Already one hour up on GC after two stages, Schmalz climbs off and dons the devil costume.

July 4, 2005 Plus two on the baby due date, I’m still guessing on a birth on or about the 5th.

Dekker and two others have 4:40 in the bunch with over 100k to go. It would be a miracle if they stay away, but there’s always s a chance. Dare to dream, boys.

Quick Step is chasing at the front. Michael Rodgers must just love his team being at the front chasing for the green jersey, I’m sure they will have plenty of energy left for the hills (that’s quality irony for you).

Sooo, I wonder if Briske’s team will have anything left for the TTT? This day off will help their chances to try to keep the yellow jersey, I reckon.

Village, cathedral, stunning scenery, etc.

Someone should tell Phil Salt Lake City isn’t on the west coast.

In defense of Al Trautwig, I would say that anyone who follows the Tour every day for a few years gets it – it’s not rocket science. I’m sure his producers have told him and all the announcers to keep the information as simple as possible for the non-cycling fans tuning in.

I despise this attitude, it’s very condescending. Football announcers don’t feel the need to explain the basics to everyone tuning in. People are watching the Tour to see bike racing, sure some people are watching to see Lance, but they tune in for about 5 minutes, ask “Where is he?” and tune out. You’re just annoying your core audience by explaining the basics to death. Anyone who wants to figure out bike racing will get up to speed.

A Lance interview, “Tell me Lance how do you stay awake in these early stages?”

“We have Johan read erotic haiku to us over the race radio.”

‘I must have the number of your hairdresser, Laurent!’

80 k to go, break is at about 3 minutes, let’s Tivo to about 60 to go.

66k to go break at 1:55, lets see this green jersey explanation. Oh, there’s Thor. THOR WILL SMASH! (And yes, I know that’s what the Hulk says – it’s just that Thor is so large.) I think Thor needs to take a page from Cipo’s book of tricks and start wearing Nordic horns on his helmet. It would be well worth the UCI fines.

Another castle, and we haven’t seen the “guy riding a horse on the field next to the Tour” thing yet. Oops, there’s the obligatory sunflower field shot, we only need to see the German Devil now. I believe his name is Dieter. Could they please do a vignette about this fellow please? I wonder what his home looks like?

The break is hanging on at about 2:05 with 51k to go. That’s gotta hurt.

Dekker will take the Polka Dot jersey if he gets first over the next hill. Wonder if the French guy with him will try to jump him so Voeckler will keep it? French pride – it’s catching!

AG2R rides those Decathlon bikes, which from what I’ve heard are the French equivalent of Huffys. Probably just repainted Serottas like the Huffys for 7-11 were.

Is Dave Zabriske channeling Al Gore? He’s not this boring – really.

30 k to go. I have no doubt that Dekker is going to jump his compatriots at some point.

Dekker takes the Polka Dot jersey. Portal doesn’t contest it. France weeps tonight!

25 k to go 1:15 to break. When will Dekker attack?

25 seconds with 11k to go, doesn’t look good for Dekker and his French caboose.

5 k to go 5 seconds. Dekker starts looking back, never a good sign.

1.6 k to go they’re caught. Fabian C. goes. Let’s see what Cookie’s team does. Well, Fabian’s pretty caught now.

They should hand out more junk to the crowds at the finish so we can get more stuff in the road. All of those green hands just weren’t doing the trick.

Boonen wins coming off McEwen’s wheel while Robbie McEwen head butts Stuart O’Grady on his way over the line.

In the overhead replay, Robbie tries to move Stuey off his line with his head. Stuey isn’t having it – good for him. Love those Aussies bouncing off one another! Put your head on my shoulder.