SPOILER - Time Trial Winner - Stage 20

HOLY MOSES!

Evans gained only marginally on Sastre in the Stage 20 Time Trial and Carlos Sastre will go on to win the Tour de France. His decisive win in the Alpe d'Huez stage set him up to take the Yellow Jersey in Paris.

While Sastre lost 2:34 to Schumacher - the stage winner - he held off the rest of the guys around him and will likely win the Tour by 1:05 tomorrow.

Cadel Evans is going to - barring any disasters tomorrow - be on the podium in second place for the second year in a row.

Here are the standings of the Stage 20 time trial...

The finishing times are REALLY tight. Only a gap of 11:00 between first and last. Wow.

1. SCHUMACHER Stefan 111 GEROLSTEINER 1h 03' 50"
2. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 04' 11" + 00' 21"
3. KIRCHEN Kim 41 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 04' 51" + 01' 01"
4. VANDEVELDE Christian 191 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 04' 55" + 01' 05"
5. MILLAR David 198 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 05' 27" + 01' 37"
6. MENCHOV Denis 131 RABOBANK 1h 05' 45" + 01' 55"
7. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 05' 55" + 02' 05"
8. LANG Sebastian 117 GEROLSTEINER 1h 06' 09" + 02' 19"
9. KOHL Bernhard 115 GEROLSTEINER 1h 06' 11" + 02' 21"
10. HINCAPIE George 47 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 06' 18" + 02' 28"
11. LÖVKVIST Thomas 48 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 06' 19" + 02' 29"
12. SASTRE Carlos 11 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 06' 24" + 02' 34"
13. HESJEDAL Ryder 195 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 06' 26" + 02' 36"
14. PATE Danny 199 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 06' 44" + 02' 54"
15. VOIGT Jens 19 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 06' 48" + 02' 58"
16. FROOME Christopher 57 BARLOWORLD 1h 06' 50" + 03' 00"
17. MOINARD Amaël 187 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 06' 54" + 03' 04"
18. SIUTSOU Konstantsin 49 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 06' 57" + 03' 07"
19. CHAVANEL Sylvain 181 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 07' 00" + 03' 10"
20. POSTHUMA Joost 136 RABOBANK 1h 07' 03" + 03' 13"
21. SANCHEZ Samuel 27 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 07' 04" + 03' 14"
22. BRUSEGHIN Marzio 74 LAMPRE 1h 07' 09" + 03' 19"
23. KREUZIGER Roman 65 LIQUIGAS 1h 07' 11" + 03' 21"
24. FEDRIGO Pierrick 141 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 07' 17" + 03' 27"
25. ROSSELER Sébastien 96 QUICK STEP 1h 07' 21" + 03' 31"
26. MONFORT Maxime 189 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 07' 24" + 03' 34"
27. VALJAVEC Tadej 109 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 07' 26" + 03' 36"
28. HOSTE Leif 5 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 07' 40" + 03' 50"
29. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 7 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 07' 48" + 03' 58"
30. SCHLECK Andy 16 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 07' 52" + 04' 02"
31. BARREDO Carlos 92 QUICK STEP 1h 07' 55" + 04' 05"
32. LANCASTER Brett Daniel 154 TEAM MILRAM 1h 08' 00" + 04' 10"
33. EFIMKIN Vladimir 104 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 08' 02" + 04' 12"
34. O’GRADY Stuart 15 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 08' 02" + 04' 12"
35. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 39 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 08' 03" + 04' 13"
36. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 08' 15" + 04' 25"
37. RIBLON Christophe 108 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 08' 17" + 04' 27"
38. LEFEVRE Laurent 144 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 08' 22" + 04' 32"
39. VAUGRENARD Benoît 169 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 08' 25" + 04' 35"
40. LE BOULANGER Yoann 167 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 08' 27" + 04' 37"
41. SZMYD Sylvester 78 LAMPRE 1h 08' 35" + 04' 45"
42. CLEMENT Stef 142 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 08' 39" + 04' 49"
43. CASAR Sandy 161 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 08' 39" + 04' 49"
44. FOTHEN Markus 113 GEROLSTEINER 1h 08' 44" + 04' 54"
45. VAN DE WALLE Jurgen 99 QUICK STEP 1h 08' 48" + 04' 58"
46. MOERENHOUT Koos 135 RABOBANK 1h 08' 51" + 05' 01"
47. VELITS Peter 158 TEAM MILRAM 1h 08' 52" + 05' 02"
48. FOFONOV Dmitriy 85 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 09' 06" + 05' 16"
49. TANKINK Bram 137 RABOBANK 1h 09' 12" + 05' 22"
50. NIBALI Vincenzo 67 LIQUIGAS 1h 09' 18" + 05' 28"
51. MONCOUTIE David 188 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 09' 22" + 05' 32"
52. SCHRÖDER Björn 156 TEAM MILRAM 1h 09' 23" + 05' 33"
53. ELMIGER Martin 105 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 09' 26" + 05' 36"
54. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 09' 28" + 05' 38"
55. VERDUGO Gorka 29 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 09' 29" + 05' 39"
56. VELO Marco 159 TEAM MILRAM 1h 09' 31" + 05' 41"
57. ZUBELDIA Haimar 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 09' 33" + 05' 43"
58. ARVESEN Kurt-Asle 12 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 09' 37" + 05' 47"
59. BONNET William 82 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 09' 41" + 05' 51"
60. PINEAU Jérôme 145 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 09' 42" + 05' 52"
61. HANSEN Adam 46 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 09' 42" + 05' 52"
62. TIRALONGO Paolo 79 LAMPRE 1h 09' 47" + 05' 57"
63. GUTIERREZ José Ivan 35 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 09' 51" + 06' 01"
64. DUPONT Hubert 103 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 09' 53" + 06' 03"
65. LELAY David 127 AGRITUBEL 1h 09' 56" + 06' 06"
66. TEN DAM Laurens 138 RABOBANK 1h 09' 56" + 06' 06"
67. ASTARLOZA Mikel 22 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 09' 57" + 06' 07"
68. MÜLLER Martin 155 TEAM MILRAM 1h 09' 59" + 06' 09"
69. GOUBERT Stephane 107 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 10' 09" + 06' 19"
70. VOGONDY Nicolas 129 AGRITUBEL 1h 10' 17" + 06' 27"
71. CHEULA Gianpaolo 54 BARLOWORLD 1h 10' 19" + 06' 29"
72. PEREZ Ruben 26 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 10' 21" + 06' 31"
73. PORTAL Nicolas 38 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 10' 22" + 06' 32"
74. DESSEL Cyril 101 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 10' 22" + 06' 32"
75. OROZ Juan José 25 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 10' 23" + 06' 33"
76. KNEES Christian 153 TEAM MILRAM 1h 10' 26" + 06' 36"
77. GERRANS Simon 86 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 10' 32" + 06' 42"
78. AUGE Stéphane 182 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 10' 33" + 06' 43"
79. VAN SUMMEREN Johan 8 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 10' 33" + 06' 43"
80. FLORENCIO Xavier 143 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 10' 37" + 06' 47"
81. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 83 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 10' 43" + 06' 53"
82. MARTINEZ Egoi 24 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 10' 43" + 06' 53"
83. BRARD Florent 183 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 10' 51" + 07' 01"
84. TXURRUKA Amets 28 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 10' 59" + 07' 09"
85. POZZATO Filippo 61 LIQUIGAS 1h 11' 03" + 07' 13"
86. FISCHER Murilo Antoniobil 64 LIQUIGAS 1h 11' 04" + 07' 14"
87. ARROYO David 32 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 11' 07" + 07' 17"
88. GERARD Arnaud 164 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 11' 11" + 07' 21"
89. LE MEVEL Christophe 87 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 11' 11" + 07' 21"
90. KUSCHYNSKI Aleksandr 66 LIQUIGAS 1h 11' 14" + 07' 24"
91. ARRIETA Jose Luis 102 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 1h 11' 15" + 07' 25"
92. LEQUATRE Geoffroy 128 AGRITUBEL 1h 11' 18" + 07' 28"
93. CIOLEK Gerald 44 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 11' 19" + 07' 29"
94. DI GREGORIO Rémy 163 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 11' 19" + 07' 29"
95. HUNTER Robert 58 BARLOWORLD 1h 11' 24" + 07' 34"
96. FREIRE Oscar 133 RABOBANK 1h 11' 27" + 07' 37"
97. SCHOLZ Ronny 118 GEROLSTEINER 1h 11' 28" + 07' 38"
98. AERTS Mario 2 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 11' 28" + 07' 38"
99. FÖRSTER Robert 112 GEROLSTEINER 1h 11' 34" + 07' 44"
100. DUQUE Leonardo 186 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 11' 36" + 07' 46"
101. SORENSEN Nicki 18 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 11' 37" + 07' 47"
102. GONZALO RAMIREZ Eduardo 125 AGRITUBEL 1h 11' 39" + 07' 49"
103. WEENING Pieter 139 RABOBANK 1h 11' 41" + 07' 51"
104. PAURIOL Rémi 88 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 11' 44" + 07' 54"
105. ROY Jérémy 168 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 11' 50" + 08' 00"
106. ISASI Inaki 23 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 1h 11' 52" + 08' 02"
107. GRABSCH Ralf 152 TEAM MILRAM 1h 11' 53" + 08' 03"
108. LANGEVELD Sebastian 134 RABOBANK 1h 11' 55" + 08' 05"
109. AUGUSTYN John-Lee 52 BARLOWORLD 1h 11' 58" + 08' 08"
110. GUSTOV Volodymir 14 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 1h 11' 58" + 08' 08"
111. GILBERT Philippe 165 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 1h 12' 00" + 08' 10"
112. QUINZIATO Manuel 68 LIQUIGAS 1h 12' 02" + 08' 12"
113. MC EWEN Robbie 6 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 12' 05" + 08' 15"
114. TERPSTRA Niki 157 TEAM MILRAM 1h 12' 09" + 08' 19"
115. ZABEL Erik 151 TEAM MILRAM 1h 12' 10" + 08' 20"
116. BALLAN Alessandro 72 LAMPRE 1h 12' 16" + 08' 26"
117. MARZANO Marco 75 LAMPRE 1h 12' 16" + 08' 26"
118. COYOT Arnaud 33 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 12' 21" + 08' 31"
119. LOPEZ GARCIA David 36 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 12' 26" + 08' 36"
120. FRISCHKORN William 194 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 12' 27" + 08' 37"
121. TOSATTO Matteo 98 QUICK STEP 1h 12' 28" + 08' 38"
122. LOWE Trent 196 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 12' 48" + 08' 58"
123. HUSHOVD Thor 81 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 12' 56" + 09' 06"
124. KRAUSS Sven 116 GEROLSTEINER 1h 13' 02" + 09' 12"
125. DE JONGH Steven 94 QUICK STEP 1h 13' 04" + 09' 14"
126. BICHOT Freddy 122 AGRITUBEL 1h 13' 07" + 09' 17"
127. MAASKANT Martijn 197 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 13' 11" + 09' 21"
128. EISEL Bernhard 45 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 13' 11" + 09' 21"
129. STEEGMANS Gert 97 QUICK STEP 1h 13' 13" + 09' 23"
130. DUMOULIN Samuel 185 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1h 13' 15" + 09' 25"
131. CIONI Dario 4 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 13' 20" + 09' 30"
132. CARRARA Matteo 93 QUICK STEP 1h 13' 20" + 09' 30"
133. DEAN Julian 193 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 1h 13' 24" + 09' 34"
134. BONO Matteo 73 LAMPRE 1h 13' 28" + 09' 38"
135. BURGHARDT Marcus 42 TEAM COLUMBIA 1h 13' 48" + 09' 58"
136. GARCIA ACOSTA Vicente 34 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1h 13' 48" + 09' 58"
137. HAUSSLER Heinrich 114 GEROLSTEINER 1h 13' 54" + 10' 04"
138. MORI Massimiliano 76 LAMPRE 1h 14' 10" + 10' 20"
139. WILLEMS Frederik 69 LIQUIGAS 1h 14' 29" + 10' 39"
140. TSCHOPP Johann 148 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 14' 42" + 10' 52"
141. RIGHI Daniele 77 LAMPRE 1h 14' 44" + 10' 54"
142. VANSEVENANT Wim 9 SILENCE - LOTTO 1h 14' 46" + 10' 56"
143. ENGOULVENT Jimmy 84 CREDIT AGRICOLE 1h 14' 54" + 11' 04"
144. SPRICK Matthieu 146 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 15' 02" + 11' 12"
145. VOECKLER Thomas 149 BOUYGUES TELECOM 1h 15' 09" + 11' 19"

Stage 20 Overview, Picks and Comment

Today is Stage 20. If Cadel Evans can make up a couple minutes he'll win the 2008 Tour de France. I don't think that will happen.

As of Friday's result, here are the top six and their position...

1. SASTRE Carlos 11 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 82h 54' 36"
2. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 82h 56' 00" + 01' 24"
3. KOHL Bernhard 115 GEROLSTEINER 82h 56' 09" + 01' 33"
4. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 82h 56' 10" + 01' 34"
5. MENCHOV Denis 131 RABOBANK 82h 57' 15" + 02' 39"
6. VANDEVELDE Christian 191 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 82h 59' 17" + 04' 41"
7. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 83h 00' 11" + 05' 35"

Bernhard Kohl is only back a minute and a half and has been really aggressive this tour. He could catch Sastre easy.

Cadel Evans is back 1:34 and he could go faster than Kohl and be in first.

But the wild-card here is Christian Vandevelde. He is back four minutes and 41 seconds. BUT, he can fly and didn't exert himself much in stage 19.

This means that if he can finish a couple minutes ahead of Evans, the Tour could be closer than LeMond Hinault and will require a sprint finish on Sunday.

Stay tuned!

Oh, today's time trial is 53KM from Cerilly to Saint Amand Montrond. The stage is rolling terrain and is LONG for a time trial.

That favors Menchov, Vandevelde and Kohl. Evans will have to be well rested and give something special to get himself into yellow.

SPOILER - Overall Standings After Stage 15

Cadel Evans is no longer in Yellow.

This is how the riders stand after 15 stages are complete in the 2008 Tour de France...

1. SCHLECK Frank 17 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 63h 57' 21"
2. KOHL Bernhard 115 GEROLSTEINER 63h 57' 28" + 00' 07"
3. EVANS Cadel 1 SILENCE - LOTTO 63h 57' 29" + 00' 08"
4. MENCHOV Denis 131 RABOBANK 63h 57' 59" + 00' 38"
5. VANDEVELDE Christian 191 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 63h 58' 00" + 00' 39"
6. SASTRE Carlos 11 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 63h 58' 10" + 00' 49"
7. KIRCHEN Kim 41 TEAM COLUMBIA 64h 00' 09" + 02' 48"
8. EFIMKIN Vladimir 104 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 64h 00' 57" + 03' 36"
9. VALVERDE Alejandro 31 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 64h 01' 32" + 04' 11"
10. SANCHEZ Samuel 27 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 64h 01' 55" + 04' 34"
11. ASTARLOZA Mikel 22 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 64h 02' 39" + 05' 18"
12. NIBALI Vincenzo 67 LIQUIGAS 64h 02' 43" + 05' 22"
13. VALJAVEC Tadej 109 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 64h 03' 48" + 06' 27"
14. KREUZIGER Roman 65 LIQUIGAS 64h 04' 36" + 07' 15"
15. CUNEGO Damiano 71 LAMPRE 64h 05' 04" + 07' 43"
16. MONFORT Maxime 189 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 64h 05' 55" + 08' 34"
17. SCHLECK Andy 16 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 64h 06' 22" + 09' 01"
18. BOTCHAROV Alexandre 83 CREDIT AGRICOLE 64h 07' 13" + 09' 52"
19. TEN DAM Laurens 138 RABOBANK 64h 09' 54" + 12' 33"
20. MOINARD Amaël 187 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 64h 11' 16" + 13' 55"
21. CASAR Sandy 161 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 64h 11' 21" + 14' 00"
22. BRUSEGHIN Marzio 74 LAMPRE 64h 12' 51" + 15' 30"
23. FOFONOV Dmitriy 85 CREDIT AGRICOLE 64h 13' 20" + 15' 59"
24. CARRARA Matteo 93 QUICK STEP 64h 13' 49" + 16' 28"
25. SIUTSOU Konstantsin 49 TEAM COLUMBIA 64h 16' 27" + 19' 06"
26. KNEES Christian 153 TEAM MILRAM 64h 16' 32" + 19' 11"
27. POPOVYCH Yaroslav 7 SILENCE - LOTTO 64h 18' 34" + 21' 13"
28. GOUBERT Stephane 107 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 64h 18' 44" + 21' 23"
29. SCHUMACHER Stefan 111 GEROLSTEINER 64h 19' 51" + 22' 30"
30. FOTHEN Markus 113 GEROLSTEINER 64h 20' 07" + 22' 46"
31. GONZALO RAMIREZ Eduardo 125 AGRITUBEL 64h 21' 48" + 24' 27"
32. FEDRIGO Pierrick 141 BOUYGUES TELECOM 64h 25' 49" + 28' 28"
33. SZMYD Sylvester 78 LAMPRE 64h 29' 25" + 32' 04"
34. MOERENHOUT Koos 135 RABOBANK 64h 30' 46" + 33' 25"
35. AERTS Mario 2 SILENCE - LOTTO 64h 30' 52" + 33' 31"
36. DESSEL Cyril 101 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 64h 31' 38" + 34' 17"
37. ARROYO David 32 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 64h 32' 49" + 35' 28"
38. VELO Marco 159 TEAM MILRAM 64h 34' 50" + 37' 29"
39. ZUBELDIA Haimar 21 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 64h 37' 25" + 40' 04"
40. LÖVKVIST Thomas 48 TEAM COLUMBIA 64h 38' 59" + 41' 38"
41. VOIGT Jens 19 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 64h 39' 46" + 42' 25"
42. ZABEL Erik 151 TEAM MILRAM 64h 41' 43" + 44' 22"
43. TIRALONGO Paolo 79 LAMPRE 64h 43' 05" + 45' 44"
44. LE MEVEL Christophe 87 CREDIT AGRICOLE 64h 43' 17" + 45' 56"
45. PINEAU Jérôme 145 BOUYGUES TELECOM 64h 43' 19" + 45' 58"
46. HINCAPIE George 47 TEAM COLUMBIA 64h 43' 24" + 46' 03"
47. FLECHA Juan Antonio 132 RABOBANK 64h 43' 42" + 46' 21"
48. GUSTOV Volodymir 14 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 64h 43' 46" + 46' 25"
49. MARTINEZ Egoi 24 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 64h 45' 58" + 48' 37"
50. CIONI Dario 4 SILENCE - LOTTO 64h 48' 49" + 51' 28"
51. MILLAR David 198 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 64h 49' 58" + 52' 37"
52. DI GREGORIO Rémy 163 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 64h 51' 28" + 54' 07"
53. POZZATO Filippo 61 LIQUIGAS 64h 52' 07" + 54' 46"
54. SANCHEZ Luis-Leon 39 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 64h 53' 18" + 55' 57"
55. GUTIERREZ José Ivan 35 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 64h 55' 57" + 58' 36"
56. DUQUE Leonardo 186 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 64h 56' 48" + 59' 27"
57. DUPONT Hubert 103 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 64h 58' 32" + 1h 01' 11"
58. TSCHOPP Johann 148 BOUYGUES TELECOM 64h 58' 47" + 1h 01' 26"
59. LOPEZ GARCIA David 36 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 64h 58' 49" + 1h 01' 28"
60. TXURRUKA Amets 28 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 64h 59' 09" + 1h 01' 48"
61. GERRANS Simon 86 CREDIT AGRICOLE 64h 59' 32" + 1h 02' 11"
62. AUGUSTYN John-Lee 52 BARLOWORLD 65h 00' 06" + 1h 02' 45"
63. FREIRE Oscar 133 RABOBANK 65h 00' 34" + 1h 03' 13"
64. TANKINK Bram 137 RABOBANK 65h 01' 03" + 1h 03' 42"
65. MONCOUTIE David 188 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 65h 05' 49" + 1h 08' 28"
66. LANG Sebastian 117 GEROLSTEINER 65h 06' 57" + 1h 09' 36"
67. POSTHUMA Joost 136 RABOBANK 65h 07' 28" + 1h 10' 07"
68. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 65h 09' 26" + 1h 12' 05"
69. HESJEDAL Ryder 195 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 65h 10' 02" + 1h 12' 41"
70. ARVESEN Kurt-Asle 12 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 65h 10' 34" + 1h 13' 13"
71. LOWE Trent 196 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 65h 10' 38" + 1h 13' 17"
72. MARZANO Marco 75 LAMPRE 65h 11' 02" + 1h 13' 41"
73. CHAVANEL Sylvain 181 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 65h 12' 17" + 1h 14' 56"
74. VAUGRENARD Benoît 169 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 65h 12' 55" + 1h 15' 34"
75. VELITS Peter 158 TEAM MILRAM 65h 14' 20" + 1h 16' 59"
76. PORTAL Nicolas 38 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 65h 15' 32" + 1h 18' 11"
77. ARRIETA Jose Luis 102 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 65h 15' 42" + 1h 18' 21"
78. WEENING Pieter 139 RABOBANK 65h 16' 15" + 1h 18' 54"
79. LELAY David 127 AGRITUBEL 65h 17' 15" + 1h 19' 54"
80. WEGMANN Fabian 119 GEROLSTEINER 65h 19' 44" + 1h 22' 23"
81. TOSATTO Matteo 98 QUICK STEP 65h 21' 28" + 1h 24' 07"
82. FISCHER Murilo Antoniobil 64 LIQUIGAS 65h 23' 25" + 1h 26' 04"
83. VAN DE WALLE Jurgen 99 QUICK STEP 65h 24' 36" + 1h 27' 15"
84. BALLAN Alessandro 72 LAMPRE 65h 25' 24" + 1h 28' 03"
85. VOGONDY Nicolas 129 AGRITUBEL 65h 25' 44" + 1h 28' 23"
86. ELMIGER Martin 105 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 65h 26' 14" + 1h 28' 53"
87. SCHOLZ Ronny 118 GEROLSTEINER 65h 26' 17" + 1h 28' 56"
88. LE BOULANGER Yoann 167 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 65h 26' 25" + 1h 29' 04"
89. PATE Danny 199 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 65h 27' 18" + 1h 29' 57"
90. HUSHOVD Thor 81 CREDIT AGRICOLE 65h 28' 44" + 1h 31' 23"
91. LEQUATRE Geoffroy 128 AGRITUBEL 65h 29' 44" + 1h 32' 23"
92. PEREZ Ruben 26 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 65h 29' 47" + 1h 32' 26"
93. PAURIOL Rémi 88 CREDIT AGRICOLE 65h 29' 58" + 1h 32' 37"
94. VAN SUMMEREN Johan 8 SILENCE - LOTTO 65h 34' 02" + 1h 36' 41"
95. FROOME Christopher 57 BARLOWORLD 65h 34' 33" + 1h 37' 12"
96. BARREDO Carlos 92 QUICK STEP 65h 35' 32" + 1h 38' 11"
97. VERDUGO Gorka 29 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 65h 36' 02" + 1h 38' 41"
98. CLEMENT Stef 142 BOUYGUES TELECOM 65h 36' 34" + 1h 39' 13"
99. LEFEVRE Laurent 144 BOUYGUES TELECOM 65h 38' 21" + 1h 41' 00"
100. ROSSELER Sébastien 96 QUICK STEP 65h 38' 43" + 1h 41' 22"
101. FLORENCIO Xavier 143 BOUYGUES TELECOM 65h 39' 20" + 1h 41' 59"
102. OROZ Juan José 25 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 65h 41' 38" + 1h 44' 17"
103. VOECKLER Thomas 149 BOUYGUES TELECOM 65h 41' 45" + 1h 44' 24"
104. BONNET William 82 CREDIT AGRICOLE 65h 41' 54" + 1h 44' 33"
105. ISASI Inaki 23 EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 65h 42' 05" + 1h 44' 44"
106. MÜLLER Martin 155 TEAM MILRAM 65h 42' 06" + 1h 44' 45"
107. CIOLEK Gerald 44 TEAM COLUMBIA 65h 43' 18" + 1h 45' 57"
108. SCHRÖDER Björn 156 TEAM MILRAM 65h 44' 54" + 1h 47' 33"
109. HUNTER Robert 58 BARLOWORLD 65h 48' 58" + 1h 51' 37"
110. DEAN Julian 193 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 65h 50' 43" + 1h 53' 22"
111. HANSEN Adam 46 TEAM COLUMBIA 65h 51' 23" + 1h 54' 02"
112. CHEULA Gianpaolo 54 BARLOWORLD 65h 53' 49" + 1h 56' 28"
113. WILLEMS Frederik 69 LIQUIGAS 65h 54' 24" + 1h 57' 03"
114. O’GRADY Stuart 15 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 65h 55' 50" + 1h 58' 29"
115. KUSCHYNSKI Aleksandr 66 LIQUIGAS 65h 58' 14" + 2h 00' 53"
116. BONO Matteo 73 LAMPRE 65h 58' 37" + 2h 01' 16"
117. FÖRSTER Robert 112 GEROLSTEINER 65h 59' 33" + 2h 02' 12"
118. RIGHI Daniele 77 LAMPRE 65h 59' 41" + 2h 02' 20"
119. COYOT Arnaud 33 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 65h 59' 45" + 2h 02' 24"
120. SORENSEN Nicki 18 TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 66h 01' 13" + 2h 03' 52"
121. TERPSTRA Niki 157 TEAM MILRAM 66h 02' 05" + 2h 04' 44"
122. GILBERT Philippe 165 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 66h 02' 36" + 2h 05' 15"
123. MC EWEN Robbie 6 SILENCE - LOTTO 66h 05' 04" + 2h 07' 43"
124. FEILLU Romain 124 AGRITUBEL 66h 05' 44" + 2h 08' 23"
125. MORI Massimiliano 76 LAMPRE 66h 05' 46" + 2h 08' 25"
126. ROY Jérémy 168 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 66h 06' 34" + 2h 09' 13"
127. DE JONGH Steven 94 QUICK STEP 66h 07' 24" + 2h 10' 03"
128. GRABSCH Ralf 152 TEAM MILRAM 66h 07' 30" + 2h 10' 09"
129. HAUSSLER Heinrich 114 GEROLSTEINER 66h 07' 43" + 2h 10' 22"
130. STEEGMANS Gert 97 QUICK STEP 66h 07' 45" + 2h 10' 24"
131. BICHOT Freddy 122 AGRITUBEL 66h 07' 49" + 2h 10' 28"
132. DUMOULIN Samuel 185 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 66h 07' 49" + 2h 10' 28"
133. BURGHARDT Marcus 42 TEAM COLUMBIA 66h 10' 45" + 2h 13' 24"
134. QUINZIATO Manuel 68 LIQUIGAS 66h 10' 49" + 2h 13' 28"
135. LANGEVELD Sebastian 134 RABOBANK 66h 11' 49" + 2h 14' 28"
136. BRANDT Christophe 3 SILENCE - LOTTO 66h 11' 53" + 2h 14' 32"
137. HOSTE Leif 5 SILENCE - LOTTO 66h 12' 20" + 2h 14' 59"
138. MAASKANT Martijn 197 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 66h 12' 23" + 2h 15' 02"
139. FRISCHKORN William 194 GARMIN CHIPOTLE 66h 14' 26" + 2h 17' 05"
140. GERARD Arnaud 164 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 66h 14' 45" + 2h 17' 24"
141. LANCASTER Brett Daniel 154 TEAM MILRAM 66h 15' 32" + 2h 18' 11"
142. BRARD Florent 183 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 66h 16' 25" + 2h 19' 04"
143. ENGOULVENT Jimmy 84 CREDIT AGRICOLE 66h 16' 42" + 2h 19' 21"
144. CASPER Jimmy 123 AGRITUBEL 66h 18' 37" + 2h 21' 16"
145. GARCIA ACOSTA Vicente 34 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 66h 20' 46" + 2h 23' 25"
146. AUGE Stéphane 182 COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 66h 21' 05" + 2h 23' 44"
147. KRAUSS Sven 116 GEROLSTEINER 66h 21' 27" + 2h 24' 06"
148. EISEL Bernhard 45 TEAM COLUMBIA 66h 23' 04" + 2h 25' 43"
149. RIBLON Christophe 108 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 66h 23' 20" + 2h 25' 59"
150. CHICCHI Francesco 63 LIQUIGAS 66h 26' 39" + 2h 29' 18"
151. SPRICK Matthieu 146 BOUYGUES TELECOM 66h 29' 05" + 2h 31' 44"
152. VANSEVENANT Wim 9 SILENCE - LOTTO 66h 35' 03" + 2h 37' 42"
153. CHAVANEL Sébastien 162 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 66h 39' 36" + 2h 42' 15"

SPOILER - Stage 15 Wrap-Up and Winner

Gerrans, Martinez, Arrieta and Pate were still ahead by 11:45 when they got to the base of the last climb of the day.

1. Simon Gerrans (C.A)
2. Egoi Martinez (EUS) at 3"
3. Danny Pate (USA) at 10"
4. Jose Luis Arrieta (ALM) at 55"
5. Bernhard Kohl (GST) at 4’03"
6. Carlos Sastre (CSC) at 4’03"
7. Alejandro Valverde (GCE) at 4’12"
8. Denis Menchov (RAB) at 4’23"
9. Frank Schleck (CSC) at 4’41"
10. Christian Vande Velde (TSL) at 4’43"
Evans was 13th at 4’50"

Overall Stage Standings in a moment.

Shared info from letour.fr

Some people aren't allowed to get international Websites on their work computers. Here's how letour.fr explains the points and jersey classifications as they stand now...

12:33 - Classification Leaders: Part 04 (White Jersey)

The former leader of the youth classification, Andy Schleck (CSC) suffered a collapse on the final ascent of stage 10, finishing 28th, 8’59” behind Leonardo Piepoli and a little over six minute behind Riccardo Ricco. The Luxembourger slipped down the rankings in the race for the white jersey from first to fifth after the stage to Hautacam.
Ricco was ranked fourth but now he leads the category that’s open to riders born after 1 January 1983 by 1’49”. Second is Vincenzo Nibali of the Liquigas team and third is currently held by the young Belgian Maxime Montfort (COF).
Ricco is the only rider eligible for the youth classification to be ranked in the top 10 of the general classification (ninth, 2’29” behind Evans).
12:26 - Classification Leaders: Part 03 (Polka-Dot Jersey)

The winner of stages six and nine, Riccardo Ricco claimed the lead in the climbers’ category after finishing stage 10 in sixth place. Until then, he’d only collected points for first place at the Tour climbs that featured double points as they were the final ascents of the stage and ranked category-two or higher. The Saunier Duval-Scott rider now has 77 points, 12 more than the former leader, team-mate David De La Fuente.
Gerolsteiner’s time trial specialist Sebastian Lang is ranked third thanks to the points he acquired during a long escape in the ninth stage. He has 57 points, all of which were earned on the stage to Bagnerre-de-Bigorre.
Bernhard Kohl (GST) is closing in quickly on the polka-dot jersey, rising up the rankings from eighth to fourth with 56 points, 10 more than Frank Schleck and 15 more than the winner at Hautacam, Leonardo Piepoli.
Ricco also leads the youth classification but he will wear the polka-dot jersey in stage 11.
12:24 - Classification Leaders: Part 02 (Green Jersey)

Oscar Freire started the 10th stage four points points shy of Kim Kirchen’s lead in the category that is dubbed the sprint classification. The Spaniard is a renowned sprinter but the Luxembourger has earned his points with good results in sprints, time trials and stages more suited to climbers. An escape in the early part of the stage to Hautacam enabled Freire to add 12 points to his collection.
The Rabobanker was in the green jersey for stage 10, but it was only because Kirchen was still clad in yellow. Freire will wear green again today while the former overall leader will be back in his Columbia team colors for the first time since stage five. So far this year, Kirchen has led the points classification for six days and the general classification for four days.
Freire has 131 points, Kirchen 124 and the winners of stages two and one, Hushovd (C.A) and Valverde (GCE), respectively, are ranked third and fourth with 105 and 96 points.
12:17 - Classification Leaders: Part 01 (Yellow Jersey)

Only one second separates the riders ranked first and second overall after 10 stages of the 2008 Tour de France. Cadel Evans (SIL) is the fifth Australian to wear the yellow jersey – after Phil Anderson, Stuart O’Grady, Brad McGee and Robbie McEwen – and he’s achieved this despite suffering a fall in the ninth stage.
“So far, so good.” That should be part of the sound-track for the Evans’ fourth Tour. It’s all about consistency for the Silence-Lotto rider who has finished in the top 10 in four stages so far. Frank Schleck has been equally impressive with three top 10 stage placings in the first 10 days. His 46th place in the time trial of stage four, finishing 2’14” behind Schumacher (while Evans lost 27 seconds) was the one sign of weakness from the winner of the stage to L’Alpe d’Huez in 2006.
Garmin-Chipotle’s team leader Chrisitian Vande Velde is ranked third, 38 seconds behind Evans. Austrian climbing specialist Bernhard Kohl was impressive on the stage to Hautacam, finishing fourth, a result that lifted him up the GC rankings from 13th to fourth!

From time to time I'll give some letour info. I will attribute it as such so you'll know that it's coming from people at the side of the race. And also so that when they screw up badly (as they do once a stage) you'll know that it wasn't my mistake. :-)

SPOILER - New Leader of the TDF

From letour.fr...

With his eighth place in the stage, Cadel Evans has pushed his way into the lead of the Tour de France. He has an advantage of one second over Frank Schleck.

SPOILER - Top of col du Tourmalet

At the top of the Tourmalet climb - hors category - there were only 14 riders in the yellow jersey's peloton.

They were: Voigt, Sastre, Menchov, Cobo, Evans, Efimkin, Kohl, Schleck, Schleck, Ricco, Piepoli, Kirchen, Vande Velde and Duenas Nevado.

There were also eight riders ahead of this group already over the climb. That left 138 riders BEHIND the peloton and the stage leaders.

Can you sense the impending explosion?

Schumacher was spat out the back along with a bunch of other big names including - I'm afraid - George Hincapie.

Mind games? Kim Kirchen

The Yellow Jersey owner in the 2008 Tour de France might be playing mind games with the press and the rest of the field - ala Lance Armstrong's feigned weakness in prior tours.

Yesterday Kirchen said that he felt a bit spent and if he rode stage 10 the way he rode stage 9, he'd be dropped by the peloton.

He also commented that team Columbia had done a ton of work thus far and other teams were still fresh and hadn't contributed much at the front of the pack. This could be interpreted by some to mean that the fresh teams could attack and beat team Columbia on stages like today's difficult journey.

Today has two hors category climbs and I think it will break the field apart.

Only time will tell. More thoughts to come.

Some things come true

As I started to point out last night as I was blogging, team Columbia is doing quite well and I wouldn't be surprised if they were leading in some categories.

In today's dispatches from letour.fr, one announcement says,

The yellow jersey’s Columbia team has had an impressive start to this year’s Tour de France winning two stages (with Cavendish) and, after the first week, it leads both the general and youth classification.

I think I just hurt my arm patting myself on the back.

Stage 9 - Thoughts and Picks

With two category 1 climbs at the end of the 224KM stage 9, riders are going to be gasping for mercy.

I see this (since it didn't happen yet) as the stage that breaks the peloton apart completely. I see Cadel Evans and Kim Kirchen staying near the top, but this is the time for Denis Menchov to take control of the Tour.

We'll see how it shakes out.

Oh, the stage goes from Toulouse to Bagneres de Bigorre.

SPOILER - CRASH ETC.

The breakaway is still ahead by four minutes and 17 seconds.

There has been a crash in the peloton breaking it into three parts.

So now there is 17.4KM to go.

The yellow jersey is in the first peloton.

Tail wind section is coming up...gap is now only 4:13.

In the crash, one rider is still down and will likely abandon. I'll post his name soon or will give that info during the stage 3 wrap-up.

SPOILER - Still Away

Four riders are still away with only 40KM to go. That's about 24 miles. And the breakaway is currently 6:18 away from the peloton.

No real hills to come, just a little rise and then downhill mostly to the finish.

Riders in the lead group and the amount of work they're doing...

Paolo Longo Borghini - 36%
Roman Feillu - 27%
Samuel Dumoulin - 21%
William Frischkorn - 16%

Probably less than an hour to go until the finish. More coming!