Status quo will probably be the name of the game today for the GC racers. God only knows who will go on the attack early in hopes of getting a stage win in the Tour. Maybe they should give a jersey to the lowest GC person who wins a stage.

It has begun with twenty racers gaining a few seconds over the peloton. After a bit, a group of nine has formed a break. The peloton isn?t napping and is keeping the pace high. Maybe they want to hurry and get out of the hot sun. Uh oh, Moreau falls. He may have touched wheels with Gerrans. Both will need new shorts but continue.

The break only made it out to 1:55 on the peloton. Six breakaway riders sit up. It doesn?t take long and the remaining three are caught. There is no letting up by the peloton.

I have no chance for a nap. Another attack and five racers split the peloton by 7:30. Then, a surge by the peloton splits it in two. Maybe there?s a free giveaway at the end of today?s stage and the racers don?t want to miss out. Moreau and Zabel are in the back group. Astana is not slowing down. Christophe, I?m having a bad day, Moreau will know what Vino felt like slipping down in GC. Why doesn?t Cedric, I won during the easiest stage of the Tour, Vasseur go back and help his countryman. Oh, wait a minute, he is back there. I guess they?ll both be missing out on the free giveaway.

Vino attacks! I never would have expected that. Unfortunately, it only lasted about a minute and 4 km too far from the finish line. No time bonus there. The sprinters and lead out men are going hot into the corner and crash into the barriers. Boonen is in the wreck. Hunter goes solo in a sprint and wins!  What?s this, no giveaway for finishing early? That sucks. I guess they?ll have to buy a t-shirt.

I appreciated what Astana did today. I even got a warm and fuzzy feeling when Vino attacked. Maybe it was his last hurrah. I also got a warm and fuzzy feeling when Moreau lost time. Did the peloton expend too much energy today? What will happen in the last hill tomorrow or will we have to wait for the TT to sort things out? C?mon readers, lets hear what you have to say. Email me at info@roadcycling.com.