Good morning race fans and welcome to Stage 18 of the 99th installment of the Tour de France! Today the riders go 223km from Blagnac to Brive-La-Gaillarde.
There are 16 riders up the road. According to letour.fr those riders are: Popovych (RNT), Arashiro (EUC), Millar (GRS), Fouchard (COF), Boasson Hagen (SKY), Hansen (LTB), Vanendert (LTB), Boeckmans (VCD), Paolini (KAT), Roy (FDJ), Costa (MOV), Kroon (STB), Nuyens (STB), Vinokourov (AST), Albasini (OGE) and Gretsch (ARG).
The break just went through the intermediate sprint.. letour.fr has the top 10: Result of the Cahors intermediate sprint
The points for the intermediate sprint of stage 18 were won by:
1. Boeckmans (VCD) 20pt
2. Roy (FDJ) 17pts
3. Gretsch (ARG) 15pts
4. Boasson Hagen (SKY) 13pts
5. Vinokourov (AST) 11pts
6. Paolini (KAT) 10pts
7. Albasini (OGE) 9pts
8. Kroon (STB) 8pts
9. Millar (GRS) 7pts
10. Hansen (LTB) 6pts
We've got a crash in the peloton. Philipe Gilbert one of the riders who went down, just sought out the fans in the crowd who he suspected to have a hand in the crash. There was a big dog off its leash as well.
Tyler Farrar also went down.
From letour.fr: A dog has caused a crash in the peloton
There has been an accident in the peloton that's been caused by a dog rushing on to the road. Gilbert (BMC) is one of the riders involved and he's just made a point of walking over to the owner of the dog to give them a piece of his mind...
They just showed Chris Anker-Sorensen's hand and bar tape after his crash yesterday. He got it caught up in the front spokes of his wheel and shredded the skin on his pinky an ring finger.
He started today, knowing after reaching Paris his hand will have to be re-opened, cleaned again, and skin grafted.
Rick, it's not really possible. Closer to the finish line there are restrictions (for VIP's and press), but there's already barricades up at that point.
If the team deems Cav's chances good, then I think they will set him up. Won't be able to tell until after that last Cat.4 climb, though.
You have no idea how badly I want to see that again....
The funny thing about Wiggo being a leadout, is that he's got a REAL talent for it. Remember, he's a former Olympian on the track. Wiggo is a perfect example of the old Track & Field mantra, "you can teach a miler to marathon, but not the other way around."
No, I cannot. I'm only 22, though. So perhaps my recollections don't go far enough back.
froboped, indeed he did. I think the question may have been more about GC favorites in the yellow jersey.
Its early, its a transition stage, and I'm the new guy. So here I am, up at 6am working the on the interwebs. I'm sure I will be joined by Nick and others as we get closer to the line.
We've got 80k / 49miles to race still today. There are two Cat.4 climbs as well. We're still pretty far from the next one.
And Wiggo STILL knows how to go SUPER-FAST if the opportunity presents itself. See Stage 1 at Tour de Romandie this year.
Yes, the dog was still trotting about on the side of the road.
The current gap from the field to the breakaway is 2:30. Boasson Hagen is taking turns on the front of the break.
He'll need to keep air in his tires...
A reminder of the men in the break: Popovych (RNT), Arashiro (EUC), Millar (GRS), Fouchard (COF), Boasson Hagen (SKY), Hansen (LTB), Vanendert (LTB), Boeckmans (VCD), Paolini (KAT), Roy (FDJ), Costa (MOV), Kroon (STB), Nuyens (STB), Vinokourov (AST), Albasini (OGE) and Gretsch (ARG)
The peloton keeps control. 3'30 gap #tdf12by Lotto_Belisol via twitter 7/20/2012 12:02:53 PM
Live pictures of the stage arrive. Quite a few teams who missed the break are working hard to bring the move back. 2' 30" with 91km to goby Team Sky via twitter 7/20/2012 12:20:45 PM
Good morning, folks. Vino's on the attack again today. Our Caley Fretz details his customized Tarmac SL4 in this pro bike gallery: velonews.competitor.com
Voeckler drops back for some photos. He's in full polka dot kit with spotty shorts and bike. Less King of Moutnains, more Mr Measles?by the Inner Ring via twitter 7/20/2012 12:41:34 PM