Sunday, July 5, 2009

Live text - Tour de France

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

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By Pranav Soneji


1147 BST: Hot and humid conditions for the riders on the Rivera today as the riders gather towards the neutral zone, waiting for race director Christian Prudhomme to wave the flag to officially start stage two of Le Tour. Although forecasts had warned of potential thunderstorms, the blazing sun and wispless wind will make the stage a sweaty one for the 180 riders.

1136 BST: As ever, I can't do this all by myself so I want your views via text 81111 or via the 606 website (link above).

1133 BST: Sunday's stage sees the riders avoid the poodle poo-ridden streets of Monaco towards the southeastern town of Brignoles. It's a relatively gentle introduction for the 180 riders, a 187km (110 miles) course which features one category three climb - the 491m La Turbie - along with three category fours. According to five-time Tour champion Bernard Hinault, "we 7ay very well see a sprint in the final section of the race as the last 5km are in a flat, straight line", music to the ears of Britain's Mark Cavendish, who was undoubtedly conserving energy after crossing the finishing line in 177th spot in Monaco. Expect the Manxman to attack in the last 200m.

1115 BST: Bonjour la clase, welcome to the second day of the 2009 Tour de Lance, I mean France. So the seven-time winner can still cut it with the very best - some 1,441 days since sipping chilled champers in Paris in 2005, the Texan finishes a more than respectable 10th in Saturday's gruelling time trial. Britain's Bradley Wiggins will wear the green jersey after finishing the 9.6-mile course through the streets of millionaires in third behind yellow jersey holder Fabian Cancellera, who blitzed the field with an impressive time of 19 minutes and 32 minutes, 18 seconds better than tour favourite Alberto Contador, who finished in second. The Spaniard will wear the King of the Mountains jersey.


ะพ 1:18 AM

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