14:50 - 10 Escapees Crest Portet d’Aspet
The points for the second climb of the stage (at the 105km) mark were won by: 1. Voeckler (BTL) 10pts 2. Turgot (BTL) 9pts 3. Mondory (ALM) 8pts 4. Vandborg (LIQ) 7pts 5. Perez Arrieta (FOT) 6pts 6. Ivanov (KAT) 5pts
14:49 - Armstrong Following Gutierrez
At the front of the peloton we can see the polka-dot jersey (Charteau), the Spanish national champion (Gutierrez), the three-time winner of the green jersey (McEwen), the second Australian to wear the yellow jersey (O’Grady)... and the seven-time Tour champion (Armstrong). Will the Texan stop on the side of the road at the 109km mark to pay respect to his former team-mate Fabio Casartelli...? We’ll know the answer shortly.
14:45 - McEwen In The Front Row...
Robbie McEwen has been suffering through the 2010 Tour. He’s crashed more times than he wants to remember and although he sprinted to a few top five positions, he is usually one of the first to lose contact with the peloton on the climbs. Today he’s in the front row as the bunch makes its way up the Portet d’Aspet. The latest time check has his group 6’10” behind the 10 escapees.
Did a training camp last year and rode the last three climbs of today’s stage. First day we did the Port de Balès, a true monster, as hard as the Tourmalet. Last day the Col de Portet-d’Aspet and saw the Fabio Casertelli memorial, and did a mountain time trial on the Col des Ares. I think they will probably beat my time over the Col des Ares. :-)
Looks like Saxo Banks turn to torch everyone on the climb. Again not sure what good it will do as even if Andy moves the descent allows AC a chance to minimize any losses.
Schleck attacks and drops his chain. Damn the luck. Looks like he will be able to close the gap back though.