He just didn't have the legs for the TT.

And to the OP, I read those quotes, and never once that he was implying that people were doping. I think you're reading too much into it. He was surprised that he wasn't gaining time, I don't think saying "I got some time checks from the other riders and thought, 'What's going on here?"' means 'they're doping.'

+1 about the conclusion leap re: doping. Not what I see in that statement at all. Reads more like a statement of surprise than an accusation. Way too much being read into that one statement. There's enough drama with the real doping going on - why create more where there is none?

Not sure I agree. No one is going to come out and say doping - it's always a sly reference.

I remember after the Giro, there was a rider talking about Basso being from Mars or something like that. Everyone pretty much understood that as a circumspect way of saying Basso doped.

But expressing suprise that he himself wasn't as far ahead as he thought he would/should be is light years of difference from saying the other guys were from Mars and therefore implying doping. Everyone thought he would have a better time trial yesterday. I don't think anyone saw the top 6 performances and went "what the heck." Everyone who saw Ricco climb past the leaders 2 weeks ago was shouting "what the heck." Not every reference is a veiled reference to doping - sometimes people are expressing disappointment in their own performance.

evans said in a velonews interview:
“I rode well and I believe I made a good time trial, but my rivals were just incredible,” said a disappointed Evans. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I was always calm. I tried to do the best I could, but they beat us. Carlos Sastre was stronger and he counted on a great team.”

now how is that 'whining', donrhummy, suzie creemcheese and zorro? he's stating the facts as they happened and saying that the better man won. it's called 'being honest'. nice to see you guys wearing your disdain for him openly.

congratulations to sastre and to the CSC team tactics for a great Alpe d'Huez ride that won the tour for them. maybe next year, cadel. he also raced extremely well and you have to give him credit for that. any of you whingers good enough for a top five placing in the TdF, four years in a row? maybe then you can point the bone.

and it's spelt 'losers', not 'loosers'. if you're going to criticise someone, do it properly.

did anyone catch McEwan's comments today when asked about Evans' comments? He basically said that the team can only do so much, and that in the end, the best man wins anyway... and that Cadel gets second.

For those that are being critical of Evans "sitting in"...Sastre essentially did the same thing until D'Huez. He picked his spot and went. You win with your head, not your testosterone.

Maybe some cat 4's and 5's can learn from that.


Sastre may have sat in until Alp D'Huez but, and it's a big but, he DID do something on the climb, he did attack, and that's where he won the race. Evans never attacks. At some point in the three weeks you HAVE to put yourself out there and attack for the win. He never did that. The one point where he could attack and perhaps win, the final TT, he didn't have it. He never put himself out there to 'earn' the win. Coming in 2nd two years in a row is great, but personally, I'm glad he didn't win.

Sastre may have sat in until Alp D'Huez but, and it's a big but, he DID do something on the climb, he did attack, and that's where he won the race. Evans never attacks. At some point in the three weeks you HAVE to put yourself out there and attack for the win. He never did that. The one point where he could attack and perhaps win, the final TT, he didn't have it. He never put himself out there to 'earn' the win. Coming in 2nd two years in a row is great, but personally, I'm glad he didn't win.

Yeah Sastre attacked meanwhile the rest of his team controlled the field. It's not like he made up his mind on his own - the order went out and off he went.

I don't understand the hate for Evans. The guy seems really quiet, and hung in seemingly on his own all tour because his team was too weak to help him out... and he almost won. I found his pretty much solo performance on the Alpe stage impressive as well. I don't think I ever saw him actually being pulled by a teammate.

evans rode his ass off. No doubt about that. I have no criticism of his character. Seems like a hyper-competitive guy....to be expected.

Still.....easy to say from my armchair...at some point you attack even if people stay with you. And if a rival attacks...you answer it. Just sayin'. When you calculate how much someone might hurt you and hope for the best in a TT....you lose.

That said, I have no doubt Evans left his sack out on that road. Guy is damn tough and had it not been for that attack, he would be the winner. More than I can say for my boy Valverde who clearly needs another year or two of Lance like training.

If Evans was on CSC.....they might not have raced for him. Ever think that maybe his team doesn't want to race for him?

I hate to say it, but even though Evans was the best hope going into the race and although he is a good climber, he has never showed enough climbing ability to put time into the top few climbers on the big climbs. So maybe it was really a little bit of a false hope to think that he was going to win. To be behind a minute and a half going into the final TT is a really hard position to be in. I think he rode a good race and in the end I don't think his team is to blame though they could have improved matters. His team could not make him faster only slow down a competitor a little bit.

Sastre may have sat in until Alp D'Huez but, and it's a big but, he DID do something on the climb, he did attack, and that's where he won the race. Evans never attacks. At some point in the three weeks you HAVE to put yourself out there and attack for the win. He never did that. The one point where he could attack and perhaps win, the final TT, he didn't have it. He never put himself out there to 'earn' the win. Coming in 2nd two years in a row is great, but personally, I'm glad he didn't win.

This is a true and strong point. You can ride a conservative race for most of the race but eventually you have to attack in one or two of the final mountain stages to put a couple of minutes into the top GC guys. Evan's has never done this nor do I think he had the energy to do it. These last couple of mountain stages really show who among the GC guys still has some energy and will power left at this point in the race.

This is a true and strong point. You can ride a conservative race for most of the race but eventually you have to attack in one or two of the final mountain stages to put a couple of minutes into the top GC guys. Evan's has never done this nor do I think he had the energy to do it. These last couple of mountain stages really show who among the GC guys still has some energy and will power left at this point in the race.

I don't think you guys understand Cadel. His strategy to win is to stay close on the mountains and "attack" in the ITT. You won't see him attack in the hills because it isn't his strength, he'll redline, get caught and then blow the TT. His job is to stay close and make up the "hopefully" little time lost in the TT. Turns out it didn't work for him.

BTW, I also read the comments as a "what's wrong with me" than a "they must be doping."

Sastre may have sat in until Alp D'Huez but, and it's a big but, he DID do something on the climb, he did attack, and that's where he won the race. Evans never attacks. At some point in the three weeks you HAVE to put yourself out there and attack for the win. He never did that. The one point where he could attack and perhaps win, the final TT, he didn't have it. He never put himself out there to 'earn' the win. Coming in 2nd two years in a row is great, but personally, I'm glad he didn't win.Well, he did sorta attack coming down the Bonnete (sp?) and put time into Menchov. Anyway, while I'm no fan of Evans, he rode an intelligent and strong race.

Cadel's been a little kid all month...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FikzgWE3t0A

evans said in a velonews interview:
“I rode well and I believe I made a good time trial, but my rivals were just incredible,” said a disappointed Evans. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I was always calm. I tried to do the best I could, but they beat us. Carlos Sastre was stronger and he counted on a great team.”

now how is that 'whining', donrhummy, suzie creemcheese and zorro? he's stating the facts as they happened and saying that the better man won. it's called 'being honest'. nice to see you guys wearing your disdain for him openly.

congratulations to sastre and to the CSC team tactics for a great Alpe d'Huez ride that won the tour for them. maybe next year, cadel. he also raced extremely well and you have to give him credit for that. any of you whingers good enough for a top five placing in the TdF, four years in a row? maybe then you can point the bone.

and it's spelt 'losers', not 'loosers'. if you're going to criticise someone, do it properly.

i'm glad evans lost and what's more he'll never win the TDF .... the competition returns next year. sastre knew that and he had the balls to go for it instead of lash out at those around him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FikzgWE3t0A


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrpL6BA6PBQ

ed rader

Evans sounds like a girl when he speaks:love:

Cadel's been a little kid all month...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FikzgWE3t0A

The best part about this is that it all happened because somebody touched his stuffed lion.:roflmao2:

Though it is a little whiny to say it, the second point is true. If Cadel had any team support in the mountains he probably would have had the energy to ride a normal final TT and finish in yellow.

+1

CSC kicked major ass, as usual. All the teams are good, or they wouldn't be there. But Sastre got the kind of help Lance used to enjoy this year (Lance never wasted his team's efforts , but I think it's wrong to assume he could have won seven tours without a pretty amazing and devoted team behind him).

Not to take anything away from Sastre - he did a great ride on Alpe d'huez, and the TT. Unlike Ricco's rocket fuel ascents, Sastre picked his spots and did well - but he still looked human doing it. I admit I was a little suspicious, but as those time comparisons over the last few years show, he's been consistent...

Cadel also was right imo, to be proud of his overall performance after that crash. He may be whining a bit but cut the man some slack - it must suck to come in 2nd so close 2 yrs in a row...I am sure Lotto did their best - he probably should keep the whining private, but whatever.

Sastre may have sat in until Alp D'Huez but, and it's a big but, he DID do something on the climb, he did attack, and that's where he won the race. Evans never attacks. At some point in the three weeks you HAVE to put yourself out there and attack for the win.

Since you must be new to this...

It's virtually impossible to attack when the other team has four riders and you are by yourself. See, they ride you down and counter. You cannot continue to cover attacks, so you do the best you can when there's no help.

If you are going to argue a point, how about knowing something about the subject. :twitchy:

BTW...Evans did try to get away from the pack to run down Sastre, on a climb with a headwind. And no help.

geezus... Does anyone know why Sastre attacked on D'Huez? Because Riis sat down with Schleck and Sastre and told Carlos to go because he was farther behind to see what happens...

I don't understand the hate for Evans.


They want a ba!!$ out attack at every turn, because that's what they do in the 15 mile citizens race. Then they all go and puke up their power bars...

+1

CSC kicked major ass, as usual. All the teams are good, or they wouldn't be there. But Sastre got the kind of help Lance used to enjoy this year (Lance never wasted his team's efforts , but I think it's wrong to assume he could have won seven tours without a pretty amazing and devoted team behind him).

Not to take anything away from Sastre - he did a great ride on Alpe d'huez, and the TT. Unlike Ricco's rocket fuel ascents, Sastre picked his spots and did well - but he still looked human doing it. I admit I was a little suspicious, but as those time comparisons over the last few years show, he's been consistent...

Cadel also was right imo, to be proud of his overall performance after that crash. He may be whining a bit but cut the man some slack - it must suck to come in 2nd so close 2 yrs in a row...I am sure Lotto did their best - he probably should keep the whining private, but whatever.

Good post.

Three fourths of the posters here would give their right arm to finish second in a 20 mile cat 4 race.

Evans needs a better team.

Shoot, I'd argue that Sastre's not even the best rider on his team. But it worked out for him.

I think that Cadel's behavior all comes down to frustration. What with Contador likely back in the picture next year, and with a host of promising younger talents developing, Cadel might well have thought this was his only (or at least his best) shot for the title. Hopefully, he'll reflect back on his behavior and carry himself with a little more dignity in the future.

+1 Coming in second two years in a row would be very frustrating. Cadel did the best he could and CSC was just too strong. He'll get over it soon enough and start planning for next season. I'd cut him a little slack right now.

At least he got a shot this year. Leipheimer got a raw deal when Astana wasn't invited. Contador, too but he's a lot younger and will have more chances.

Since you must be new to this...

It's virtually impossible to attack when the other team has four riders and you are by yourself. See, they ride you down and counter. You cannot continue to cover attacks, so you do the best you can when there's no help.



So you still think it was smart to shoot for that stage win with Popovitch?

geezus... Does anyone know why Sastre attacked on D'Huez? Because Riis sat down with Schleck and Sastre and told Carlos to go because he was farther behind to see what happens...


+1 And the Schlecks attacked just like the Saunier Duval riders did; tag-team fashion. It takes an awful lot of energy to respond to attacks; Kohl about killed himself trying to hang on to each attack. Cadel waited to pick the right moment to go but he waited too long. Sastre, being fresh for his assault on the final climb, just kept on going.

If the group had managed to catch Sastre, Frank would've shot off the front as soon as contact was made and Andy and Carlos would've sat up.


Sure, it's exciting to see someone attack, attack, attack and attack some more on the big climbs but we've also seen over the years that the ones that do this are dopers.(Heras, Piepoli, Ricco, Vinokourov) For all of Andy Schleck's attacks, none of them were sustained. He'd give a quick burst, scoot up ahead a bit, then allow the group to reform. Rest up a bit, then another quick shot up front to drag people into an attack to wear them down. Having Frank there to take turns was a big help. Had Frank not been there, everyone would've stuck to Andy's wheel and nothing would happen. And once Sastre got away with a decent time spread, it would've be idiotic for the Schlecks to drag the other GC riders up to Sastre.


Schumacher should've been around to help Kohl instead of going on his crazy solo attacks.

So you still think it was smart to shoot for that stage win with Popovitch?

Do you think they were sending Popovych for the win or to be in a position to help Cadel should he get away on an attack?

Popovitch said he was given permission to try for the win, and he was obviously toast the next day.

"There were some guys riding surprisingly fast," Evans said. "I got some time checks from the other riders and thought, 'What's going on here?"'

I agree that it may be reading too much in to it to say that Evans was implying the others were doping. That quote could be interpreted as asking "Why am I so slow?" just as easily as "Why are they so fast?"

Evans sounds like a girl when he speaks:love:

Something wrong with that?

qoute: Just to add to the "Sastre is a great guy" pile: he has a fanclub in Belgium, who -at his request- donate their yearly membership fees and money from their fundraising to the Child Cancer Fund in the city of Ghent. In fact, he doubles every donation made by them and has visited the hospital of Ghent on several occasions. According to the president of the fan club, only a handful of the kids really knew who he was (probably gonna change now, I suppose) but he still made the effort. And it's not like a rider like Sastre spends a lot of time in Belgium during the season.

Class.

and another story ... in the video interview "Stage 19 Cadel Evans Pre-race" on the SBS site Evans mentions how in his first Tour (2005) when he was really on his own and Sastre was riding for Basso, Sastre would help him out by getting him Cokes/bottles in the high mountains (Evans was asked about Sastre "as a person" and this was an example of the respect he has for him).

Very cool stories, thanks for sharing them! :beer:

It seems like Evans was much more gracious on the podium in Paris today. The Aussie flag and stuffed kangaroo was a little odd, but harmless. ;) I am sure it must be tough for the riders when they cross the finish line, only to have microphones and cameras shoved in your face and looking for a reaction. It would be tough to always be eloquent and tactful under those circumstances.

Anybody can tell me why cadel's team have never gather a team to go with him anywhere? I mean... I'm not saying that the people in his team a weak but come on!... Cadel practically went by himself to eveything CSC was doing to smash him. I believe POPO was with him but popo is not superman...well hope next year cadels gets the tour.

Thanks.