Rose Cantine

I came across the Guerilla Gardening movement after reading this article on Salon. Richard Reynolds decided to weed and plant flowers in a neglected area of his London neighborhood, surreptitiously in the wee hours of the morning. Unwittingly he had joined a secret society of humans around the world who are beautifying their communities, often illicitly. He began writing a blog about his experiences and those of other guerilla gardeners around the world. Then he wrote the book, On Guerilla Gardening. It is a revolt against apathy and carelessness in urban life.

Riccardo Ricco, the young, promising Italian rider for Saunier-Duval who won two stages of the 2008 Tour de France, has finally admitted to doping. He used CERA, a third generation EPO product. He says he procured the product on his own and that the team is not involved. He also claims he is very sorry for what he has done because now his teammates are out of a job (well, Riccardo, you should have thought about that before). Ricco also says he is puzzled that only two of his samples tested positive given he’s been doping the entire time!

Carlos Sastre (CSC) won the Tour de France 2008 beating out Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), who everyone expected to win this year’s Tour. Cadel came in second after disappointing performances in the Alpe d’Huez stage and in the time trial yesterday. Bernhard Evans (Gerolsteiner) came in third.

But the other big news is Wim Vansevenant’s last place finish in this year’s Tour. He is the only man in history to finish last in three consecutive Tours. Three times the Lanterne Rouge is a record.

Wim Vansevenant finished second to last today in the time trial. Vansevenant is safely in last place - the Lanterne Rouge - after today’s stage and will ride into Paris tomorrow to be the only man in history to win the Lanterne Rouge three times in a row. Gefeliciteerd Wim!

ODE TO THE LANTERNE ROUGE

The Lanterne Rouge goes to the one who is last
In this Tour and all Tours past
Like the yellow jersey it is an honor to behold
It goes to the man who is just as bold.

The Flemish press is also thrilled about Vansevenant’s achievement. And the Wall Street Journal wrote a profile about him.

Carlos Sastre (CSC) kept the yellow jersey after today’s time trial and will ride into Paris tomorrow as the winner of the Tour de France. Cadel Evans, who is supposed to be better than everyone else in time trials, failed to take the yellow jersey today - a big disappointment for him and his fans. Carlos Sastre won the Alpe d’Huez stage (number 17), a difficult mountainous ride. Indeed, his performance there and at the time trial today, shows his superiority in this year’s Tour de France.

Other results today: Stefan Schumacher came in first in the time trial, Fabian Cancellara came in second.