2009 Tour de France - Stage 16.

Good morning Tour de France! We welcome you back from your rest day with a couple of hills. There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is the second hill is easier. The bad news is the first hill is an HC category.

Actually, the stage will be fairly simple. Go up, go down, go up, go down, finish. Of course there will attacks by non GC contenders. There may even be attacks by non GC contenders who think they still are in contention (sorry Cadel). All the while, Astana will merrily race along. 

It seems fitting polka dot Pellizotti attacks on the first climb. Karpets tags along. Later, Martinez joins them. It’s too steep for Martinez and he drops off. On paper, Karpets could be a threat to Alberto. He closes to within a minute of Contador. I don’t think Astana will be giving it away. Fifteen chasers have caught the two leaders. Things will string out soon enough on the next climb.

It’s a double double! Sorensen and Sorensen from Saxo Bank have come to the front of the peloton to lead Schleck and Schleck. Sorensen #1 explodes while Sorensen #2 takes over the pacemaking. After #2 explodes, Schleck A attacks Schleck B. Contador A follows Schleck A while Armstrong L isn’t able to provide any assistance. I think this is a smart move by Saxo bank.

Hold the phone! Armstrong L has surged leaving Evans and Vande Velde behind. He bridges to his leader Contador. He passes Frank. That’s a move out of Hincapie’s book. WTG Lance!

A dreadful crash slams Jens Voigt to the pavement. It looks like he hit head first and seemingly slid forever. Moto’s, cars, and racers split around him.

Another crash has been reported involving Gomez Marchante. He’s up and riding again. There was a poll among the teams which voted Hushovd as the best descender and David Moncoutie as the worst.

Four leaders are seconds ahead of four more racers. Karpets has no chance for yellow. Astarloza cranks away from the leaders. He is going to win uncontested. Grats to him.

Saxo Bank challenged Astana but failed. They did what they had to do. Sitting in will not create any possibility to win. Evans and Sastre are gone (on paper anyway).

Looking at Voigt’s crash gives me a tummy ache. Anyone have some 7 Up?

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