Cycling 2010

[Macy]

He looked absolutely shattered when the camera's zoomed in on him as he lost touch with the main peloton with about 5kms to go.

Looked like he totally went over - probably would've saved time if he'd gone his own pace a bit earlier, but then you have to learn when that's coming too.

As for the contenders, surprised at Contador not looking so good whatever about the spin he put it on yesterday. Evans could probably take a chance on marking Contador given Shlecks past time trial record, although he probably thought he had enough time going into the final time trial against Sastre a couple of years ago.

[Dodge]

Today is going to be interesting. The first HC climb and a long, long day but no mountain top finish. For anyone to get away they're probably going to have to attack early. If they leave it to last climb there's too long a decent for them to survive IMO

[Mr A]

Roche 25th today, 17th overall now.

[Real ale Madrid]

Disapointing day for Roche - but still not in bad shape.

But what about Jens Voight! nearly 40 years of age, and he leading his man out nearly to the top of the Col de Madeline. What a hero!

[the 12 th man]

Roche 25th today, 17th overall now.

Yesterdays yellow jersey one place behind him.Looks like a 2 horse race now.

[Macy]

Disapointing day for Roche - but still not in bad shape.

I was pleastantly surprised at where he came. He came in with a group that contained riders that had solely focused on the GC at the Tour, and most of them ahead were pure climbers or GC riders! His other GC rides have been the result of getting in breaks - if he can stay around where he is now without a break bonus it'll be progress imo.

[Dodge]

Spot on Macy. Anywhere in the top 20 is still a decent result, considering the cream of the crop is in this race.

He's also far enough back now that he might be able to get in a good quality break

[Mr A]

Roche took back 80 seconds with a late attack today. He's up to 13th in the GC.

[Dodge]

Yeah, that was incredibly cheeky (and clever). I mean he might lose a bit of time in the TT but he can easily recover the energy expended today in the ext couple of days as the sprinters take over

[Real ale Madrid]

Fair played to Roche - great to bounce back after losing time yesterday. Maybe top ten back on the agenda after today.

[Real ale Madrid]

Mark Renshaw kicked out of the tour for trying to headbutt New Zealand's Julian Dean when leading out Cavendish on today's sprint. Just saw it and it looked ridiculous - didn't see did Dean do anything to provoke him - probably irrelevant anyway. Good decision - looked very dangerous.

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

[zenokelly]

Mark Renshaw kicked out of the tour for trying to headbutt New Zealand's Julian Dean when leading out Cavendish on today's sprint. Just saw it and it looked ridiculous - didn't see did Dean do anything to provoke him - probably irrelevant anyway. Good decision - looked very dangerous.

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

No, as far as I could see he didn't do anything to provoke him. Renshaw was just doing whatever he could to ensure Cavendish got a clear passage. Whatever about doing it once, he did it 3 or 4 times (cant remeber) and the last was a right dig.

[Dodge]

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

Eisel's OK

I too thought it was the correct decision. Dean did stick his elbows out a little but nothing that isn't normal in sprinting. Even after the headbutts, Renshaw looked back and decided to swerve into Farrar. i think it was a combination fo the two that got him DQ'd

COuldn't just give him the "normal" sanction of putting him at back of pack as it didn't matter whether he was 7th, 10th or last

[Macy]

Dean was leaning in if you look from the overhead, so the first two headbutt's/ head pushes were ok with me. However, the final one did look like a head butt and he was definately dangerous blocking Farrar. So overall probably just about justified, taking the two together. HTC are probably lucky Cav wasn't penalised?

Between Cav's reaction and Renshaws behavior, two days running a pair of tits in HTC jerseys at the finish line... They probably have a point though in comparing Renshaw with the two guys fighting the other day only getting a small fine. One of them came flying in with a wheel, never mind a head!

[Dodge]

They probably have a point though in comparing Renshaw with the two guys fighting the other day only getting a small fine. One of them came flying in with a wheel, never mind a head!

I don't think its comparable at all tbh. The two lads swinging digs were stopped and no one involved but themselves.

If Renshaw knocks Dean down (which at 40mph is easy enough to do) there'd be carnage. I know he didn't but its still a far more dangerous incident.

[the 12 th man]

I think Contador could and should have waited before attacking back and I think he knows as much himself as he stated that he didn't think Schleck had a problem when he went by ,which is very hard to believe.

[Dodge]

Don't see anything wronf with what Contador did. He basically just followed the others, then pushed on.

Nicolas Roche puntured on the climb asnd had to use a nuetral bike for a while. he was fuming at his team mate gadret who chose this moment to attack the leaders group

He tweeted as much last night but its since been deleted.

[Real ale Madrid]

[QUOTE=Dodge;1378121]Don't see anything wronf with what Contador did. He basically just followed the others, then pushed on.
QUOTE]

Really - from what I saw on the highlights last night - Contador was the first to attack. Schleck was bitterly upset. He was almost in tears talking to the media. Not nice from Contador imo but it will hardly decide the tour.

[passinginterest]

It's fair to say Roche is not a happy bunny http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...m-2264978.html

I hope Gadret crashes out after that, treating the team leader that way when he's in a very strong overall position in the race is not on.

[Dodge]

Schleck was bitterly upset. He was almost in tears talking to the media.

I'm sure he was but these things happen. Contador has said he didn't realise Schleck had a mechanical when he attacked (my mistake there, I only saw it briefly at the time). Up to yourself if you believe him

Roche article is incredible.