The WWF comes to the TDF! Today's stage of 184.5 km from Sisteron-Bourg Les Valence brought out the sprinters. As expected, it was a bunch sprint with Mark Cavendish winning in a long run to the finish. This was the 13th tour stage win for Cavendish giving him the most tour stage wins by any current rider. The wind was somewhat of a factor as the teams had to deal with head and cross winds at times throughout the day. Things got interesting when HTC-Columbia rider Mark Renshaw decided to head-butt Julian Dean- Garmin-Transitions as the sprint to the finish was developing. Renshaw was disqualified for the rest of the tour. It is not clear how the disqualification impacts Cavendish's ride for the green jersey but it does cost the team a lead-out man.
No changes for the Yellow jersey (GC); Andy Schleck keeps yellow, Alberto Contador is still 0.41 back in 2nd and Samuel Sanchez is 2:45 back. Levi Leipheimer is still 6th 3:59 behind Schleck and Carlos Sastre is 16th 7.13 off the pace. Lance slipped one spot to 32nd, 17:51 back. Note; Andy Schleck also leads all Young Riders (under 26). He has a 4:22 lead over Robert Gesink-Rabobank. Alessandro Petacchi - Lampre-Farnese took the green jersey today away from Thor Hushovd who fell to second 4 points back. Robbie McEwen is 23 points back and Mark Cavendish is up to 4th 29 points back. Cavendish not only took today's stage, he picked up 35 points toward the green jersey! Note; long sprints do not favor Hushovd, the shorter the sprint the better he is, Cavendish however struggles in the mountains, any sprint points, and yes there are some, here tend to go to Hushovd. This race is getting interesting. Jerome Pineau held on to the polka-dot jersey. He actually added one point to his margin today giving him a slim 2 point lead over Anthony Charteau- Bbox Bouygues Telecom. Third is held by Christophe Moreau - Caisse d'Epargne, 30 point back. Tomorrow's stage could see this jersey change hands. Tomorrow is a 210.5km stage on a mountain route with several climbs. In short, the has been described as "gnarly". To add to the fun, the route ends with a very steep hill finish with a grade of 10.1% at Mende, ouch. The line is that the nature of the course, mountainous, narrow, winding etc, makes it an every man for himself kind of race. Organized chases will not be easy here, so they say. We shall see........ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cyclistsofwilson-cows?hl=en.
