Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davézieux

Distance: 226 kilometers.

This is the longest stage on Le Tour this year and it features two Category 1 climbs in the first half and a Category 3 at the end. Menu: Category 1 – Col du Grand Cucheron (1188 m), Category 1 – Col du Granier (1134 m), intermediate sprint, Category 3 – Côte d’Ardoix.

David Millar took the stage which was marked by almost nothing of interest being done by the leaders after yesterday’s grueling run. People and teams weren’t interested in taking chances with tired muscles.

There are 164 riders left, but that number may dip as riders leave Le Tour to participate in the London Olympics. I would also note that I am using the official site for the General Classification standings, but Cycling News for other things because the official site is so late and haphazard about updating.

Bradley Wiggins ( GB – SKY – 101 ) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057) [Green] 254 points
Fredrik Kessiakoff ( Swe – AST – 187 ) [Polka Dot] 66 points
Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) 7 [White]

Team: RadioShack-Nissan ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: David Millar ( GB – GRS – 066 )
Combative: Robert Kiserlovski ( Cro – AST – 188 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 )
2 Christopher Froome ( G B – SKY – 105 ) + 02′ 05”
3 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 02′ 23”
4 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 03′ 19”
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – LTB – 111 ) + 04′ 48”
6 Haimar Zubeldia ( Esp – RNT – 019 ) + 06′ 15”
7 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 06′ 57”
8 Janez Brajkovic ( Slo – AST – 181 ) + 07′ 30”
9 Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 029 ) + 08′ 31”
10 Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – FDJ – 146 ) + 08′ 51”

The Rest of the Top 50:
[Read more →]

Ringo Update

Bogus picture!

[Editor: Ringo definitely doesn’t look like this at the moment. This is from last October, as it will be a while before she would be happy with a picture. The vet is satisfied with her progress, but the dental acrylic that is holding her broken bone in place won’t be removed for at least another month. She is gaining weight and now has the run of the bathroom, rather than spending time in the large cage. The antibiotics will be done in a couple of days, and the quantity of food is larger, but it is still liquid. The reason for the continued confinement is her preference for crunching on kibble, and she won’t be allowed to do that until the x-rays show the bone has healed.]

Friday Ark