Paris - Nice: STAGE 1 - Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines --> Contres: 201.5 km

[sublimit]

He rides for Rabobank? Well, that is news to everyone....

i meant pulling the break at the end.

 

[Jamsque]

I'd love to see Millar take the final GC. Won't happen though.

Yeah, he has about as much chance as Jens, maybe a bit less. They'll both struggle to stay with the pace on stages 4 and 7 I think.

 

[Anonymous]

nail on head.

Im not sure why he even took the risk considering it was inside 3k

there will be no penalty of course, the ASO LOVE astana..

I am sure it was adrenalin more than anything.

 

[theyoungest]

And chapeau to Boom and Millar for bridging the gap to the front echelon all by their respective selves.

 

[Jamsque]

I'd say that was pretty good sportsmanship by the Rabo driver.

I have to say, if I was driving a team car and my guy had the yellow jersey I would probably think twice about extending the helping hand of sportsmanship to the pre-race favourite.

 

[python]

CN is already up with the report and top 10 gc

1 Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank
2 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank
3 David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Transitions
4 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
5 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas Doimo
6 Greg Henderson (NZl) Team Sky
7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Radioshack
8 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana
9 Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas Doimo
10 Xavier Tondo (Spa) Cervelo TestTeam

 

[Anonymous]

I have to say, if I was driving a team car and my guy had the yellow jersey I would probably think twice about extending the helping hand of sportsmanship to the pre-race favourite.

Contador will be entertaining offers from other teams at the end of this year...

 

[ak-zaaf]

I have to say, if I was driving a team car and my guy had the yellow jersey I would probably think twice about extending the helping hand of sportsmanship to the pre-race favourite.

Having Contador as a friend could be very useful in the future. Boom won't win this race anyway this year.

 

[Publicus]

Contador will be entertaining offers from other teams at the end of this year...

The offseason is going to be a pure spectacle.

 

[Jamsque]

Contador will be entertaining offers from other teams at the end of this year...

Rabo doesn't have the bank (ho ho) to get him. I'd be shock to see him go anywhere other than Caisse (but can they afford to pay him AND Valverde the megabucks they demand?) or Team Fernando Alonso.

 

[Francois the Postman]

I have to say, if I was driving a team car and my guy had the yellow jersey I would probably think twice about extending the helping hand of sportsmanship to the pre-race favourite.

Unless they realize that Boom ain't gonna keep it until the end anyway and are taking a longer look, say until July. Just making sure Contador thinks of 'em kindly when they hit the mountains in the TdF.

 

[ak-zaaf]

Rabo doesn't have the bank (ho ho) to get him. I'd be shock to see him go anywhere other than Caisse (but can they afford to pay him AND Valverde the megabucks they demand?) or Team Fernando Alonso.

Lefevere will sell his mother to get Contador.

 

[theyoungest]

Rabo doesn't have the bank (ho ho) to get him. I'd be shock to see him go anywhere other than Caisse (but can they afford to pay him AND Valverde the megabucks they demand?) or Team Fernando Alonso.

I'm not sure Rabo even want him. The focus is to be more and more on Dutch riders.

 

[Publicus]

Rabo doesn't have the bank (ho ho) to get him. I'd be shock to see him go anywhere other than Caisse (but can they afford to pay him AND Valverde the megabucks they demand?) or Team Fernando Alonso.

Caisse is gone at the end of the season. Bank of Santander, along with Alonso, is the likely destination.

 

[luckyboy]

Lefevere will sell his mother to get Contador.

He'd have to get rid of a few guys to bring in the Spanish climbing support though..

 

[Publicus]

Lefevere will sell his mother to get Contador.

That might not be enough to get him AND build a squad that can win a GT.

 

[Moondance]

Rabo doesn't have the bank (ho ho) to get him. I'd be shock to see him go anywhere other than Caisse (but can they afford to pay him AND Valverde the megabucks they demand?) or Team Fernando Alonso.

Maybe if getting Contador was realistic Rabobank would perhaps kick in a bit extra in sponsorship $$$, or maybe they'll let go of Menchov.... All possible.

 

[Jamsque]

It would certainly be a big shift for QS to shed some of their classics talent in order to pick up Contador and his entourage and have a crack at the grand tours, but Lefevere is certainly the right kind of crazy to try it.

Also I see that CN is listing Dan Martin as 9th on the stage, I am assuming that is a mistake?

 

[Moondance]

Caisse is gone at the end of the season. Bank of Santander, along with Alonso, is the likely destination.

Is this confirmed, or still just speculation?

Because it would be GREAT if Banco Santander decided to get into the sport.

 

[ak-zaaf]

That might not be enough to get him AND build a squad that can win a GT.

He says he already made room (i assume financially) for AC and 5 helpers. He'll get rid of Volderke and Chavanel and his sponsor will cough up some extra money for that certain tour win.

I'm not saying this will happen, but never count Lefevere out.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Dan Martin of Garmin was 9th in the stage - impressive.

Could be a dark horse in this race.

 

[python]

Maybe if getting Contador was realistic Rabobank would perhaps kick in a bit extra in sponsorship $$$, or maybe they'll let go of Menchov.... All possible.

menchov is on last year contract i believe...anyways the driver of the car has as much to do with strategic hiring as any of us. it was a simple act of racing curtness nothing more and nothing less.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Dan Martin of Garmin was 9th in the stage - impressive.

Could be a dark horse in this race.

Wasn't it Millar up there? Great ride by Dan Martin if true. Nice to see a Brit doing well

 

[Moondance]

menchov is on last year contract i believe...anyways the driver of the car has as much to do with strategic hiring as any of us. it was a simple act of racing curtness nothing more and nothing less.

I know.

But we were talking about Contador's future. I don't see why Rabobank wouldn't be interested, or a poor destination for Bertie if he went.

 

[Anonymous]

Is this confirmed, or still just speculation?

Because it would be GREAT if Banco Santander decided to get into the sport.

I might just have to change banks.. My lot have been bought out by Santander.

Nah, im not that petty..

Besides, i already have sky tv, a garmin 605, why not bank with santander, buy myself a cervelo, get some sprung flooring and a footon..