FABIAN CANCELLARA BEGAN the Tour de France with victory in the opening individual time-trial for the fifth time, as Cadel Evans finished 13th.
As the second-last rider to begin the traditional prologue to the Tour on Saturday, Cancellara’s target was Bradley Wiggins’ time of seven minutes and 20 seconds.
The Swiss time trial specialist put in a typically strong performance in the Belgian city of Liege, beating Wiggins’ time by seven seconds, to win his seventh individual time-trial, and eighth stage in total, at the Tour de France.
Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel of Quick Step was third, ahead of Evan’s BMC team-mate, American Tejay van Garderen.
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Ireland’s Dan Martin finished on 7:37:24 to hand him 55th spot while Nicolas Roche was a single second behind him.
Reigning champion Evans was the only rider to start after Cancellara and could not match the 31-year-old RadioShack-Nissan rider over the 6.4-kilometre course, finishing in seven minutes and 30 seconds.
Australian Evans will head into the first proper stage of the Tour on Sunday in 13th place on the overall standings, 10 seconds behind Team Sky’s Wiggins, the man many consider to be his main rival for successive titles.
British rider Wiggins was forced to withdraw from last year’s Tour after breaking his collarbone in a crash during Stage 7.
German Tony Martin of Quick Step, the reigning world time trial champion, had to switch bikes mid-way through his ride on Saturday, meaning he finished a distant 23 seconds behind Cancellara.
Orica GreenEdge’s Brett Lancaster was the early leader with a time of seven minutes and 24 seconds.
In his team’s Tour de France debut, Lancaster held on until Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen finished a fraction ahead of the 32-year-old Australian.
Norwegian Boasson Hagen eventually finished fifth, with Lancaster sixth.
Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano), Denis Menchov (Katusha), Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and Andriy Grivko (Astana) completed the top 10 on Saturday.
Forde
Coleman O Shea Clark Ward/Brady
McGeady Hendrick Gibson McClean
Long Keane
I would like to see Brady get a chance at left back but he’s too inexperienced for this one. Hopefully McCarthy makes it but we’ve decent cover anyway. Walters to come on if we’re chasing a goal
Andy Keogh is having a serious season with Derby County and playing great football. Would slot nicely in beside O’Shea. Christie and McGoldrick are two solid additions, but I’d question their desire – Be nice to see them in the US game before anything competitive.
Also – Shane Long vs Robbie Keane for a starting position? Long notched two at the weekend for S’hampton and Keane is still buzzin in the MLS – however poor the standard is, you still have to score…
Cyrus is a good solid irish name that’s all you need to know – re his desire – he’s been talking about declaring for us for a good while, there seemed to be a delay in his documentation – he’s first choice right back for derby – is only 23 – will probably be playing prem next year and it’s not as if England have a wealth of good full back options.
If he didn’t want to play for us he’d act like Nolan and adopt a wait and see strategy.
Arguable cyrus has a better chance of getting a regular game for England – with coleman ahead of him for us.
Yeah the Delaney one is strange. Keane was very critical of him in recent interviews (about when he managed him at Ipswich), which I thought was bad form given his position now – but maybe he knew oneill didn’t rate him either. Keogh and o’shea for me
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This is a massive blow for us. Wilson is experienced and plays week in week out in the premier league.
Thought it was going to say Eddie McGoldrick
COYBIG
At least Whelans out!
I would say Dunphy is gutted!!
Forde
Coleman O Shea Clark Ward/Brady
McGeady Hendrick Gibson McClean
Long Keane
I would like to see Brady get a chance at left back but he’s too inexperienced for this one. Hopefully McCarthy makes it but we’ve decent cover anyway. Walters to come on if we’re chasing a goal
Well said, son
Been saying for ages Brady should play LB.No harm trying him there against the US at least
Thanks dad
Keogh would be better that than 4th choice Clark for Villa..
I wouldn’t trust Clark against an under 10s team
Andy Keogh is having a serious season with Derby County and playing great football. Would slot nicely in beside O’Shea. Christie and McGoldrick are two solid additions, but I’d question their desire – Be nice to see them in the US game before anything competitive.
Also – Shane Long vs Robbie Keane for a starting position? Long notched two at the weekend for S’hampton and Keane is still buzzin in the MLS – however poor the standard is, you still have to score…
*Richard
Keane playing in MLS but many of the Scottish team play SPL and championship so it’s no big deal
I think on current form and confidence levels Long should start. He can’t finish when his confidence is gone but he’s obviously on form atm.
If long can do without the chewing gum, He might be worth considering.
Your son graham is searching for you
Gutted McShane hasn’t been included.
Can’t wait for it we couldn’t get tickets but four of us are heading over should be a great atmosphere around the city COYBIG
There are still tickets available on the SFA website ,home end obviously but you will be fine there
Sorry to sound ignorant but who do David McGoldrick and Cyrus Christie?
Derby and Ipswich respectively.Both very good players particularly McGoldrick who Leicester reportedly bid 7million for.
My bad,McGoldrick plays for Ipswich and Christie for Derby
Where is Damien Delaney!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Cyrus is a good solid irish name that’s all you need to know – re his desire – he’s been talking about declaring for us for a good while, there seemed to be a delay in his documentation – he’s first choice right back for derby – is only 23 – will probably be playing prem next year and it’s not as if England have a wealth of good full back options.
If he didn’t want to play for us he’d act like Nolan and adopt a wait and see strategy.
Arguable cyrus has a better chance of getting a regular game for England – with coleman ahead of him for us.
Yeah the Delaney one is strange. Keane was very critical of him in recent interviews (about when he managed him at Ipswich), which I thought was bad form given his position now – but maybe he knew oneill didn’t rate him either. Keogh and o’shea for me
Delaney way ahead of keogh and christie, way wrong
Hes better left back than Ward!!!
Is Westwood injured?
Tbh mcgoldrick and Christy should not be in
Wonder will the fai’s team wear poppies.#dianasboys
Easy win for scotland
Al bash yer fookin heed in m8, I swear on me mum al do yer Windies in ya dafty..
Gonney get tanked on Saturday lad
Funny!
Wilson is a loss,i was hoping Dunne might get a call,but im still confident!Scotland are in trouble and under real pressure 3 games in,we are not!!!
Games on friday ya tube
see you stevey???you are a bam pot by d way!!!want a win but will take a draw!
Bite ma shite
l