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Dave's Dogmatic Dribbles
By Dave Osborne
Jul 15, 2004, 12:48

Tour de France - Stage 11

It’s hot today which may slow the nervous impulses of the peloton. The stage is filled with rollers and turns. A variety of racers attack and get caught over and over again. Eventually, Flecha, Moncoutie, and Martinez maintain a break and create a maximum gap of 8:05.

Big “Dude” Magnus Backstedt quits in order to prepare himself for the Olympic weight lifting competition! A new “bovine” team joins the Tour and stage a protest by blocking the road.

David Moncoutie pretends it's still Bastille Day and takes the second French stage win in two days. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Near the end, Flecha charges forward but is countered by Moncoutie and Martinez.

But wait, Moncoutie keeps going! Doesn’t he know Bastille Day is over? The Cofidis racer wins the stage by 2:15. Flecha and Martinez roll in together and Flecha pushes across the line for 2nd while Martinez rolls in for 3rd. I wonder how Martinez is going to feel the next two days when he is needed by Mayo.

Hushovd, Zabel, McEwen and co. arrives at the finish in Figeac. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

I don’t believe what I see as the peloton comes to the finish. Lance is actually trying to sprint to the finish! I don’t know if I should laugh or cheer. When the wash is done, there aren’t any changes to worry about in the peloton for the contenders.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com as the Tour continues!

Dave Osborne

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