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Well, she is technically in 4th place after stage 1st but with no added time over the 3rd place. So, we can say that she is in a very comfortable position to continue tomorrow with stage 2.
Sad thing. Kristin Armstrong ended in 10 place, 19 seconds behind Edita.
"It's a wonderful feeling, unbelievable," said Pucinskaite. "I have suffered much in recent months, not having much success. I dedicate this victory to my team and to Ernesto Colnago, who have both made me feel important and assisted in putting me at ease."
"The Giro is long, but I am ready to go forward with my head held high. For me this is the greatest of victories and I will be ready to join the fight in each stage going forward." ~said Pucinskaite to reporters.
Fabian Cancellara wanted to show Alberto Contador that he was a better time trialist, and he got it. This was not a surprise for many. We know that Cancellara is the current king of all cycling time trials right now. He's got a great form on the bike and obviously the fastest pedal power in the world.
"I was one of the favourites to win here before the race and I knew if I got things right it would be very difficult for my rivals to beat me. That was special motivation. To be back in the yellow jersey again is a great achievement both for me and my team, I am proud of it." ~ Cancellara said to reporters.
Congratulations, Fabian!
FINAL RESULTS
1. Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank in 19:32 2. Alberto Contador Astana in 19:50 3. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 19:51 at 00:19 4. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 19:54 at 00:22 5. Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto in 19:55 at 00:23 6. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 20:02 at 00:30 7. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 20:04 at 00:32 8. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 20:05 at 00:33 9. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 20:09 at 00:37 10. Lance Armstrong Astana in 20:12 at 00:40 13. David Zabriskie Garmin - Slipstream in 20:19 at 00:47 14. David Millar Garmin - Slipstream in 20:20 at 00:48 16. Sylvain Chavanel Quick Step in 20:28 at 00:56 17. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 20:29 at 00:57 18. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 20:32 at 01:00 21. Carlos Sastre Cervelo Test Team in 20:38 at 01:06 27. Michael Rogers Team Columbia - Htc in 20:45 at 01:13 31. Robert Gesink Rabobank in 20:47 at 01:15 34. George Hincapie Team Columbia - Htc in 20:49 at 01:17 38. Jens Voigt Team Saxo Bank in 20:54 at 01:22 53. Denis Menchov Rabobank in 21:03 at 01:31 58. Oscar Pereiro Sio Caisse D’epargne in 21:05 at 01:33 90. Stuart O’grady Team Saxo Bank in 21:20 at 01:48 101. Filippo Pozzato Team Katusha in 21:26 at 01:54 108. David Arroyo Caisse D’epargne in 21:28 at 01:56 109. Kim Kirchen Team Columbia - Htc in 21:29 at 01:57 112. Christophe Moreau Agritubel in 21:29 at 01:57 114. Tom Boonen Quick Step in 21:30 at 01:58 120. Thor Hushovd Cervelo Test Team in 21:34 at 02:02
These are the top 10 favorite cyclists to win this year 2009 Tour de France according to different cycling experts. Note that, I have chosen the ones that are mentioned more often and that, according to my own point of view, have real probabilities to win this exciting tour. The names are not in any particular order of preference.
1. Carlos Sastre 2. Lance Armstrong 3. Alberto Contador 4. Cadel Evans 5. Denis Menchov 6. Andy Schleck 7. Levi Leipheimer 8. Roman Kreauziger 9. Frank Schleck 10. Michael Rogers
If you are interested in knowong how the experts choose their favorites, you can go to the Oddschecker Website. They base their money betting preference solely on odds, but not really on cycling knowledge.
I personally would not put my money on Alberto Contador for first place. He is indeed an excellent cyclist but he is young and does not have the experience that other riders have. All those issues could alter his performance and could put him out of the podium.
Denis Menchov won this year's Giro d'Italia and has his heart on this tour. He WANTS to win it and I could see him finishing the tour wearing the Maillot Jaune. Of course, I would love it if Lance Armstrong won the tour, however, I have to be realistic and he might not win it. Three and a half years away from professional cycling.....but Lance is full of surprises, he has lots of experience, knows his rivals weaknesses and strengths, knows his own imperfections and advantages over the other cyclists, and that my friends, could put him in the podium. Let's not forget that he has a newborn son -Max Armstrong- and I'm sure that that fact is going to give him mental courage and physical strength to pedal 120 rpm during the individual time trial tomorrow.
One thing for sure I can tell you. This 2009 Tour de France promises to be an exhilarating cycling competition, at least, way more electrifying than 2008's.
It is been confirmed, Tom Boonen IS in the Quick Step cycling team roster for this 2009 Tour de France that starts tomorrow!
"After the decision announced by the CAS on Friday, Tom Boonen will be at the start of the 2009 Tour de France. The tour's management believes that, considering the great champion that Tom is, he will relish the oportunity that has been given to him and he will have an exemplary attitude during the event." ~the Tour organization released to the press.
"We can confirm the ruling by the French Olympic Committee, and that Tom Boonen will start the Tour de France on Saturday," ~ a team spokesman told AFP.
What does this news mean for Australian sprinter, Allan Davis? That he's out of the Quick Step roster for the TDF.
The women's Giro d'Italia 2009 also known as the Giro Donne starts tomorrow, July 3rd. There will be lots great female riders from all over the world. One of my favorites, Kristin Armstrong, will be leading the Cervelo TestTeam. This cycling competition will last 9 days, 1 prologue and 9 stages, from San Piero to Grumo Nevano. I embeded the following video so you can appreciate what an excellent cyclist Kristin Armstrong is. I hope she kicks some butts in this tour, but the other 137 cyclists are also well prepared to give Armstrong a hard time, like Fabiana Luperini, who happens to be the favorite to win this Giro. Fabiana Luperini knows how to climb fast, no effort, wet roads? no problem, she knows how to handle kobbles and sprints away like there's no tomorrow. Neither Andrea Bosman nor Nicole Cooke will be participating in this 9 days competition. Too bad, no? It would have been fun to see Bosman attacking Armstrong at the end of the stages. Andrea enjoys attacking Kristin, and Kristin enjoys winning the stage.
Every year, the professional cycling teams that have been selected to participate in the Tour de France, have to contest and offer a roster list with 9 riders. Some cycling teams however, have not completed their list yet but they have assured to the organizers of the Tour de France that they do have all the 9 riders ready and the names will be released before July 4th, the starting day of the Tour in Monaco.
Manager: José-Miguel ECHAVARRI Jose Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (ESP) Oscar Pereiro Sio (ESP) Xabier Zandio Echaide (ESP) Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (ESP) Luis Pasamontes Rodriguez (ESP) David Arroyo Duran (ESP)
Manager: Jonathan VAUGHTERS Julian Dean (NZl) Tyler Farrar (USA) Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Dan Martin (Irl) David Millar (GBr) Danny Pate (USA) Christian Vande Velde (USA) Bradley Wiggins (GBr) David Zabriskie (USA)
Manager: Harold KNEBEL - VeloNews article Denis Menchov Grischa Niermann Juan Antonio Flecha Oscar Freire Juan Manuel Garate Joost Posthuma Stef Clement Laurens Ten Dam Robert Gesink
Manager: Marc SERGEANT Cadel Evans (AUS) Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Johan Vansummeren (BEL) Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) Staf Scheirlinckx (BEL) Mickael Delage (FRA) Matthew Lloyd (AUS) Sebastian Lang (GER) Charley Wigelius(GB)
Manager: Iwan SPEKENBRINK Jonathan Hivert (FRA) Piet Rooijakkers (NED) Kenny Robert Van Hummel (NED) Albert Timmer (NED) Cyril Lemoine (FRA) Simon Geschke (GER)
Manager: Bob STAPLETON Mark Cavendish (GBR) George Hincapie (USA) Tony Martin (GER) Mark Renshaw (AUS) Michael Rogers (AUS) Maxime Monfort (ITA) Kim Kirchen (LUX) Bernhard Eisel (AUT) Bert Grabsch GER)
Brief biography:
I am a Medical Doctor and General Surgeon. I specialize in medical and clinical diagnostics, and subspecialize in Ischemic Cardiopathy. I have been practicing medical science for 22 years.
In my private life I am a cycling fanatic. My legs keep the wheels turning, my spirit keeps me going....AND MY BRAIN KEEPS ME BALANCED!