Vuelta = interesting news
Even though we have not dealt with it here online, the third cyling grand tour (The Vuelta / The Tour Of Spain) is currently being contested. It is interesting to note that Astana - the team that had the 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador and potential contendor Levi Lepiheimer but was not allowed to compete in the the 2008 Tour because the old Astana team was dirty - currently holds the top two positions in the race. Alberto Contador is in first, Levi Lepiheimer is in second (1:17 minutes back) and 2008 TDF winner Carlos Sastre in his home tour is in third (3:41 behind Contador). Full coverage of today’s stage and results here.
I only point this out to make the following two points. First, the 2008 Tour would have looked different with Astana in it. I am not saying Sastre would have lost, but he would have been tested a lot more and a lot harder. Secondly, next year with Contador, Lepiheimer and Armstrong all on the same Astana the 2009, the Tour De France could look like a Astana parade. Saxo Bank(currently CSC) will have a uphill battle to repeat I predict.
