The Tour de France started today, and finished!

Back to opining on the Tour de France and the latest stage. What a great finish this morning; I can't wait to watch it on OLNTV tonight! Armstrong, carried by the power of his team, jumps back in to yellow in a very impressive ride. Impressive for his team, and yet of course for him. They spanked T-mobile today; as well as CSC. Here is what Richard Virenque; now an analyst for Eurosport says:

"Tomorrow's a great mountain stage, The Col de la Madeleine, the Telegraphe, the Galibier. We hope that Vinokourov will be better, that Ullrich will be better. They have to attack tomorrow. They have nothing to lose. In a way they've already lost the Tour a little. For their pride they need to do something. One can only hope that their legs can recover."

Last year we waited for ever for T-mobile to do SOMETHING; and they never did. I read more of Jan Ulrich's and supposedly T-Mobile strategy today: Wear down Armstrong and Discovery. HA, HA, HA - is that a serious strategy?! Virenque is dead on right; if T-Mobile doesn't make something happen tomorrow; they should go home. Better, they shouldn't be invited back in the future. They are taking up valuable space that more agressive riders/teams can fill. Regarding CSC, I have faith in Bjarne Riis - he is the most competent coach after Bruyneel and if his guys can recover tonight; they can perhaps mount a more serious threat to Discovery than can T-Mobile.

As for the king of the mountains; how impressive is Michael Rasmussen!? No team, solo breakaways; he is hanging tough. I hope for him and for the excitement of the Tour; he can stay on Lance's wheel and not only get the Polka Dot jersey, but push for the podium. Hats off to Christophe Moreau too; big effort to hang in there without much team support and likewise Levi Leipheimer; these guys are doing it on their own it seems; or among themselves together.

Today was the gauntlet; tomorrow could be the death knell; and the end of the Tour for all intents and purposes for the GC.