2008 Tour de France - Stage 11

Does anyone know what the Tour De France leader does on rest day? If it was me, I’d be going to a strip joint and having a few brews! [Watch that shoulder though. Evans appears quite sensitive when it comes to people (strippers too?) touching his shoulder]

There was no rest day for the EPO police as they kicked out Moises Nevado from Team Barloworld for having a dirty UA on the 4th stage. In keeping with the French way of doing things, I guess that means there will be two teams so far who won’t be invited to next year’s Tour.

As usual, expect numerous attacks by a variety of non GC contenders. Then, watch them get dropped on the climbs. Silence-Lotto will likely maintain control and Evans will want to keep his yellow jersey. I wonder who will attack. Maybe some of those guys who are four, five, and six minutes back will look to trim their deficit.

Eleven racers have gone away form the peloton and later two others have bridged. The “lucky thirteen” are going to try and get lucky. There’s no threat to the GC as these guys are way back! One rider is dropped on the climb. The “dirty dozen” are increasing their lead over the peloton by over fifteen minutes. Pereiro gets impatient and he is the first to attack from the peloton while Frenchman Moinard attacks from the lead group. Silence-Lotto has been controlling the peloton but they are replaced by CSC going up the second climb. Moinard, “the Whopper” has a whopping 16:30 advantage over the peloton!

With 5km to go “the Whopper” is going to be gobbled up by the eleven chasers. He gives up when he is caught but should be proud of his effort. Arvesen battles for the stage win and nips them at the line! This gives me time to take a bio break while we wait for the peloton.

Nearly fifteen minutes elapse before the remaining racers finish. There’s no GC change but Moinard and Arvesen provided us with some drama. That’s the great thing about cycling!

Super Dave (Enjoy my dribbles, hate them? Suggestions? Feedback is welcomed!)