been none stop since Jean Marie Leblanc dropped the first white flag on the road to the city of
Meaux.  Pettachi won four stages, Aussie power landed in Le Tour and now we're getting to witness one of the greatest battles for the leaders yellow jersey that we've seen for years.  Are we missing Pantani and Cipollini?  I don't, maybe.  They'd have brought a little more razmattaz to the race but I reckon the media circus might have detracted from the real battle ensuing.

For any neutral witnessing their first bike race, how could you fail but fall in love with this sport.  Blood sweat and passion; it's had everything so far and I don't think it's finished just yet.  Long live King Lance.  I'm gunning for not only his fifth victory but also his return to take his sixth next year.  If Jan and co happens to push him along the way then that'll be great for us.  We're bike fans.  We love to watch bike racing and at the moment we're getting to watch some of the greatest racing we're probably ever going to see.  Sit back, read those interviews and, live those dreams.  It doesn't get better than this.

Don't forget to check out our Tour de France section with all the latest stage reports and interviews.  Whilst you're on the site, how about filling in our Roadcycling.com reader survey - the more information we can get from you guys, the better chance we have of writing the things you want to read about - and of getting the necessary funding from advertisers.

Till next week,
Ian Melvin

Cycletw@aol.com

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