Paris - Nîmes 10h

[Alkworld]

Two stages already finished and no thread yet ...

Until now, it looks like Ciganini is the favorite here, but I guess there's still a lot that could happen.
- Tomorrow could see an interesting finish. I couldn't say what might happen there: Zanoli getting away? Maybe Bolivar or McFadden? Or a sprint and all attacks are blocked?
- Wednesday is another open race. The 6% is too late for Trueba, if he gets siebed, if not, it should be easy for him.
- Thursday at least looks pretty obviously made for McFadden
- Friday should be possible for the sprinters (ok ... the sprinter)
- Saturday looks like the most important day to me with the big question, if Rivera and McFadden can gain some time on Ciganini
- Sunday is yet another open race ... maybe one for Rasmussen's strong classic riders? Or maybe Bolivar? Or even Chense's classic sprint and Trueba?

Looks like an interesting week ahead!

[ariostea]

a good day for the Ariosteas - Ciganini still in yellow without having worked too much. nevertheless 2 seconds lost on McFadden, who seems very strong, but 3 seconds gained to Rivera on the other hand. only seconds - we will see if it will be that close in the end...

tomorrow another day for the alkworlds? Trueba again or Bolivar? good chances for both of them. but alkworld working another day? let´s see.

[ariostea]

10/ 7 seconds is very good for the Ariosteas. Demetrios is a hero.

with 32 seconds on McFadden and 27 seconds on Rivera after the only real Bergankunft it looks good so far for Ciganini to survive the Tour in yellow - but let´s see Saturday´s stage - no real idea what gaps can be made there. much harder to guess than todays stage.

Ciganini will improve to 80 mountain tonight - so nothing to fear!

[Alkworld]

Ciganini will improve to 80 mountain tonight - so nothing to fear!

Unfortunately he really did That fucks up plan A, which was siebing Ciga behind Bolivar on the 7% and get some time with Bolivar in the flat after the mountain on Saturday ... Ok, Plan B will just be winning the stage again

[ariostea]

yes, since we hired Emil Rösti as coach for mountain training - Ciganini got motivated...

somebody still claiming alkwolrd being a cannibale?! if he was, he would have helped taking the scottis back and winning all the stages and the tour in tomorrows stage. so it will get harder for him - and me too.

tomorrow - will be very difficult for Demetrios and Ciganini to defend yellow jersey - controlling 40km? let´s see. only 22 seconds...

[Robyklebt]

Pff, Emil Rösti? Emil Rösti is still happily owning his Restaurant in Zweisimmen, even if the Manager now is his son Martin, who does most of the cooking too. Emil only cooks for himself and his old team Robyklebt nowadays. Like right now at Tirreno-Adriatico. Ok, since SPIH we let him cook but then eat the food that the hotel chef made anyway, we don't want to repeat SPIH's experience where everybody got diarrhea and the whole team had to give up and stay in Bora Bora. After all good old Emil by know is 76 years old and well,... sugar and salt look similar... other small accidents can happen too. But he's a proud man, so we don't tell him and just give his food to Georg Hänni who likes to economize. According to him the Penne today were perfect. So Emil Rösit is certainly not working as a climbing coach anywhere. He has enough trouble climbing the stairs. Must be another, lesser Emil Rösti!

[ariostea]

i know he has a contract as cook. but Rösti told us he could it half the day - and he is doing well so far.