Yesterday’s stage up the Galibier was tumultuous one to say the least. There was unbridled aggression from the cuddly Andy Schleck, Cuddles Evans was able to limit his losses by dragging the rest of the race up the Galibier, Contador exploded and Tommy Voeckler grunted and grimaced his way back into yellow and into the hearts of fans both French and non-French.

The big story of the day was, of course, Alberto Contador’s as-plosion on the Galibier. Here’s what he had to say about it (from cyclingnews):

"It wasn’t a good day for me, I just didn’t have the strength in the last 10 kilometres," he said in the finish. "I felt a terrible weakness. The last few kilometres were really hard. I don’t know if I just blew up – I was able to follow wheels but in the end, I decided to climb at my own rhythm."

He was pretty philosophical about it, though (again from cyclingnews):

"I am already used to experiencing a variety of situations and today was not the saddest day to me."

That’s a very wise and mature way to react to an athletic setback, I hope he retains that sort of attitude if he were to lose the 2010 Tour also. If he were to come back and win today on Alpe d’Huez, it could be the stuff of legend—like Floyd Landis’s win on stage 17 in 2006, and we all know how that turned out.

Today is another big stage and we will see who’s able to recover from yesterday’s big effort. Everyone seemed to go into the red yesterday—except for frank Schleck—so we’ll see who can be aggressive today. I would imagine that both Schleck brothers will want to gain more time, as they could leak time all over the course on Saturday’s time trial. But you never know, Cadel was in a similar position with Sastre—needing to win against a climber in a time trial—and didn’t quite come up with the goods.

Today’s stage will be a fun one, and I am as excited (but not as inebriated) as a Dutchman in a camper van on the "Dutch Corner" of Alpe d’Huez.

Today’s stage goes over the Telegraphe, Galibier and finishes atop the Alpe d’Huez, it’s like a stage through Desgrange’s memory.

Cav just finished yesterday’s stage. He’ll get a fresh green jersey and start off on today’s stage.

If I were to ever to work on a Tour broadcast (REALLY unlikely), I’d have it in my contract that I’d do all my work from the Dutch corner. Even if the Tour didn’t go to Alpe d’Huez.

The "depart" flag drops and that mean one thing—Hoogie time! Hoogie tried to attack at the sign in table but the French TV car knocked the pen out of his hand.

It looks like Burghardt has pulled "Hoogie duty" for BMC today.

I may be off on my numbers here, but I think Hoogie has spent more time off the front than Cadel has spent in yellow.

94k to go, how do you know your break on a mountain stage may not work? Andre Greipel is in it.

Flecha is in the break also. A rematch with the French TV car!

Anker Sorenson jumps, to drop Contador?

There will be no less than three races today, the race for the stage, the race for yellow and the race to get up to Cav and push him over the Galibier. 

Contador jumps! Floyd Landis is giggling somewhere.

It’s now three Saxos and two Schlecks, Cadel is caught out.

Wow, this could be 92k of actual racing today!

Cadel bridges, Voeckler jumps! He gets up to them!

France will need to wear plastic underwear today.

Frank gaps Cadel, it’s Andy and Berto together! CHECK YOUR CHAIN Andy!!

Cadel climbs back to Berto an Voeckler, Frank is dropped.

Not for noting, but HOLY CRAP!!

This is the type of scenario that my dumb friends dream up, but I always say, "That would never happen."

If they all stay away to the Alpe, this could be one of the best Tour stages ever.

Bert was really smart to send Insausti and Perez up the road.

They show Cav—that’s just mean!

Burghhardt to play the role of Monfort today?

Liquigas chasing, because, you know, what the hell…

87k to go, Berto looks like a new man today, and that’s all I should say about that.

Burghhardt playing the role of Posthuma today.

CHECK YOUR CHAIN CADEL!! Cadel gapped by a mechanical.

There’s no WAY Cadel fits on Burghhardt’s bike. Wow, he gets another bike! This is a great BMC ad.

Voeckler is dropped. Andy and Alberto together, how much anger is left in Andy’s tummy?

85k to go, there’s two descents today, just sayin’.

Here comes descent number one. Voeckler 30 seconds down, he gives Pineau a pat for helping out. WILL THIS FRENCH DOMINANCE EVER END?!

Alberto at the front of the group gunning it, Andy at the back, Voeckler could descend back to them. Are there any car ports on this descent?

VS is doubling down on the commercials.

Andy survives the first descent.

This is a lucrative day to be a Spanish rider in the break at the Tour.

75k to go, the "shame cam" catches Duque falling back from the break.

There’s absolutely no chance Felcha pulls for Voeckler.

Andy should lube his chain and help Berto, he’ll need about 90 minutes to beat Cadel in the TT.

Flecha is PULLING Voeckler, has Europcar’s paypal account finally been approved?

Andy has come to his senses and is at the front.

If you predicted Bert would attack today, you are right, if you predicted it would stick you are a filthy liar!

71k to go, Paul, Hincapie’s first name is not "Biggeorge".

Cadel’s Tour so far had been a 1,000k pursuit.

Little known fact—Voeckler is paid per second of TV time.

The Tour has broken the internet (and worker productivity) today.

Voeckler at 30 seconds, he’s probably trying to hold on until the descent, banking on Andy weeping his way down the mountain. He has no plan for the Alpe though…

67k to go, Insausti dropped, Bert loses another teammate.

Alberto is screwing Cadel more today than his collarbone ever could.

VS shows a commercial featuring a guy in one of those fairing "speed recumbent bikes", they do know we make fun of those guys, right?

There’s so much to like about this Tour, Voeckler, Thor SMASH, Hoogie, Philbert, and Andy getting to third base with Monfort yesterday.

Voeckler explodes in a burst of classiness. I’m pouring out my coffee onto the floor for the Bad Mother Voeckler.

Cadel Evans is the new grimacing hood ornament of the chasing peloton.

63k to go, Basso wheels up and asks Voeckler what it feels like to be on the front. Is it scary?

61k to go, Cadel attacks and drops Voeckler. If this were Italy, Voeckler would be handed up this climb.

The gap to the break is dropping, it’s at 50 seconds, shouldn’t Andy start working?

Cadel is clawing them back, and he shouldn’t be concerned about being fresh for the ITT, as no one (except maybe Cav) will be fresh after today.

It’s descent time! Would Cadel be in the lead group if it weren’t for his balsa wood drive chain?

55k to go, this year’s mechanical GC disaster brought to you by BMC.

Playing in Andy’s mind right now, "I think I can, I think I can."

Berto may have 70k’s worth of attack in him today.

Tyler and Thor SMASH must be THRILLED at Garvelo competing for the team competition.

Mmmm, Sanchez descent. Sanberto is back together again!

Bert to Sammy, "Make Andy cry."

The mobile paypal app has really changed pro cycling.

VS is showing a Wilier infomercial, while the races is EXPLODING!

Andy in virtual yellow again, but too busy trying to not poop to notice.

All I want is KFC, a Road ID and a catheter, is that so much to ask?

Cadel has chased more Spaniards at this Tour than the Puerto cops. 

In Hell, you get to watch Bob Roll act on an endless video loop.

26k to go, Europcar jumps out of the bushes and is chasing for Voeckler.

Ricco will be pacing Basso soon.

The break is caught! Cadel is on fire, yet still kinds twerp-y.

If Voeckler catches, we will have 21 turns of Voeckler face.

21k to go, Riblon and Rolland attack, more French domination!

Cadel will remember Aple d’Huez as the place where Frandy worked him over for Sastre. Andy remembers it as the place with the ski lift at the top.

15k to go, Ryder and Rolland on the front as they hit Alpe d’Huez, Voeckler is tucked in the GC group.

Cadel gets up to Fugelsang, Sastra-ing the Schlecks. 

Here comes the Dutch Corner.

Fugelsang Schlecks Cadel.

12.5k to go, Bert goes. A guy in a Leopard jersey urges him on?

Andy and Cadel riding together, sharing a pair of Depends.

11.3k to go, Andy should forget about Bert and start dropping Cadel.

Pssst, Andy it’s not 2010, you need to drop Cadel…’

Wow, Bert has 36 seconds, it’s not enough to win the GC, but he will get a nice stage win.

9.4k to go, "Wait until my big brother gets here, oh, never mind…"

Cadel working to not get Schlecked over again.

Voeckler dropped—right into France’s heart.

Velits jumps, Sanchez tries to follow.

Peter Velits looks like the tragedy mask.

If the inebriates along the road are any indication, Voeckler has won the Tour!

7.2k to go, it’s good to see a woman trot along the race, France has discovered the wine cooler!

Andy, seriously, you have to attack, you’ve seen yourself TT, no?

Stomach full of anger=pull up full of bonk.

DUTCH CORNER!!

If there’s anywhere for Andy to get touched inappropriately, it’s here.

Andy gets contact high from Dutch corner, starts talking in Elmo voice…

5.4k to go, Bert has a minute on the Group Schlecks. Say that out loud. I’ve saved that for three weeks now.

Wow, Bert punches a fan dressed like a surgeon in the face!

Does no one in France still on a Speedo?

4.1k to go, Andy asks Cadel if can pull through, he’s still buzzed from inhaling some Zima from the Dutch corner.

Cadel apparently uninterested in Andy’s silly band collection. Even if one is "Lady shaped."

This stage is exhausting.

Sanchez and Rolland catching Berto, it’ll be two on one. Rolland is no fool.

Cunego attacks?! Now? He’s been hitting the snooze bar all Tour.

Rolland attacks, more French dominance! It’s serpentine time!

Cadel attacks! He’s getting up to Cunego. Andy follows. I think I just peed a little.

1.4k to go, the Cadel Grimace returns.

Sanberto back together. 

Unbridled Evans aggression, my keyboard made me type that three times before it came out right.

500m, Sanchez gaps Contador

Rolland is going to win it, wow!

Bert third, Evans and Andy finish together. Bert gains only 35 seconds on Cadel and Andy. Tomorrow will be an ITT for the ages! But it will still be boring.