Happy Birthday America! Wonder if there will be any fireworks?

Some rubber band action develops with riders stretching away form the peloton then snapping back. It seems like the pack doesn?t want a big gap to develop today. I?m impressed with the improved crowd control devices. I saw a knight in shining armor and it looks like he had a very big sword. The guy should put it to use by chopping those green foam hands. They have quickly become annoying (just ask Thor).

Another cool thing I saw was the Catlike Whisper helmet worn by Euskaltel Euskadi and Agritubel. What exactly is an Agritubel anyway? It kinda sounds like a medical instrument that a proctologist would use! I gotta get me one of those and my birthday is in a couple weeks (just in case family and friends need an idea). Then, did you hear the comments by Landis? I?m just saving my energy and trying to stay out of trouble. Jeez, I thought I was hearing Lance all over again.

Oh my god, the fireworks have started. I?m not talking Black Cats or Zebra?s. A crash has taken down Dekker and Rodriguez. It?s a sick feeling to see them up against the curb not getting up. Their Tour is over. Then, Valverde is involved in a wheel touch and his Tour also ends. Last but not least, O?Grady is crossing the finish by himself but not because he won the stage. He also went down during the latter part of the race. He will start again tomorrow. It seems the terrain and heat is exponentially adding to the fatigue of the racers.

The sprinters look like climbers on the Caulberg! Kessler grinds his way to a stage win. It is a deserving honor for him and a boost to T-Mobile. Boonen can?t be too upset as he will proudly wear yellow in his home country tomorrow.

I guess that?s what 4^th of July is all about. There are a few booms and bangs, a lot of sweat and heat, and pride for your nation.

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