DMF 

Rabobank has fired Rasmussen and both Cofidis and Rabobank teams are out of the tour. Alberto Contador (Discovery) inherits the Maillot Jaune.

I know this thread is OT, but thought you dedicated wrenches that don't frequent the flame-barrens in Road and TdF deserved a heads-up.

Mods, please feel free to kill this thread tomorrow.

operator

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahahhaahhahahahahahahahahhahahahaha. I thought rabo said they weren't going to pull their teams?

DMF 

They did, but now it is being reported that the whole team is gone. That could be an error — time will tell. It's a damn shame if so, since the team took the initiative. Otoh, there are rumors that Rasmussen had a positive test. We just don't know at this point.

wroomwroomoops

It's a good thing. MAYBE this is the TdF where the doping problem will be taken seriously, including the blood refreshing.

On the other hand, I never did give a flying duck for the TdF or the Giro or such. Just never been my cup o' tea, too monotone. I like watching track competitions, and even there I avoid the long-distance disciplines like the Madison and the points race.

DanteB

What I've read so far said Rassmussen was pulled but it up to the rest of the riders on Rabobank if they want to ride. The whole Rassmussen thing is over lying about he whereabouts in May and June.

DMF 

Watching the tube, I see that Rabobank riders and support vehicles are present, though Denis Menchov has just retired.

Interestingly, there is no Yellow Jersey. Contador didn't want to wear it and the organizers didn't insist, though they could have.