This morning I was at work here in Cumberland, MD at one of my projects (I develop affordable housing). I'm standing in front of the building and all of a sudden a car with three time trial bikes pulls up. A rider pops out, a couple support people pop out, and the rider dressed in black shorts and a white jersey w/ black sleeves gets set up and just sits there.   About 5 minutes later a similarly dressed rider turns the corner and struggles up the street past the waiting rider who then takes off after the finishing rider  (the one on the bike pulled into Sheetz to get picked up). It took me a second to realize that this was a RAAM exchange, but the second time it happened (5 minutes later) the motor home was more clearly marked. So by the time the third one happened another 5 minutes later (this time with a Garmin logo very clear on the even larger motor home). I was able to point out to my property manager what was going on in front of her.

I think its amazing that after all that distance in the race three teams are within 10 minutes of each other. I wish I had been able to take a picture to share. I wonder how many teams/individuals are stil out there on the course? I recall seeing at least one set of vehicles and a rider earlier in the week.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/reports-alberto-contador-likely-to-get-a-years-suspension_156967

Well it looks like there will be a verdict this week, and Spain will take care of their golden child with a light suspension. I hope/assume that the UCI will appeal. It seems to me that Spain is being pushed into this result. I'm sure they are hoping that UCI and WADA will look at the 1 yrs suspension and decide its not worth the fight. After all the science on the blood bag plastic isn't set yet and the dose level was very minute.

I've taken over the DS role over at the forum challenge and would like you guys to take part in the pick-6 style game on the Bicycling.com discussion board. As I'm new at this there is a pre-season to help me work through the bugs. So if your interested in participating in pre-season comp for the Tour Down Under come on over and post your selections here on the Forum Challenge board.

Universal has announced via email (I got one) that they are carrying the Giro live online for all stages. This is a much better option than Ctv IMHO.

So now we can root for our favorite rider (Levi), sprinte (Cav/Davis), or climber (hmmm). If only we can hope for no time delay as that was what happened the last time.

I hope we get a commintator too this time. NOt that I don't mind hearing the whirl of wheels.