Sad and strange stage today. Sad because of the woman, who died in an anccident today. And strange because of the plot of the race today. You know, I looked through the forum on Russian Eurosport (that's the best forum about cycling in Eastern Europe, in my opinion - people who post there are big specilists, they raced and watched cycling during long time; I'm not registered on that board because I'm not so cool yet:)). So I read what people think and their thought are just exectly the same as my: LA wanted to "present" the jersey to his buddy, Big George.
He probaly said to his teammates: "Don't chase!", so they didn't. But I think Contador was not happy because of that, he went to the car with Bryuneel and talked with him. And than Astana started to chase. But Big George still had big chances on the jersey. And than team Garmin decided to remind all good things to team Columbia: TTT on Giro, Tyler Farrar vs Cav on this Tour, "nice" Cav' words on Garmin... And they stayed the yelow jersey on Nocentini's shoulders. LA made 7 or more posts on his Twitter to blame Garmin. His supporters did the same. But oh, c'mon, it's a sport! Many sportsmen had friends-rivalries, but that doesn't mean everybody has to make services to each other!
That's how people saw the situation. And, I think, that's how it was.
Oleg Tinkov predicts Russian victory today. His predictions come true very often:) He said about Astana: "I think Armstrong and Bruyneel will go away. Ekimov too, he can't decide anything himself. It's possible that Armstrong and Bryuneel will not be in one team.
Vinokurov will come, but the team will not be the same as now. I'm not sure that Contador will stay. Vinokurov and Kashckin (I'm not sure I wrote it write, but I wrote it how we spell it on Russian) are people from the past, they are the past time of cycling. Well, maybe he can be a good manager, I don't know...
But I'm sure it will be different Astana. Not a super-team we see now".
I hope the weather will be fine tomorrow, no snow, no bad accidents. And Andy will attack (and it will be a good attack). I wanna see he kicks asses to many riders:) and every person who doesh't believe in him. C'mon, Andy!
P.S. Oh, yes! Andy made a new entry:) He is so polite!

Oleg Tinkov (of Tinkoff:)?) has a blog on Eurosport.ru. He said it's just during Tour de France, but who knows, maybe he'll continue to make posts after it. Anyway, the posts are very short and simple. He writes not like a cool journalist, he has not a secretary or somebody else. He just writes what he thinks. So, his first post, just before the Tour. It's interesting because of his predictions.

"Hello everybody!

*blah-blah-blah*

...

So, about favourites. I think Lance will win. No, I'm not crazy and not use wrong letters. I'm sure in it, because I know him and Bruyneel and I know what's going in their team. And we all saw him at Giro... HE IS READY! Lance won't do anythig just for fun, he'll be wise. About Contador... I think he'll have to work on Lance. At least, he is working in Astana and he must do what his sports manager says.
So, my favourites:

1. Armstrong
2. Contador
3. Schleck (any)
4. Schleck (any)
5. Evans
6. Menchov
7. Sastre

Unforunately I don't think Denis will win and any other Russian just has no chances.
So ARE YOU READY?! Then let's go!"