I fast-forwarded the DVR through Versus 'Pre-Game Show', like every day, but I saw the route map snake West, along the coast. I thought "Uh oh. Is there even a smidgen of wind?". If someone thinks they want to race bicycles for a living, they need to watch plenty of races like today's. It's not fun. The coverage did a great job of showing little gaps between wheels explode into un-closable 40 meter trenches. Alps, you know what's in store. Time trials, do what you can do. Crosswinds on a flat stage? I'd rather lay me down on a bed of hot nails and sit a donkey on me. We were on the edge of our seats, anticipating another win for DeFeet. Boonen seemed to have gotten taken out with a couple of turns to go. Doh! Huge opportunity to expand his Maillot Vert lead was lost, too, because Zabel was not present.

On another note.. DeFeet has goat issues. Not talking greatest.of.all.time. issues. It's not a 'we smell bad' issue. We've been overrun by goats. We've tried to get animal control out our way to clear it up, but apparently there are too many other pressing problems. Chris Sheehan took this poor quality image out his Custom Shop window with his phone.