Interesting stage, I just hope that the time advantage Carlos Sastre now has over Cadel is not enough and Cadel can still win this years tour.

Last year Cadel began the final time trial 1'50" down on Alberto Contador, and put in a brilliant effort but still fell 23 seconds short of taking the overall victory. That same day, Carlos Sastre was 2'33" slower than Evans on a 55.5 kilometre course.

Based of last years time trial Cadel may be ok, this time the TT is over a similar distance (53km). Cadel needs to ensure his team is around him over the next few stages to ensure that he is not in any accidents and reserves all his energy for the TT rather than chasing attacks.

Tonight there are a few climbs - the whole Silence-Lotto team needs to be alert and ride in support of Cadel.

I thought last nights tactics by Silence Lotto to have Popovych in the break away group rather strange. The last few mountain stages he had been virtually behind Cadel and not offering much support once the road starts going up. I would have thought that he would have been better support for Cadel riding with Cadel - I mean that's why he was included in the team. Also he would have used a fair amount of energy in the breakaway that he might have been better off reserving for tonight's biggest and hardest ascents in the Tour - Alpe d'Huez.

Tonight is the last of the Alp stages and Cadel has to stay with the top of the leader board right until the finish line. Any time Cadel loses tonight he will need to make up on the penultimate stage - the time trial. He is currently 8 seconds from the prized jersey. I am sure he will be on the podium in Paris, I just don't know which position - my confidence is wavering. Cadel is 41 seconds in front of the rider in 4th position - Sastre and over minute ahead of Menchov who is 5th and can time trial.

Team CSC-Saxo Bank will probably try to work Cadel over, particularly if he has no team mates with him. CSC throughout the race have had many workers on the climbs, perhaps some of them wont be there tonight, then perhaps this is just wishful thinking by me!

I will feel compelled to watch the entire stage tonight - and like the other night when the attacks started, I will feel compelled to start yelling at the TV for Cadel to go with them. I just hope that he can and he takes the yellow jersey back tonight, a stage win would be the fairy tale end.

 (from left to right - Jodie, Melissa Nicholls, Amber Saunders - absent Melissa Kah)

After the Southern Vets Tour last weekend we got a call on the Monday morning from the Caulfield Carnegie Vice President, asking if I would be interested in being in a women's team for the Vic State Team TT Championships.

I went into a spin! There were logistics - like I did not have a UCI licence. There was the practical - I did not know the team, we had not practiced together. Then there was the personal - I was going to change my training after the tour and start focusing on the coming crit season. I went through a roller coaster of emotions - mainly fear and excitement. Anyway luckily I only had about 10hrs to think about. In the end I decided I would do it, however I don't think my acceptance probably conveyed the amount I really now wanted to be on the team, I think my words were something like 'if you need me I will do it'.

This was going to be an opportunity for me, I thought if I say no then I may not be asked again. But I was still worried that I would be the weak link in the team. On Thursday night we got a call and David and I were both in teams. The level of fear took the next step.

The race was in Ballarat, we headed off in the pouring rain but the closer we got the better the weather, up until we started. The wind picked up and it was raining, the forecast was showers, possible hail and a minimum of 4 degrees and a max of 8. It may have even been snowing when we were packing up. 

Anyway I find my team, warm up and we get to the start line. We are off, we had decided to roll short turns as there was a strong head wind and 32km to race. Our time was to be based on the 3rd rider crossing the line. I pulled the first turn, I was feeling good and I had so much adrenaline - also if I got dropped then I had helped! The teams started with 3 minute time gaps, as we were going out, there were are few climbs, I could see a team ahead. We caught that team at about 12km and they had started 6 minutes in front. We were going well, the team had good form on the road, a nice line using each others wheels.

There was a bit of a strength difference in the team, we kept the talk up, encouraged each other along and stayed together. A few times we had to ease up and wait, but then we were a team and we had to get 3 of us over the line to stop the clock. I really surprised myself and ended up being one of the stronger riders. We ended up 2nd and were beaten by about 45 seconds, perhaps next year!

I had a fantastic time and learnt a lot. I have to stop underestimating myself. My commitment to my training and the training I have been going is really paying off. I feel like I have stepped up to the next level. There were 9 women's teams on the day, which is fantastic as previously some of the women's events have had really low numbers.

Congratulations to everyone - I hope to do it again.

I have just heard that the Saunier Duval team has withdrawn from the Tour post a positive drug test from Riccardo Riccò. This rider has won 2 stages in this year's tour plus there was that break away on stage 10 from 2 of his team mates that took first and second in that stage.

This team was leading the team category in the tour, had 2 riders in the top 10 for GC, had the top 2 riders in the mountain classification (Riccò was leading) and 4 riders in the top 7 for KOM and Riccò was also leading the young rider classification.

This I am sure will shake things up not just on the leader boards but throughout the  tour. It&'s a shame that cycling and drugs are so often talked about in the same sentence.

Stage 11 resulted in no change to the overall standings and Cadel is still in yellow.

There have been a lot of comments about Cadel in yellow and the Silence-Lotto team being able top defend the jersey. Personally I think that he might as well wear the jersey, he is being watched by the other teams anyway, the peloton as demonstrated last night will aways try to control the time gap of the break, besides the tour is about finishing in the shorted amount of time - why give time away? Besides, you feel great when you are winning and with the crash that Cadel had on stage 9, the yellow jersey I am sure will be making him feel better.

No one in the break last night were going to change the standings, it was about a stage win and getting some advertising in for the sponsors.

Team Barloworld is really out of the tour now, before today 1 rider had already abandoned and then yesterday 1 rider didn't start as he had returned a non-negative drug test, then 2 other riders from the team did not finish the stage. They only have 5 riders left - it will be interesting to see if they continue. Australian Badan Cooke is riding in this team and normally would be contesting the green jersey which he has won before - but currently is sitting 55th.

Yellow jersey
1 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 46.42.13
2 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 0.01
3 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 0.38

Green jersey
1 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank 138 pts
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia 128
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 117

Mountains classification
1 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott 77 pts
2 David De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Saunier Duval - Scott 65
3 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner 57

Young rider classification
1 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott 46.44.42
2 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas 1.49
3 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone 4.18

Eliminated riders – 4 from Barloworld are out of the race and ½ the teams have lost at least 1 rider.
Iouri Trofimov (Rus) Bouygues Telecom
Moises Dueñas Nevado (Spa) Barloworld
Félix Rafael Cárdenas (Col) Barloworld
Paolo Longo Borghini (Ita) Barloworld
Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez (COL) Barloworld
Manuel Beltran (ESP) Liqugas
Magnus Backstedt (SWE) Garmin Chipotle
Lilian Jegou (FRA) Francaise Des Jeux
Christophe Moreau (FRA) Agritubel
John Gadret (FRA) AG2R-La Mondiale
Mauro Facci (ITA) Quick Step
Angel Gomez (ESP) Saunier Duval - Scott
Aurélien Passeron (FRA) Saunier Duval - Scott
Hervé Duclos-Lassalle (FRA) Cofidis 

My boy is on YELLOW! GO Cadel.

Ok - firstly apologies for not writing a blog on the TdF for a few days - I had my own tour and have been trying to get some sleep. I am glad they are giving me a rest tonight!

Last nights stage - I was worried that Cadel would not start. I know he said he would, but until you are on the line you never know. The stage was tough with 2 Cat HC climbs - the Col du Tourmalet and the finishing climb, the 14.4 kilometre ascent to Hautacam. In the early part of the stage when the pelaton was together, Cadel had his team around him - particularly on the left ensuring that no rider bumped or worse, took Cadel out.

Cadel finished the stage 8th and put several minutes into two GC hopefuls whose dreams of a podium finish are just about over: Alejandro Valverde and Damiano Cunego.

Cadel has many a time been criticised as a rider who does not attack - last night he attacked and drove the pace which reduced the gap to Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) who is only 1 second behind. The CSC team have 3 strong riders - the 2 Schleck brothers (Frank and Andy) and Sastre. Although Cadel had an allie in Menchov (Rabobank) who seemed to work with Cadel - to the benefit of them both I believe. Menchov I still 5th overall is only 57 seconds down.

The yellow jersey wearer at the start of the stage (Kim Kirchen) is now about 2 minutes behind Cadel.

An interesting little fact is that, whoever has been in the yellow jersey after Hautacam has gone to win the race overall. I hope that tradition continues.

Southern Vet Tour (SVCC)
I have just finished my second tour, which was with my home club Southern Vets (SVCC). It was a 3 stage tour over 2 days. Although the courses were flat there was a lot of wind, which kept the bunch together and resulted in sprint finishes for each road race.

Stage 1 - 22km ITT
The start was delayed by 30 minutes due to a truck being on the circuit, which meant that I warmed up too early. Never mind I kept turning the legs and running to the bathroom due to all that nervous energy. I was riding a disc rear wheel for the first time on the road (I have ridden with it a few times on the track before) and a nice Corima carbon rim front wheel. Anyway, off I go and we start with a gentle rise. I look down and realise that I am not getting km's on my computer - damn, I should have checked with the change of wheels. I try to focus on my cadence, heart rate and the rider in front. I catch the rider in front at the first corner (6km) then head into the head wind. I can see the next rider in front and am catching but was nervous to go too hard given I did not know how far I had to go. Once I got about 1km from the finish I could see the road signs and people and knew that I had lots left in the tank - I lifted but it was too late. I finished 2nd for the stage by 2 seconds. Lesson - check all your gear!!

Stage 2 - 44km Road Race
The second stage was 2 laps of the ITT circuit. The bunch rolled out and we stuck together for the duration, there were a few moves off the front at times and I went with each of them, usually with 2 others - none were successful. We were coming around to about 6km from the finish and a big guy got on the front and set a great pace, lining us all out. I was second wheel and had a great sit. There was a kick for the line quite early with 3 riders, I jumped also but not too hard and gradually built the pace and reeled in the riders, the road opened on the right and I was able to sprint through for a win. I was elated. I left for the day leading the tour for my grade and having taken my first placings ever in the club for my grade that were not for the fastest woman.

Stage 3 - 72km Road Race
Day 2, and I felt good. The sun was out before the start and I change my clothing - bad move. Almost as soon as we started it clouded over and the wind during the race was strong and we got rain. We rolled around covering the km's like a social ride. I really wanted something a bit more exciting to happen but then I was the tour leader - everyone was watching me and as I was told before the start I had a big target on my back. Anyway there were a couple of rises in the road about 16km to go, I was still hoping for things to hot up. 2 km to go I am on the front, totally the wrong place to be, a nice guy in the group pulls forward so I can sit behind him. Then there is a kick 300m before the last corner, and about 800m from the finish. I go and chase, I got on but then he sat up about 300m from the line and I knew at that point I just pulled everyone up and blew my chances of winning the tour. I still tried and I held on for 4th place but learnt a lot. I did not need to chase, that rider had no points and the best scenario would have been for them to win the stage or have others chase and me try and out sprint them. Oh well.

I finished 2nd over all and although really happy with that, think about what could have been. I really enjoyed the tour and Southern held a great event, I hope next year the numbers increase and that I get to do it all over again. Thanks to my support crew - David and Lotto @ Cycling-Inform for the coaching.

The up hill finish today saw the riders come splintered with time gaps in between. The stage was one by Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) with a one second gap to Cadel Evans and Alejandro Valverde.

Cadel seemed to follow Valverde, but then that's all he needed to do as he is ahead in GC and I think they are still checking each other out before they hit the Pyrenees from Sunday.

Cadel is now 2nd on GC (6 seconds behind) Kim Kirchen (Team Columbia). Kim is one to watch as he has a strong team around him. Valverde also has a strong team and last night seemed to be the only GC contender that had any team members left when it came to the final few kms. This may be a telling factor for the tour  - we'll know in the next week or so.

I was surpised that Cadel did not have any of his team around him given the team was specifically chosen for this purpose. It could mean that they are tired, they don't have the gas in the tank or they were just caught out - none of these scenarios are particularly good for Cadel and his aim for yellow. Were still in the first week and there is a long way to go to Paris still.

Another rider has withdrawn from the tour  - Aurélien Passeron (Saunier Duval), which is the rider that crashed into the spectator in stage 5. The spectator broke their arm and Aurélien though finished the stage was taken to hospital with pain in his back and abdomen. The spectator sustained a broken arm. Saunier Duval is down to seven riders now, and Cofidis and Barloworld have lost 1 rider each.

The next stage is hilly with 2 cat 2, 2 cat 3 and a cat 4.

Stage 5 was won by a sprinter JUST! Team Columbia 's Mark Cavendish claimed his much-anticipated first victory in the Tour de France.

Again there was a break-away with French riders dominating. The break was only caught at the last moments of the stage, 1 rider (Nicolas Vogondy (Agritubel)) attacked with about 1250m from the line but got caught in the last few seconds. As I watched I thought the sprint teams had misjudged it again.

The final few km's saw the peloton screaming through the corners chasing the break, which resulted in a few crashes including one rider crashing with a spectator (apparently the spectator got excited and move out onto the road).

Cavendish's team did a fantastic lead out. Although there have been no Australian's on the podium yet this year - there are some Australian riders that provided lead outs, this includes Mark French (Crédit Agricole) leading out Thor Hushovd and Adam Hansen (Team Columbia) the winner of today's stage Mark Cavendish.

The tour had another departure today - Barloworld's Mauricio Soler who was already struggling with injuries from an earlier crash, fell in the neutral zone and abandoned after only 12 kilometres.

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) a GC contender also hit the deck and required some treatment to his knee but was able to continue and his team was able to bring him back to the peloton.

There was no change in the GC standings. Tonight's stage is 195.5km and the course has a few climbs (2 Cat 4 and 1 Cat 2) - this should see a bit of a shuffle in the GC standings.

Well last night was the ITT (individual time trial) and the distance was 29.5km, and as predicted the yellow jersey changed hands.

The stage winner and the new yellow jersey wearer is Stefan Schumacher (Ger) from Gerolsteiner with an average speed of 49.534 km/h.

Cadel finished 4th and is 27seconds from the lead. More importantly he but some distance between himself and other GC rivals; Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne). He put seven seconds into Menchov, around a minute into Cunego and Schleck, and 1'07" on Valverde.

Tonight is a flat stage and the longest at 232km for this year tour. It will be one for the sprinters, and after stage 2 with the breakaway succeeding I think the sprint teams will be more switched on tonight. However those that may have taken it a bit easier in the time trail may choose to hit out on this stage to gain some time before the road gets decidedly hillier tomorrow.

My prediction - watch for Thor Hushovd, Robbie McEwen and Stuart O'Grady.