BBC Sportcycling

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Chris Bevan

1619: Phew. Damiano Cunego and his Lampre team-mates have just finished - his Tour is not over yet by the looks of things.

Sadly, as far as live text commentary goes, mine is. It's been an incredible Tour so far and I've enjoyed every minute - there will be more twists and turns to come in Saturday's time trial too, I'm sure.

Thanks for your input, be it rider song titles, pubs that show Le Tour, witty banter or advanced Tour knowledge, and enjoy the rest of the race. I know I will.

1617: "Well that was largely uneventful as stages go. I guess this is what is best described as the intermission between acts two and three in operas."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Alex Murray on 606
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1612: This is how things stand after stage 18, and it is as you were at the top of the general classification.

Carlos Sastre leads his CSC team-mate Frank Schleck by one minute and 24 seconds, with Bernhard Kohl third, race favourite Cadel Evans 10 seconds further back in fourth and Denis Menchov another minute and five seconds adrift.

Today's stage, from Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne contained little excitement and the same is expected in tomorrow's 165.5km hike from Roanne to Montlucon. The excitement is sure to ramp up ahead of Saturday's decisive time trial however.

1604: The peloton, containing all the big hitters in the general classification - Carlos Sastre, Frank Schleck, Bernhard Kohl, Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov - roll over the line en masse.

It has not been a particularly exciting day but, then again, it was always unlikely that CSC would be on the march again after their efforts yesterday.

1603: It is Mklel Astarloza who takes third. Down the road, Andy Schleck (Frank's brother) and Roman Kreuziger are in a group of five riders who have just got away from the peloton - Kreuziger had hoped to get close to Schleck's white jersey for the best young rider but the Luxembourger did not let him out of his sight and they cross the line together.

1600: So, that little bit of excitement is over and the rest of the stage is not going to throw up much else of note. The next group of three riders - Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Christophe Le Mevel - will be battling it out for the minor placings in the next few minutes.

1558: At last, Carlos Barredo attacks but it is far too late and an explosion of pace gives Marcus Burghardt the prized stage win. Barredo, understandably, is not a happy chappy after three hours of hard work off the front only earn him a second place.

1556: Barredo is on Burghardt's wheel right now and they have slowed almost to a standstill (relatively!).

1555: Just over 1km to go for our two leaders now. They both look very edgy.

1552: Barredo and Burghardt are having a bit of a chat...all very friendly I'm sure. Next thing you know, Barredo is off again with another attack but he just cannot lose Berghardt - it's like their bikes are attached by a piece of elastic.

1549: "My money's on Marcus Burghardt for the win. He's looking like he can follow the moves by Carlos Barredo but the little fella is a wily rider who'll use every trick in the book to get the drop on him.

"That includes attacking while Burghardt is zipping up his jersey, which is a little uncalled for."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Alex Murray on 606
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1547: Burghardt is next to try his luck and opens up a bit of a gap, but Barredo is quickly back on his wheel.

1545: A bit of cat and mouse at the front with 8km to go, where Carlos Barredo obviously agrees with Im_partial (see 1531) and does not fancy his chances in a straight sprint for the stage win with Marcus Burghardt.

Barredo keeps trying to escape but Burghardt is alert and tracking his every move.

1541: Yes, he is still battling on...Damiano Cunego may be in bits but he is over the top of the Croix de Montvieux - I bet he enjoyed it too! The Italian is still around 12 minutes behind the peloton, and still has three of his Lampre team-mates with him.

1539: "(Re 1512) Did I not see the Devil all in yellow yesterday? Or was that his cousin, the Dust Devil?"
Andy, in Reigate via text on 81111

1535: Less than 12km to go for the front two now.

1531: "Carlos Barredo or Marcus Burghardt for the win today then? My money is on Burghardt if it's a sprint, but maybe the crafty Barredo can do something special in the last few kilometres and ride away?"
Im_partial - TDF tops on 606
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1529: Right, the peloton are over the top of the Croix de Montvieux too - still no attacks so far from any of our main men so far. Not much time for CSC to have a go at Cadel Evans now, if they were going to attack, they surely would have done so by now.

1527: With 20km to go, Carlos Barredo tries to break clear from Marcus Burghardt at the front but is chased down by the German. They can both smell the stage win now...

1523: "(Re 1512) Apparently this year Didi is heavily sponsored hence French TV's reluctance to show him. He is there though. What is the guy dressed as a giant squirrel on the Alpe d'Huez all about??"
mape_ventura on 606
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Not sure...Maybe he is just nuts about Le Tour?

1521: Damiano Cunego is not making up much time off the back of the pack. The Italian is still over 12 minutes down and he will just have to hope he gets home within the time limit and has a chance to lick his wounds and get to Paris.

1520: The leaders - Carlos Barredo and Marcus Burghardt - are over the top of the Croix de Montvieux and, with 24km to go, it looks like they will be competing for the stage win. They still hold a 10 minute advantage over the peloton and are four minutes clear of the other three escapees.

1516: "Not much talk about Bernard Kohl lately. How good is he in the time trials?"
James via text on 81111

'Not brilliant' is the answer to this one. Kohl (who is set to be crowned King of the Mountains remember) lost one minute and 26 seconds to Cadel Evans in the 29.5km time trial in stage four of this year's race. Like Frank Schleck (who lost one minute and 47 seconds to Evans in the same stage), his strength is climbing, not time trialling...

1512: "All this talk of the riders...what about the Devil? I have seen no sign of Didier the ever-present Devil jumping up and down with his trident posing a threat to all and sundry. Anyone heard anything?"
once_a_cyclist on 606
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I did spot Didier at the bottom of l'Alpe d'Huez yesterday actually. He was erm, jumping up and down and looking quite excited as you would expect...

1506: With 35.5km to go, Carlos Barredo and Marcus Burghardt have widened their lead on the peloton to 10 minutes...and they are still four minutes clear of Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Christophe Le Mevel too. A good effort after over two hours out on their own.

Stuart O'Grady is still at the head of the main group...almost smiling too (I did say 'almost'!). The peloton are not showing much interest in catching the escapees at the moment - of the five who are away, only Astarloza (who is 18th) figure in the top 20 of the general classification.

1456: The peloton are at the base of the Croix de Montvieux which, at 1,750m high, is only 100m smaller than l'Alpe d'Huez but has a much less severe gradient than yesterday's punishing climb.

Still, if there are any weary legs in the peloton (and my bet is there will be!), this is likely to find them out.

1450: A group of CSC riders are still leading the peloton but are not cranking up the pace in the way they have done in the last few days. Maillot jaune Carlos Sastre is up with them too, looking very relaxed.

1448: Not a lot has changed in the last few kilometres - and we certainly haven't had any movement from the men in contention for overall victory yet - Carlos Sastre, Frank Schleck, Bernhard Kohl, Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov are all together in the main peloton. There is still a category two climb to come before the finish but no one has attacked yet.

The two riders out at the front are losing a bit of time - their lead is about nine minutes and 39 seconds now.

1445: "I think Damiano Cunego will be alright. He's currently 22 minutes or so back from the leaders. Yesterday, in a stage that was won in six hours and seven minutes, the time limit was +44 minutes, which is approximately 13%.

"To be eliminated I think he'd need to be over 30 minutes back. Guess it depends how he climbs...."
rambon on 606
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1441: Lots of chat on 606 and via text about what Lampre will do if Cunego continues to struggle (see 1433)...the consensus seems to be that either he will tell them to ride on and ensure they make the time limit, or the team will make that decision for him.

Cunego crashed quite badly at the start of this stage and has been off the back of the pack ever since. Nothing broken as far as we know but, as he hit a wall and cut his face and shredded his jersey, he is not in a good way.

1433: "What will Damiano Cunego's teammates do if they cannot haul him back upto the peleton? Will they ride away from him and try and keep themselves in the tour, or stay with him and risk all dropping out if they do not make the time limit?"
EnglandLad23 on 606
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1428: With 55km to go, the front two are ten minutes and 21 seconds clear of the peloton, and four minutes and 13 seconds ahead of another group of three escapees - Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Christophe Le Mevel (not Amael Moinard as initially reported).

As for Damiano Cunego? Still struggling, I'm afraid. He is 12 minutes back now.

1421: "How many times has a tour winner only finished in the top five of a road stage once? If Cadel Evans wins the tour, that'll be how he's done it."
MagpieMatt on 606
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1418: Just a reminder that (in the UK only) you can now listen to live commentary of the end of this stage from BBC Radio 5 Live's Peter Slater right here on this website from 1500 BST. If you have any questions for Peter, post them on 606 (using the link at the top of the text commentary) or text in on 81111.

1414: This is how things stand today with 130km down and 66.5km to go on the road to Saint Etienne.

The gap from the two leaders to the peloton is just over 10 minutes. The gap from the peloton to Damian Cunego and his three Lampre team-mates is over 11 minutes. If Cunego does not turn this round, he could be heading for the same fate as Jimmy Casper, who was eliminated yesterday for failing to finish the stage within the time limit.

1408: "(Re 1350) Leganes is pretty flat I think - not much chance of finding a steep hill. It's also not a particularly nice place, so I wouldn't be that fussed if I was Carlos Sastre!"
eckinspain on 606
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1405: "Many years ago, wasn't there a mountain time trial up Alpe d'Huez? Those were the days!"
Matt, in Cardiff via text on 81111

I remember it well...it was in 2004, and guess who won it? Yep, it was Lance Armstrong - more than a minute quicker than Jan Ullrich, who was second-fastest. That one sorted the men from the boys...

1403: At last, some CSC riders are at the front of the peloton....lazy so-and-sos! Stuart O'Grady is heading things up at the moment, for a change.

1400: The front two, Carlos Barredo and Marcus Burghardt, are holding their advantage and are nine minutes and 50 seconds clear of the peloton and three-and-a-half minutes ahead of fellow escapees Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Amael Moinard.

Poor old Damian Cunego is still over 10 minutes behind the pack and, although he has four of his Lampre team-mates around him, things are not looking great for the Italian at the moment - by the sounds of it he was roughed up pretty badly in his earlier crash.

1353: "(Re 1338) Ah, an old-timer. Okay, It's true that it has taken some drama out of the race, but I think the merits (for example, sending guys back to help out a man in trouble) outweigh the bad. I think it also helps that the management can give instruction without having to scream in the riders' ears by the side of the road."
Im_partial - TDF tops on 606
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1350: And I am also yet to spot maillot jaune Carlos Sastre either...who, whether he wins in Paris on Sunday or not, will be honoured for his exploits in this year's Tour by having a street or square named after him in his home town of Leganes in Spain. It should be on a steep hill, surely, to mark his efforts up the l'Alpe d'Huez yesterday.

1344: Still no sign of CSC at the head of the peloton. Caisse d'Epargne doing the work at the front of the group. The leaders are nine minutes and 32 seconds clear.

1338: "Anyone else think that radio contact with the riders has had an adverse effect on the race? The riders should be able to race on their own. The time trials suffer the most from this, as the later riders have the advantage of knowing about earlier riders, but not vice versa."
Pete, in Stevenage via text on 81111

1335: The gap at the front is growing, up to almost 10 minutes now with 92km to go.

1332: Some interesting thoughts from BBC Radio 5 Live's Peter Slater on Cadel Evans in his latest 606 article...he thinks the Australian is dull to watch, and I know a lot of you agree!
Evans can wait

1327: The peloton are in the feedzone and so, coincidentally, am I. Brie and crackers for me today...I'm one step away from turning up for work with a string of onions around my neck...

1324: Oops. Sorry. Not such good news for Cunego, who is actually around 11 minutes back. My sub-standard maths at work there, I'm afraid. He does have riders with him though, and the fact he is battling on must be a good thing.

1320: Those two at the front are still making good headway - nine minutes and 20 seconds clear of the peloton now. Good news for Damiano Cunego, who is in a group of four riders off the back and is around four minutes away from rejoining.

1315: The peloton has arrived at the top of the Col de Parmenie, around seven-and-a-half minutes behind Carlos Barredo and Marcus Burghardt. Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Amael Moinard are all together, about four minutes behind the leading duo.

1310: "In the first time trial (29.5km in Cholet) Carlos Sastre came in 1'16" behind Cadel Evans, the time trial on Saturday (53km from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond) is a good 30% longer and I fear the 1'34" lead over Evans needs to be extended today. It's the last real chance for the CSC team, they need to push really hard or its Cadel's for the taking."
Scott, in Lancs via text on 81111

Evans holds a 14-0 winning record over Sastre in previous time trials by the way...

1306: "Does anyone else miss the team time trials in the Tour de France? Would have made things even more interesting this year for sure! Evans might have had to even go on the attack!"
yogipillai on 606
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I got sick of the team time trials during the Lance Armstrong years...US Postal/Discovery were just too damn good!

1302: Carlos Barredo is almost five minutes clear of the peloton now...Marcus Burghardt has almost caught him though and Romain Feillu, Mikel Astarloza and Amael Moinard have also escaped.

1257: "Yesterday was a compelling day. The merits of having a strong team working together to support their leading riders was clear. Makes you realise that cyling is not only an individual event but a team one too."
Jack, in London via text on 81111

1254: About 75km of the 196km course has been covered and that gap at the front keeps growing...Carlos Barredo is now two minutes and 45 seconds ahead of the peloton...and 35 seconds ahead of Marcus Burghardt and Romain Feillu.

Damiano Cunego is still off the back of the peloton...the Italian is still nine minutes and 40 seconds away from rejoining the group.

1250: "Today, someone from the General Classification must have a go. If Denis Menchov (for example) can get 30 seconds or so back on Cadel Evans, it puts him back in the frame for the overall.

"Frank Schleck and Bernhard Kohl need to gain minutes on Cadel, so any attacks by them are unlikely to be sufficiently successful, but Carlos Sastre could do with gaining another few seconds. Don't expect any attacks to be successful, but surely the riders have to at least try."
dummy_half on 606
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1245: There have been plenty of attacks since the last bunch of escapees were reeled in. Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) is the latest to try his luck, and he has quickly opened up a gap of over a minute on the peloton.

Marcus Burghardt (Columbia) and Romain Feillu (Agritubel) are trying to bridge the gap and are about 15 seconds behind Barredo right now.

1242: A bit of news on France's biggest cycling star - national time trial champion Sylvain Chavanel. (Brother of Sebastien, who was Lanterne Rouge this year when he abandoned during stage 16).

Sylvain, 29, who is riding for Cofidis in this year's Tour, has agreed a two-year deal with the Quick Step team.

Will he celebrate by finally managing a stage win in this year's Tour? He has certainly tried hard enough so far...

1237: "I don't think you can just say Cadel Evans has won it now. Granted, he's a great performer in the time trial but Carlos Sastre is in yellow and that can alter things.

"Michael Rasmussen was believed to be one of the worst time triallers in the peloton last year, but with yellow on his back, he pulled out a great ride. Sastre has a great chance and I feel he deserves it."
GoodPandaPanda on 606
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1231: Damiano Cunego is falling further off the pace...nine minutes and 40 seconds behind the peloton now. That crash must have affected him...let's hope he's okay in the end though - it would be a shame if his Tour were to finish now.

1226: "Today, I reckon there's still a chance to put a few seconds in on the run in after the last feed station. Whether CSC will be able/want to risk it is another thing. Best hope for them is for a suitable break to go up the road and take the pressure off."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Alex Murray on 606
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1223: Ah...some news on Damiano Cunego, who crashed earlier. He is back on his bike but is seven minutes and 30 seconds behind the peloton.

1219: The peloton has caught those seven escapees and the riders are all together again at the 49km mark.

1217: Just a quick update of how things stand overall for those of you new to this...can't be many of you mind!

These are how the five riders still in contention for the yellow jersey are placed at the moment:

1. Carlos Sastre (Spa/CSC) 74hrs 39min 3sec
2. Frank Schleck (Lux/CSC) +1min 24sec
3. Bernhard Kohl (Aut/GST) +1min 33sec
4. Cadel Evans (Aus/SIL) +1 min 34 sec
5. Denis Menchov (Rus/RAB) +2min 39sec

We have got two mainly flat stages today and tomorrow, before Saturday's time trial where Cadel Evans is expected to make up his losses and take the lead before the race finishes in Paris on Sunday.

That's how it's 'meant' to pan out anyway...but don't discount Carlos Sastre's time trialling, and Denis Menchov is no mug in that discipline either, should the riders in front of him suffer any mishaps.

1212: "It would be nice to see some action from the front-runners today but I can't see it. The stage seems tailor-made for a breakaway but if things are still close come the category two climb then maybe we will see the Andy Schleck go for the win.

"David Millar has been anonymous the past week. Is he saving himself for the time trial or does he fancy a go today or tomorrow?"
City Hobgoblin on 606
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I was just thinking about Millar actually, Hobgoblin. He is desperate for a stage win in this year's Tour....in the first week he was happy to drop out of contention for yellow because he knew it meant he would be allowed to escape and chase a stage victory. It hasn't happened yet though - and, given the circumstances, I cannot see him beating Evans in Saturday's time trial either.

1206: "One for the statisticians. When was the last time anyone came from as far behind as Cadel Evans to win the Tour in the final time trial? I've thought back through the last 40 years and can't think of a case."
Arirang via text on 81111

Good question. I'm confident someone on 606 will have the answer to that one...

1202: There have been a couple of tumbles in the peloton. Sandy Casar was first to crash but is back on his bike now...Alexandre Bontcharov and Damiano Cungeo have just had a tangle too...Cunego has not rejoined the race yet.

The seven escapees - Marcus Burghardt (Columbia), Stephen Auge (Cofidis), Maxime Monfort (Cofidis), Fillippo Pozzato (Liquigas), Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Freddy Bichot (AGR) and Bjorn Schroder (MRM) - are 36 seconds clear now with 36km gone. That gap is coming down and I don't think the peloton will let them get away.

1200: "The only thing CSC could do now is put Frank Schleck in a breakaway and make Cadel Evans' team (which took a punishing in the Alps) chase him back all day long while Carlos Sastre sits comfortably in the peloton.

"Other than that its all going to go to the time trial on Saturday and, pending accidents, Evans should easily make up the required time."
jmb on 606
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1157: We lost one rider in the Alps yesterday...well, not literally (we almost did LOSE John-Lee Augustyn on the way down from the Col de la Bonette-Restefond on Tuesday, mind!). AGR rider Jimmy Casper could not keep up with the Grupetto and finished outside the time limit at l'Alpe d'Huez - 48 minutes and 47 seconds behind Carlos Sastre.

1153: Those seven escapees are now 50 seconds clear. For the first time in a few days, the CSC team are not at the head of the peloton (Fabian Cancellara is probably having a well-deserved rest after his efforts on the Croix de Fer yesterday). At the moment it is Bouygues Telecom and Quickstep who are at the front.

1150: "I think we can expect to see some action from Frank Schleck. It's been the plan for a few days from CSC, keep forcing Cadel Evans to chase. Frank Schleck and Carlos Sastre just take it in turns. Bernhard Kohl will likely have a go on the second category climb near the end. Expect activity from Denis Menchov who probably reckons there is still a podium place if he can make some headway."
toffeesteveo on 606
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1147: "Can we expect any action from the big names today or will they all just coast it in a big group happy to wait for the time trial?"
Sonny Holmes via text on 81111

Quite a bit of chat on 606 about this, and whether CSC are going to put more pressure on Cadel Evans today, Sonny. Frank Schleck seemed to accept his hopes were over when he was interviewed before this stage started, and from what I've heard from Evans and Carlos Sastre, both of them seem to be thinking about the time trial, understandably. We shall see...

1142: "Nice tactics by CSC yesterday - short of knocking Cadel Evans off of his bike it's hard to know what more they could have done as a team.

"Today is prime for a breakaway. Couple of climbs, but nothing big, but both near the end, as a result I'm struggling to see a sprint."
rambon on 606
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1140: There are seven riders clear right now - Marcus Burghardt (Columbia), Stephen Auge (Cofidis), Maxime Monfort (Cofidis), Fillippo Pozzato (Liquigas), Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), Freddy Bichot (AGR) and Bjorn Schroder (MRM). They have about 25 seconds on the peloton.

1138: The riders rolled out of Bourg-d'Oisans a few minutes ago and there has already been an attempted breakaway. You can expect a lot of this today from riders not involved in the hunt for the yellow jersey or any of the other classifications.

1136: After yesterday's drama on l'Alpe d'Huez, Carlos Sastre has taken yellow off his CSC team-mate Frank Schleck and holds an advantage of one minute and 34 seconds over Cadel Evans.

So, will that be enough for Sastre to hang on to the lead after Saturday's time trial, or does the Tour belong to Evans now? The Australian is certainly the big favourite...

We wait to find out what this exciting Tour has in store for us but, in the meantime, the race makes its way from Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne today.

1135 BST: Right then. Things are a bit clearer now...aren't they?