14:30 - Quickstep At Front Since Escape Formed
The escape formed at the 28km mark. Once it was established the Quickstep team moved to the front of the peloton and no other team has led the bunch since that time. The peloton is now 4’30” behind the group of Aerts, Riblon, Moinard, Minard, Vaugrenard, Erviti and Moerenhout.
Withdrawals thus far - 11 teams have lost at least one rider, Euskaltel has lost 2.
Biggest names are Frank Schleck (SAXO) and Christian VandeVeld (Garmin).
2 of the 3 USA-based teams have lost a rider, RSH is the exception.
AG2R LA MONDIALE 1
BMC RACING TEAM 1
CERVELO TEST TEAM 1
EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 2
FOOTON-SERVETTO 1
GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 1
KATUSHA TEAM 1
OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 1
TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 1
TEAM MILRAM 1
TEAM SAXO BANK 1
That leaves 11 teams still with a full complement of 11.