Axel Merckx, who'll you'll soon have the chance to ride alongside down the Pacific Coast Highway, has officially retired Wednesday, on his 35th birthday. Merckx went out on top, winning his last race by out sprinting breakaway Johan Van Summeren (Predictor-Lotto) at a criterium in Lommel, Belgium on Monday.
In today's stage 11, Axel finished with the second group 3 minutes and 20 seconds down on stage winner Robbie Hunter as the peleton was split by echelons some 50 miles out from the line. He's now in 75th place, 58 minutes and 59 seconds behind yellow jersey Michael Rasmussen who comfortably finished in the front group.
The big loser today was Frenchman Christophe Moreau of AG2R. Moreau, who in June won the prestigious Dauphine Libere had been displaying some excellent form and was a clear favorite for the overall. It was Moreau who lit up the race in stage 8, repeatedly attacking the leaders on the final climb only to be chased down by Alejandro Valverde of Caisse Espagne and Cadel Evans of Predictor-Lotto.
The big victim of Moreau's relentless attacks on stage 8 was race favorite Alexander Vinikourov who was the victim of a crash earlier in the week that left him bruised and bandaged.
Earlier in today's stage Moreau tangled with one of his own AG2R teammates and was at the back of the field being attended to by the doctor's car when Astana, the Kazakhstan rider Vininkourov's team, lit up the front and split the field. Astana continued to drive the pace and were soon joined by the likes of Discovery. By the end of the stage Moreau, along with CSC co-leader Frank Schleck of Luxembourg, had lost over 3 minutes and he tumbled down the standings to 14th place, 6 minutes and 38 seconds back.
As fellow Kazkah Borat might say "Very nice.....NOT!!"
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What do you think, were Astana's tatics fair? Do they need be fair? Let us know by Commenting here.
In the wake of team leader Michael Rogers loss and the inexperience of the talented youngster Linus Gerdemann, Axel has taken over as captain of the T-Mobile.
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Axel finished stage 10 comfortably and now sits in 73rd place, 55' 39" back of yellow jersey Michael Rasmussen of the Rabobank team.
In other T-Mobile news is was announced this morning that German rider Patrick Sinkewitz falied an out of competition doping test. The test was taken June 8 during a T-Mobile training camp. Sinkewitz's A sample returned a raised testosterone level. He was immediately suspended indefinitely by T-Mobile. Sinkewitz was already out of the Tour having collided with a spectator following Sunday's stage 8.
While this is undoubtedly more bad news for T-Mobile, having lost captain Rogers to a crash while he was virtually leading the Tour, it's even worse for German cycling fans. The country's TV networks have suspended their coverage of the Tour, making good on a threat they'd voiced at the beginning of the race.
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Axel and the rest of the riders are enjoying a well needed rest after two tough stages in the Alps.
In yesterday's stage 8, T-Mobile lost their captain Aussie Micahel Rogers to a dislocated elbow that he suffered in a crash on a descent. At the time Rogers was looking strong in a chase group that included eventual stage winner Michael Rassmusen and was the virtuel maillot jaune.
After the crash Axel kept the yellow jeresey, Linus Gerdemann, in contention and in control of the maillot blanc (white jersey of the best overall rider under 25), pacing him as far up the climb as he good.
Currently Merckx is in 67th place at 33' 31" back and the young, outspoke anti-doping advocate Gerdemann is in 2nd at 43".
Allez Merckx! Allez Gerdemann! Allez T-Mobile!
Who do you think will wear the yellow jersey into Paris? Let us know.
Exciting finish today with former World Champion Tom Boonen taking the finish and wresting the green jersey back from Erik Zabel. Axel Merckx , who will he riding in the ABBC: HC on September 8 is currently in 45th place overall, 1'14'' down from Fabian Cancellara of Team CSC.
Look for tomorrow's opening Alpine stage to shake things up. Go Axel!!
Axel Merckx to ride in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle
T-Mobile teammates Aaron Olson, Mari Holden, Kimberly Baldwin and Kim Anderson to join
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olympic medalist Axel Merckx, the son of legendary Eddy Merckx, will wrap up his season at the fourth Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle on September 8 where he’ll be joined by his T-Mobile teammates.
The 34-year-old Belgian is currently competing in his ninth Tour de France, and is the reigning Olympic Bronze medalist and winner of a stage in the 2000 Giro d’Italia. In 1998 he finished 10th in the Tour and in 2005 took a memorable, solo victory in stage five of the prestigious Dauphiné Libéré. His father, Eddy, is widely considered to be the greatest cyclist of all time, winning both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia five times.
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle (ABBC: HC) is a five-star, charity cycling event chaired by California First Lady Maria Shriver that supports Best Buddies International, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. All of the money raised by participants in the ABBC: HC goes directly to Best Buddies programs.
Beginning at the Chateau Julien Winery in Carmel, Calif., participants head 100, 62 or 15 miles down a stunning stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway to the Hearst Castle where a one-of-a-kind celebration awaits them. At the finish riders enjoy a complimentary hot shower, professional massage, and a gourmet lunch with an open bar at the beach below the Hearst Castle. Then, they head up to the Hearst Ranch for a gourmet BBQ that’s followed by a private concert by rock legends Cheap Trick.
Joining Merckx at the event will be his American teammate Aaron Olson. T Mobile will also send members of its world class women’s team, including Mari Holden, Kimberly Baldwin and Kim Anderson. Holden is a past Olympic silver medalist and long-time Best Buddies supporter. This will be her third year participating in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. Baldwin is a three-time U.S National Time Trial Champion and the talented Anderson is a three-time member of the U.S. World Championship team
For more information on the ABBC: HC or to join Merckx, Holden, their teammates and hundreds of others in making a difference visit www.BestBuddiesChallenge.org or call 800.718.3536.
About Best Buddies
Best Buddies ® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. The organization has accredited international programs on six continents with additional country programs under active development. Best Buddies six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e -Buddies® and Jobs – will positively impact more than 350,000 individuals this year.
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