Tour de France Madness

So, the 2010 Tour de France has started. The Grand Boucle as it is known will keep us enthralled during the next three weeks. What impresses is the sheer size of the pelloton. Today's stage (1) was won by Alessandro Petacchi in one of the most formidable accelerations in a sprint that I have ever seen. This guy has legs. Mark Cavendish, the up yours fellow, crashed in the final corner before the straight, and another crash blocked off most of the pelloton as they approached the finish. The front group containing most of the remaining sprinters had another crash just before the finish taking out a few other riders.. So it was not a conclusive victory. However, methinks the Mad Max's day's in the Tour de France won't be easy. Top notch effort Alessandro.
As for the yellow jersey, that remains firmly on the shoulders of Mr Motorino, Fabian Cancellara. He was caught behind the main peleton crash, so strolled in to maintain his yellow, seeing as all cyclists within the 3km get the same time. Tough luck (or rather bad tactics) by Wylands, who lead the breakaway for the whole 220km's of the stage, and got caught in the final 10km's.... A case of hubris and wanting to win in front of his home crowd. I can't blame him for trying, as it was a massive effort, but the tour is made of 21 stages, and it looks like this one wil have taken the toll of 3. The Belgian wantend to waft up the podium to shake big Mercx's hand. Alas, they will take him back to his hotel room in a wheelbarrow. So close..

An aside.. I am quite curious to see how this Tour compares to the Giro. I was very satisfied with this year's Giro, with it's share of thrills and spills. Will the Tour offer the same? I must say it's also very rude that the California thingamy (I struggle to call a 6 stage race a "tour") was sheduled at the same time as the Giro. Very bad form on the part of the americans. No respect. But then again the americans have very little respect for anyone else. There, I've done it.. offended a whole nation. Excuse me, but in cycling you have a lot to learn, and not much to offer (just yet). We hope the next edition is scheduled at a more convenient time, and shows off some of the beautiful mountains that exist in America.

So back to the tour. The big players are quiet for now. Next stage another flat one for the sprinters. Then some cobbles. That should be interesting. Let's see what Mr Motorino does!