Professional cyclists should thank their ancestors for superb physical potential. I am beyond impressed by their performance. I am astomished that to achieve that performance there are countless hours/days/years of training on their own, without media or cheering fans - just suffering and grinding away to improve their craft in the hope it will amount to something. This is the romantic challenge.

He's still in the race but some sprinters got docked points because they actually missed the time cut, but it was only by 30 secs or so.

Mark finished outside the time limit today, but as with yesterday, the autobus was so large that the organizers let everybody stay for another day ... but docked them 20 points each. Yesterday, that 20-point loss allowed Rojas to come within 15 points of Cavendish, (because Rojas finished within the time cut-off). Today, both were outside the time limit, so both lost 20 points. Still a 15 point lead for Manxman, which sets him in a good spot for Sunday.

- - - - -

Congrats to Sanchez who grabbed, and wrapped up the climber's jersey.

It looks like it is Evans' race to lose. Unless he pulls an Ullrich, (crash on a rain slick corner), he most likely will make up the minute deficit to Schleck the Younger.

Final podium is looking like this, (to me, and my highly inaccurate prediction abilities):

GC: Evans, A. Schleck, F. Schleck; (in that order)
Green: Cavendish
Polka Dot: Sanchez
White: Rolland
Team: Garmin-Cervelo

I forgot about the Team standings - Kudos to Garmin-Cervelo. It amazes me that 3 of the 4 USA are doing so well (HTC, GC and BMC - Radioshack not so good).

As to the sprinters kudos for them for staying in the race, day after mountainous day... Cipo in his day, would quit when the climbs came. You really have to give it up for smeone like Cavendish - so fast in the sprints (with a great team to lead him out) and can still pull his body up over those hills that would kill mortal men. I am more impressed with them than with the GC guys. Think about what a relatively big guy like Thor did - two hilly wins!

However, the governing body in this case is the UCI. They should have said no. I respect guys who try to win. It was not in AC's interest to go through a "legal" matter prior to a grand tour. So, I think you have a beef with UCI and why they have not been on this matter long ago. I completely agree that it is totally ridiculous for a racer who is in doubt and may be stripped of a title to deny the second place racer the glory of the top step. Welcome to the UCI oversight.

"Beef." That's an interesting word choice.

From what I read, the UCI wanted the delay as well. Neither felt ready.

I read, over in the pro fan forum, that in 2009 Evans was only 30 seconds faster than Schleck in the TT. That's less than Andy's lead going in. Not sure about last year.

Evans will have to scorch the course to win - should be interesting.

I thought the case was in CAS' hands? And they granted the delay 'til after the Tour..?

The TT time is (somewhat) dependent on terrain, wouldn't you think? With Schleck's suspect descending skillz (yo), he could pull a Rasmussen

I just looked it up on the official TdF site to be sure. Evans didn't race the TT last year. In 2009, Contador won by 3 seconds over Cancellara:

Contador: 48:30
Evans: +1:14
Andy Schleck: +1:45
Frank Schleck: +2:34

I think it will be Andy, Cadel, then Frank on the podium. Alberto could pull himself into 4th, but the podium is a long shot.

It's UCI vs. Contador, before the CAS. CAS approved a delay, requested by Contador, and agreed to by UCI. In most legal proceedings, at least those here in the U.S., if an attorney requests a delay, the opposing counsel usually agrees to it once, as professional courtesy, knowing they may need one at some point themselves. So maybe it was all Contador's side. Who knows. Anyway, I'm glad he's racing the tour.

I'm wondering why this doesn't happen more, the crowd seems out of control. That's a pretty good punch!

Contador will take 5:00 away from Schleck in the ITT. You wait and see.

Well it seems pretty safe that I will not have crow for dinner on Sat. night. The only way AC takes 5 min in the ITT is there are several McDonald's on the route and no time deducted for using the drive through.

That dude was shoving something right in his face. I hope he learned a lesson, but I doubt it.

Considering ACs current "drug" problem I wonder what the guy dressed like a doctor may have said? Probably deserved it!! The punch that is.

Not yet proven, so he races. This is as it should be.

I knew today's stage would be a slugfest and I was not disappointed! Contador came out fighting from the start and Andy stayed right on him through several attacks. Cadel's bike problems soon after Contador's initial attack made for a lot of drama as he had to put in a big effort to catch up. The crowd was nuts on the Alpe and they were treated to a fantastic show. I was hoping Contador would get the stage win, but was happy for Rolland finally getting his moment of glory after all the work he has done in support of Voeckler.

I got three good laughs :
1 - Contador punching the jerk who was poking something (a microphone?) right in his face.
2 - The cop grabbing the dude in the bikini and pulling him off the road.
3 - Cadel's response to Andy asking him to help pull him on the final climb. Yeah, right!

It is fitting that the race goes into the final potential separation stage with a big question mark. Will Andy, inspired by the yellow jersey, ride the time trial of his life and keep the lead? Will Cadel, who would normally be expected to finish well over a minute ahead of Andy, be able to overcome Andy's motivation and the incredible amount of work he's had to do in the last two days? We'll find out tomorrow.

Yes, but like the Russian that withdrew after testing positive for Hydroclorithiazide there is something to be said for caring about the race, the fans and your fellow racers. The hearing was set for June they could have had the hearing if he was cleared then there would be no chance of another championship being overturned. Not a problem now but if it had come to it and he was ruled against it would have been a shame and showed a lack of class towards whoever has to race against him. He tested positive, has a suspension reversed and then a hearing scheduled and then posponed.

But looking on the bright side, we will not have to wait till August to find out who won.

Exciting TT action!

Think you could go further than that---THE Whole event this year has been fantastic. Barring the accidents that have taken out a few of the possible front runners--Or may even be because of that-- This year has been the best TDF for years.

Wow... he totally scorched the TT course, from start to finish.

The guy is playing doctor in surgeon scrubs. He put the end of the stethoscope near AC's chest like he was checking his heart beat.

great tdf! lady luck came back and got alberto this year like she got andy last. u know i'm relatively new to sport but how come alberto gets so much criticism for chain gate but when cadell's bike broke and the schleck's didn't wait not a peep from anyone? or did AC make them evil somehow?

^^^
Probably 'cuz the dude w/ the busted bike wasn't in yellow...