Happy Bastille Day! Shoot some fireworks. Drink some beer. Watch the Tour. Read some dribbles. The best thing about Bastille Day is a good story usually comes out of this stage. Maybe we?ll see Voeckler. More than likely, the big boys will play the game not to use up too much energy and still keep their GC time within striking distance.

After some playful attacks and counters, nine races establish the break. Voeckler, was in fact one of those in an attack but he?s not with the nine. Three others caught the leaders then they were joined by three more making a lead group of fifteen. Voeckler isn?t there but two Frenchmen are. Flecha and Savoldelli are notables in the lead group. After three climbs, things remain the same. The peloton brought the gap down from eight minutes and is hovering in the five minute range.

There is now an attack within the lead group at the start of the last climb. Have they gone too early? Linus Gerdemann surges ahead and dashes the hopes of a French victory (like that was gonna happen anyway) Linus, you can call me Hurdy, is over the top ahead of second place man Landaluze. Those guys were in pain. The ?favorites? are safe within the peloton. It?s too early to defend the yellow.

I love watching these slow motion finishes. My mind can never keep up when those pure sprinters are doing their thing. You can see happy Hurdy take the win. Landaluze doesn?t seem to have the energy for a second place salute.   Hurdy Gerdemann also gets the yellow. Congratulations to him for an outstanding effort.

? 'Tis then when the hurdy gurdy man

	Comes singing songs of love		

	Then when the hurdy gurdy man		

	Comes singing songs of love		

	Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy he sang		

	Hurdy gur-dy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gur-dy, hurdy gurdy hurdy gurd		

	Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy he sang?		

Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan

Congrats are in order for Vino and Kloden who finish with peloton pack time. Glad they made it. Unfortunately, tomorrow just gets worse.

Once again, Happy Bastille Day. Vive la France!