If it wasn?t enough to have cycling in the news for positive doping tests, now it?s in the news for not taking tests. To make matters worse, it happens to be about Rasmussen. He apparently is being banned by the Danish Cycling Federation from the World Cup and the Olympics. And I thought the press just didn?t like Americans. Perhaps Roadcycling.com editor and Dane, Thomas, can comment further on this. [?or it might be the federation that doesn?t like Rasmussen???]

The good news is the riders involved in the crash at the end yesterday?s stage are starting today. A few attacks come and go but nothing sticks until Amets Txurruka and Pierrick Fedrigo take off. At a gap of 11:35, Liquigas begins the run down of the leaders.

A little action by doesn?t catch anyone sleeping. Soler surges in an attempt to capture some hilltop points. He is marked by Dekker, Popovych and De la Fuente. Popo gets 3^rd place in the final climb of today. Others are sleeping as there have been seemingly senseless falls by a handful of racers.   Maybe the wind is blowing them around or they are tired from yesterday.

With nearly 25 km to the end, Lampre is showing the peloton the way. Boonen is already setting up for the sprint this far out. They are 2:10 behind the leaders. It?s time to think about the winner. Have I picked Zabel yet? Maybe if I keep picking him enough, he might actually win one. Zabel, Zabel, Zabel, Zabel!

Fedrigo and Txurruka are fighting to the end but won?t be involved in the sprint. No crashes today and the big names are there (even Zabel). I think they should get the announcer that does the Kentucky Derby to call out the sprint. And they?re off! Oh my God, Zabel has Boonen?s draft. Boonen powers ahead to win. That guy is strong. Maybe I should have said Zabel one more time.

Ok, the answer to yesterday?s question is wait until the time trail.