Giro Overall - Contador Takes Race, Chan Takes League

Hello again. Forgive me for not updating sooner, but I've had a busy weekend, as I made one of my rare trips into the world of racing bicycles at Burn24. I've now managed to catch up on some sleep and also catch up on all the news from the Giro. So lets get going.

It looks like Alberto Contador won the race, (and also the points jersey) which came as a surprise to no one.

He was "on another level" and made it look pretty easy. If he wants people to stop talking about him and drugs, he should probably go a bit slower. He may be riding on borrowed time, but the WADA/UCI appeal over his Clenbuterol positive has been delayed again, meaning he'll probably be lining up for the Tour in July and only a fool wouldn't bet on him for the win. If they do decide to ban him, it'll be a right cock-up, as the ban will come over a year, and several race-wins after that dodgy test result. It all makes the UCI look like a bunch of incompetent, corrupt idiots - a bit like FIFA then. So, to the mini league final scores.

Congratulations to the Evil Dr Chan. He picked the best team, and despite the Drunk Riders running him close at times, he never looked to be in too much trouble. In a first for the Tour De Pance, I'm awarding a prize of $75 value to the winner - yes Dr Chan wins a free bike tune-up. Just deliver your bike to my house and I'll get it running as good as new - for free*!

Much like Fabian Cancellara, I started strong, but faded away as the race went on. I mostly blame my climbers. Poor Sylwester Szymd was sick for most of the race but did put in an appearance at the front in the final week. Domenico Pozzvivo was just plain shit though, I picked him last year too and he was crap then - I won't be picking him again, so expect so see him up there next year.


Last place for the Dodgem Geezers then. Some bad luck with withdrawals and a failure to pick Contador cost them dearly. Well done on selecting John Gadret though, he seemed to be the climbing revelation of the race and will likely be touted as "The Next Big Thing" in French cycling. It's yet to be decided if he'll be riding the Tour this year, but I'm not sure Nico Roche will be too happy having to share leadership duties at the AG2R team with the "baldy French climber". 

Thanks for playing and see you all at the Tour De France. And maybe before, as it looks like George may have a game planned for the run up to the big one in July. Keep checking that Velogames site for news.

* Shipping and parts not included

Stages 16,17&18 - Bumper Triple Update

Doesn't time fly when you aren't blogging? It seems like only yesterday that we were having a rest day. And since then we've had three more stages.

First we had the Mountain Time Trial. And who should have won but Alberto Contador? Just in case anyone was in any doubt about who is the strongest rider at this years race.

He'll have to continue without his personal mechanic though. You may remember Faustino Muñoz from last July, but now you can remember him for hitting a spectator with a car door. I imagine it would make for some entertaining viewing. Unfortunately I can't find it on a popular video sharing website.


On Wednesday we had stage 17. It looked like the big boys had pretty much given up trying to get the better of Bertie, so it was time for a break. The winning move was whittled down to three men come the finish in Tirano. It was all going pretty much as expected until the sprint where Giovanni Visconti got all pushy with Diego Ulissi just before the line. Visconti says he was being put into the barriers by the young Italian, but the race judges didn't see it that way and sent him to the back of the group to finish third.

I did remember to take a look at the scores yesterday, and they looked like this.

So today it was another 3-man break. And one that contained two Bile Beans riders. I was proud to see my boys Marco Pinotti and Kevin Seeldraeyers up the road, but my poor Giro luck continues and I wasn't surprised to see Eros Capecchi come across the line first.

They did net me a few points though. And though I suspect the Chanbots are out of reach, I might just catch the Drunk Riders.

Here's a quick peek at Stage 19.

Stages 14&15 - Euskatel take stage, Contador takes time

My apologies for being a bit of a slacker with the blog recently. But to be honest, I'm surprised I made it this far without missing a day. Anyway, it seems that Rapture thing didn't happen, so I best carry on with the blog.

While most of us may still be on the planet, spare a thought for Xavier Tondo of the Movistar team, (formerly of Cervelo and the Bile Beans) who died today, apparently when his garage door fell on him. It's another reminder of what a dangerous game cycling is, whether you're racing, training, or just about to go and train.

It's been a rest day today, but it was all going on at the Giro over the weekend. It's been a tough couple of days in the mountains, but Contador seems to have seen off the attacks of his challengers and got the race pretty much sewn-up. So on Saturday, Bertie let his home-boy Igor Anton of the Euskaltel Team, take the win, as he put time into his rivals and consolidated his lead.

And on Sunday, Bertie let his home-boy Mikel Nieve of the Euskaltel Team, take the win, as he put time into his rivals and consolidated his lead.

We had a double points update for the weekend and the biggest scores are for those Chanbots, who have managed to pull-away from the Drunk Riders again.

Also on Suday, we (or at least those of us that live in the USofA) got to hear Tyler Hamilton talk all about Lance and US Postal on 60 minutes. It went pretty much like this.

No real shockers, and it's mostly stuff we've heard before, but if I was Lance I would be shitting myself. There was a nice bit about how Lance may have bought off the UCI to cover up a positive drug test. Fingers crossed the UCI will have a huge scandal and become a distant memory.

After putting their feet-up today, the remaining riders of the Giro will be partaking in a mountain time trial tomorrow. Bertie will probably be looking to get yet more time over his rivals, and maybe Scarponi will be going for the stage win.

Stage 13 - Contador in Control

Today we saw another dominant slice of riding from Alberto Contador. He put time into all his main rivals, but left the stage win to Jose Rujano.

It was no surprise to anyone to see that Petacchi, Cavendish and some other sprinters didn't show up for the start today. There are no more sprints for the fast men, and at the moment it looks like Contador could make off with the points jersey, as well as the Mountains Jersey and the Pink Jersey. He's certainly going to be raking in the Velogames points if he keeps on going as he is.

In the league, the positions are unchanged. The gap between first and second is still plenty tight, and there's still a load of points to come, so I hope the Evil Dr Chan isn't counting his chickens just yet. Watching today, I was pleased to see Hoogerland in the break, but dismayed to see Kev Seeldraeyers have a nasty crash, and Sylvester Szmyd climbing like an old lady. Looks like I've got third spot sewn-up.

Tomorrow we should have been treated to a trip up and down the Crostis. But apparently it's been declared too dangerous on the descent. I can't imagine why. Don't worry, there's still the Zoncolan.

In case you hadn't heard, the Rapture is happening tomorrow. I'm not sure what this will mean for the race, but I'll make sure I'm wearing clean underwear just in case. Whatever happens, it should still be an epic stage, so catch it on the TV/internets if you can.

Stage 12 - Cav does it again

As I mentioned before, the Amgen Tour of California, is currently taking place in California, which I believe is one of the United States of America. Wherever California may be, there's definitely a race there at the moment, as it is on my TV box right now.  And who should be commentating, but Phil and Paul.

After becoming accustomed to hearing Dave and Sean at the Giro, I now find Paul Sherwen incredibly irritating, I swear the guy can't go 5 minutes without mentioning "the front end of the main field" - I think I may have to invent some kind of drinking game. Then again there's probably a drinking game to be made of every time Sean Kelly mentions the Eyetalians. There was one highlight of the TOC though, and that was spotting our old friend Mr Cleanbottle.

While our focus is still Stateside, it seems that another resident of this fair country has spilled the beans on Lance Armstrong. I'm sure I'll be tuning in to 60Minutes on Sunday to see what Tyler Hamilton has to say for himself, although I think I can take a fair guess.

Anyway, over at the Giro, Cav won the sprint again.

Petacchi wasn't too far behind though, so the Bile Beans are still behind in the points,. It looks like the Drunk Riders are a coming for those Chanbots, as the gap between the two top teams narrows some more. 

No more sprints for the rest of the Giro. Things are about to get tough, so don't be surprised if Cav and the other sprinters decide to give up, like the quitters they are. Here's what's on the menu for tomorrow - looks like a big plate of Grossglockner.

Stage 11 - Gadret Gets It

It was lumpy today. Not lumpy enough to make much of a difference to anything though. In the break of the day was Christophe Le Mevel, who was lying third overall. He was in the virtual pink jersey for a bit, but the peleton gradually reeled in the remaining breakers on the run-in to the uphill finish. "Baldy French Climber" John Gadret popped out of the bunch with 300m go, and held on to the line

Gadret is quite a handy little climber with a good hairstyle, and he might have been a possible Bile Beans pick. However I just can't forgive him for what he did to Nico Roche at the Tour last year, so he didn't make it in.

I suppose we better take a look at the league scores, not that it makes good reading for me. It looks like the Drunk Riders may be closing in on the Chanbots, but the Bile Beans still have some work to do.

It should be another stage for the sprinters tomorrow. The big-hitters in the bunch should be happy sit in for a quiet day out; after tomorrow the race gets super-tough.

Stage 10 - Cav is the Mann

It took him a while, but Mark Cavendish finally won a stage of the Giro. About time too.

It wasn't enough for the Bile Beans to knock the Chanbots off top spot, or even overtake the Drunk Riders, but at least it's a start.

Not many more sprints to come though. And tomorrow should be interesting, with a lumpy stage that may test the ability of Contador's Saxo Bank team to defend the Pink Jersey.

I'm hoping the Bile Beans under-performers will get some points in. So Pozzovivo, Hoogerland and Seeldrayers need to get themselves in a day-long break to help me defeat the Evil Chanbots.

Stage 9 - Contador in Control as Weening Weakens

Firstly, lets get those Stage 8 scores out of the way. While they may no longer be on Velogames, I had the foresight to write them down on a handy piece of handlebar tape.

Stage 9 then brought the race to Sicily and up to Mount Etna.

It looked like the big names were maybe going to let the early break get the glory, but as the riders were reeled in on the slopes of the volcano Alberto Contador decided it was time to let everyone know who's boss. In case anyone was in any doubt as to whether he was really trying when he got second on stage 8, he put the hammer down and rode away from all the top contenders, to win the stage and take the Pink Jersey.

Scores after Stage 9 then. Chanbots still ahead then, with the Drunk Riders in second while the Bile Beans languish in third. Things are not looking good for the Dodgem Geezers. They lost another rider today, as Robbie McEwen failed to finish inside the time limit. And the team is Contador-less, which could cost Warwick dearly, as Bertie looks like he'll be taking a fair slice of points this race.

A well deserved rest-day today then. Although the riders will have to make a big transfer from Sicily to Termoli, which is up North somewhere.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - surely this is a stage for Cav - although it does have a bit of a hill at the finish, so probably another chance for Petacchi to get some more points in for my rivals.

Stage 8 - Oscar No Slouch

While Cav was nowhere to be seen at the end of today's stage, there was at least one familiar face. Yes, that Bertie Contador nearly got the win today, but he didn't quite manage to catch Oscar Gatto, who attacked on the small climb to the finish and held all chasers at bay. Contador was either been trying to stay out of trouble on the twisty run-in, or was letting the other contenders know that he was in form and ready to race.

We should get a better idea of who is in form after Stage 9. The peleton are off to Sicily, (where Nibali is from). And tomorrow they'll be riding up Mount Etna, not once, but twice - just in case it doesn't hurt enough the first time. I hear the volcano has just started erupting, but it's not too close to the route, and due to the thick and healthy blood of the riders, I doubt that any volcanic gasses will trouble them too much,

No scores in yet, and it's probably for the best as I hate to think how badly the Bile Beans are doing right now.I'll update in the morning if scores are in.

Stage 7 - Bart Burns Peleton

The Tour Of California will be kicking off tomorrow. I don't really care about this race at all, but it will be on a TV channel that I actually get, so I might find myself watching some of it. It won't be as good as the Giro though, I'm sure we'll agree.

Due to my inadequate TV package, I have to keep an eye on the Giro by means of internet streams, cyclingnews, and listening to the Eurosport audio feed with my i-telephone. As my luck would have it, the best bits of the race usually coincide with my ride to work, so thanks to what I believe is called an "App" I've now discovered how to hear Sean Kelly talk about "The Eyetalians"during my commute, while imagining what might be happening on TV.

So today we saw the first bit of a mountain in the Giro, and plucky little first-year pro Bart De Clercq just managed to hold off the big boys to get the win.

In other news there's a bit of a to do about the leaking of a list of suspicious riders from the 2010 Tour start, which is quite entertaining. I'm not sure how much we can read into it though, there's some riders I'd have on my personal suspicious list who have low scores, and some guys I though were clean enough with high scores. As long as it annoys the UCI I'm happy though.

How's about them scores then? Well I've been saving them for last on account of the fact I'm not doing too good - my boy Hoogerland was off the front for a while, but it was a totally futile move. Oh well, there's plenty of racing still to come -  I'm playing the long game.

Should be a sprint tomorrow. Surely one for Cav? He's got to get me some points soon, as I suspect he'll be quitting the race as soon as the going gets tough.

Stage 6 - Ventoso Vanquishes Pausing Petacchi

There are few things in the world more important to me than this blog, and I know that both my readers feel the same way. So imagine my dismay when I came to do yesterday's update and was greeted with this message.

It seems Blogger is up and running again now though, so off to business – yesterday's business that is. Stage 6 was won by none other than Francisco Ventoso, ahead of Petacchi, who seemed to be on for the win, till he decided to stop pedalling for some reason or other.

My boy Cav was nowhere to be seen, having been left behind on the hilly run-in to the finish. Even though he was only second, Petacchi got the points in for the Chanbots and Drunk Riders, pushing the Bile Beans back into third again. It could be worse, the Geezers are struggling to keep up, and after the loss of Weylandt are down two riders, as Feillu of Leopard Trek and Tylar Farrar both quit the race. Luckily David Millar is still keeping the Geezers in contention.

Onto Stage 7 then, which has already been and gone at the time of writing. Damn You Bolgger!

Stage 5 - Weening Weeds Out Weaklings

After all the turmoil of the last couple of days, things were sort of back to normal on the Giro today. Normal, except the race took another trip over the Strade Bianche, the white gravel roads, which you may remember from last year. Last time the weather was wet, and the roads were a muddy mess. This time around, the weather was nice and things were a dusty mess.

The early action came from a brave solo move from Martin Kohler, who was out front for most of the day. It looked like he might just hold on, but was caught with 14km to go by Pieter Weening and John Gadret. Weening didn't hang about though, and attacked with 9 km to go and held everyone at bay till the finish.

As well as the stage win, Weening now has the race lead, after the previous Pink Jersey David Millar had a bad day at the office. Most of the other big names kept out of trouble and finished in the chasing group. So, on to those scores.

So, while I'm not quite up there with the Chanbots, at least I'm beating Drew now. Stage 6 will look like this:

I'm hoping it will be one for the Cav.