Tour talk -- Spoiler alert

[OakLeaf]

No respirators in the paint booth.

[tulip]

I just watched the whole slideshow. That's it...I'm moving to Belgium. Beautiful men, with frites for lunch.

I'm going with you! Chavanel and Pinault are French, but I can only assume the rest are Belgian. Don't forget the very good Belgian beer, to go with the frites.

I love the photo of Pinault smiling at his polka dot bike. He looks like a little kid.

Did they have to paint the bikes over night, or did they paint them prior to the race, hedging their bets that Chavanel and Pinault would earn their jerseys?

[emily_in_nc]

i love the tour. every minute, every day.

DITTO! I go into serious withdrawal when it's over...it really makes the dog days of summer very enjoyable!

[buffybike]

I'm pretty much resigned to the couch tomorrow--tour in the morning, soccer in the afternoon! V. happy for Chavenel today--he was so proud. Good for him!! Anxious to see what happens in the mountains tomorrow.

[malkin]

What a great day for the Schleck fans!

[Bike Chick]

Yes, it was and a bad day for Lance fans. Andy Schleck sure looked strong today. It will be interesting to see what happens after the rest day, won't it? Go Levi!

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, it was and a bad day for Lance fans. Andy Schleck sure looked strong today. It will be interesting to see what happens after the rest day, won't it? Go Levi!

Yep! I am a Lance fan so was very sorry to see him fall so far today. Perhaps he shouldn't have tried the tour this year, but I give him props for going for it. I hope he'll stick with it and support Levi; would love to see Levi on the podium, tho' it's unlikely. Very happy to see Andy beat Alberto today - hope that trend continues!

[Skierchickie]

Yay Andy!

I'm an Armstrong fan, controversial though he may be, and I'm very disappointed for him today. He's not the type to take his toys and go home just because he had a bad day, so I expect to see good things from him yet. He did have a string of bad luck today, but he's come back from bad days before. He's a professional, and smart, and I'm sure he'll do the right thing (i.e. support Levi, or whatever is determined to be the best approach for the team).

I was REALLY happy to see Schleck take the win today. If Lance can't pull it off (and I really don't know if he can or not, but he can certainly place pretty high), Andy Schleck is one of the people I'd like to see in there. I was really pleased to see him drop Contador. If he could just improve his time-trialling, he'd be a real force.

[arielmoon]

Armstrong fan here too and I was super bummed with his bad luck. So it was painful to watch all the while I was excitedly watching Andy as he stalked Contador and the others in front. What a race for him!

I'll be rooting for Levi, Cadel, and Andy now.

[PscyclePath]

Lance has come back from worse (time-wise) and managed to pull out a win, but he was a lot younger, and the vast majority of his rival were in about the same shape he was. It will be a lot tougher and some superbadd juju has to happen to Messers Schleck, Evans, and Contador over the next two weeks.

Still, it's two weeks and a long, long way to Paris from here. Lots of things -- good and bad -- can still happen. After all, it's THE TOUR!

[tulip]

I read an article that said Lance will ride for Levi and enjoy the rest of the race. Now that the pressure is off, he'll probably have alot more fun.

I remember being in Paris the first time Indurain won. As I recall (it was very hard to see because of the crowds), Greg Lemond finished the stage first, or at least entered the Champs-Elysees first. It was a sort of courtesy to him as a great rider and his last Tour. Maybe Lance will be honored as the Gentleman of the Tour this year, as a going-out gesture. Lance might not like that, come to think of it.

I really enjoy watching no matter who is ahead.

[redrhodie]

I really enjoy watching no matter who is ahead.

Me too! I almost don't care who wins, but Andy Schleck is just so lovable. I guess he's my first choice.

[Norse]

Lance fan here too. He always said you also have luck in order to win the TDF. Lady Luck certainly was not on his side this year. At least the pressure is off now. He can relax and help Levi and perhaps try for a stage win or two. Now I am rooting for anyone but Contador. Well, I would not be thrilled to see Vino or Basso on the podium. Also rooting for Thor in the green jersey competition, although if Robbie could give it a run, that would be great to see.

[ny biker]

I'll be rooting for Levi, Cadel, and Andy now.

Me too.

I generally watch the live Phil and Paul coverage from the morning, but I also tend to catch a little of the end of the prime time coverage before I go to bed. Last night it was downright embarrassing watching Bob Roll in denial over Lance's situation. He needs to get a grip.

[sundial]

Since Van de Velde is out, I'm pulling for Andy (especially since his *twin* brother is out). Also hoping that Tyler Farrar wins a sprint against Cavendish.