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Stage list with climbs and results, Start list with backnumbers
 Final 2008 Tour de France General Classification
- 1. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) 87hr 52min 52sec
- 2. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 58sec
- 3. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 1min 13sec
- 4. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 2min 10sec
- 5. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 3min 5sec
- 6. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 4min 28sec
- 7. Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) @ 6min 25sec
- 8. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 6min 55sec
- 9. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 7min 12sec
- 10. Tadej Valjavec (Ag2R) @ 9min 5sec
- 11. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 9min 55sec
- 12. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 11min 32sec
- 13. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 12min 59sec
- 14. Sandy Casar (FDJ) @ 19min 23sec
- 15. Amael Moinard (Cofidis) @ 23min 31sec
- 16. Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel) @ 23min 40sec
- 17. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Columbia) @ 24min 55sec
- 18. Alexandre Botcharov (Credit Agricole) @ 27min 11sec
- 19. Dmitriy Fofonov (Credit Agricole) @ 28min 31sec
- 20. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 28min 33sec
 Climber
- 1. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) 128 points
- 2. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) 80
- 3. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) 80
 Points
- 1. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 270 points
- 2. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 220
- 3. Erik Zabel (Milram) 217
 Young Rider
- 1. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) 88hr 4min 24sec
- 2. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 1min 27sec
- 3. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 17min 1sec
Team GC
- 1. CSC-Saxo: 263hr 29min 57sec
- 2. Ag2R @ 15min 35sec
- 3. Rabobank @ 1hr 5min 26sec
Thursday, October 24: The Tour de France revealed the 2008 route. Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometers.
The time-trialing is reduced and there will be no prologue time trial to start the Tour.
These 21 stages have the following profiles:
- 10 flat stages,
- 5 mountain stages,
- 4 medium mountain stages,
- 2 individual time-trial stages.
Distinctive aspects of the race
- 4 mountain finishes,
- 2 rest days,
- 82 kilometers of individual time-trials,
- 19 Category 1, Category 2 and Hors Category passes will be climbed.
Friday, July 4: The Tour de France starts tomorrow with a road stage instead of a prologue time trial. I think this is going to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable Tours in years. Here's how I see the major GC players:
1. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto). Evans doesn't do anything badly. He can climb with all but the most gifted specialist climbers. His time-trialing is excellent. The net effect is a rider who doesn't bleed drips and drabs of time all over France. His fans get frustrated because he isn't flashy. He rides like a skilled stage racer who knows the race is 3 weeks long. He doesn't needlessly burn his matches. His 2008 second place at only 23 seconds behind Contador speaks volumes about his horsepower and tactical savvy. His Achilles heel could be his team. How hard will they work for Robby McEwen stage wins rather than saving their watts for Cadel in the final week? He's my pick for Yellow in Paris.
2. Denis Menchov. Menchov seems to be like Jan Ullrich. He needs a lot of hard racing to come to form. His 2 Vuelta wins (admittedly his 2005 victory came when Roberto Heras was disqualified for doping) show that it takes a lot of work to get this Russian machine to fire on all cylinders. Like Evans, he races carefully and uses his time trialing to seal the deal. He's my pick for second place.
3. Damiano Cunego. The Little Prince might have been the supremely gifted racer of our time if he hadn't been felled by mononucleosis. His return to the masterful form he exhibited in 2004 when his seemed to win the Giro almost by accident has been slow. If he's back (he won Amstel Gold this year), he'll be formidable. My pick for 3rd.
4. Alejandro Valverde. He's a brilliant rider who doesn't seem to be able to sustain the rigors of the third week of a Grand Tour. He seems to peak too early. This year he won Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Dauphiné. I don't think he can sustain that level of form all the way through July. The other Tour contenders will kill him in the stage 20 time trial if he comes out of the mountains alive. I see him in the top 5 in Paris if he's lucky.
5. Andy Schleck. Great rider. Second in the 2007 Giro shows his promise. Needs more time to get to Tour winning level. But who knows? His CSC team is scary-strong.
6. Carlos Sastre. What a fine rider. I want him to do well but even though he was third in 2006, I don't see him riding on Evans' level. He is willing to take terrific chances in the mountains. I see him in the top 5 and if Cunego and Valverde do a melt-down, he'll make another trip to the podium.
The stages:
Friday, July 4: The team presentation ceremony kicked off the Tour. Here's Garmin-Chipotle (formerly Slipstream) in their new kit. More team presentation photos.
Saturday, July 5: Stage 1, Brest - Plumelec, 197.5 km
More Tour Stage 1 photos.
Revised stage Results:
- 1. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) 4hr 36min 7sec
- 2. Philippe Gilbert (FDJ) @ 1sec
- 3. Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
- 4. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 5. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 6. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 7. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 8. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
- 9. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 10. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
GC after Stage 1. The same as the stage results because time bonuses have been eliminated in this edition of the Tour.
- 1. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) 4hr 36min 7sec
- 2. Philippe Gilbert (FDJ) @ 1sec
- 3. Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
- 4. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 5. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 6. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 7. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 8. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
- 9. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 10. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom): 8 points
- 2. Bjorn Schroder (Milram: 8
- 3. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval): 4
Points
- 1. Alejandro Valverde (CAisse d'Epargne): 35 points
- 2. Philippe gilberrt (FDJ): 30
- 3. Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom): 26
Young Rider:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval): 4hr 36min 8sec
- 2. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 6sec
- 3. Yury Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
Team GC:
- 1. Caisse d'Epargne: 13hr 0min 48sec
- 2. CSC-Saxo @ 7sec
- 3. Columbia s.t.
- 4. Garmin-Chipotle s.t.
The day's withdrawals:
- Hervé Duclos-Lassalle (Cofidis)
Rated climbs in Stage 1:
- Km 29.5: Côte de Ty-Jopic (Pont-de-Buis-les-Quuimerch), 3.7 km long @ 3.3% average gradient- Category 4
- Km 48.5: Côte de Kerivarc'h,1.5 km @ 3.2% - Category 4
- Km 85.5: Col de Toullaëron, 1.8 km @ 5.6% - Category 4
- Km 146.5: Côte de Guenervé, 2.1 km @ 3.3% - Category 4
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Tour de France stage 1 elevation guide.
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Stage 2, Sunday, July 6: Auray - Saint Brieuc, 164.5 km
Weather: At the start of the stage it was 17C (63F), with drops of rain and a 30 km/hr wind from the west.
More stage 2 photos.
Results:
- 1. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 3hr 45min 13sec
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 3. Gerald Ciolek (Columbia) s.t.
- 4. Robert Hunter (Barloworld) s.t.
- 5. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 6. Yury Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
- 7. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 8. Jimmy Casper (Agritubel) s.t.
- 9. Martin Elinger (Ag2R) s.t.
- 10. Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) s.t.
- 12. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
GC after Stage 2:
- 1. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) 8hr 21min 20sec
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 1sec
- 3. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 4. Joan Jose Cobo (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 5. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 6. Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
- 7. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 8. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 9. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 10. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom): 19 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis): 11
- 3. Bjorn Schroder (Milram): 9
- 4. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval): 4
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia): 54 points
- 2. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne): 49
- 3. Oscar Freire (Rabobank): 46
Young Rider:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval): 8hr 21min 21sec
- 2. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 6sec
- 3. Yury Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
Team GC:
- 1. Caisse d'Epargne: 25hr 4min 8sec
- 2. Columbia @ 7swec
- 3. CSC-Saxo s.t.
The day's withdrawals:
- No withdrawals listed for today
Stage 2 rated climbs:
- Km 23.5: Côte de Bieuzy-Lanvaux, 1.9 km @ 4.1% average gradient- Category 4
- Km 43.0: Côte de Kergroix, 3.0 km @ 4% - Category 4
- Km 92.0: Côte de Mûr-de-Bretagne, 1.5 km @ 8.7% - Category 3
- Km 96.0: Côte de Saint-Mayeux, 1.3 km @ 5.5% - Category 4
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Stage 2 elevation guide.
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Stage 3, Monday, July 7: Saint-Malo - Nantes, 208 km
Weather: As the stage began it was pouring rain in Nantes, the finish city. Early in the race there has been some rain falling on the peloton. The wind is 25kph from the southwest. It was 19C (66F) at the start.
More Stage 3 photos.
Results:
- 1. Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) 5hr 5min 27sec
- 2. William Frischkorn (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 3. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) s.t.
- 4. Paolo Longo Borghini (Barloworld) @ 14sec
- 5. Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto) @ 2min 3sec
- 6. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 7. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 8. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 9. Robert Forster (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
- 10. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) s.t.
- 39. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 46. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) s.t.
- 68. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 92. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 2min 41sec
- 94. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) s.t.
GC after Stage 3:
- 1. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) 13hr 27min 5sec
- 2. Paolo Longo Borghini (Barloworld) @ 35sec
- 3. William Frischkorn (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 1min 42sec
- 4. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse'Epargne) @ 1min 45sec
- 5. Kim kirchen (Columbia) @ 1min 46sec
- 6. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 7. Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
- 8. Daid Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 9. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 10. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom): 19 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis): 11
- 3. Bjorn Schroder (Milram): 9
- 4. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval): 4
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia): 69 points
- 2. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole): 64
- 3. Oscar Freire (Rabobank): 55
Young Rider:
- 1. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) 13hr 27min 5sec
- 2. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 52sec
- 3. Yury Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) s.t.
Team GC:
- 1. Garmin-Chipotle 40hr 24min 42sec
- 2. Cofidis @ 41sec
- 3. Barloworld @ 1min 16sec
Withdrawals: Angel Gomez (Saunier Duval)
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Stage 3 elevation guide.
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Stage 4, Tuesday, July 8: Cholet 29.5 km Individual time-trial
Weather: Wind blowing from the southeast at 20 km/hr. Magnus Backstedt, who has already finished the course, says the return leg with a tailwind and downhill is very fast (82-83 km/hr). He said a 54 x 11 wasn't enough! There are a few drops falling at the start but the roads are dry. It's 19C (66F).
More stage 4 photos.
Results:
- 1. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) 35min 44sec
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 18sec
- 3. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 4. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 27sec
- 5. Fabian Cancellara (CSC-Saxo) @ 33sec
- 6. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 34sec
- 7. Jens Voigt (CSC-Saxo) @ 35sec
- 8. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 37sec
- 9. George Hincapie (Columbia) @ 41sec
- 10. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 47sec
- 17. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) @ 1min 26sec
- 20. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 29sec
- 23. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 34sec
- 115. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) @ 3min 36sec
- 169. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) @ 4min 59sec
GC after Stage 4:
- 1. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) 14hr 4min 41sec
- 2. Kim kirchen (Columbia) @ 12sec
- 3. David Millar (Garmin-Shipotle) s.t.
- 4. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 21sec
- 5. Fabian Cancellara (CSC-Saxo) @ 33sec
- 6. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 37sec
- 7. George Hincapie (Columbia) @ 41sec
- 8. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) s.t.
- 9. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 58sec
- 10. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 1sec
- 11. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 12sec
- 16. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) @ 1min 26sec
- 17. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse'Epargne) @ 1min 27sec
- 18. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 29sec
- 23. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 43sec
- 41. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) @ 3min 7sec
- 59. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) @ 4min 8sec
Climber:
- 1. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom): 19 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis): 11
- 3. Bjorn Schroder (Milram): 9
- 4. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval): 4
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia): 81 points
- 2. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole): 64
- 3. Oscar Freire (Rabobank): 55
Young Rider:
- 1. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) 14hr 5min 28sec
- 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 11sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 37sec
- 4. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 42sec
Team GC:
- 1. Garmin-Chipotle 42hr 13min 59sec
- 2. Columbia @ 1min 44sec
- 3. CSC-Saxo @ 2min 35sec
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Stage 4 time trial elevation guide.
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Stage 5, Wednesday July 9: Cholet - Châteauroux, 232 km. This is the longest stage of the 2008 Tour.
Weather: At the start: wind, 15 km/hr from the southeast. Bright sun with some clouds in the sky. 21C (70F)
More stage 5 photos
Results:
- 1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) 5hr 27min 52sec
- 2. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 3. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 4. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 5. Baden Cooke (Barloworld) s.t.
- 6. Robert Hunter (Barloworld) s.t.
- 7. Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) s.t.
- 8. Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 9. Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) s.t.
- 10. Julian Dean (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
GC after Stage 5:
- 1. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) 19hr 32min 33sec
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 12sec
- 3. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 4. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 21sec
- 5. Fabian Cancellara (CSC-Saxo) @ 33sec
- 6. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 37sec
- 7. George Hincapie (Columbia) @ 41sec
- 8. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) @ 47sec
- 9. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 58sec
- 10. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 1sec
- 11. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 12sec
- 16. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) @ 1min 26sec
- 17. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 27sec
- 18. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 29sec
- 23. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 43sec
Climber:
- 1. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom): 19 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis): 11
- 3. Bjorn Schroder (Milram): 9
- 4. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval): 4
Points
- 1. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 88 points
- 2. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 85
- 3. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 81
- 4. Erik Zabel (Milram) 72
Young Rider:
- 1. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) 19hr 33min 20sec
- 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 11sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 37sec
- 4. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 42sec
Team GC:
- 1. Garmin-Chipotle 58hr 37min 35sec
- 2. Columbia @ 1min 44sec
- 3. CSC-Saxo @ 2min 35sec
Km 41: Before the other web sites begin their live updates, here's the situation: Juan Mauricio Soler, last year's winner of the Mountains classification crashed in stage one and broke a small bone in his wrist. He continued but this morning he crashed again, in the neutral zone. Soler was forced to abandon, leaving 177 riders in the Tour.
There is a break of 3. Lilian Jegou (FDJ), Nicolas Vogondy (Ag2R) and Florent Brard (Cofidis). They have a lead of 5min 35sec. The best placed of the trio is Lilian Jegou. He is 94th overall, at 5min 45sec.
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Stage 5 elevation guide. No rated climbs today.
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Stage 6, Thursday July 10: Aigurande - Super Besse, 195.5 km. This is the 2008 Tour's first hilltop finish. There should be some real changes in the GC.
Weather: At the start it's sunny, wind 15 km/hr from the southwest, 27C (81F).
More stage 6 photos
Results:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 4hr 57min 52sec
- 2. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1sec
- 3. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 4. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 4sec
- 5. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 6. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 7sec
- 7. Moises Duenas Nevado (Barloworld) s.t.
- 8. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 9. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) s.t.
- 10. Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 25. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 32sec
- 29. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) s.t.
GC after Stage 6:
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 24hr 30min 41sec
- 2. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 6sec
- 3. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 16sec
- 4. Christian Vende Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 44sec
- 5. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 47sec
- 6. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) @ 54sec
- 7. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 3sec
- 8. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 12sec
- 9. Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) @ 1min 21sec
- 10. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) 27 points
- 2. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) 27
- 3. Riccardo Ricco(Saunier Duval) 20
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 97 points
- 2. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 88
- 3. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 85
- 4. Erik Zabel (Milram) 72
Young Rider:
- 1. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) 24hr 31min 35sec
- 2. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 43sec
- 4. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 8sec
Team GC:
- 1. Garmin-Chipotle 73hr 34min 10sec
- 2. CSC-Saxo @ 19sec
- 3. Columbia @ 20sec
The Race: At km 36, the trio's lead has grown to 3min 40sec.
Here's the situation at km 28, before the other web sites begin their live updates. There is a break of 3 riders with a lead of 2 minutes: Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis), Benoit Vaugrenard (FDJ) and Freddy Bichot (Ag2R). Chavanel is the best placed of the 3 at 29th place, 2min 10sec behind Stefan Schumacher in the GC. Alejandro Valverede was caught in a crash yesterday and is covered in bandages. He's riding towards the back of the peloton.
The day's rated climbs
- Km 70.0: Côte de L'Armelle, 2.3 km @ 4.7% average gradient - Category 4
- Km 89.0: Côte de Crocq, 1.6 km @ 6% - Category 4
- Km 158.0: Col de la Croix-Morand, 8.0 km @ 5.2% - Categoy 2
- Km 195.5: Super-Besse - 11.0 km @ 4.7% - Category 2
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Stage 6 elevation guide.
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Friday, July 11: Oh hell! Manuel Beltran of the Liquigas team has tested postive for EPO in stage 1 of this year's Tour de France. The French police took Beltran away for questioning today. His Tour is over. The team remains in the race so far. Beltran was in 26th place, 3min 20sec down. This isn't the first time EPO and Beltran have been linked. When the famous retest of 1999 urine samples was performed and L'Equipe wrote that several samples were postive for EPO, Lance Armstrong wasn't the only rider accused by the French sports paper. Beltran's sample was also said to be postive for EPO.
Stage 7, Friday, July 11: Brioude - Aurillac, 159 km.
Weather: At the start it's a bit overcast and 25C (77F) with a 5 km/hr breeze from the south. It could become unpleasant later in the stage with a possibility of rain and even a chance of hail.
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Sanchez takes the stage with with lots of time to celebrate.
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Stefan Schumacher (in blue) leads the thundering herd in 6 second later.
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Results:
- 1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) 3hr 52min 53sec
- 2. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 6sec
- 3. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
- 4. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 5. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 6. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 7. Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) s.t.
- 8. Josep Jufre (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 9. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 10. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 12. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 15. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) s.t.
GC after Stage 7:
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 28hr 23min 40sec
- 2. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 6sec
- 3. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 16sec
- 4. Christian Vende Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 44sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 3sec
- 6. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 12sec
- 7. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 1min 16sec
- 8. Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) @ 1min 21sec
- 9. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 10. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval) 28 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) 27
- 3. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) 27
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 119 points
- 2. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 91
- 3. thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 90
Young Rider:
- 1. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) 28hr 51min 1sec
- 2. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 37sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 46sec
Team GC:
- 1. Garmin-Chipotle 73hr 34min 10sec
- 2. CSC-Saxo @ 19sec
- 3. Columbia @ 20sec
The day's rated climbs:
- Km 11.0: Côte de Fraisse, 4.5 km @ 4.4% average gradient - Category 3
- Km 52.0: Côte de Villedieu, 3.4 km @ 4.4% - Category 4
- Km 101.5: Col d'Entremont, 6.5 km @ 4.7% - Category 2
- Km 117.0: Pas de Peyrol (Puy Mary), 7.8 km @ 6.2% - Category 2
- Km 150.0: Côte de Saint-Jean-de-Donne, 1.7 km @ 9.9% - Category 3
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Stage 7 elevation guide.
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Stage 8, Saturday, July 12: Figeac - Toulouse, 172.5 km
Weather: 16C (61F), 15 km/hr wind from the west. At the start the roads are wet and it's raining in Toulouse, the finish city.
More stage 8 photos
Results:
- 1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) 4hr 2min 54sec
- 2. Gerald Ciolek (Columbia) s.t
- 3. Jimmy Casper (Agritubel) s.t.
- 4. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 5. Robert Forster (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
- 6. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 7. Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) s.t.
- 8. Sebastien Chavanel (FDJ) s.t.
- 9. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 10. Robert Hunter (Barloworld) s.t.
GC after Stage 8:
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 32hr 26min 34sec
- 2. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 6sec
- 3. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 16sec
- 4. Christian Vende Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 44sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 3sec
- 6. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 12sec
- 7. David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 1min 16sec
- 8. Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) @ 1min 21sec
- 9. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 10. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) s.t.
Climber:
- 1. David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval) 34 points
- 2. Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) 27
- 3. Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) 27
Points
- 1. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 119 points
- 2. Kim kirchen (Columbia) 119
- 3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 105
Young Rider:
- 1. Thomas Lovkvist (Columbia) 32hr 27min 55sec
- 2. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 37sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 46sec
Team GC:
- 1. CSC-Saxo: 97hr 22min 8sec
- 2. Columbia @ 2min 52sec
- 3. Caisse d'Epargne @ 3min 29sec
- The day's rated climbs:
- Km 9.0: Côte de Loupiac, 2.7 km @ 6% average gradient - Category 4
- Km 36.5: Côte de Macarou, 4.2 km @ 6.1% - Category 3
- Km 52.5: Côte de la Guionie, 1.5 km @ 5.5% - Category 4
- Km 70.5: Côte du Port de la Besse, 4.1 km @ 4.5% - Category 3
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Stage 8 elevation guide.
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Stage 9, Sunday, July 13: Toulouse - Bagnères de Bigorre, 224 km. This is the first stage with Category 1 climbs.
Weather: At the start there is a 15 km/hr wind from the west-northwest. It's 17C (63C).The forecast is for mild temperatures and overcast conditions with a chance of showers.
More stage 9 photos
Results:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 5hr 39min 28sec
- 2. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 1min 4sec
- 3. Cyril Dessel (Ag2R) @ 1min 17sec
- 4. Dmitriy Fofonov (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 5. Christian Knees (Milram) s.t.
- 6. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) s.t.
- 7. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 8. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) s.y.
- 9. Damiano Cunego (Lampre) s.t.
- 10. Yaroslav Popovych (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 12. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) s.t.
- 28. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
GC after Stage 9:
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 38hr 7min 19sec
- 2. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) @ 6sec
- 3. Christian Vande Velde (Garmoin-Chipotle) @ 44sec
- 4. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) @ 56sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 1min 3sec
- 6. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1min 12sec
- 7. Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) s.t.
- 8. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.
- 9. Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) @ 1min 27sec
- 10. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 34sec
Climber:
- 1. David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval) 62 points
- 2. Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) 57
- 3. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 50
Points
- 1. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 123 points
- 2. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 119
- 3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 105
Young Rider:
- 1. Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo) 38hr 9min 17sec
- 2. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 9sec
- 3. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 22sec
Team GC:
- 1. CSC-Saxo: 114hr 24min 23sec
- 2. Caisse d'Epargne @ 3min 29sec
- 3. Saunier Duval @ 4min 47sec
- The day's rated climbs:
- Km 42.0: Côte de Saint-Pey, 1.7 km @ 4.7% average gradient- Category 4
- Km 46.0: Côte de Sainte-Quitterie, 1.5 km @ 5.7% - Category 4
- Km 91.0: Côte de Mane, 2.0 km @ 5.6% - Category 4
- Km 113.5: Col de Buret, 4.6 km @ 3.2% - Category 4
- Km 123.5: Col des Ares, 6.0 km @ 4.9% - Category 3
- Km 166.5: Col de Peyresourde, 13.2 km @ 7.1% - Category 1
- Km 198.0: Col d'Aspin, 12.3 km @ 6.5% - Category 1
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Stage 9 elevation guide. With the finish line 26 kilometers from the crest of the Aspin, I think it unlikely the Tour will be won today. But it sure might be lost.
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Stage 10, Monday, July 14: Pau - Hautacam, 156 km. The first stage of the 2008 Tour with HC climbs. It'll be a hilltop finish so there should be some real GC changes.
Weather: Sunny, wind 5 km/hr from the north.21C (70F).
Results:
- 1. Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval) 4hr 19min 27sec
- 2. Juan Jose Cobo (Saunier Duval) s.t.
- 3. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 28sec
- 4. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 1min 6sec
- 5. Vlaidmir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 2min 5sec
- 6. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) @ 2min 17sec
- 7. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) s.t.
- 8. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 9. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) s.t.
- 10. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 15. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 4min 19sec
GC after Stage 10:
- 1. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) 42hr 29min 9sec
- 2. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1sec
- 3. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 38sec
- 4. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 40sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 57sec
- 6. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 28sec
- 7. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 1min 56sec
- 8. Juan Jose Cobo (Saunier Duval) @ 2min 10sec
- 9. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) @ 2min 29sec
- 10. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 2min 32sec
- 14. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) @ 4min 41sec
Climber:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 77points
- 2. David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval) 65
- 3. Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) 57
Points
- 1. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 131 points
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 124
- 3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 105
Young Rider:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 42hr 31min 38sec
- 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 1min 40sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 4min 18sec
- The day's rated climbs:
- Km 38.5: Côte de Benejacq, 2.6 km @ 6.9% average gradient - Category 3
- Km 67.0: Loucrup, 2.0 km @ 6.9% - Category 3
- Km 106.0: Col du Tourmalet, 17.7 km @ 7.5% - Hors Category
- Km 156.0: Hautacam, 14.4 km @ 7.2% - Hors Category
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Stage 10 elevation guide.
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Rest Day, Tuesday July 15: Pau
Wednesday, July 16: Some news. Barloworld's Moises Duenas Nevado has been withdrawn from the Tour after he tested positive for EPO in the stage 4 time trial.
The Pro Tour is dead. During the rest day in Pau, 17 teams announced that they would not buy Pro Tour licenses for the 2009 season. This puts an end to the UCI's attempt to turn cycling into another Formula 1 and its bald grab for power and money (such as television licensing fees). Good riddance. Several smaller important races died because of the Pro Tour.
Stage 11, Wednesday, July 16: Lannemezan - Foix, 167.5 km
Weather: Overcast to sunny, wind 15 km/hr from the northeast (sort of a cross/headwind). At the start 21C (70F). The temperature is predicted to climb to 27C (81F).
More stage 11 photos
Results:
- 1. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (CSC-Saxo) 3hr 58min 13sec
- 2. Martin Elmiger (Ag2R) s.t.
- 3. Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) s.t.
- 4. Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank) @ 2sec
- 5. Alexandre Botcharov (Credit Agricole) @ 11sec
- 6. Pierrick Fedrigo (Bouygues Telecom) @ 14sec
- 7. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) s.t.
- 8. Benoit Vaugrenard (FDJ) s.t.
- 9. Fabian Wegman (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
- 10. Marco Velo (Milram) s.t.
- 11. Dmitriy Fofonov (Cofidis) @ s.t.
- 12. Amael Moinard (Cofidis) @ 29sec
- 13. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole). Led in the field @ 14min 51sec
GC after Stage 11:
- 1. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) 46hr 42min 13sec
- 2. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1sec
- 3. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 38sec
- 4. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 46sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 57sec
- 6. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 28sec
- 7. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 1min 56sec
- 8. Juan Jose Cobo (Saunier Duval) @ 2min 10sec
- 9. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) @ 2min 29sec
- 10. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 2min 32sec
Climber:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 77points
- 2. David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval) 65
- 3. Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) 57
Points
- 1. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 138 points
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 128
- 3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 117
Young Rider:
- 1. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) 46hr 44min 42sec
- 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 1min 40sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 4min 18sec
Team GC
- 1. CSC-Saxo: 139hr 58min 49sec
- 2. Ag2R @ 4min 49sec
- 3. Saunier Duval @ 10min 11sec
- The day's rated climbs:
- Km 49.5: Col de Larrieu, 5.4 km @ 3.8% average gradient - Category 3
- Km 110.0: Col de Portel, 12.6 km @ 6.8% - Category 1
- Km 145.0: Col del Bouich, 5.2 km @ 3.8% - Category 3
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Stage 11 elevation guide.
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Thursday, July 17: According to the L'Equipe web site, Saunier Duval rider Riccardo Ricco has tested postive for EPO (CERA -Continuous Erythropietin Receptor Activator) for July 3 and July 4. Ricco was sitting in ninth place at 2 minutes, 29 seconds behind Cadel Evans. Ricco, who has been taken into police custody, is out of the Tour as is his entire Saunier Duval team.
Instead of being a young, brash rider, he turns out to be a loudmouthed cheat. This is the third rider to be caught doping in this year's Tour and all have Spanish connections (either Spanish riders or riders for Spanish teams). Hey, Spanish federation and judges, time to stop protecting the cheaters and start cleaning things up.
Stage 12, Thursday, July 17: Lavelanet - Narbonne, 168.5 km
Weather: Overcast, wind 20 km/hr from the northwest. Temperature at the start is 20C (68F).
More stage 12 photos
Results:
- 1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) 3hr 40min 52sec
- 2. Sebastien Chavanel (FDJ) s.t.
- 3. Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) s.t.
- 4. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 5. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 6. Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) s.t.
- 7. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 8. Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) s.t.
- 9. Julian Dean (Garmon-Chipotle) s.t.
- 10. Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
GC after Stage 11. No change to the to the GC except for the exit of the Saunier Duval riders.
- 1. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) 50hr 23min 5sec
- 2. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1sec
- 3. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 38sec
- 4. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 46sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 57sec
- 6. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 28sec
- 7. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 1min 56sec
- 8. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 2min 32sec
- 9. Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel) @ 3min 51sec
- 10. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 4min 18sec
Climber:
- 1. Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) 58 points
- 2. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) 56
- 3. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) 45
Points
- 1. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) 162 points
- 2. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) 138
- 3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) 136
- 4. Erik Zabel (Milram) 123
- 5. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) 121
Young Rider:
- 1. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) 50hr 27min 23sec
- 2. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 2min 42sec
- 3. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) @ 2min 49sec
Team GC
- 1. CSC-Saxo: 151hr 1min 25sec
- 2. Ag2R @ 4min 49sec
- 3. Gerolsteiner @ 15min 23sec
- The day's rated climb:
- Km 57.5: Col du Camperié, 3.1 km @ 3.7% average gradient - Category 4
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Stage 12 elevation guide.
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Friday, July 18: La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Saunier Duval team has fired Riccardo Ricco and Leonardo Piepoli for violating the team's code of ethics (I would guess that would be doping). There are rumors of another doping postive and speculation is centering on Piepoli who has gone to his home in Monaco. Saunier Duval is said to be considering withdrawing its sponsorship, thereby killing the team. Ricco insists that he is innocent ("Non mi sono dopato.").
Stage 13, Friday, July 18: Narbonne - Nîmes, 182 km
Weather: Sunny with wind blowing gusts as strong as 40 km/hr from the west. The race goes north east today so there may be some real tailwinds. 27C (81F).
Results:
- 1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia) 4hr 25min 42sec
- 2. Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto) s.t.
- 3. Romain Feillu (Agritubel) s.t.
- 4. Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
- 5. Oscar Freire (Rabobank) s.t.
- 6. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) s.t.
- 7. Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) s.t.
- 8. Erik Zabel (Milram) s.t.
- 9. Julian Dean (Garmin-Chipotle) s.t.
- 10. Sebastien Chavanel (FDJ) s.t.
GC after Stage 13.
- 1. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) 54hr 48min 47sec
- 2. Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo) @ 1sec
- 3. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) @ 38sec
- 4. Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) @ 46sec
- 5. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) @ 57sec
- 6. Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo) @ 1min 28sec
- 7. Kim Kirchen (Columbia) @ 1min 56sec
- 8. Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2R) @ 2min 32sec
- 9. Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel) @ 3min 51sec
- 10. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 4min 18sec
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