Before I get onto the excitement of stages 7 and 8 a small addition to stage 6.
Unbeknownst to me, partly because I basking in the glory of another Cav win, was the fight that occurred after the main bunch crossed the line. It would appear that some where in the depths of the stage Spanish rider Carlos Barredo and Portuguese rider Rui Costa had a coming together, difference of opinion or perhaps it was the Spanish rider pointing out his countries superiority in the World Cup. Either way it resulted in a ruckus that wouldn't have been out of place in a WWF ring (yes I am aware it's WWE these days but I'm old school....)
Costa, in the blue corner, was clearly so aggrieved he took his front wheel out and attempted to fix it onto Barredo's head. Unsurprisingly after cycling for 227.5km he didn't manage to muster much strength and Barredo hit back with a left right combo and a mêlée ensued.
The Tour often throws up beautiful photos taken in the right place at the right time. This brawl proves that:
Photo: © Roberto Bettini
Stage 7: Tournus > Station des Rousses: Saturday 10th
The usual break away strikes out after a few km, with King of the Mountains, Jerome Pineau, out for maximum points over the days hills. Surprisingly most riders managed to stay upright and the main excitement was to be found in the yellow jersey, Fabian Cancellara, yo-yoing on and off the back of the Peleton. With several category 2 climbs on the route its no surprise to see him lose touch and find his yellow jersey threatened. With this knowledge Sylvain Chavanel, whom Cancellara reclaimed the yellow jersey from days earlier, set off from the front of the Peleton in search of the early break away members.
And he found them.
And overtook them all.
In a truely sensational ride he rode his way back into the yellow jersey he'd so cruelly lost on the cobbles.
A ride made all the more impressive when you consider he spent two weeks of April in a coma after fracturing his skull on the cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix race. Thats April THIS YEAR in case you were wondering!! I doubt even Cancellara is begrudging him his moment of glory.
As for the plucky Brit? Unfortunately young Geraint Thomas had a bad day on the hills and came in on his own at over 5minutes behind Chavanel.
Wiggo faired better and came in with the other GC contenders 1minute 47seconds behind Chavanel.
With Cancellara and Geraint suffering today, Cadel Evans moved up into second place. A genuine GC contender he only needs a minute and a half over Chavanel to claim the yellow jersey.
As we continue to head upwards stage 8 sees the true Alps come into play.
Two snippets for you to end on, they climbed nearly 1000ft today, and Stijn Vandenbergh is the first to be eliminated for being outside the time limit!
Stage 8: Station des Rousses > Morzine-Avoriaz: Sunday 11th
With a rest day fast approaching, stage 8 gives the riders an chance to give it all in the knowledge that they can rest and recuperate for longer. In theory.
In practice it was business as usual, with a slow speed crash disrupting the Peleton in the early km's. The King of the Mountains, Jerome Pineau was effected, as was Lance Armstrong, and Cadel Evans although not seriously.
Then Armstrong hit trouble at the exit from a roundabout and once again was on the deck.
I'm beginning to wonder if he's going to get a job as a Highways inspector after his retirement, such is his tendency to inspect the roads up closely, my job is not safe!!
Anyhow his team picked him up and paced him back to the Peleton, just in time for the category 1 Col de la Ramaz.
Only for him to be involved in yet another crash that forced him to stop and get off briefly.
Once in a stage is unfortunate, twice is unlucky, three times is a hint! One has to feel sorry for him though, whatever your views on the man, none of these were his fault and its a sad way to lose time in the Tour.
So with the finish at the top of the category 1 Morzine 1796m above sea level the main contenders start the gruelling 14km ascent together (800m altitude gain).
Wiggo manages to hold on to the pack until 3.6km to go but gets unhitched and is left to fight his way up the mountain solo.
With 1km to go the attacks started to come but the real one of note came at 700m to go.
Andy Schleck burst out from the middle of the group and accelerated up the road. Contador tried desperately to stay with him but couldn't and it was left to Samuel Sanchez, the Olympic Champion to challenge Andy for the win. After some trading of places Andy managed to time his burst to perfection and claim the stage win and put time into Evans, Contador and other GC contenders.
Chavanel suffered on the mountains and enabled Cadel Evans to claim the yellow jersey.
With a tough mountain stage out of the way, the Brits did not fair very well.
Wiggo dropped 1minute 45seconds on Andy Schleck, putting him 2minutes 45seconds behind the yellow jersey of Cadel Evans.
Geraint Thomas had a torrid day in the mountains, coming in 27minutes and 49seconds after Schleck, putting him down to 69th, 30minutes and 51seconds off the yellow jersey he was so close to a few days previously.
An honourable mention to Charlie Wegelius, who came in 6minutes 30seconds down on the leader, well ahead of Armstrong and lies 83rd currently.
David Millar has not enjoyed the mountains and subsequently lies in 117th nearly an hour down on the yellow jersey. All the Brits are still in the race though.
No retirements today and no one eliminated either.
181 riders go into the well deserved rest day.
Its been an exciting first 8 stages, no doubt stage 9 in the Alps will provide some drama then it's up to the Pyrenees to change the race!
The usual break away strikes out after a few km, with King of the Mountains, Jerome Pineau, out for maximum points over the days hills. Surprisingly most riders managed to stay upright and the main excitement was to be found in the yellow jersey, Fabian Cancellara, yo-yoing on and off the back of the Peleton. With several category 2 climbs on the route its no surprise to see him lose touch and find his yellow jersey threatened. With this knowledge Sylvain Chavanel, whom Cancellara reclaimed the yellow jersey from days earlier, set off from the front of the Peleton in search of the early break away members.
And he found them.
And overtook them all.
In a truely sensational ride he rode his way back into the yellow jersey he'd so cruelly lost on the cobbles.
A ride made all the more impressive when you consider he spent two weeks of April in a coma after fracturing his skull on the cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix race. Thats April THIS YEAR in case you were wondering!! I doubt even Cancellara is begrudging him his moment of glory.
As for the plucky Brit? Unfortunately young Geraint Thomas had a bad day on the hills and came in on his own at over 5minutes behind Chavanel.
Wiggo faired better and came in with the other GC contenders 1minute 47seconds behind Chavanel.
With Cancellara and Geraint suffering today, Cadel Evans moved up into second place. A genuine GC contender he only needs a minute and a half over Chavanel to claim the yellow jersey.
As we continue to head upwards stage 8 sees the true Alps come into play.
Two snippets for you to end on, they climbed nearly 1000ft today, and Stijn Vandenbergh is the first to be eliminated for being outside the time limit!
Stage 8: Station des Rousses > Morzine-Avoriaz: Sunday 11th
With a rest day fast approaching, stage 8 gives the riders an chance to give it all in the knowledge that they can rest and recuperate for longer. In theory.
In practice it was business as usual, with a slow speed crash disrupting the Peleton in the early km's. The King of the Mountains, Jerome Pineau was effected, as was Lance Armstrong, and Cadel Evans although not seriously.
Then Armstrong hit trouble at the exit from a roundabout and once again was on the deck.
I'm beginning to wonder if he's going to get a job as a Highways inspector after his retirement, such is his tendency to inspect the roads up closely, my job is not safe!!
Anyhow his team picked him up and paced him back to the Peleton, just in time for the category 1 Col de la Ramaz.
Only for him to be involved in yet another crash that forced him to stop and get off briefly.
Once in a stage is unfortunate, twice is unlucky, three times is a hint! One has to feel sorry for him though, whatever your views on the man, none of these were his fault and its a sad way to lose time in the Tour.
So with the finish at the top of the category 1 Morzine 1796m above sea level the main contenders start the gruelling 14km ascent together (800m altitude gain).
Wiggo manages to hold on to the pack until 3.6km to go but gets unhitched and is left to fight his way up the mountain solo.
With 1km to go the attacks started to come but the real one of note came at 700m to go.
Andy Schleck burst out from the middle of the group and accelerated up the road. Contador tried desperately to stay with him but couldn't and it was left to Samuel Sanchez, the Olympic Champion to challenge Andy for the win. After some trading of places Andy managed to time his burst to perfection and claim the stage win and put time into Evans, Contador and other GC contenders.
Chavanel suffered on the mountains and enabled Cadel Evans to claim the yellow jersey.
With a tough mountain stage out of the way, the Brits did not fair very well.
Wiggo dropped 1minute 45seconds on Andy Schleck, putting him 2minutes 45seconds behind the yellow jersey of Cadel Evans.
Geraint Thomas had a torrid day in the mountains, coming in 27minutes and 49seconds after Schleck, putting him down to 69th, 30minutes and 51seconds off the yellow jersey he was so close to a few days previously.
An honourable mention to Charlie Wegelius, who came in 6minutes 30seconds down on the leader, well ahead of Armstrong and lies 83rd currently.
David Millar has not enjoyed the mountains and subsequently lies in 117th nearly an hour down on the yellow jersey. All the Brits are still in the race though.
No retirements today and no one eliminated either.
181 riders go into the well deserved rest day.
Its been an exciting first 8 stages, no doubt stage 9 in the Alps will provide some drama then it's up to the Pyrenees to change the race!
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