Stage 10-158 km
Aurillac to Carmaux
We were packing our suitcases for France when the Heroes reminded me to pack courage. My thoughts went to the riders who have the luxury to dedicate entire suitcases to courage. But, along with courage, I still needed to squeeze in socks, underwear and my dog-eared copy of The Tour de France for Dummies.
Andre Greipel beat Badger Cavendish – Greipel beat everyone else come to think of it – in today’s stage. “Most happiest person in the world at the moment,” said Andre Greipel. Cav was gracious about it even though he was not the most happiest person in the world.
In other positive TDF news, Russian, Kolobnev, was the first to be kicked out for a positive drug test. He allegedly ate, injected or otherwise consumed something called Hydrochlorothiazide. Yum.
So far this tour’s headlines have been dominated by the heroics of Hushovd, Gilbert, Voeckler and the heroic suffering as exemplified by Hoogerland, Horner and Vino, but we think the GC contenders are on the verge of taking over the story. Cugnaux to Luz Ardiden is on the horizon…. Enjoy the subplots for the time being, as the battle of those left standing is about to begin.