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Rest Day Two: Dissecting the Alp d’Huez Time Trial The Pyrenees did a lot of damage to the Tour de France peloton and to several riders’ chances of challenging for the yellow jersey. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of very strong men left in the race, and the next major challenge before them is the Stage 16 individual time trial up Alp d’Huez. The fabled climb and its 21 numbered switchbacks is a very difficult and technically demanding time trial course. However, since it’s only 15.5 kilometers long and it’s not coming at the end of a long road...

Chris Carmichael Daily Reports: Rest Day The first week of the 2004 Tour de France was difficult and nervous, and by the time the peloton crossed the finish line yesterday, most of the riders were exhausted. Tom Boonen put it nicely when told a journalist, “Everyone sits like a corpse on the bike.” It’s difficult to believe that these riders are going to race for two more weeks, and that some of them are actually going to get stronger as the race goes on. At the Tour de France, we see a very interesting phenomenon. When you look at markers...

I don't know that you could have scripted a better scenario for the opening day of the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong had a very good day, put a little daylight between himself and his main rivals, but was beaten by a young man from Switzerland riding his first Tour de France. He delivered the message that he's prepared for a hard three weeks, but he and the Postal Service don't have to work to defend the yellow jersey tomorrow. One good day down, 22 to go. A strong prologue performance by a team leader is important in a long...