2009 Tour de France - Stage 6. I hated to do it but I had to flick my Robert Gesink figurine off. In yesterday’s crash he fractured his radius. For today’s Bicycle Science Digest lesson, let me explain how that happens. While falling, you say oh shi_ and stick your arm out. Your hand then hits the ground trying to support your body weight. Your wrist tells your brain no way and then snaps. Give Robert credit for finishing the stage like a trooper. I’m sad for him. My eyes are beginning to water again from yesterday’s dust.

And now for the weather.. Its going to be humid..probably 100%. This will make all painted lines on the road into ice. Stay tuned for sports after this word from our sponsor. (I’m practicing for my next job in television)

Stephane Auge (COF), Sylvain Chavanel (QSI), and David Millar (GRM establish a couple minute lead over the peloton. Astana is controlling the main field more than likely for the sole purpose of avoiding crashes.  Amets Txurruka (EUS) bridges to the three leaders. I would like to see Millar make it stick.

No need for me to do any flicking as the crashes begin. Notables banging the pavement include Michael Rogers, Tyler Farrar, and Tom Boonen. Heinrich Haussler is notable because he went down twice! All of those who went down hit hard and it will leave a mark.

Millar takes a crack at it and leaves his temporary teammates with 29 km to go. It’s going to be a difficult solo but I hope he makes it. Unfortunately, he is swallowed by the peloton with less than 2 km to go. The peloton seems extremely jittery and Thor Hushovd comes from fourth in line and powers to win the stage. (If you didn’t do so already, be sure to check out our pre-Tour de France interview with Thor Hushovd)

Astana was smart as usual. They put out a fair amount of effort today which may affect tomorrow to a degree. On the plus side, I don’t think any of team Astana will be wearing bandages or tending to broken bones. I think today was the most exciting stage and waiting for the finish kept me on the edge of my seat. Tomorrow has the potential for the media to start asking Astana members that stupid question again.

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