2006 Tour de France ? Stage 14

Will it be another day of rest before rest day? There will be the typical break of racers who have no chance of winning the Tour but would like a chance to win a stage. I think it?s a waste of time to even report a break under 30 seconds. Does it really matter? Somebody can fart and gain that. Oh well, it gave Hincapie an opportunity to show his stuff (but I don?t think he was farting).

Sure enough, six racers have a break established. Kessler, Aerts, Verbrugghe, Commesso, Canada,  and Fedrigo will go for it. That Commesso guy kinda looks like a thug with rolled up sleeves and unshaven. I?m trying to remember if I?ve ever seen a cyclist with a beard. We need to take up another collection to buy Kessler a different t-shirt. Maybe it?s the new style of goretex! I hope he at least washes it.

There?s horror on the road! The lead group is cut in half (almost literally) when sand on the course causes a slide. Kessler flies over the guardrail. Verbrugghe isn?t getting up. Canada is stunned. Kessler rejoins while the other two are off to the hospital with broken bones. I feel sick. Hey, this is the Tour de France, CAN SOMEONE SWEEP THE COURSE? These are backroads and I think today?s stage is tougher than it looks.

Some action starts near the summit of the last climb. Guys are looking for KOM points. Discovery Channel sneaks to the front but aren?t able to sustain anything. Here comes the USA in the form of Vandevelde. The win is being fought between Commesso and Fedrigo. I thought the chase group was going to run them down. Commesso is not happy about the loss to Fedrigo. Maybe he will kick the crap out of him in the back alley later today!

Ok, nothing has upset the GC. Unfortunately, the crash ends the Tour for Canada and Verbrugghe. There will be another ?the day? on Tuesday. Hopefully, the course will be swept.

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