Sunday, July 19, 2009

Stage 15 - The Tables Have Turned

What a stage today! Contador has proven himself to be on a different level than anyone esle in this years race. In my opinion, everyone else is racing for second. With the removal of certain spoiled sports from the fantasy teams, we entered this stage with only three points separating myself and Mom. Her team turned it around today and dealt a serious butt-kicking to my now helpless team.

Here are the standings:

STAGE 15

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) - 9 Points + 5 Bonus Points (White Jersey)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Lance Armstrong (Astana) - 2 Points
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) - 4 Points
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 20 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) - 5 Points
Alberto Contador (Astana) - 10 Points + 10 Bonus Points (Yellow Jersey)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) - 7 Points
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia) - 1 Point

Total - 33 Points

OVERALL STANDINGS

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 22 Points
Tom Boonen
Lance Armstrong - 13 Points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 13 Points
Oscar Freire - 26 Points

Total - 88 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 8 points
Alberto Contador - 49 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 15 points
Denis Menchov
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 7 points

Total - 96 Points

Stage 14 - My Personal Protest Against Poor Sportsmanship.

I can't even begin to say how disappointed I am that George Hincapie did not get the yellow jersey today. Big George is my favorite rider of all time and up until this year usually my number one pick for any of my fantasy teams. I am incredibly upset with the team tactics of Garmin today. For them to chase the way they did today shows that they are poor sportsman. I realize that it is a race and that they have to look out for the best interests of the team, but they did not start chasing in earnest until after Hincapie had crossed the line. It was not about trying to protect Wiggins or Vande Velde, it was about making sure that Hincapie did not get the yellow jersey. Very poor form in my opinion.

As long as we were talking about poor sportsmanship, lets talk about the best of the rest sprint between Hushvod and Cavendish. Team Columbia claims that he didn't stray out of his line, and that the barriers were uneven, but in the sprint I watched Mark Cavendish looked over his shoulder at Thor Hushovd and then moved in front of him forcing him into the barriers. Cavendish had no reason or right to do that. The green jersey is not the personal property of Mark Cavendish. Just because Thor was faster today was no reason to push him into the barriers. The race referees apparently agree and disqualified Cavendish's sprint relegating him to last place on the day.

As my own form of protest for the un-sportsman like behaviour today I am removing Mark Cavendish and Christian Vande Velde from my team and am forfeiting all of their points. I would rather loose the contest than have such people on my team. I've talked with Mom and she did not agree with Garmin's tactics today and has requested that I remove Tyler Farrar from her team.

Here are the fantasy results for Stage 14:

STAGE 14

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 0 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 0 Points

OVERALL STANDINGS

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 8 points
Tom Boonen
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 9 Points
Oscar Freire - 26 Points

Total - 68 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 29 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 63 Points

Stage 13 Update

I was really glad to see Haussler get the stage win on this one. I always like it when a lead out man gets a little glory. I actually had Haussler marked as potential choice for my team. Anyway here is how things stand after Stage 13.

Stage 13

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) - 1 Point
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 1 point

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 0 Points

OVERALL STANDINGS

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 9 Points
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde - 9 points
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Mark Cavendish- 105 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 9 Points
Oscar Freire - 26 Points

Total - 183 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 29 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 49 points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 112 Points

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Stages 10,11 and 12. "The Elastic Has Snapped."

Through these flat stages I have managed to increase my point lead over Mom to a nearly insurmountable lead. I think its safe to say that my team can practically coast into Paris now.

Here is the update:

STAGE 10

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 10 points
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 10 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)- 8 points
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 8 Points

STAGE 11

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 10 Points + 8 bonus points (green jersey)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) - 7 points

Total - 25 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin) - 9 points
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 9 points

STAGE 12

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 3 points + 8 bonus points (green jersey)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 11 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 0 Points


OVERALL STANDINGS

Ryan’s TeamAndy Schleck - 8 points
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde - 9 points
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Mark Cavendish- 105 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 9 Points
Oscar Freire - 26 Points

Total - 182 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 29 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 49 points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 112 Points

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Stage 6, 7, 8 and 9 Fantasy Recap

I've been busy the last couple of days and haven't been able to post so here is the fantasy update to bring the competition between me and Mom up to date. With Cavendish loosing the green jersey I no longer get the 8 point bonus, and Mom is 6 seconds off of collecting the ten point daily bonus if Contador can get into the yellow. I of course hope it will be Armstrong of Andy Schleck earning the ten point bonus in the coming days.

STAGE 6

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 8 bonus points (green jersey)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) - 2 Points
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) - 9 Points

Total - 19 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)- 7 points
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 7 Points

STAGE 7

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 8 bonus points (Green Jersey)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) - 1 Point
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 9 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana) - 2 points
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 2 Points

STAGE 8

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 0 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 0 Points

STAGE 9

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) - 8 points

Total - 8 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 0 Points

OVERALL STANDINGS

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 8 points
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde - 9 points
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Mark Cavendish- 66 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 9 Points
Oscar Freire - 19 Points

Total - 136 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 29 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 32 points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 95 Points

Mom's team had better come up with something fast. All I have to do is coast to Paris.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Tour Update - Stage 5

Today was a good day for a break away to stay away and Thomas Vockler pulled it off. The French will be happy that there is a French stage winner this early in the race. Personally, I hope Armstrong wins the stage of July 14 just to spite them.

Here is the fantasy update - After thinking about it last night, I removed Cavendish's bonus points for retaining the green jersey for yesterday. Since there were no sprint points awarded for the team time trial, I felt it unfair. Besides, its not like I need them anyway . . .

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin)
Lance Armstrong (Astana)
Mark Cavendish (Columbia) - 8 points + 8 bonus points (green jersey)
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank)
Bernard Eisel (Columbia)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) - 2 Points

Total - 18 points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)
Alberto Contador (Astana)
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)- 7 points
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R)
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

Total - 7 Points

Overall Standings

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 8 points
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde - 9 points
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Mark Cavendish- 50 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 6 Points
Oscar Freire - 2 Points

Total - 108 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 27 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 25 points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 86 Points

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tour Update Stage 4

I'm watching the replay right now, and am loving every minute of it. I already know the results so I thought I'd post the fantasy update. Please note, since today was a team time trial, every rider on the team is awarded the same number of points. Example: Since Astana finished in first place today, all Astana riders will receive 10 points.

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) - 8 points
Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin) - 9 points
Lance Armstrong (Astana) - 10 points
Mark Cavendish (Columbia)- 6 points
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank) - 8 points
Bernard Eisel (Columbia) - 6 points
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)

Total - 47 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo)- 3 points
Alberto Contador (Astana)- 10 points
Levi Leipheimer (Astana)- 10 points
Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank)- 8 points
Denis Menchov (Rabobank)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin)- 9 points
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)
Cyril Dessel (AG2R) - 2 points
Kim Kirchen (Columbia)- 6 points

Total - 48 Points

Overall Standings

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck - 8 points
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde 9 points
Lance Armstrong - 11 points
Mark Cavendish- 50 points
Jens Voight - 8 points
Bernard Eisel - 6 points
Cadel Evans - 6 Points
Oscar Freire

Total - 90 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre - 3 points
Alberto Contador - 27 points
Levi Leipheimer - 15 points
Frank Schleck - 8 points
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 18 points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel - 2 points
Kim Kirchen - 6 points

Total - 79 points

Ahhhh . . . the sweet taste of a runaway victory. There is still a lot of racing to go, but as Phil Ligget would say "The elastic has stretched." Another couple of days like this and my team will "snap the elastic". To quote Phil again, Mom's team needs to "dig deep in their suitcase of courage" if they are going to stay competitive.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Tour - Stage 3 Update

What was supposed to have been a boring stage with a big sprint finish turned out to be much more dramatic. I think today Armstrong demonstrated the edge experience can give a rider. Armstrong always rides near the front and was able to latch onto the breakaway when Team Columbia put the hammer down. His team mate Contador was sitting in the middle of the pack and missed the opportunity. Now Armstrong has a chance to be in yellow tomorrow in Astana pulls off a win in the Team Time Trial.

Here is the fantasy cycling update for today:

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong
Mark Cavendish - 10 Points + 8 Point Bonus (Green Jersey) = 18 Points
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans
Oscar Freire

Total - 18 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador
Levi Leipheimer
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen

Total - 0 Points

Overall Standings

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong - 1 Point
Mark Cavendish- 36 Points
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans - 6 Points
Oscar Freire

Total - 43 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador - 17 Points
Levi Leipheimer - 5 Points
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 9 Points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen

Total - 31 Points

As you can see, I've turned the tables on Mom and taken a 12 point lead. Let's see if I can hold the lead to the mountains.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Tour Update - Stage 2

Today was a day for the sprinters. And a good chance for me to try and make up some lost ground on Mom. It was a very entertaining stage with a few good crashes.

Today's Results

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong
Mark Cavendish
- 10 Points + 8 Point Bonus (Green Jersey) = 18 Points
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans
Oscar Freire


Total - 18 Points


Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador
Levi Leipheimer
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar -
9 Points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen

Total - 9 Points

Overall Standings

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong - 1 Points
Mark Cavendish- 18 Points
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans - 6 Points
Oscar Freire

Total - 25 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador - 17 Points
Levi Leipheimer - 5 Points
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar - 9 Points
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen


Total - 31 Points

As you can see, even with the stage winner and the green jersey on my team, I still have a long way to go. Hopefully Tom Boonen will finish higher than 174th tomorrow.

Fantasy Tour Results - Stage One

Wow, what a great opening to the Tour. Lance looked really good. A lot like the Lance of old, but he still doesn't have the speed he used to. Astana as a whole looks like they will be the team to beat as long as they can work together. I think my favorite rider today though had to be Yukia Arashiro (Bbox) one of two Japanese riders in this year's Tour. This is the first time ever that Japan has had riders in the Tour (there are two this year). He rode the entire Prolouge with a big grin strething from ear to ear. Clearly having one of the best days of his life.

Here are the results of the fantasy cycling teams Mom was the big winner today.

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong - 1 Point
Mark Cavendish
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans
- 6 Points
Oscar Freire

Total - 7 Points

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador
- 9 points + 8 point bonus (polka dot jersey) = 17 points
Levi Leipheimer - 5 Points
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen


Total: 22 Points

Fantasy Cycling

My mother and I enjoy trying to guess who the winner of various major bike races will be. We have developed this into a full scal game of fantasy cycling for each race. The night before the start we draft our teams from the official start list. We usually flip a coin to determine who gets first pick of the riders. Each team consists of nine riders. Sometimes we bet on whose team will win (I still need to clean the outsode of my parents windows after getting pasted at Paris - Robaix).

The Tour de France is no different, and this past Friday, while the rest of my family was sitting around visiting before watching fireworks, Mom and I were off to one side picking our teams and trash talking each other's picks.

Since the Tour is a three week race, scoring is updated daily based on how the riders finish on the stage. Riders are scored as follows:

1st Place - 10 points
2nd Place - 9 Points
3rd Place - 8 Points
4th Place - 7 Points
5th Place - 6 Points
6th Place - 5 Points
7th Place - 4 Points
8th Place - 3 Points
9th Place - 2 Points
10th Place - 1 point

Bonus points are awarded daily for a team winning and retaining one of the four leader jerseys as follows:

Yellow Jersey - 10 points
Green Jersey - 8 points
Polka Dot Jersey - 8 points
White Jersey - 5 points

Finally, if a rider on a team is caught doping and is disqualified, the team he is on will forfeit all of the points that rider may have earned.

Here are the our teams for this year.

Ryan’s Team

Andy Schleck
Tom Boonen
Christian Vande Velde
Lance Armstrong
Mark Cavendish
Jens Voight
Bernard Eisel
Cadel Evans
Oscar Freire

Mom’s Team

Carlos Sastre
Alberto Contador
Levi Leipheimer
Frank Schleck
Denis Menchov
Tyler Farrar
Stijn Devolder
Cyril Dessel
Kim Kirchen


I will post score updates daily so you can check to see who is in the lead. By the way, there is no bet for this year's Tour. However the winner does get bragging rights for an entire year.