Tour de France 2008 - Stage 7

Still trying to get caught up and will be going back this weekend to include links to all the articles on previous days. Finding that real rest is pretty much full on needed as I have little left after being up for a couple hours. I think if it was just the appendicitis I would be doing well but having it still hurt when I breath is a little harder to suck up quickly. Hoping it keeps getting better.

Today was another great stage to watch unfold. Attacks from the gun by Will and then Millar (more than once) and the day started out - all out. I'm not sure how anyone can not say this is one pretty thrilling and exciting Tour so far. We are now 1/3 of the way through it and everyday seems to have something new. Right now C is sitting in 4th (4TH!!!!!!!) place overall and today, the man comes in 9th on the stage. And to top that off, he looks pretty calm and pulled together. I have to say the confidence he is finding is just awesome to see sinking in and seeing him believing that he can do well. Keep it going C!!!

These last two stages have been great to watch. Some climbs but not like those coming up. Pretty clean roads (usually), some okay weather, and just all out great racing by the riders. There are attacks and teamwork tactics and ridings pushing themselves. Just really enjoyable viewing. Hard not to cheer for almost every rider there to ride well and have a good day. :-) One sad note today though for the garMEN - we lost Maggy after today's stage as he did not make the time cut. I haven't seen anything as to what caused it as I would've thought he could've hung with the grupetto. Bummer. Rider Diaries will be missed too...

I was talking to John this afternoon for a little bit and it was pretty funny as we were both watching the afternoon replay on VS and C was in and out of view. Seeing someone you know and have followed for a long time, being at this level and doing so well and looking so good and just seeming to really be taking hold of this new role - awesome!

CN: Vande Velde ready for overall

Live Chatter: CN - VN - DP - PdC1 - PdC2 - Post Race

Stage 7 - Friday, July 11: Brioude - Aurillac, 159km
Results
1 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 3.52.53 (40.964 km/h)
9 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 0.06
10 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
16 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
18 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
24 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.33
50 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
64 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team Columbia 2.30
82 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 4.36
89 Trent Lowe (Aus) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 10.57
93 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
95 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
99 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia
100 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
107 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 15.15
130 Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 21.53
144 William Frischkorn (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
150 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
160 Adam Hansen (Aus) Team Columbia
165 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
HD Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 32.25
General classification after stage 7
1 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia 28.23.40
4 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 0.44
7 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 1.14
12 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.34
13 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.56
14 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.58
42 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 7.31
52 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team Columbia 10.51
56 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia 12.36
76 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 21.33
86 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 24.22
88 Trent Lowe (Aus) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 25.31
92 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 28.13
94 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 28.42
107 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 32.40
109 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 33.12
115 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 34.51
127 Adam Hansen (Aus) Team Columbia 37.41
140 William Frischkorn (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 43.08
144 Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 44.05

Garmin: Tour stage 7: Vande Velde finishes 9th, holds onto 4th overall; Millar 7th overall
CSC-SexyBack: Team CSC Saxo Bank Added Pressure
VN: Vande Velde: 'The strongest I've ever felt'
Examiner_Chicago: Stage 7: American Christian Vande Velde Steps Up to Leadership Role at Tour de France
Jake'sJournal: French lessons wtih Team Garmin

VN: Fresh Korn - Ouch!
CN: Stuart O'Grady's Tour Diary - All out warfare

GrahamWatsonPhotos: Stage 7
TeamCSCSaxoBank: Tour de France
TeamGarminPhotos: Tour de France

VeloNews TV:
Tour de France 2008: Stage 7 race highlight.
Stage 7: VN TV RD w/ Team Columbia's George Hincapie.
Stage 7: VN TV RD w/ Garmin Chipotle's Magnus Backstedt.
Stage 7: Post race with CSC's Jens Voigt.
Stage 7: Post race with Garmin-Chipotle's Julian Dean.
Stage 7: Before and after the stage with Garmin-Chipotle's Christian Vande Velde.
Stage 7: Pre-race with CSC's Carlos Sastre.

Versus:
David Millar Post-Stage 7 Interview
Christian Vandevelde Post-Stage 7 Interview
Christian Vandevelde Pre-Stage 7 Interview

CV TV (formerly TBR):
(Great Columbia video's, I'll try to link some tomorrow.)