If you need another reason to love watching the Tour de France, here you go. From this year's 3rd stage.
Today should have been another day at the office. Mostly flat roads, good weather, team infighting (more on that later). However, no day in the first week of any Tour de France is ever normal. Every year tour watchers always seem surprised that there are some many crashes and every year we have lots of crashes and the same related conversation. The best riders in the world are hungry and at their stongest and fastest fitness of the year. With 198 of the best all sharing the same narrow roads and the craziness that surrounds the anticipation of spectators vying for just a glimpse of the peloton as it goes by, it is a recipe for heartache.
Today's first big name to abandon was Belgian Tom Boonen. His body just not able to keep up, due to the effects of his crash yesterday. Although, he wouldn't be the last big name to take the exit door on the stage to Châteauroux.
Later in the day, with about 40km and cruising along at a 75km/hr to go there was a strange crash on a straight tree lined road that took out about half the peloton. A great number lay on the ground or in the ditch, with the others delayed by the wreck and couldn't rejoin the other half of the peloton who was speeding away. Big names were involved, stage winner Tyler Farrar, overall contenders Leipheimer, Horner, but none bigger than British National Champion Bradley Wiggins. Most of his Team Sky Teamates waited to help him back, but were later waved on to continue, as the broken collarbone was diagnosed on the side of anonymous road. He would abandon within minutes. Horner, who started the day :18 seconds back on the overall, is busted up. Finishing dead last on the stage, 190th, he looked liked he didn't know where he was. Team management later confirmed, that he might not have. He was transferred to a local hospital and it was determined that he suffered a concussion.
The wreck shouldn't take away from a great win by HTC-Highroad's Mark Cavendish though. The team did a fantastic job of delivering him to finish off the last 150 meters and a hard charging Andre Greipel (for whom Omega Pharma-Lotto teammate Phillipe was told to ride for and forget his green jersey ambitions by team management). Cavendish was clearly emotional with his win. His winning expression was pure joy.
Stage 8 - Aigurande to Super-Besse Sancy 190km
Tomorrow is the first day in the mountains and the climbers take over. Despite riding with the extra strength of the Yellow Jersey on his back the last few days, Thor Hushovd is certain to hand it over at the end of tomorrow. Look for the true climbers to take the stage after cresting the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert with about 18km to go. Alberto Contador is looking to establish himself as the guy to beat. My bet is that he tries to demonstrate that tomorrow.
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