.....she hasn't started warming up yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Surely, the contenders would have answered the call on the last climb today if they could have. We'll see where their legs are at tomorrow.

We don't know how deep Armstrong dug today. We'll see where his legs are tomorrow. Lance has shown that he can have a bad day. And he has to stay upright in the descents and flat stages to follow. There is always the potential for mechanical problems. And there are thousands of musettes (thank you bigdeal) out there just waiting to hook his bars. The contenders are still only short minutes behind.

By the way, cuddos to Hincape and Landis. A great job as always.

There are wild cards out there this year that may have chances within the realm of possibility. Voeckler and his team are hanging tough. Kloden is showing some muscle. Basso? Viraenque is still dangerous as long as he's in the top ten GC - perhaps not for the win, but as long as he's close, his attacks have to be answered, potentially causing other contender-esque riders to blow.

Tomorrow's stage has some serious climb/recovery/climb intervals. We'll see who has the stomach for it.

All IMHO, of course.

finished as fast or faster than most his main rivals, it fares very well for LA and USPS.

finished as fast or faster than most his main rivals, it fares very well for LA and USPS.

True. And it even looked like Noval put in good service earlier in the stage. Nice to see after that tough tour he's had so far.

bagets?? Do you mean baguettes? A long thin loaf of French bread? OH, you mean musette, a small knapsack (bag with one shoulder strap -- called also musette bag). Just so we're clear.....or are you referring to the B la B team?

I knew I had that wrong, but couldn't think of the correct name. Thank you. I'll edit my post.
(I might have to start using my real name, Bruce Trautwig - Al's dumber brother).

I'm referring to the GC contenders (and their teams) in general, but of course Brioches la Boulangere and Voeckler specifically for holding the yellow after such a tough stage finish.

.....she hasn't started warming up yet. Maybe tomorrow.


She is definitely in the house. Tomorrow will tell if she should start to warm up. Lots of climbing yet to do, so the gaps, though getting bigger are far from sure. I think we will see a dark horse on the podium this year. Finally the tour has begun.