Contador Wins Tour de France 2010 (Plus Stage 20 Updates)

By now it is all over the airwaves, computer screens, and Internet…Contador has won his 3rd Tour de France.  Even though Schleck and Contador looked friendly and relaxed during the final stage–joking with each other and smiling for the camera, theirs is a rivalry that is bound to make the next few TDF races exciting for spectators.

In what must have seemed insult on top of injury, Armstrong’s team was made to remove their LIVESTRONG jerseys before the finish line, though.  Team RadioShack had donned the “LIVESTRONG 28″ jerseys in a attempt to call attention to the 28 million people who die of cancer each year.  (You can read more about it at the Christian Science Monitor by clicking here)

For an interactive (and exhaustive!) rundown of the entire TDF standings this year, you can visit the “standing” page on the official Tour de France website.

Happy TDF 2010, everybody.  Ride safe and see you soon!

Tour de France Stage 19: Bordeaux to Pauillac

This stage lifted–and then dashed–the hopes of legions of Schleck fans out there.  Despite early appearances, Schleck’s legs were simply no match for Contador’s during this time trial.  Contador will ride into Paris with the yellow jersey and 30+ seconds ahead of Schleck.

Schleck, who was disappointed, also acknowledge that “beating Contador is not easy” and that he did his best.  For all of the details about this penultimate TDF 2010 stage, you can read active.com’s take on it here

Tour de France Stage 18: Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux

This stage started out quick and ended mostly the way it started, with no overall change in the standings.  Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise presented the yellow jersey and the green jersey is still up for grabs.

The 2010 Tour is almost over, stay tuned for the final installment!

Stage 18 Results
1.    Mark Cavendish (THR) – 04:37:09

2.    Julian Dean (GRM) +00:00
3.    Alessandro Petacchi (LAM) +00:00
4.    Robbie McEwen (KAT) +00:00
5.    Oscar Freire (RAB) +00:00
6.    Edvald Boasson HAgen (SKY) +00:00

Overall Classification
1.    Alberto Contador (AST) 88:09:48
2.    Andy Schleck (SAX) +00:08
3.    Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +03:32
4.    Denis Menchov (RAB) +03:53

5.    Jurgen Van Den Broeck (OLO) +05:27
6.    Robert Gesink (RAB) +06:41
23.  Lance Armstrong (RSH) +37:58

Tour de France Stage 17: Pau to Col du Tourmalet

Schleck and Contador were both center stage today as the two bicyclists went mano a mano up one of the hardest climbs this TDF has to offer.  While Contador retained the yellow jersey, many say the fight is not yet won–Schleck is only 8 seconds behind and is still very much interested in winning the tour.

In what some will consider a nice change of pace, Contador apologized to Schleck for his previous conduct, and acted in a much more traditional way during this stage’s ride.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next stage’s results–they’re bound to be exciting!

Stage 17 Results

1.  Andy Schleck (SAX) – 05:03:29
2.  Alberto Contador (AST) +00:00
3.  Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (KAT) +01:18
4.  Ryder Hesjedal (GRM) +01:27
5.  Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +01:32

6.  Denis Menchov (RAB) +01:40

Overall Classification
1.  Alberto Contador (AST) 83:32:39
2.  Andy Schleck (SAX) +00:08
3.  Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +03:23

4.  Denis Menchov (RAB) +03:53
5.  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (OLO) +05:27
6.  Robert Gesink (RAB) +06:41
23.  Lance Armstrong (RSH) +37:58

Tour de France Stage 14: Revel to Ax 3 Domaines

The 14th stage of the 2010 Tour de France was a fast, tactical stage, full of head games.  Contador and Schleck engaged in what Schleck called a game of “poker,” and Schleck came out on top…this time.  The tactical riding is far from over, though.  Stick around to see what stage 15 will bring.

Stage 14 Results

1.  Christophe Riblon (ALM) – 04:52:42

2.  Denis Menchov (RAB) +00:54
3.  Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +00:54
4.  Andy Schleck (SAX) +01:08
5.  Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (KAT) +01:08
6.  Robert Gesink (RAB) +01:08

Overall Classification

1.  Andy Schleck (SAX) 68:02:30
2.  Alberto Contador (AST) +00:31
3.  Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +02:31
4.  Denis Menchov (RAB) +02:44

5.  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (OLO) +03:31
6.  Robert Gesink (RAB) +04:27
38.  Lance Armstrong (RSH) +39:44

Tour de France Stage 13: Rodes to Revel

There was no chance to race for the yellow, white, or polka dot jerseys, but it was still an exciting stage.  Vinokourov, Cavendish, and Petacchi all made spectacular and energetic bids for the finish near the end.  Petacchi ended up with the green jersey and Vinokourov won the stage, saying modestly that “for me, just to be at the Tour de France is a victory.”

Stage 13 Results

1.  Alexandre Vinokourov (AST) – 04:26:26

2.  Mark Cavendish (THR) +00:13
3.  Alessandro Petacchi (LAM) +00:13
4.  Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) +00:13
5.  Jose Joaquin Rojas (GCE) +00:13
6.  Dean Julian (GRM) +00:13

Overall Classification

1.  Andy Schleck (SAX) 63:08:40
2.  Alberto Contador (AST) +00:31
3.  Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +02:45

4.  Denis Menchov (RAB) +02:58
5.  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (OLO) +03:31
6.  Levi Leipheimer (RSH) +04:06
36.  Lance Armstrong (RSH) +25:38