About Those Crashes
In a report about Australian cyclist Cadel Evans, the ABC notes the problems on the first stage of Le Tour:
Evans’ main rivals for the yellow jersey, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, both lost a minute and twenty seconds after being caught-up in a massive crash triggered when a cyclist hit a spectator.
Nine kilometres from the finish line, Kazakh Maxim Iglinskiy rode into a spectator on the roadside and crashed, halting more than half of the main pack.
The spectator was unhurt.
…The second big crash involved other favourites such as Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, Briton Bradley Wiggins and Dutchman Robert Gesink, but it took place less than three kilometres from the finish, meaning they were awarded the same time as the first bunch.
When I mentioned that Le Tour is like NASCAR, I should have noted that it would be if they ran races on the two center lanes of the I-405 and allowed spectators to use the other lanes.
There are no grandstands, fences, ropes, or any other barrier or separators between the riders and the spectators. The average speed yesterday was in excess of 25 mph, and it was uphill at the end.
July 3, 2011 4 Comments
Stage 2
Les Essarts
Distance: 23 kilometers.
This stage is a team time trial in a loop over flat terrain. The time logged is when the fifth member of the nine-member team crosses the finish line.
A number of teams were affected by the two crashes that occurred yesterday, with members riding in pain. The crashes are the primary reason that Alberto Contador is a minute and 42 seconds back.
Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 ) [Yellow] 5h 06′ 25″
Philippe Gilbert ( Bel – OLO – 032 ) [Green] 45 points
Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 141 ) [Polka Dot]
Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 117 ) 4 [White]
Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Thor Hushovd ( Nor – GRM – 051 )
Combative: Not awarded for time trials.
They’ve gone 214.5 kilometers [133.3 miles] at an average speed of 42.0 kph [26.1 mph].
OVERALL STANDINGS:
July 3, 2011 Comments Off on Stage 2
Las Conchas Wildfire – Day 7
Containment doubled to 11% from yesterday, and they are beginning the remediation assessments for the areas burned-over.
There was some rain in the fire area, but the same storm also started a fire with lightning, because the vegetation is so dry.
Information from the current Las Conchas Wildfire InciWeb Page
- Date Started: 6/26/2011
- Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest; approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35, New Mexico
- Cause: Unknown – under investigation
- Size: 121,248 acres [189 miles² 491 km²] based on infrared data
- Percent Contained: 11%
- Injuries to Date: 0
- Residences: 450 threatened; 63 destroyed; 3 damaged
- Commercial Property: 55 threatened; 5 destroyed; 3 damaged
- Outbuildings: 140 threatened; 32 destroyed; damaged
- Other: destroyed
- Number of Personnel: Approximately 1,995 including hotshot crews and 54 hand crews
- Equipment: 5 dozers, 68 engines, 28 watertenders
- Aircraft: 18 helicopters, air tankers
- Incident Commander: Dan Oltrogge, Area Command Team 1
July 3, 2011 Comments Off on Las Conchas Wildfire – Day 7
WWC Group D Second Games
From FIFA’s official site: it’s Brazil 3-0 Norway and Australia 3-2 Equatorial Guinea in the second round of play in Group D. It looks like Brazil is through to the next level, but Australia and Norway both have a chance for the second slot.
ESPN has the replay on the ‘Net.
July 3, 2011 Comments Off on WWC Group D Second Games
