Giro d'Italia -Stage 17

Stage 17 of the Giro was today. A friend of mine clued me into the Universal Sports web site where they stream the race coverage live for free. So awesome. I got it running in the background as I review reports.

Lance Armstrong is riding really well today (second position in photo). I'm not sure how he'll play for the Tour de France in July but he may be in shape to take it. Although, I think he may ride to support Levi Leiphenmer (sp) for a TdF GC win. Levi is 35 years old and near the end of his career with this being his last real chance at a Grand Tour win.

Sea Level Rise

I actually had a little while to screw around with Google this weekend and I came across a cool widget and a cool feature that are available for google maps. The widget is a sea level rise display.

Here is the scenario for Boston, Massachusetts for 2 meter , 6 meter and 10 meter sea level increases.

A web article I found HERE indicates that a sea level change as much as 70 Meters is possible.

The other cool feature running right now is that google has done a street level view of all the 2008 Tour de France stages. Very cool if you are a cycling geek. See it HERE.

Have Fun Kids.

'08 Tour de France

The course for the 2008 Tour de France has just be published. One interesting change this year is that time bonus' have been scrapped. This should create more equal finish times. Which will probably lead to frequent changes of the yellow jersey (overall leader). I nabbed this image of the route from velonews (who got it from letour.com)

Here is the basic schedule:

• Saturday, July 5 Stage 1, Brest to Plumelec (195km)
  
• Sunday, July 6: Stage 2, Auray to St. Brieuc (165km)
  
• Monday, July 7: Stage 3, St. Malo to Nantes (195km)
  
• Tuesday, July 8: Stage 4: Cholet TT (29km)
  
• Wednesday, July 9: Stage 5, Cholet to Châteauroux (230km)
  
• Thursday, July 10: Stage 6, Aigurande to Super-Besse (195km)
  
• Friday, July 11: Stage 7, Brioude to Aurillac (158km)
  
• Saturday, July 12: Stage 8, Figeac to Toulouse (174km)
  
• Sunday, July 13: Stage 9, Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre (222km)
  
• Monday, July 14: Stage10, Pau to Hautacam (154km)
  
• Tuesday, July 15: Rest day at Pau
  
• Wednesday, July 16: Stage 11, Lannemezan to Foix (166km)
  
• Thursday, July 17: Stage 12, Lavelanet to Narbonne (168km)
  
• Friday, July 18: Stage 13, Narbonne to Nîmes (182km)
  
• Saturday, July 19: Stage 14, Nîmes to Digne-les-Bains (182km)
  
• Sunday, July 20: Stage 15, Digne-les-Bains to Prato Nevoso (216km)
  
• Monday, July 21: Rest day at Cuneo
  
• Tuesday, July 22: Stage 16, Cuneo to Jausiers (157km)
  
• Wednesday, July 23: Stage 17, Embrun to L'Alpe d'Huez (210km)
  
• Thursday, July 24: Stage 18, Bourg d'Oisans to St. Étienne (197km)
  
• Friday, July 25: Stage 19, Roanne to Montluçon (163km)
  
• Saturday, July 26: Stage 20, Cérilly to St. Amand-Montrond TT (53km)
  
• Sunday, July 27: Stage 21, Étampes to Paris (Champs-Élysées) (143km)

Total distance: 3,554km -2,208 miles

If you are new to the sport the best days/stages to watch will be Stage 9, Stage 17 and Stage 21.

More info available: Here, Here, Here.

Floyd in '07

Well Bicylcing magazine is reporting that Floyd Landis is has pretty much written of the 2007 racing season. It shouldnt be a supprise really. But one does have to wonder how well he would have done with that new hip. Could he really have been a contender to win the TDF in 07. I find it hard to belive but I suppose the technology and training that went to that hip and body could make it possible. an exceprt from his web site reads:

Floyd has now passed the 3 month mark following his Birmingham hip resurfacing. He has regained full strength, power and range of motion and is completely pain free. His one leg power tests now show that the new hip is actually stronger than the other side. With normal length restored to his femur and the elimination of his chronic pain, Floyd is riding uninhibited for the first time in nearly 4 years.


I really just wish that there would be a final ruling and end this thing.
Its becomming frustrating.