Nita's Blog

The headlines many American audiences are hearing from the Tour de France have to do with doping. A third cyclist was forced out after Stage 12, I guess it was.

Though I’m following the Tour daily and watching the early morning live coverage, I truly don’t remember when this latest disqualification and drug arrest happened.

I’m focused on the quality of the competition and the quality of the two American teams.

As of Friday morning, Team Columbia, with former Lance Armstrong domestique George Hincapie, had all ten riders still in the race.

 

And their leader racer, Mark Cavendish, a Brit, won his fourth stage of the 2008 Tour. He is second in the green jersey for sprinters.

The other team that flies the American flag, Garmin-Chipotle, rides on with 8.

This is significant info because one team has a lone rider left. Barloworld 4 survivors.

 

The real test of quality is the competition for the jerseys.

That’s not the only standout with an American tie. Christian Vandevelde, from Illinois, is third in the yellow jersey competition, 38 second off the pace of Cadel Evans.

Kim Kirchen, Team Columbia, is 7th overall.

No Lance this time but there is suspense about how the Americans might figure into the final ride into Paris.

 

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