Haven't seen this anywhere on here yet so thought I would post link to cyclingnews story here .

Essentially, McQuaid says fifty riders and their teams will be notified that their passports show abnormal results and that he expects the riders listed will not be able to take part in the TdF, though only an undisclosed amount of riders will have action taken against them right now. 

Fifty? Are you freaking kidding me? We all knew there would be a few names, 5, maybe 10, right? Fifty could be 1/4 of all potential Tour riders...probably not all 50 are slated for the tour, but still. 

The UCI has stated in other outlets that the Katusha cases were born from targeted testing from these values and that suspect riders were tested more than normal. One can assume that these two were the only ones actually caught with the juice in them from these tests. Regardless, it seems the UCI have dotted the i's and crossed the t's. Should be an interesting few weeks for sure.

he is riding the tour - shocker - Amazing power of that little app eh? Apparently it was the interview he did with the AP this weekend. So I need 75 words now - how come others can post without 75 words? I am only at twenty words but really wanted the fine readers at Podium Cafe to know that it just popped up on twitter. Given that I now have to come up with 20 more words there will probably be 3 posts already on this subject.

Update, by Chris: Some links:

Lance's Twitter

The AP story with the scoop

According to L'Equipe - Boonen was in another car accident this morning in Belgium.

It appears it happened on his way to the airport.

What is more curious, is that they mentioned he had been speeding a few weeks ago and been busted driving drunk too. Not sure if the translation got in the way on that one.Can someone set it straight? Did he get busted AGAIN a few weeks ago?

Link to l'equipe

Though not more shocking than his TT victories, Schumi's (expected) denial made me shake my head a little. Why not come clean?  

As far as I can tell, only a handful of actives have ever done it. Jesus Manzano of Kelme/Fuentes fame appears to be the only one who whole heartedly spilled the entire can of beans. But that was after he got canned for balling a lady in the team hotel (allegedly). He was then exiled from the sport and called a kook 2 years before OP was busted wide open. But this can't be the reason no one spills these days with teams like Garmin/Columbia/Saxo around, can it?

Its 2 years minimum but I have yet to see a longer sentence handed down. Granted the start dates vary depending on appeal process, but no one had been booked for more (or less) than 24 months, right? Vino is excluded on a technicality for now.

For those that have admitted:

Millar - the I kept the vials from a year ago and only used them to win the worlds excuse? Yeah sure.

Basso, Schleck - I didn't inhale - yeah sure.

Everyone that admitted but had a TUE - bite me.

The long list of deniles:

the biggies - Floyd, Tyler, Roberto, Vino, Ulrich, Cash is King, Mayo - whatever.

the whole Pot Belge crew. VDB seems to be the only one with major issues out of that whole deal.

Even some retired guys are tight lipped (Mussuew, Jaja, Olano come to mind) 

Breaking the "code" is the only thing I can think of as to why no one spills. 

Until you see most of the guys admitting they did it and giving up the other playa's, a la ricco, you have to think that doping is still riffe in the peleton, no? That's stating the obvious, obviously.

Would like to hear some theories as to why so few fess up. 

Alright, who sold out?

Though I must admit, whoever sold it must be brilliant, taking more of the overhead costs from Livestrong and bringing ads selling yellow wristbands to people who got the message 5 years ago. 

What's next those stupid FRS ads? 

Disclaimer - I went by the FRS booth at interbike and they have the most delish bluberry nugget thingys - they tasted so good - 20 calories each for a sustained energy boost. Moist and juicy they were - I needed 75 words - but I am still boycotting them.

There really isnt seventy five words to describe this link.

It showed up as an ad (that I never click) in gmail. Like some promise of a free ipod or something, I could not help myself.

Surely a Rasmussen Cycling Camp can't be the same Rasmussen, and if it is, its just an outdated link, right? Sadly, no, no it isnt.

I am tempted to ask for more info - even book it. The awkwardness would be thick. Awesome.

NYT just posted an AP story:

Several Tour de France riders are having their blood samples retested for traces of the banned blood-booster EPO.

The head of the French Anti-Doping Agency told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the testing involved riders who were already under scrutiny for suspicious urine samples. Pierre Bordry declined to name the cyclists.

The new blood tests will look for CERA, a third-generation variation of EPO. Italian rider Riccardo Ricco tested positive for the substance during the Tour.

ED: full story via the link. 

...or levi, and gifts a win away, albiet to his future teammate.

Sometimes I am alright with it, other times not so much. not sure why though.

QS had 3 guys in the break, set up Steegmans who couldn't finish an uphill sprint against Robbie? While Robbie had the speed, it was as obvious as the Hincapie/Levi thing from 2 years ago...i'm thinking. you?

Damn seventy five word count, if I was bothered to spell out  Leipheimer, I would have been OK

This result made me do a double take and since no one has mentioned it already - Danielson 5th, less than a minute off of DZ, not freaking bad.

Looks like 1. he is on his way back and 2. improving significantly in the TT. lets hope it bodes well for a solid '09.

thats all i have to write but it was only 53 words so I have to add at least twenty two more.