De Gendt isn't riding the TdF this year as he's getting married just before it starts.

First of all - the only time he'll ever win the Tdf. A bold prediction but not without proper consideration.

Secondly - Is there a more lacklustre way you can be handed what is considered to be the greatest prize in cycling?

Finally. I can't stand doping but I'm not a big fan of histiry being re-written like this. There is talk of some re testing of some of Armstrongs samples. If he is finally proven to have doped then who do we award those titles to? Ulrich? Pantani? Really?

So I guess he won't be challenging for the top 10 then - unless Mr and Mrs De Gendt are doing a tandem ride around france for their honeymoon.

All good points that I'm in no disagreement with.

The third point is a good one. Like when Marion Jones was stripped of her gold in the 100m - was it 2004? - but Ekaterina Thanou, who finished second, also had doping issues. I think the record shows no winner that year.
Ah, give the lot to Richard Virenque. (joke)

Maybe John D - that is what should be done if samples are re-tested and Armstrong is proven to have doped. Just have a number of years with no winner listed. It's a disgrace that Bjarne Riis is still listed as a winner of the Tdf even though he openly admitted to using EPO. But wait, lets see who was 2nd and 3rd that year......Jan Ullrich & Richard Virenque!

Anyway........I think if this years Giro has taught us anything then it is that we have a level playing field once more. A level playing field which I hope is in some way down to the fact that people are not doping.

We had 5 or 6 contendors for the GC and they were all broadly similar. Most of whom were more worried about losing it than winning it. Did it make for a more boring race? Hmmmm, not sure but I'd rather see clean racing than artificially produced racing.

Hi all, I'm raising money for a kids charity that i'm close to through work. It's to give kids with life threatening illnesses a special day or wish. It gives the families of these kids a chance to get away from the mundane hospital visits and a nice memory that they can keep for a lifetime. The challenge is to do the Manchester 100 mile bike ride on 3rd September. If anyone is willing to spare a little cash, no matter how little it all makes a difference for such a small charity. www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/StockportStationCycle

Hi all, I'm raising money for a kids charity that i'm close to through work. It's to give kids with life threatening illnesses a special day or wish. It gives the families of these kids a chance to get away from the mundane hospital visits and a nice memory that they can keep for a lifetime. The challenge is to do the Manchester 100 mile bike ride on 3rd September. If anyone is willing to spare a little cash, no matter how little it all makes a difference for such a small charity. www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/StockportStationCycle

Awesome TT display from Brad yesterday and almost overtaking Cuddles at one point!

The big question we all have now is is this peaking too soon? I honestly don't care. One of the biggest bug bears I've had for some time is Tdf contenders soft pedalling and only really trying for the Grand Boucle. I'd happily slap Andy Schleck right now on this basis.

Team sky dominated today's stage, potentially the hardest of the race. Wiggo now looking nailed on. Hope this is a good omen for le tour especially with s couple of contenders being seen off, Andy schleck dropping out with an injury apparently. It's 3 team sky on the top 5 now

Andy Schleck out of Le Tour. News conference shortly.

Ha ha! Speculation now as follows:

1. Final act of throwing the toys out of the Schleck pram because Mr Bruyneel doesn't love them like their old Dad did?

2. Andy realised he stood no chance of winning so has made his recent injury look worse than it is.