Armstrong Out – Cadel in Yellow – Leipheimer in the Mix

July 11, 2010

Today’s Stage 8 was brilliant. It was amazing to see Armstrong crash twice. To see Andy Schleck win the stage. To see Contador have a chink in his armor. And to see Cadel Evans go into the Yellow Jersey as the leader of the 2010 Tour de France.

This was amazing. Here are the top six stage finishers and an explanation of the headline.

Andy Schleck with the win – Saxo Bank
Samuel Sanchez – Euskaltel
Robert Gesink – Rabobank
Roman Kreuziger – Liquigas
Alberto Contador – Atana
Cadel Evans – BMC

Explaining the headline – Armstrong is going to end the stage at least seven minutes behind the yellow jersey. He will be about six minutes behind Contador. He is effectively out of the Tour as it relates to his chances for winning his eighth title.

What it also means is that he can now concentrate (if he doesn’t abandon) on putting Levi Leipheimer into yellow and onto the podium.

We saw today that Contador is fallible and that the leaders in this year’s 2010 Tour de France are MUCH closer in skill than in many past races.

Tomorrow is a rest day. I know I need it. Hope you’re enjoying the blog. Feel free to leave your comments and predictions here.