Rule Britannia?

Well as promised some musings on the first few days of the 2010 Tour de France.

Lets start with some stats so far:

• 5 stages + Prologue (time trial)
• 6 days
• 987.4 km (617.13miles)
• Yellow jersey (maillot jaune) (22hrs 59mins 45secs) Fabien Cancellara
  
• Last place (Lantern Rouge) (23hrs 37mins 44secs) Grega Bole
• 10 withdrawals, 188 riders remaining.
• 7 British riders, 3 in the top 15 currently
  

So what's all the fuss been about?

Going into the tour several things were getting newspaper coverage, none more so than more allegations of previous drug use by Lance Armstrong, and American federal investigation and more drug related issues.
And for the Brits? Well the hype has all been around the World Cup failing and Andy Murray at Wimbledon so aside from the 'golden boy' Wiggins potential being talked up, and the odd bit about Cavendish's injury hit preparations the focus has been on Team Sky.

The first British team to be entered into the Tour de France for many years, Team Sky have been criticised for their approach to the season, not just the Tour.
Dave Brailsford, team director and also the British Cycling team director, has assembled a crowd of top riders, majority of them British, sourced the best kit, and got the top trainers in with one goal in mind:
replicating the success of British track cycling on the roads.

Can Bradley Wiggins win?
Anything can happen, its along way and he's stayed out of trouble thus far. With an unconvincing Prologue he's had to be on his toes to avoid losing more time but will be happy with his current standing.

What about the other Brits?
Well the majority of the Brits in the race are what is called 'Domestiques', that is to say they are there to assist their team leader however they can. Sometimes this means giving up your bike and waiting for the team car, fetching water bottles, burning yourself out at high tempo on the front to catch breaks, pacing them back after crashes etc
Heres the other Brits in reverse order from their current standings:

• Charlie Wegelius (174) has ridden several tours and is considered an experienced domestique

• Daniel Lloyd (152) is on his first Tour after riding two Giro's previously (Giro is the 'Tour' of Italy)

• Jeremy Hunt (134) is on his first Tour but is a very experienced rider (pro since 1996)

• Mark Cavendish (107) is on his 4 Tour, has won 11 stages (British record) and is the worlds best sprinter

• Steve Cummings (67) is on his first Tour and is one of the Team Sky domestiques

• David Millar (15) is on his 9th Tour. After a 2 year suspension for doping offences, he returned and is now the leading voice in drug testing and clean riding. A truly reformed character he is experienced and respected amongst the peleton

• Geraint Thomas (2) the welsh lad is on his second tour, had a storming prologue and rode in a clever break over the cobbles to elevate himself to the lofty position he holds currently. Unexpectedly he may yet cause an upset if you believe the rumours, and they are just rumours, that he is a good climber as well. I suspect we've not seen the last of this lad, Future winner? very possibly. If he keeps it up he may well be in with a shout for the White Jersey (best young rider).

So that's the background to it a deeper stage by stage analysis will follow after tomorrows stage, another flat stage for the sprinters before we hit the mountains on Saturday.

Remember live stages are on ITV4 2:30 - 4:30pm and highlights 7-8pm. Hats off to ITV4 without them I'd be very annoyed at the lack of coverage!