[leilani]

Ha, Roy and Moncoutie - and the French media who thought they had the stage win in the bag one way or the other - didn't even know what hit 'em, did they?

But I think in all the commotion yesterday maybe the God of Thunder must have gotten a couple of his consonants confused, because he sure looked to me like the God of Plunder raiding down the Col d'Ausbique to snatch the spoils of victory right outta the hands of the French natives.

So Euro, since it's a local number for you, maybe you should call that Viking Ship Museum in Oslo & tell 'em they need to update their exhibit. Because even though those cool longships used to get the job done pretty well back in the day, the preferred mode of transportation for invading Norsemen these days seems to be a Cervelo S5.

[Baynative]

A late attack by Andy inside the last kilo really meant nothing. I don't think he is showing he has what it takes -- at least not today.

Thomas Voekler has the heart of a lion. He reminds me of Gilbert Duclous LaSalle, a small man who would never give up, never let go, never allow someone to defeat him mentally.

I can't believe it's been 15 years since Fabio Casartelli's death.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme lays down a bunch of flowers on the monument built in memory of Fabio Casartelli on the Col de Portet d'Aspet, where the Italian rider died in 1995. Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

[PeteB570]

An interesting finish today. None of the main contenders could bust away. Andy took some digs, Frank a couple more, Cadel once and Basso leading on and off.

Top of the GC remains pretty much the same.