Le Tour(Tour de France 2008)

Fizz I have a very similar Carrera top myself althought its WAYYYYYYY to small for me now.

Good sprint finish today, that climb sorted the men from the boys in the peleton

My boy Alejandro Valverde hit the front with 200 metres to go in order to finish the first day with a stage win and stunning 1 second lead!

Day 3 over and done with as a very flat stage was run today in preparation for tomorrow's first real test a prologue against the clock.

Valverde temporarily relinquishes his lead but should stand a good chance of regaining the yellow jersey tomorrow,with a real possibility also being in the offing for Scotland's David Millar who lies 8th just 1 second back off Valverde.

Standings at end of stage 3.

RankDossardNameCountryTeamTimeGap1124Romain FEILLUAGR13h27'05''00''2059Paolo LONGO BORGHINIBAR13h27'40''35''3194William FRISCHKORNTSL13h28'47''1'42''4031Alejandro VALVERDEGCE13h28'50''1'45''5041Kim KIRCHENTHR13h28'51''1'46''6133Oscar FREIRERAB13h28'51''1'46''7145J?r?me PINEAUBTL13h28'51''1'46''8198David MILLARTSL13h28'51''1'46''9001Cadel EVANSSIL13h28'51''1'46''10061Filippo POZZATOLIQ13h28'51''1'46''11017Frank SCHLECKCSC13h28'51''1'46''12037Oscar PEREIRO SIOGCE13h28'51''1'46''13093Matteo CARRARAQST13h28'51''1'46''14081Thor HUSHOVDC.A13h28'57''1'52''15151Erik ZABELMRM13h28'57''1'52''16105Martin ELMIGERALM13h28'57''1'52''17022Mikel ASTARLOZAEUS13h28'57''1'52''18027Samuel SANCHEZEUS13h28'57''1'52''19047George HINCAPIETHR13h28'57''1'52''20016Andy SCHLECKCSC13h28'57''

Pete, while I used to watch this when I was a wee 'un, I still fail to understand the timing system which decides the placings. From today, I understand that Feillu was in the breakaway group of 4 and was best placed after the 2 stages to take the Jersey. Was Dumoulin that far back after the 2 stages to not register in the top 10 rankings? I know that if you come through together, you get the same registered time but how big does the gap have to be to have a different time?

Rob what a devilish question indeed! I do not know the answer tbh. I know where you are coming from though as yesterday there were 3 riders that fought out the sprint and if I recall correctly 3 large groups that came in with a reasonable gap in between each.

Maybe someone can give a definitive reply...maybe Fizz?

Info gained from the U.S Cycling Fed web site:

For mass start stage races all riders will receive the same finish time unless a break in the field is evident. Then the Chief Timer will decide when the break applies and so attach a new time for the following group.

(I would then assume that this is standard procedure in the sport.)

HTH.

Originally Posted by robchester

but how big does the gap have to be to have a different time?

I was always under the impression that the gap had to be at least 1 second before a different time was recorded.

I believe it's entirely the timer's/official's discretion just what is a significant gap. I would be surprised if it were ever less than 1 second, though.

Schumaker(not the chinny one), David Miller and Evans did well in yesterdays time trial. Valverde not too impressive.

Today he has already followed up with 2 crashes!

Tomorrow sees the riders head to the hills for the first time.

Watch out for Denis Menchov and Pereiro.

Did you know?

Lance Armstrong's heart is 30% larger than average?

Lance's body produces much lower lactic acid levels than most hence does not feel as much muscle ache and tiredness as others.

Lance's success was based on his high cadence which saw him use lower gears with high tempo pedal rates. Because the leg muscles are taxed less with a high cadence pedaling style, they recover faster, and the efforts can be sustained for longer periods of time. Armstrong dedicated a significant portion of his training to developing and maintaining a high cadence styleOther's like Jan Ulrich used to select big cogs and rely on huge leg muscle power.

On April 21, 2008, Armstrong completed the 2008 Boston Marathon in 2:50.58, finishing in the top 500.

Lance raced very sparingly and would reside in Girona,Spain whilst he trained for 180 days in preparation for the Tour.

P.s.(Have I got that right?)

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Pedrosa

Lance Armstrong's heart is 30% larger than average?

Lance's body produces much lower lactic acid levels than most hence does not feel as much muscle ache and tiredness as others.

Lance's success was based on his high cadence which saw him use lower gears with high tempo pedal rates. Because the leg muscles are taxed less with a high cadence pedaling style, they recover faster, and the efforts can be sustained for longer periods of time. Armstrong dedicated a significant portion of his training to developing and maintaining a high cadence styleOther's like Jan Ulrich used to select big cogs and rely on huge leg muscle power.

On April 21, 2008, Armstrong completed the 2008 Boston Marathon in 2:50.58, finishing in the top 500.

Lance raced very sparingly and would reside in Girona,Spain whilst he trained for 180 days in preparation for the Tour.

P.s.(Have I got that right?)

If what I recall is correct then yes.

The high cadence and lactic acid production definately so.