Ouchie

This last week, we found out
This last week, we found out that Sagan is a future TdF winner, Team Sky are machines, Wiggo will return the favour to Froome when the course suits him (Cav might have something to say about that), Voeckler is fantastically mad and a great rider, Tejay is ready to lead team BMC, Nibali has no answer, Cav’s learned his lines (for this year, at least), Frank suddenly wants Alberto’s phone number (apparently, he needs to find a good butcher), and a French carpet fitter has lost a few tacks.

Twice as a child I was within
Twice as a child I was within inches of the anaesthetic for Appendix extraction, then they decided it was constipation and didn’t bother! Hope you’re well.

If I’m honest, it wasn’t the attacking stage I was hoping for when I set out my little plan to work from home for Wednesday with the live footage on next to me with the laptop in front.

Early break, 38 riders!

Voeckler rode everyone off his wheel to get the KOM jersey and the stage. Great result for him, love the way he lights up a race.

Loads of work early on from Eisel and Cav.

Nibali, Basso and 1 other LC rider attacked a few times but Froome/Wiggo/Porte kept with him, until it whittled down to just the top 3, then near the end of the last climb Nibali went again, Froome was cooked, so Wiggo came round him and chased. Same result as all the other attacks.

Cuddles had a dodgy stomach and kept yo-yo-ing off the GC contenders group until the elastic finally snapped. Teejay pressed on and is now top hope for BMC.

Chris Horner left a riderless bike on the road and launched himself into the adjacent ravine. Got back on and continued.

George Hincapie looked like Pudsey Bear with bandages ahoy.

Still, I got out for a couple of hours afterwards and knocked 24 seconds off my best time on a local cat4. When I’m crocked however, I (health permitting, obviously) do stuff that will benefit me later – stretching, core strength, leg strength exercises, tinkering with the bike. Even though you’re not on the bike, I find that the feeling of your fitness withering away is decreased and it’s easier to deal with.

Best of luck. Why 8 weeks?

Oh and if the B sample comes back positive, Frank is alleging poisoning! (Um, I can well believe that he isn’t on PEDs, anyway…) Given that xipamide is a diuretic, (and ironic given the wording of your request) someone is indeed ‘taking the piss’. Perhaps the French cows were due a doping control…or something.

Evans was suffering from
Evans was suffering from ‘stomach problems’ and I think the heat got to him. I think this was probably anticipated though for BMC as TJ seemed to have been given the OK in advance to sit with the first group rather than go back to help Evans.

Pinot was another one suffering.

Stage highlights… well other than Nibali attacking and Froome/Wiggins closing him down not alot actually happened, it was a long break that splintered and Voeckler managed to capitalise.