We are on day two of the "Ricco Affair" – is that the name? Maybe "Operation Ricco – Dumbass Drop", we will soon be treated to the explanation from Ricco. I imagine we shall be treated to all types of excuses. I would like him to say that he was channeling the ghost of Marco Pantani, but I imagine that he will go the "bad test" defense route. 

Today is most likely to be a replay of yesterday’s stage, with some Frenchmen getting off the front for glory and the inevitable chase for a sprint. We will see if the sprinters’ teams still have any chasing juice left, and we will see if Cavendish can pants the field again. I guess it will come down to whether Columbia feels like chasing or not, if I were Cav I would be giving Hincapie a back rub and a pep talk, but that’s how I operate. Tomorrow is another flat stage also, so I wouldn’t anticipate any GC shake up, unless CSC decides to nail it in some crosswinds – and you never know with those guys. They are cagey.

 

Phil and Paul still in the commentary booth that has to smell like body odor and tea bags by this point.

125k to go, we have Terpstra and Brard (what?? a Frenchman?!) off the front with about 6:30 off the peloton.

We’ve got a slight wind today, so there’s a good chance that nothing will happen until 20k to go. Now, if I were doing the commentary, we’d begin our "dull day" wine drinking contest, where we would have to take shots of the wine from the local vineyards every time they show a castle or farmer’s field with hay bale art. Whoever survives until the finish gets to try and announce the sprint. "And the winner is – some blue guy. How the hell am I supposed to know? This TV is smaller than Dumoulin’s beret!" Good times!

100k-ish to go. Here’s the feed zone, let’s see if anyone trips over a ham sandwich.

A Julian Dean interview – asking about Cav’s leadout. Columbia has been doing a pretty good job, but I wouldn’t call their leadouts "dominating" by any means – not like the Saeco "Red Train" of yore. They get Cavendish near the finish and he finishes the job, the Saeco guys used to practically make a human hammock for Cipollini. And it was a clothing optional hammock. Ciao, Mario!

Cadel coming back through the cars, no rush, he probably just had to go back and man slap a moto driver – to keep in practice.

It seems that Saunier Duval has also fired Piepoli for doping practices also. Maybe Leonardo and Riccardo can join together and save on lawyer-in’ fees. And maybe they can move in together and start up a "odd-couple" style reality TV show. I’m seeing Mario Cipollini as the wacky neighbor here – I’m sure he’s got some free time. 

Ciolek profile – I wonder how long he’s going to be satisfied with being Cav’s leadout guy?

Robbie Hunter interview – I guess they are running through their sprinter interviews. The question to all of them should be – how does it feel to have no hope against Cavendish?

47k to go, the field is letting them dangle out there like man-parts at a retirement nudist colony.

We get a lovely parting shot of a row of burned out cars. Obviously stemming from the riot caused by Moreau’s abandonment. That has not got enough attention in my mind. Moreau had some physical problems, kept them from his team, and started the Tour anyway – only to have to abandon quickly. Robbing us of his quest for tenth place. Damn you, Christophe!

VDV interview – his favorite rider is Ekimov. Did not see that one coming.

Right now the stage has degenerated into a "whiz watch." 65k to go, everyone is joking around. Jens hams for the camera and Valverde is joking also, pouring water on a teammate. Pereiro fumes as he will have to get the refill for that bottle.

So if Piepoli and Cobo get dropped from the Tour, does that mean Schleck gets the win now? These doping exclusions get so complicated. And if Schleck was paced by dopers, does that affect the overall – because he profited off of the efforts of a doper – Piepoli? And if Ricco and Piepoli are traveling at 55 kph towards a French prison, how much time do they have to spend in the cavity search?

56k to go, the break guys crest the climb at 2:33. Brard take the climb points and the takes the prize money. Agritubel gnashes teeth in regret.

49k to go, Brard pushing the pace, to delay inevitable catch from peloton by a kilometer or so.

FDJ chasing to give Casper a chance to disappoint.

Today’s stage finish depends entirely on how tired Cavendish is.42k to go, Flecha jumps to get the sprint points and to keep Freire fresh for the finish. In year’s past we would have Toto jumping on Flecha’s wheel and turning and gesticulating  to get Flecha to ride harder. Damn you ASO! Why can’t you just give Toto an automatic bid every year?

39k to go, FDJ still chasing, still delusional.

I wonder if Fabian is too tired from towing the Schlecks the last few days to do one of his last kilo attacks today?

29k to go Flecha jumps and Dumoulin takes over the "Toto spot" right behind him – but it’s just not the same.

25k togo, Terpstra gets the sprint point, is he now ahead of Zabel in the green jersey classification?

Flecha gets the last sprint point for Freire, so we shall see how Oscar fares in a sprint against Cavendish.

20k to go, Terpstra has about a minute now, the racing has now started. He’s got Brard and Auge trying to catch him and make a French sandwich.

14k to go, Terpstra not giving up but slowly coming back

Brard and Auge are caught, FDJ and Columbia chasing, one for a stage win, the other for 5th place. Agritubel chasing also, so Jimmy Casper can finish 6th. French sprinter fever – catch it!

Credit Agricole chasing for a SMASH! I am glad Thor SMASH got his win in early. before Columbia figured out Cav’s leadout.

 

10k to go, Terpstra caught. Now it gets interesting.

Oof!  A Gerolsteiner nails a piece of road furniture! He breaks his bike right in half!

8k to go, Sylvain Chavanel jumps and he actually has a chance! 

5.5k to go, Chavanel still screwing his brother over.

4k to go, Milram chasing, trying to delay Zabel’s retirement.

3.3 Chavanel caught, France didn’t even raise hopes.

Columbia chasing.

2.5 Quick Step up to front, I guess we have to say Gert has a chance.

2.2 Liquigas up front, working for Pozzato – Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Good one, guys!

200 meters they all try to box Cavendish in, he waits, and just jumps around EVERYONE!

He drops Robbie like a greased bowling ball.

All sprinter’s now feverishly trying to convince themselves they could obviously win if they had Cav’s leadout train. Delusion- it’s a great training device!