(blogged from a Carl's Jr. in Bishop, driving home from the Death Ride :)

Just finished watching today's TDF stage while driving back from the Death Ride; it was pretty entertaining, wasn't it?  There was just enough climbing to make things interesting and provide opportunities, but the climbs weren't steep enough (or long enough) to provide the GC men with opportunities to gain time.  Jerome Pinot used the stage as a chance to escape and take points for the polka-dot climbers jersey - chapeau to him, nicely done - and Sylvain Chavanel attacked on the final climb and took time on everyone to win and get the yellow jersey back - chapeau to him, very nicely done. 

After that weird stage 2 where Chavanel won from the early break while the rest of the peloton stopped racing, we all thought he would have the yellow jersey all week.  But then he had tons of bike trouble in stage 3 over the cobblestones, and so he lost it the next day.  But now he has it back, for one more day at least.

Tomorrow morning the Tour really starts; stage 8 is serious alpine climbing, with two big category 1 climbs at the end including a mountaintop finish, and we should see a significant selection among the GC men.  Will Lance be able to do it?  Will Contador stamp his authority on the peloton?  Will Andy Schleck gain back time?  What about Evans?  And Menchov?  And Wiggins?  And...  Can't wait!

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