2009 Tour de France – Rest Day 2 News, Notes and Quotes

July 20th, 2009 by Ron Callahan 1,307 views No Comment

Welcome back. Things have been a bit crazy around BWN headquarters, but we’re here to bring you all of the 2009 Tour de France news that we can scrape up. Lance Armstrong is happy to be working for Alberto Contador, Bradley Wiggins biggest surprise of the race so far, Cadel Evans gives up on the podium and Denis Menchov feels “unmotivated”.

Kenny Van Hummel has been struggling through the Tour de France, but looks to his Grandmother for inspiration. She is recovering from heart problems and a stroke.
Of course, today was chock full of training rides and interviews.
Johan Bruyneel told Sportweek that “It is now clear to Lance that he is a servant” for Alberto Contador, and that “he has no problem with that.”
On Contador’s dominance, Armstrong said, “I’m really happy, perfectly happy, to be a domestique. If someone like Contador shows today, `Hey, I’m the best,’ you have to accept it,”
Bruyneel expressed surprise at the performance of Garmin’s Bradley Wiggins, but does not think that he is a threat to Contador.
Wiggins is happy with how he is doing so far, but downplays his chances, saying “Anything can happen from one day to the next – I could have lost four minutes in the first week because of splits and crashes. We’re just looking at one day at a time. Tuesday’s another tough stage.”
Higgins has to be considered the surprise rider of the race. He has quietly moved into third place and has some of Garmin’s tour hopefuls now riding in support of him.
Andy Schleck is looking forward to a “black day” for Alberto Contador. He knows that Contador is stronger, but hopes that the pressure will get to him. He wants to work with his brother to isolate Contador so that he can make a move.
Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador and Andreas Kloden woke up to an anti-doping control this morning.
Spanish newspapers were effusive in their praise of Alberto Contador, saying that his rise marks the end of Lance Armstrong’s dominance. Some of the other headlines: “Contador strikes down Armstrong in the Alps”, “Contador Buries Armstrong”.
Cadel Evans does not even expect to make the podium this year. He expressed surprise at reporters showing up for his press conference.
Denis Menchov says that it is difficult to remain motivated. [After his DS said "all is lost" yesterday, no big surprise there. - Ed.]
Transfers:
- Former Tour de France champion Pierrick Fedrigo is very close to a move to Saxo Bank
- Edvald Boasson Hagen will likely make a move from Team Columbia to Britain’s new Sky team.
- Six Cofidis riders will be looking for new homes next year: Sébastien Portal, Romain Villa, Hervé Duclos-Lassalle, Alexandre Usov, Florent Brard and Maryan Hary.
- Brice and Roman Feillu were said to be moving to Francaise des Jeux next year, but they have denied the rumor.
- Christophe Riblon has extended with AG2R through the end of 2011.
We reported yesterday that Quick Step’s Steven de Jongh would likely follow in roomie Tom Boonen’s steps and drop out of the race, but he has not been affected as much by the gastric disorder and is expected to start tomorrow.
Levi Leipheimer is back home after having wrist surgery and is already on the trainer.
Christian Vande Velde lost two minutes and 46 seconds on Sunday and has resigned himself to working for Bradley Wiggins.
Depsite losing a little more time on Sunday, Carlos Sastre is satisfied with his progress: “It was a difficult day and (I) was (riding) very fast. Actually it was exactly as I had expected. It has been a difficult tour so far. I did my best, but I was not explosive enough. I am a diesel and prefer to row my own pace. I was doing and I was able to come back. Eventually I rode with them up the best, although I must admit that some riders today were better than me. My team has worked well for me and I am satisfied with the progress of the stage.”
He felt differently during the rest day, however, lashing out at a “lack of respect” from the peloton, and saying that certain riders are working against him. [Hmmm. Would that be your competition? - Ed.]
He also expressed “boredom” over the Lance Armstrong-Alberto Contador battle and says that, “I think it’s disrespectful, as defending champion, to always be faced with questions about Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador.” He continued, “Now that the race has become boring and there’s nothing more to write about you turn to me and expect me to do something … but I’m not a box of magic tricks.”
AG2R’s Martin Elmiger will be going in for surgery to correct narrowed blood vessels in his right leg. With six weeks of recuperation necessary before he can ride again, he’s effectively looking at the end of his season.