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[carmonwebber]

For once in awhile now, it doesn't look like a 2 horse race at this point. Cadel is leading the potential winners and looks to be on form and keeping up with the attacks.

Determining stages coming up - it'll be great to see what the Schlecks and Contador can pull out of their (jersey) pocket.

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Contador has two days left to work his magic. If he doesn't deal a death blow to Evans and come to within striking distance of ASchleck before Grenoble, he's toast.

[What's Burning?]

I don't think he'll do it. Cadel Evans is fit, in form and has matched him at every step of the way... he may have lost his tour bit two or three stages into it when the Peloton was split up.

At this point I find myself rooting for Thomas Voeckler! But I'd love to see Cadel finally win one.

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Voeckler definitely has upheld the tradition of the MJ but his chances are very remote. I don't think AC's had his legs before the final rest day. The climbs in the next two days will be brutal, with HC uphill finishes both days. I don't think Evans will be able to hang. I've never seen anyone with such explosive climbing speed, much less with the repeatability, as AC. I don't think Pantani could have matched him when his hematocrit was 60.

[What's Burning?]

Voeckler definitely has upheld the tradition of the MJ but his chances are very remote. I don't think AC's had his legs before the final rest day. The climbs in the next two days will be brutal, with HC uphill finishes both days. I don't think Evans will be able to hang. I've never seen anyone with such explosive climbing speed, much less with the repeatability, as AC. I don't think Pantani could have matched him when his hematocrit was 60.

It can all go away next month in the courts. Tomorrow's race I think will be more challenging that stage 19 into Alpe d'Huez. I know we've seen time and time again a super human effort one day only to pay the price the next, and tomorrow's stage will be about who's got the strongest team, not just the most explosive legs. If the tempo can be kept high enough the attacks just won't come and the time gained if any, can be minimal. Stage 19 though is short enough that it can negate the difference in team fire power.

The biggest surprise for me this year though has been Thor Hudshovd... he's really transformed with the world champion's jersey. Getting over hills to win stages he would never have been able to win previously.

[bud]

This is Cadels time! Sorry Alberto.

[What's Burning?]

What a phenomenal stage!

Thomas Voeckler had me standing up and clapping at the end. Good attack on Andy to show he's in the tour to win it, Remarkable pull from Cadel to claw back so much time on the final ascent, and Contador... well, it's either the Giro taking its toll or having to race this tour drug free, or both... but he was a deflated rider today.

[bud]

Drug free I say! does Voeckler remind you of Robin Williams too?


Pretty good stage, one more day in the alps

[What's Burning?]

I won't speculate as to Contador's poor showing, but the 2011 tour has been nothing but bad news, bad form and bad team. To rub salt on the wound, he was out gunned to the top of today's stage by a kid! At times with all the deal they were making on the slopes it felt as if Sammy Sanchez was on his team instead of Euskaltel-Euskadi!

I'm absolutely ecstatic about watching Evans and Schleck battle it out for the MJ in tomorrow's ITT. Cavendish will need to defend his green jersey on Sunday and The French have had their best tour in years.

I'd like to see Cadel take it simply because of his age and the attempts he's made (always the bride's maid) and the fact that Andy probably has a few more cracks at it, and the fact that his team doesn't hold a candle to Leopard-Trek in depth, so he's done all of the mountain work on his own.

[Frontrunner]

Just friggin Awesome, Finally a Aussie has won the TDF, Well done Cadel, Just legend

[bud]

Just friggin Awesome, Finally a Aussie has won the TDF, Well done Cadel, Just legend

Cadel deserves this, finally

[What's Burning?]

Fantastic Tour... well deserved for Cadel!

[vlad]

He deserved it, totally! Now, if only Cavendish could defend that green shirt!

[carmonwebber]

Great result for Cadel!

Put on an excellent TT to grab the yellow easily. To have rode how he did in the mountains, as well as his performance in the TT made it a great race to watch as a supporter. Also good to see Contador pull up third in the TT despite a crappy Tour. Andy Schleck will be gunning for a win real bad now.

Pity Webber couldn't complete the Aussie treble this weekend with Stoner in Moto GP too.

[What's Burning?]

Great result for Cadel!

Put on an excellent TT to grab the yellow easily. To have rode how he did in the mountains, as well as his performance in the TT made it a great race to watch as a supporter. Also good to see Contador pull up third in the TT despite a crappy Tour. Andy Schleck will be gunning for a win real bad now.

Pity Webber couldn't complete the Aussie treble this weekend with Stoner in Moto GP too.

Sheesh... being a bit greedy now. While you're at it, why not ask for an Oscar for Paul Hogan.