Tour de France: Stage 12 Live Thread (Friday, July 14, 2006)

Salvodelli is also known as "Il Falco" (The falcon) in his native Italy because he has the ability and reputation to descend down mountains like a daredevil. Perhaps there is a little more to the story, and he was being a little careless in his descent down the mountain as well?

During the coverage this morning, Phil or Paul said that getting the supports vehicles up to the little mountain towns can be very difficult ( no space, congestion) so many of the competitors ride back to their hotels because it's so much easier than sitting around waiting for the team car to ferry them down . That doesn't that he wasn't possibly taking unnecessary risks.

Stage 12 results, stats, injury reports, etc:

VeloNews.com

CyclingNews.com

Stage 12 photos:

Overall leader Floyd Landis of the US, foreground, is surrounded by reporters prior to the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Overall leader Floyd Landis of the USA, second right, rides with his teammates during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. Yaroslav Popovych of the Ukraine won the stage. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Overall leader Floyd Landis of the US, 4th left, is framed by his Phonak teammates during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Alessandro Ballan of Italy pedals during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine waves from the podium after winning the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. Floyd Landis of Ukraine retains the overall lead of the race. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

David de La Fuente of Spain puts on the best climber's dotted jersey on the podium after the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine won the stage, Floyd Landis of the US retains the overall lead of the race. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Overall leader Floyd Landis of the US waves from the podium after the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Luchon and Carcassonne, southwestern France, Friday, July 14, 2006. Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine won the stage. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

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