Today’s stage will have a climb in it, so we will see who’s not in shape. A little interview with Stuey and I’m a little too groggy to follow everything, I think he said, “Robbie can bite me.”

Not even a Levi interview, “I am really good at this, really, it’s not because I’m bald – is it?”

Here’s a Clif bar sprint skit and now they are doing that sprint oxygen thing with the grass jersey, apparently Climate Neutrality is something that makes you say “dude”

Three off the front, Creed, Kaggestad and Jacques-Maynes. The lead is coming down, and if they get caught, look for Creed to lift his bike up and toss it at the first Disco that rides by.

The leaders are at the climb, Creed is getting a little dropped on a descent as he weighs about as much as Thor’s coccyx THOR WILL SMASH – c’mon, you know I’d work that in somehow…

@##=#<1,r>@##=#The peloton is strung out like an Allman Brother.

They’ve removed the cars from between the break and the race, the cycling equivalent of the manager going out to the mound. Except in cycling we don’t require that middle aged men cram themselves into the same uniforms as the athletes, and we’re all the better for it. Two words – Manolo Saiz.

Here’s the climb – looks steep. The leaders are cranking like drunk monkeys. Creed is getting a little gap.

Disco is at the front pushing the pace, George is there, and so is Floyd. So is a lone fellow running along the race, lost apparently

Creed is about to get caught. Danielson is at the front. Go ahead, Mike, take a swing at him; we’d understand.

Where’s the Eki-mullet? Can I get a camera devoted to that, please?

It’s a split in the race, Creed still dangling – that sounds dirty.

Just caught a glimpse of a California tourism commercial, does California really need to advertise? I mean, they already have the “OC”, don’t they?

Levi, Floyd and a T-Mobile (Kohl) are off the front, with Briske and a Saunier (Ricco) dude chasing. Well, at least Briske is chasing, Ricco has a firm grasp of his seat tube.

No Discos in sight at the front. Maybe Creed did take some swings.

Floyd’s on a red and black bike – not his Phonak BMC, probably a neutral support bike, but I’d like to think he just traded his bike with some dude at the start. And I’d like to think that he’s got Botero’s shorts on.

Briske is still going strong, Ricco is enjoying he fact that Briske is going strong. Levi can’t stay with Floyd’s skills on the descent. Floyd can also shoe a horse by candlelight. Those are skills.

Must. Purchase. Ricky. Nelson. CD.

Lotto and Disco have some catching up to do. CSC seems to be in the chase a little, also. Perhaps Briske not so friske today?

Paul is talking to the Gerolsteiner manager, but I really think Arnold is pulling a prank.

Well, I guess Briske and Ricco got caught?

Break is caught, and Levi is going to play for the sprint? Yeah, he can totally handle George…

Levi is in the group – ending Levi’s leg pump at the front.

George attacks – because he’s smart.

Everyone is together at the front group of about 20; I would expect Horner to jump again, because he wants to get his entry fee’s worth.

Saul Raisin is at the front, too. He is American, you know.

1K to go, for real this time.

500 meters to go and they give us the camera shot from behind the group?? I can see that Floyd’s butt is tired.

George goes from about 2K and holds on for the win; Levi is there also, so, you know, it must’ve been a real tough sprint.

Insert obligatory non-helo finish camera complaint here. I complain because I love.

George interview, “It is in my will to be buried in these Oakley Racing Jackets, and I would like to get that on camera for the executor of my will.”

Our best view of the sprint finish.