Cascade Classic 2008: Astana Ready to Pounce

Long ago they were adversaries (Levi left, Horner right), but today they are teammates. May the two have mercy on the other teams at the Cascade Classic

News out of Oregon has Astana team members Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner scheduled to ride in the NRC stage race, adding an interesting twist to the way the tactics will play out on the mountainous parcours of the Classic. Onlookers in the stage race should expect a heavy onslaught from the Astana tandem, as they look to release some of their anger surrounding their exclusion from this year's Tour de France.

Other notable entrants for the upcoming Cascade Classic (July 9-13) includes last week's Tour de Nez winner Aaron Olson, of the Bissell team, who will be supported by his powerful teammates Ben Jacques-Maynes and Burke Swindlehurst. BMC, the 'white sharks' of the peloton, will ride in support of their GC man Scott Nydam.

Garmin-Chiptole's no-Tour de France contingent are headlined by GC hope Tom Danielson and fast finisher Tyler Farrar. Each are bothered (to say the least) over their non-selections for the Tour, but will try to make the most of things on home soil. Also suiting up for Garmin will be young Peter Stetina, son of 80's cycling star Dale Stetina. The youngster has shown well in this week's Tour of Pennsylvania stage race, and will be keen to have the opportunity to ride against the 'big boys.'

Also emerging for the hilly Western American classic will be the LA-based Rock Racing team. Former world time trial champion Santiago Botero will lead the acid-green and black outfit, while Cesar Grajales, virtually invisible thus far in 2008, will also be a factor on for Rock on the climbing stages. The former Tour de Georgia Brass Town Bald stage winner should be considered a dark horse for the overall win, or at least the climber's jersey.

Last but not least, look out for the Toyota United squad, as the bring Justin England, Chris Baldwin, and Domique Rollin to Oregon to contest the Cascade. The Toyoat team has yet to announce a sponsor agreement for 2009 and beyond, so every win that owner Sean Tucker's team can earn will help their cause for finding a replacement sponsor for Toyota.

In what should be a rare thrill for many of the entrants in this year's Cascade Classic, two of the best riders in the history of American cycling will toe the line against the field. Each domestic rider will get a real picture for what Pro Tour racing is like, as Levi and Horner shred the field. Euro Peloton expects an overall victory from Leipheimer and at a least a podium from Horner on one of the stages. More likely though is the scenario of both Astana riders making the final podium.

As sad as it is that Levi and Horner won't be at the Tour de France this July, it is also exhilirating that Amercian fans will be able to cheer the two-some on first hand in Oregon this week. They'll add an interesting twist to the domestic stage race, and bring the race more recognition than it normally would have received. Wish I had known ahead of the time that they'd be there. I woulda' been too!

Giro Off and Running with TTT in Palermo

Liquigas took the stage one TTT in 2007, and team leader Danilo Di Luca went on to win the overall

The Giro d'Italia, the season's first grand tour, will begin like it did last year: with a team time trial that will establish the initial GC. There are several favorites for the win, and the day should be action packed and exciting. So which teams are most likely to contend? See below for Euro Peloton's views . . .

Slipstream

The Slipstream team will not contend for the overall in the Giro d'Italia, but that doesn't mean they can't take the maglia rosa for a few stages. They bring a powerful line up to the time trial, full of big engines and experience. Two national champions (Millar, Zabriskie) will be on hand to take the time trial reins, along with two big roulers (Backstedt, Dean), an experienced top American time trialist (Vande Velde), and a former junior time trial champion (Pate). They have a very good shot at the win, providing they can perform as well mentally as they do physically. Considering the performance they put in recently at the Tour de Georgia, the 'Argyle Gang' should be considered the most dangeous team in the fight for the TTT title.

Former maglia rosa Pinotti is a respected rider recognized for his integrity and fair play

High Road

Like Slipstream, High Road probably won't be in the picture for the overall Giro title, but they have some excellent time trialists attending the Giro, and if they can send one of the top sprinters over the finish line first, they may be able to keep the jersey for a few stages. Look for Bradley Wiggins to lead the American registered team, as they attempt to put Italian veteran Marco Pinotti into the pink again, like they did in .

Astana

Why can't they? Everyone seem to want to put Astana at a disadvantage because they weren't notified ahead of time for the Giro. What's the big deal? Kloden is on great form, Levi was decent in Georgia, and Gusev is on the upswing following a broken clavicle at the Tour of California. Contado is Contador, the defending Tour de France champ. The four above mentioned riders are all excellent time trialists, and together are more than capable of putting in a great time against the clock. They'll go top five, minimum.

CSC

Bjarne Riis' Danish squad is young and inexperienced, but also very talented. The 1996 TDF winner (no matter what Prudhomme says) Riis always has his troops ready for battle, so expect CSC to put in an excellent ride in the TTT. They may not win it, but they'll knock on the door, as they do in every race they enter.

While the above four teams all have an excellent chance at victory, don't count out Danilo Di Luca and his LPR Brakes team. His teammate, "il falco," Paolo Salvodelli, is a better than average time trialist capable of long pulls at the front. Di Luca realizes the importance of the opening time trial, and will be urging his team on throughout. They may not win, but they won't lose by a ton either. The Giro d'Italia is on tap, the most beautiful stage race in the world!

Astana Giro Bound After Late Invite Comes Through

Trek bikes will once again be at a grand tour, as will Levi, Alberto, and Andreas

RCS Sport, organizers of the Giro d'Italia, have reportedly extended a last minute invite to the Astana team for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. Astana, although not ideally prepared, will still be a great addition to the race. Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and recent Tour of Romandy winner Andreas Kloden will all be in Italy for the start, to contest the three week grand tour.

Of the three big guns on Astana that will be racing in Italy, Kloden is probably on the best form currently. But expect Johan Bruyneel's team to keep all of their options open, until one of thier star riders definitively shows they are the best for the overall. Kloden will be motivated and confident after his Romandy win, while Leipheimer and Contador will no doubt ride into form during the race.

The introduction of the Kazakstani team creates an entirely new dynamic for the Giro, as race tactics will change drastically with their inclusion. The peloton will have to mark each Astana rider closely, as all three of their team leaders are capable of changing a race on one stage. When the road tilts upward, it will be a real chore for the other teams to control the race, as Contador, Leipheimer and Kloden are all explosive talents. Each will be able to play their own hands on the high mountains, to the peril of the other teams.

So the only remaining question is why did RCS change their minds and suddenly invite Astana? Could this have to do with the UCI's recent announcement that a 'top rider' failed the biological passport program? Could the rider in question be one of the protagonists for the Giro? And if so, will one of the teams invited to the Giro be suddenly uninvited? The next few days should answer most of these questions, as the year's first grand tour prepares to commence this coming weekend.

Upcoming: 6th Tour of Georgia, April 21-27, 2008

Euro Peloton's 100th Post!!!

The Tour of Georgia brings big time racing back to America again in 2008, after the recent Tour of California. Four Pro Tour outfits will highlight the field, as well as the American sponsored team Slipstream. As usual, some of the favorites are American, but some non-Americans will have a chance for the over all as well.

The list of favorites is led by the reigning Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, whose Astana team will be motivated to take the overall in Georgia after having dominated the GC in California. Leipheimer will be supported by stalwarts Chris Horner and Che-Chu Rubiera, as the small climbing icon hunts for the win.

Team CSC will come to Georgia with Americans Bobby Julich and Jason McCartney,and both are capable enough to stay with the climbers in the high mountains and are good time trialists. JJ Haedo will be on hand to take part in the sprints for the world's number one team, as CSC looks to continue their early season domination.

The Slipstream contingent will be led by the fragile and oft-injured Tom Danielson, who is coming back from a back injury. His form will be a question mark, and he'll be backed up by Christian Vande Velde, always good on GC, and David Zabriskie, time trial savant. Finally, young Lucas Euser will learn about climbing with the world's elite on the Brass Town Bald stage.

Last but not least, the Rock Racing team will finally have a chace to march out their "Big Three" fo Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla. Botero and Sevilla will aim for the overall, while Hamilton will continue to improve his form and take things day by day. "Fast Freddy" Rodriguez will try to win some sprints, and should have a good chance providing he gets plenty of lead out help from his team.

Although not as star-studded as the Tour of California, there are stiull some big names riding Georgia. Others to watch include George Hincapie and Andre "Gorrilla" Greipel of team High Road, the "Cuban Missle" Ivan Rodriguez and Dominique Rollin of Toyota United, and Mike "No Worries" Creed of the Rock team, who is a savvy rider good as slipping away into breakaways.

2006 T-Mobile Rider Sinkewitz Names Kloden as Blood Doper; Astana, High Road Futures in Jeopardy?

Kloden in the 2006 Tour de France?

German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has reported that Patrick Sinkewitz, formerly of the mighty magenta T-Mobile squad, has revealed to authorities that Andreas Kloden, currently riding for Astana and formerly of the T-Mobile team, was present at the Freiburg University clinic ahead of the 2006 Tour de France the day that Sinkewitz blood-doped ahead of the 2006 Tour.

Sinkewitz is the first rider ever to break the peloton omerta

Sinkewitz's lawyer wouldn't reveal specifics, but did inform the press "that Mr. Sinkewitz gave names, but for reasons related to the case, I can neither confirm nor deny the names circulating." In what could be a huge blow to the Astana and High Road squads, Sinkewitz's testimony could pave the way for new sanctions against both Pro Tour teams.

Kloden's past at T-Mobile could haunt his future at Astana

Already booted from all ASO-sponsored events for 2008, the Astana squad is battling to get out from under the cloud of suspicion created by the previous Astana regime, lead by Mark Biver. If Kloden is found guilty of doping, it would be another log on an already huge fire around the Astana team. Not only would ASO be justified in keeping the team from participating in their events for 2008, but they could then decide to ban the team from all events for 2009 as well.

Skeletor: Biver will forever be remembered as a cheater and a liar

For High Road, the implications aren't good either. With this new revelation, ASO may turn it's cannons on Bob Stapleton's revamped team, claiming that they have not been fully transparent regarding former members of their team. Astana General manager Johan Bruyneel has enough problems cleaning up his team's image, the last things he and Astana need is one more scandal. As things stand, Sinkewitz's claims bring only bad publicity to both High Road and Astana. Sad times for cycling, as more doping-related news hits the streets.

Not happy: Sinkewitz's testimony could have far reaching consequences for Bruyneel's Astana squad

Tour of California Grades: Pro Tour Teams

With the Tour of California gone for another year, Euro Peloton takes a two part look back at each team to see who had the best and worst performances during the eight day event. Below are our TOC grades for the nine Pro Tour teams. Tomorrow will follow the remaining continental teams from the 2008 edition.

Astana: A

The Astana team came to the Tour of California with one goal: Bring Levi Leipheimer to Pasadena with the leader's yellow jersey on his back. And the Kazak team delivered in spades. Levi won the TOC with an almost preternatural ease. He was never really in trouble at any point in the race, and dominated an extremely talented field on the flats in the time trial and in the mountains on the steep climbs. His team was sublime, controlling breakaways throughout the Tour, and neutralizing dangerous attacks on each stage. They'll take momentum into their other objectives for the season, whatever those may be.

Levi shrewdly managed the race and made it his throughout, thanks in large part to the excellent team supporting him

Bouygues Telecom: D

With exception to a late Thomas Voeckler attack in stage five, the Bouyges team was nowhere to be found for almost the entire Tour. Although they were a part of a few select breakaways here and there, they were consistently dropped when the pace racheted up, and failed to even contend for a win the duration of the Tour. Even so, they were a fan favorite amongst true cycling fans, so you can't give em' and F.

Little Tommy Voeckler was a fan favorite throughout the Tour

Credit Agricole: D

Like their French counterpart, the Credit Agricole team was seldom seen throughout the Tour. Thier top rider on the GC was Chritophe Le Mevel, who distinguished himself in a few breakaways, but like Bouyges they didn't really contend on any of the stages. Even their team leader, Patrice Halgand, dropped out after stage five. Maybe they'll have better luck in Georgia in a few months.

CSC: A

Unlike last year, CSC didn't have any of their riders on the final podium. But they did manage to have one of their riders in the yellow jersey, as Fabian Cancellera won the opening time trial prologue and wore the jersey for stage one. Sprinter JJ Haedo went good again the the TOC, scoring a win in stage one, and a second on stage six. Jason McCartney's third place in stage seven capped a great week for the CSC team, who delivered two of their riders into the top five on the final GC.

Cancellera gave his team their first ever yellow jersey in the TOC

Gerolsteiner: C

Gerolsteiner had the most difficulty with the virus that swept through the peloton for the duration of the week, as the team finished with only three of it's riders. However, young German sprinter Heinrich Haussler showed himself at the front of the bunch in stages one and two, before he took sick and had to abandon while the leader of the sprint jersey competition. They garner a C grade due to the fact that the virus really neutralized any chance they may have had to affect the race in it's second half. Hopefully the mineral water sponsor will extend for 2009, and the team will return stronger for next year's edition.


High Road: B+

Bob Stapleton's team had to struggle to get their win, as George Hincapie outsprinted three of his fellow Americans for the stage seven win. They thought they had the win in stage six, but their young sprinter Mark Cavendish was relegated due to an illegal car draft that he received from his team director Rolf Aldag after crashing on the way to the finish in stage five. Bradley Wiggins, Hincapie, and Gerald Ciolek each had second place finishes, suggesting that with a bit more luck, this Tour could have been an A+ for the young team. Stay tuned until next year, when the High Road team will return to the TOC a year older, and a year wiser.

Hincapie won stage seven, saving High Road's 2008 TOC

Quick Step: B+

Quick Step had an excellent Tour, putting Tom Boonen on the top step of the podium in stage two into the Capitol, and Jurgen Vandewalle and "il grillo" Paolo Bettini into third on separate stages. Additionally, Boonen and Bettini promised to return to the race in 2009. It was hard for us not to give them an A based on their promises for next year alone.

Bettini, Boonen and the Quick Step team stop in for some coffee ahead of the rainy Queen stage from Seaside to San Luis Obispo

Rabobank: A

Rabobank got a stage win the the 2008 Tour, and they came away with a jersey. Robert Gesink took the young rider jersey for the second straight year, and was the only rider who could stay with Levi Leipheimer on the steep ramps of the Sierra Road climb. Super sprinter Oscar Friere Gomez couldn't quite get a victory, but did show himself toward the front of the group well in a few stages. This team clearly has bigger objectives, as Friere will hope to take Milan-San Remo and Dennis Menchov will try his hand at the Tour de France overall.

Saunier Duval-Scott: B

Saunier Duval-Scott' TOC was made in stage six when Mark Cavendish was relegated and Luciano Pagliarini was handed the stage win. It must have been a bitter-sweet moment for the Spanish team, but a win is a win. They did what many other teams would have hoped to, and for that their Tour was a success.

2008 Tour of California: The Best Yet

Levi becomes the first repeat TOC champ

As the sun set in Pasadena and the 2008 Tour of California came to a close, fans, cyclists, and organizers could all count the 2008 version as the best yet, despite poor weather throughout the week. The racing was lively, the crowds were huge, and each and every spectator was witness to one of the best fields ever to compete in the United States.

Despite the weather, the 2008 TOC crowds were Europe-huge

The final stage's celebration was truly a sight to behold, as the overall awards were doled out to the deserving individuals and teams that stood above all others throughout the course of the week. Levi Leiphemier became the first two-time champ of the event, and was in a great mood after closing the book on the overall classification. He'll take a bit of momentum into the rest of the season, even if he and his Astana team don't secure an invite to the Tour de France.

Gesink will be heard from for many years to come

Robert Gesink, the winner of the young rider classification for the second consecutive year, was considered the revelation of the 2008 Tour, as he was the only rider capable of following Leipheimer on the decisive Sierra Road stage three. He'll be a rider to watch for many years to come, and in fact may be back someday to try for the overall Tour of California title.

The final jerseys: Gesink (young rider), Nydam (climber), Leipheimer (leader), Rollin (sprinter), Moos and BMC (aggressive)

Dominique Rollin netted the sprint leader's jersey, and in a class gesture, presented the Rock Racing podium girls with roses from his own winner's boquet on the podium after stage seven. He'll do major damage in the coming years, and will probably secure a contract with a Pro Tour team in the near future.

Rollin will be getting kisses in Europe before his career ends

For the most aggressive rider jersey, race organizer decided to award the prize to the entire BMC team for their significant activity throughout the eight stage event. Alexander Moos accepted the jersey on behalf of the team, and enjoyed kisses from the podium girls.

The remaining members of team BMC received the most aggressive rider award

The climber's jersey fell to Scott Nydam, the Californian training partner of Levi Leipheimer who also rides with the BMC squad. Nydam held the jersey for almost all of the stages, and was visibly happy to have secured the award along side his friend and colleague Leipheimer.

Nydam pulls on the final KOM jersey

Finally, the team award, signifying the one team in the race with the highest overall individual ranking, went to the wild card Slipstream team. Steven Cozza was constanty off the front throughout the Tour, and the time trialists of the team, Vande Velde, Zabriskie, and Millar, ensured that the argyle-kitted American outfit secured the team win. In what will surely be a message to the Tour de France, Slipstream's team award will drastically help their cause in obtaining a start in the 2008 Tour de France in July.

The team award went to Slipstream, as well as the oversized $17,000 check

The 2008 Tour of California can be looked at only as a success. Top teams and exciting racing highlighted the week, and most of the big name riders, Boonen, Bettini, Voekler, Cipollini, have all promised to return in 2009. Although a year away, the 2009 Tour of California is already on the mind of cycling fans across America as a must see race, as the best of the best will once again descend on the golden state next February.

The final podium has some fun with champaign at the expense of the race anouncer

TOC Time Trial: Levi Beats World Champ at His Own Game to Solidify Lead

Spoils of victory: more podium kisses for Levi

As it was in 2007, the small town of Solvang was host to the deciding stage of the 2008 Tour of California. Unlike 2007 however, the weather for this decisive stage was not as favorable as it was a year ago. Mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers fell throughout the early morning, as riders prepared for the 15 mile test against the clock.

World time trial champion Fabian Cancellera was on the course early, no doubt previewing the all-important stage. Team boss Bjarne Riis was close by, checking the big Swiss rider’s bike to make sure all was in order. Cancellera had a look of grim determination on his face as he set out to ride the course ahead of time.

Cancellera was dead serious ahead of the deciding time trial

Riis sounded less than confident in Cancellera, as he spoke in hushed tones about the day’s race. “If it is wet, the course will definitely be more technical, Fabian will have to be more careful than usual. I don’t know how good Levi is, so a lot will depend on that. But Fabian will go on the course now to see the route, and then the rest is up to him. If he can get a couple of seconds lead on the overall, that should be enough to win the race.”

Levi Leipheimer, equally focused, was also on his Trek TTX early in the day, leaving nothing to chance as he looked to solidify his lead in the overall classification. Director sportif Vatcheslav Ekimov was decidedly more upbeat that Riis, and thought Levi had a good chance of securing not only the stage victory, but the overall. “As long as the weather conditions are the same, it will be fine with us. I think our chances are good. Even if we don’t keep the jersey today, we still have many cards to play. Levi is going very good and every second will count for Cancellera. He won’t get anything for free.”

As riders took top the start gate at 12:00 pm pacific time, large dark clouds hovering over head and rain showers swept intermittently over the landscape. The day’s initial best time was set by world pursuit champ Bradley Wiggins of team High Road at 32 minutes and 16 seconds. But it was not until the last few riders that the final podium would be decided. The first man to go under the 32 minute mark was American Christian Vande Velde, who stopped the clock at 31 minutes and 35 seconds. A few rider’s later, Vande Vende’s teammate David Millar, the British time trial champion, went 16 seconds better at 31 minutes and 16 seconds.

The world champ could only come fifth for his CSC team

With only Fabian Cancellera and Levi Leipheimer still on the course, the crowd grew restless as they waited for the final results. Cancellera motored toward the line, but was unable to keep pace with either Millar or Vande Velde, and could manage only a time of 31 minutes and 52 seconds, which was good for fifth place on the day. Leipheimer, dressed in the leader’s yellow jersey and simple black shorts, made the final turn toward the finish line and jumped out of the saddle, looking for every second he could in the race against the clock. When he finally crossed the line, he was a full 29 seconds better than Millar and 65 seconds better than the world champ Cancellera.

Levi was gifted a beautiful sculpture for his beautiful victory

With only two stages left to race, the overall win looks all but guaranteed for the American from Santa Rosa. Barring a major mechanical failure or crash, Levi should be able to lean on his powerful Astana team to bring him to the final podium on Sunday in Pasedena as the overall winner for the second year in a row. But it won't be easy. None of the other teams will be willing to help the Astana squad, and several Slipstream riders (Millar, Vande Velde, Zabriskie) are within striking distance of the overall lead. If they contiune to hit Astana with attacks, one of them may be able to escape and gain time over the next few days. Astana will have to be hyper-vigilant throughout the next two stages. For CSC, it will be another year without a GC win, as their closest rider is Cancellera, in fourth place at one minute eighteen seconds. Bjarne Riis's tentative tone on the morning of the time trial may have predicted what Astana knew all along: Levi was just too strong.

Take it to the Bank: Rabo’ Cashes In, Levi Takes Yellow

Gesink takes the stage ahead of Leipheimer

Stage three of the Tour of California took the field from Modesto to San Jose on the day before the event’s queen stage. By far the most difficult stage of the 2008 Tour, stage three would take the riders over the fearsome Mount Hamilton and Sierra Road climbs, before leading them into downtown San Jose after a twenty mile descent. Weather for the stage was pleasant, with patchy clouds and bright sunshine throughout the race.

Gesink was ecstatic to have won the stage

The first news of the day came early as Tyler Farrar, the yellow jersey holder after stage 2, abandoned the race due to sickness. A tough blow for Slipstream, the absence of the young sprinter will mean that Slipstream will no longer be able to hope for any more sprint victories in the Tour.

After Farrar's abandon, the action for the stage heated up, as an early breakaway, comprised of Slipstream’s Steven Cozza, BMC’s Scott Nydam, Rabobank’s Paul Martens and Credit Agricole’s Cyril Lemoine, went off the front. Riding well as a group, the four were able to stay away until the Mount Hamilton climb. Martens, feeling good, powered away from the remaining three riders as the climb began, as none of the three could stay with the orange-clad youngster.

The stage three podium: Leipheimer, Gesink, Van De Walle

It wasn’t long before Martens too was caught by the hard-charging pack, as Astana drove hard at the front of the group and eventually overtook Martens. Next to go off the front was George Hincapie, and the High Road rider built a small lead as the Sierra Road climb started.

It wasn’t long, however, before Astana reeled Hincapie in, behind hard efforts from “Che Chu” Rubiera and American Chris Horner. The two Astana riders continued to drive the pace up the steep climb, until the group was down to only five riders. Astana’s Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner, Rabobank’s Robert Gesink and Ardilla Cano, and Slipstream’s David Zabriskie rode together up the climb, all marking each other.

Levi-athon: Leading the GC, a familiar position for Leipheimer

Finally, Gesink had enough and put in a slight acceleration, which unhinged Horner, Cano and Zabriskie. Only Leipheimer could stay with the lanky Dutch rider, and the two began to put time into the trailing riders by working together.

Once over the summit, the duo worked together on the descent to increase their lead to a minute and fifteen seconds, before the gap finally started to decrease, as the re-formed group of riders behind worked to close the gap. Steadily the gap decreased, and with 2 kilometers to go, it was down to only twenty seconds.

But those twenty seconds would prove to be just enough, as Gesink and Leipheimer approached the line a scant twelve seconds in front of the hard-charging field. Levi, as a gesture of appreciation for all of Gesink’s hard work, sat up and chose not to contest the stage, conceding the day’s glory to the young Dutchman. Gesink, thrusting his fist in the air, took the day’s honors, as Levi rode himself into the leader’s yellow jersey.

The jerseys: Leipheimer (Leader), Nydam (KOM), Hincapie (Most Aggressive), Haussler (Sprint), Gesink (Young Rider)

Looking ahead, the queen stage of the race to San Luis Obisbo will give the contenders time to recover ahead of the crucial Solvang time trial on Friday. Levi will have his work cut out for him, as time trial world champ Fabian Cancellera is within striking distance of the overall lead. Zabriskie too is close enough to be a threat, as is his teammate David Millar. For now Levi and Astana will enjoy the yellow jersey, before getting serious again in Solvang on Friday.

Astana Out of TDF as Race Organizer ASO Drops Bombshell

Gone from the 2008 Tour will be the turquoise and yellow colors of the Astana squad

As it has been widely reported, team Astana, that of 2007 Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador and third place finisher Levi Leipheimer, has been barred by the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the organizer of the Tour de France, from competing in the 2008 edition. Tour director Christian Prudhomme cited the team's past as the reason they were excluded. "We remember what happened in 2006," Prudhomme told Reuters. "Then came 2007 with a new team who asked us to trust them. We did that and paid dearly for it."

Race director Pudhommes decision to bar Astana will not sit well with many fans, especially those in America following Leipheimer and Horner

The implications of ASO's decision will have profound affects on the 2008 version of the race. Without the powerful Astana team to dictate the tactics of the race, controlling the peloton will probably be done by committee, with 2007 runner-up Cadel Evans's Silence-Lotto team being left to control the pace along with other contenders like Caisse d'Epargne, Rabobank and possibly even the Italian team Lampre.

Evans will hope he has to form to hear his nation's national anthem played in Paris in 2008

Also dramatically affected will be the final outcome of the race. Contador and Michael Rasmussen (since kicked off of the Rabobank team) were the two best climbers in the 2007 edition, and were the only ones to put Cadel Evans under pressure. Now that Contador is out, other climbers will be able to try to attack the race at their pace. Some riders besides Evans that should be considered possible winners of the 2008 Tour are Damiano Cunego of the Lampre squad, Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d'Epargne, and Dennis Menchov of Rabobank. Either way, the 2008 edition will be an open, unpredictable race from start to finish.

If Cunego can continue to improve his skill in the time trial, he could make a run at the GC in the 2008 TDF

Pro Tour Teams Worst Fears Realized As Astana, Credit Agricole, Others Left Off 2008 Giro Start List

2008

The organizers of the 2008 Giro d'Italia, RCS Sport, announced on Friday that Pro Tour teams Astana, Credit Agricole, Bouygues Telecom and High Road would not be tendered invites to the 2008 Giro d'Italia. This is in stark contrast to last year, when all three Grand Tours were required to invite all Pro Tour teams. Also absent in 2008 will be Stefano Garzelli, the 2000 winner, as his Aqua & Sapone squad was passed over in favor of Barloworld, Tinkoff, Slipstream, and LPR, among others.

"The Killer" will have his chance to spray the champaign again in 2008, as his LPR team gets the Giro nod

Astana seemed shell shocked, as spokesperson Philippe Maertens expressed. "We are extremely surprised," he said, as the Astana team boarded a flight out of Alburqueque following their training camp and team presentation. "Our team management is currently trying to contact Zomegnan ..."

Alberto Contador and the Astana team got a chilly reception from Italy that followed them all the way to Alberqueque. Could the Tour de France be the next Grand Tour to dis the champ?

The French teams, however, were seeing things in a different light. Bouygues Telecom and Credit Agricole explained that without having to send a team to Italy in May, they would instead be able to focus on getting good results in other races, such as the Clásica Internacional a Alcobendas, the Volta a Catalunya, the Bayern-Rundfahrt and the Four Days of Dunkirk events, all which coincide with the Giro.

Little Tommy Veokler and the Bouygues Telecom team will have to find other races to hone their form ahead of the July Tour de France after being left out of the 2008 Giro

For Aqua & Sapone, there is no such optimism. An Italian sponsored team, missing the Giro will be a huge dissapointment for Garzelli and the rest of the team. At 34, his years of turning the pedals in anger are coming to an end. He'll instead have to hope for a wild card at the Tour, which is unlikely.

Glory Days: At 34, the chances for victory for Garzelli are running out. Here he takes a stage win ahead of Bettini and Mazzolini at last years Giro

The precedence set by the Giro organizers could lead to a similar situation in France. Perhaps Christian Prudhomme will feel that teams with questionable pasts should be punished for positives in previous years. This is a controversial perspective, as both High Road and Astana are under new management, and are among the most tested teams in the professional peloton. But if this proves to be Prudhomme's view, expect him to invite the lone French continental team Agritubel (Christophe Moreau, Romain Feillu), as well as the Italian LPR team (Danilo Di Luca, Paolo Salvodelli) and the British Barloworld (Mauricio Soler, Robbie Hunter, Geraint Thomas, Baden Cooke) squads. Slipstream, providing that they shine in the early season, should also expect to secure an invite as well.

The young neo-pro and next great French hope Romain Feillu (23 yrs old) likely will fly the flag for team Agritubel in the 2008 Tour de France, along with new teammate Christoph Moreau

In the end, this could end up sending a strong message to all teams that not only will individual riders be sanctioned and punished, but the teams themselves will be penalized as well. Team management will have to think long and hard about the riders they contract each year, taking into account that a positive test could affect them into the next season. And those teams that manage to avoid doping positives will be rewarded with the invites to the biggest events. Drastic measures are required for drastic times, and RCS sport has launched the first silo in the new war against doping.

No mercy: Giro race director Angelo Zomegnan made no apologies for leaving four Pro Tour teams and a former overall winner (Garzelli) out of the 2008 edition

Astana To Miss the Tour de France in 2008? TDF Works To Keep All Dopers Away

With rumors circulating that the Astana team and others may be left off of the Tour de France's invite list for 2008, let's take time to consider the implications of such a decision.

First and foremost, last year's champion, Alberto Contador, would miss his chance at defending his title, which he won dubiously when multiple race leaders/contenders were kicked out of the Tour last year for doping related suspicions. Contador would like nothing more than to defend his title and put to rest any doubts about the worthiness of his 2007 win. With the exclusion of the Astana team, this would not be a possibility.

Contador (left) and Valverde (right) may not get a chance to contest the 2008 Tour de France

Levi Leipheimer, older by the day, also would miss what will probably be his last chance at overall victory in Le Tour. He would be co-leader at the Tour this year, but probably for the last time, perhaps being left to wonder what could have been in 2007.

Lost Dreams: Will Leipheimer (right) have to pay for his teammate's and title sponsor's mistakes in 2008?

Andreas Kloden too would be kept from contending the overall in the Tour. Kloden, like Leipheimer, is getting older (32 yrs old) and has only a few more years to ride in the world's biggest bike race. While he probably would ride in support of Leipheimer and Contador, he would also no doubt have a few chances at a stage victory.

Kloden, shown here pacing Vinokourov in the 2007 Tour before Vino's blood doping positive, may be punished for his former teammate's choices

While the lack of the "Big Three" in France for 2008 would be hard to take, the lack of the entire Astana team would change the race even more dramatically. Astana is one of the few teams strong enough to control the peloton, to set the pace for the day. If removed, the Tour could turn into a chaotic free-for-all each day, as teams jostle for superiority. While it would make for exciting racing, it could also lead to huge time gaps early on in the race, which would take the drama out of the later stages.

It's not only Astana that may not be tendered an invite to the Tour. Rumors are swirling out of France that no one is safe, Pro Tour team or not. With the recent news about CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, wanting to question both Contador and Caisse d'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde, trouble could be on the way for the Spanish team as well. And while CONI can't suspend Valverde, they can bar him from competing on Italian soil. If he were sanctioned, his participation at the Tour would be impossible as the race makes a brief foray into Italy in 2008.

Nowadays, one person's poor choices can affect many in cycling, just ask the Caise d'Epargne boys. Valverde is shown fourth from right, front row

Add to the mix the fact that Tour director Christian Prudhomme has a very itchy trigger finger when it comes to protecting the Tour from suspected dopers, 2008 could see some of the world's biggest and best cycling outfits prevented from contesting the Grand Boucle.

Prudhomme will do his all to protect his beloved Tour from cheaters in 2008, even if it means judging riders based only on circumstantial evidence