europa

Onya Cadell. Great win. First Aussie to take yellow, just another in a line of champions - Phil Anderson showing the Europeans that us Aussies could do it and paving the way for the invasion - various Aussies for introducing the concept of the Super Domestique (quite a few of those blokes now running teams too) - Stuey O'Grady and Robbie McEwan taking the green jersey, now Cadell with the yellow. Hell, we'll even claim Yens Voigt to a small degree (I've spent too much time watching him race on velodromes here in Oz - lovely bloke). Yeah, I'm proud of our boys. We haven't had the dominance of Lance and ... that other American (sorry, it's 2am and I've had one scotch too many, but it's rude not to remember his name so I apologise) however there's a lot in world cycling to give us Aussies a warm, fuzzy feeling when we watch them race.

Actually, it's been a great TdF, the new mix has worked, especially for the green jersey.

Yes, I am pleased to see an Aussie get it and, knowing a reasonable amount about Cadell, am very pleased for him as well (he's not as often painted on these forums, though I can see how that impression is formed).

Funny thing is, while cycling is intensely nationalistic, it's also completely without borders - a paradox but true. You can yell and scream for your own countrymen yet feel no shame in admiring and supporting someone from another country.

Kind of Blued

Not to mention their brotherhood is a huge advantage.

I agree. Unless Andy learns how to ride like a champion, good team or not, whether the chips are up or down, with no excuses, he'll always be a loser. Getting 2nd place three years in a row doesn't entitle you to anything.

Laggard

Poulidor anyone?

Kind of Blued

Poulidor also got third five times and won the Vuelta. Andy isn't worthy of that yet.

europa

And as yet, we don't know whether he will be ... but we will in a few years time. One thing's for sure, the Schleck's will be part of the definition of the next few years of the TdF (and other aspects of pro cycling). Andy wouldn't be the first to show great promise of a TdF win but never manage it just as he wouldn't be the first to snipe around the edges before getting a win (Cadell springs readily to mind). The definition of a champion to to do it time and again, or maybe to be the perrenial 'man to beat' (Jan Ulrich?).

Dammit, I'm going to miss three week's sleep next year as well aren't I? And the year after that. And the ...

NathanL

Andy probably feels like he won, seems like they only wanted to beat Contador and they did. Maybe next year he won't brew over losing to Contador and will get on with the business of actually winning the tour.

Even the stage before the TT he still acted like he was trying to beat Contador instead of winning.

dstrong 

Now that the TdF is over, strangely, I find myself really looking forward to sitting on the couch in my Izod clothing, sipping a Michelob Light and watching the ongoing battle between Will Powers and Dario Franchitti! I think there's some horse racing on too!

globecanvas

He always races me dirty. Hey, I wonder if my doghouse is insured.

My only wish for next year's tdf is that they manage to get more than 8 advertisers.

OrionKhan

At least there weren't any professional bull riding spots this year.

NathanL

I don't know why they wouldn't advetise it since they carry bull riding on their channel a lot. I'm not even sure Izod was paying for advertising during the Tour or just advertising on Versus since they are the title sponsor of Indy car racing now which is broadcast on versus.

OrionKhan

Probably both with Izod. They pay for some plus they get the Indy car plug as well.

In the past, the bull riding was pushed and then they would air it right after the Tour broadcasts. They did the same with the competitive bbq series one year as well.

SouthFLpix

Andy is calling Frank his 'soul mate' on Twitter. Not sure if that is due to English not being his native tongue, but it sounds a little strange, oh well. I guess they did achieve their goal of both being on the podium at the same time, so I have to give them props for that.

hyhuu

Is it possible to win the tdF now aday without being a good TT? The Schelecks are quite aweful. That wasn't even competitive.

OrionKhan

No. Generally, the biggest time gains come from mountain top finishes and ITT. One must be a great climber and pretty good, if not great, TT rider. This has been the Schlecks' achilles heel for some time now.

DrakeSuperbus

When you need more michelob, are you going to drive to the store in the Saab you bought a few years ago.

It's born from jets, you know.

dagna

Crap. Now I'm having flashbacks. Thanks a lot.

sykerocker 

Hey, siblings in constant contact that actually get along well. Most families would kill for that.

rockpilex

La Vuelta starts in less than 30 days...go ride your bike!

wxduff

At least I'm happy they are advertising for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. It could be a start of a great thing.

hyhuu

Then it seems their chance of ever winning a tdF is slim, especially Contador shows up in form. Unless they work to become a better TT.

SpongeDad

He was 17th out of 167. He is certainly not great or even very good, but quite awful is a bit much. Better to say that on a day when Cadel was excellent, Andy was only middling in a race where he couldn't afford it. There was no guaratee that such would be the case (see Carlos Sastre). Now I certainly would agree that we all could predict that this would be his problem (albeit with Contador as the foil), so he certainly knew he had to train for the TT, I presume he did, and middling my be the best he'll ever be.

SouthFLpix

Well in the past guys like Gino Bartali, who was not a good time trialist, used to launch tremendous attacks in the mountains in order to pad his lead enough to win the TDF. In those days there were 2 time trials, and they were much longer, so it was probably harder for Bartali to do. However, the main difference was that he absolutely crushed his rivals in the mountains.

Mr_Christopher

Is Cadel's bunny hop move on youtube or memorialized elsewhere?

Shadco 

Cuddles put over 2:30 on Andy right? 2 minutes and 30 some odd seconds over 44k. Leopard should get a refund what a waste.

That was an old fashioned butt kicking if I ever saw one.

But AS did beat AC so I guess it made sense to focus on AC.

billydonn

I was going to say that. +1 He was good, just not good enough today.