The General Classification (GC) stayed the same, but Zabriskie had to have stitches in his right arm. Since Zabriskie only lost the yellow jersey because of a crash yesterday, Lance didn't want to where it today, but finally swapped jerseys in order to not risk being DQ'd.
There was a breakaway that lasted at least 100 miles before being reeled in the at six miles to go.
McEwen takes stage and salutes as if he's Alessandro Petacchi (image: Roberto Bettini).
Lance Changes jerseys on the go. (image: AFP)
Close but no cigar: the breakaway was reeled in at 6 miles to go. (image: Graham Watson)
About Lance and the "mellow johnny." He said he didn't want to wear it today, because David Z might have still be wearing it if he hadn't fallen. So he didn't want to take advantage of someone's misfortune.
ReplyDeleteThe race officials said--you can wear this today, or don't bother showing up to race tomorrow. Lance was magnanimus about it, saying after the race he was trying to show good sportsmanship. He understood though that the race officials have certain obligations to to the sponsors (Credit Lyonaise sponsors the yellow jersey) and he didn't want to dissapoint its fans who may have driven hours to the side of the road to watch it pass on the shoulders of a cyclist.
Says Graham Watson,
ReplyDelete"Of course, if he had really wanted to, he could have ridden the stage in blue and sliver, been disqualified, and then seen the whole peloton refuse to start tomorrow's stage to Nancy - believe me, it would have happened, for the riders can be pretty militant when their traditions are under threat…
"It is probably best that Lance did ride in Yellow, for there is too much at stake on him winning a seventh Tour, and you cannot always assume the other teams will support you - once you are disqualified, it is a sort of no-way-back situation, regardless of any protests."
Close but now cigars. Is that like Cuba--close (90 mile from Key West, FL), but no cigars (import embargo).
ReplyDelete