Landis wins the stage

[bikezappa]

He's back!

He is an animal. To come back after losing 10 minutes is incredable.

I think he rode a TT the last 100KM.

He is in 3rd place about 30 seconds behind the leader.

[ohskigod]

I would love for another american to take the torch of dominating the tour de france. It will give the french press another target to accuse of doping instead of Armstrong

[Shizelbs]

So, does this dude have any real chance of winning the whole ball of wax?

[avelanchefan]

Landis was a freak today. Everyone...I mean everyone wrote him off yesterday. The crew from OLN was in shock two days ago as they watched him crack, then today he dominates the entire field and OLN was even more shocked at the performance. Kudos to OLN for giving him his due, they ate their words like champs.

And from my understanding so did tour officials who wrote Landis off on Wednesday, and then said that his performance today was one of how Legends are made. It was truely a legendary ride. Something that I will not forget for a while!

And yes he does have a chance...30 seconds behind and a grueling time trial on Saturday.

[F1nut]

Ride on, you animal freak!

[SWFalken]

That ride is going to go down in tour history as one of the greatest single day rides ever. I was really glad to be home today to witness it.

GO Landis!:)

[bikezappa]

30 seconds is not much time to beat in a long TT on Saturday.

I can't imagine Landis losing because he is a very good TT guy.

But this Tour has had many surprises.

He could crash or have a mechanical problem on the TT.

[wingnut4772]

Wow. I read how far behind he was and wrote him off too. Amazing.

[Demiurge]

:confused: Did I hear correctly this jabroni needs a hip replacement after the race? :confused:

[wingnut4772]

No Way?!!! If that's the case he must be taking some sweet pain killers. I could win a stage on some of those :) .

[bikezappa]

Landis broke his hip a few years ago in a bike crash. It never healed correctly and there is limited blood flow to the ball socket of the hip bone. It is very painful to walk but it appears riding takes much of the weight of the hip and doesn't as much. He will replace the hip after the race.

Saturday is the final long TT and the race will be won or lost that day.

[wingnut4772]

Wow. That's almost as good as winning it on one testicle.

[Demiurge]

Wow. That's almost as good as winning it on one testicle.

haha, that made me laugh. :)

[bikezappa]

It appears the Tour and Teams are serious about getting rid of the drugs.

I think Lance had both balls removed.

T-Mobile sacks Ullrich
By wire services
This report filed July 21, 2006
Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich, excluded from this year's race because of links to blood-doping, has been sacked by his T-Mobile team, the SID news agency reported on Friday.

T-Mobile had suspended the German, who won the Tour in 1997 and would have been one of the favorites for the 2006 race, the day before the July 1 start.

Also the 2000 Olympic road-race champion, Ullrich was suspected of using the services of doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, whom Spanish police allege is at the heart of a blood-doping network.

T-Mobile general manager Olaf Ludwig announced the news during the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Morzine and Macon, though the sacking had been made in writing on Thursday.

Ullrich has denied allegations of doping. T-Mobile said it was demanding evidence of his innocence. On Monday, Ullrich said his lawyers have asked Spanish officials for written clarification of the accusations and whether they will lead to charges.

The German rider published a statement on his website saying that his dismissal was "unacceptable."

"I am very disappointed that this decision was not communicated to me personally but that it was faxed to my lawyers," Ullrich added. "I find it shameful that, after so many years of good cooperation and after all I have done for the team, I am being treated as a fax number."

The 32-year-old Ullrich had been under contract with T-Mobile until the end of the year.

[F1nut]

Landis wins!!!

[GaryZ06]

Screw the French.....Go America

[brettw22]

Uh oh....I read allegations that Landis had his blood infused with some sort of super x gene and the French are going to boycott.

It'd be nice if we could get an american without freak superpowers to win.....

[bknauss]

Best sports story of the year. Sad that little attention was given to it just cause its not Lance.

[Shizelbs]

Congrats.

In your face France.

[schwarcw]

I love it! Go Landis! I hope that you go back next year.

[MacLeod]

Im suprised the French havent surrendered yet.

Im pulling for this dude. Id love to see another American win this thing.