Course: Planned Rest

Comments: I didn't plan to run today. I figured my legs would be shot from last night's race and I had three engagements to attend. For those that may be curious, my time at the race was 21:39. That's pretty terrible for me, but at least I managed to stay sub-seven. (And to think, not to long ago I had a string of 18 consecutive sub-six minute 5Ks.)

Today's tour stage was actually fairly catastrophic. Valverde, my pick to win on the day, crashed out. Fast Freddy, Green Jersey hopeful McEwen's leadout man, crashed out. Dutch strongman Eric Dekker, likely riding his final Tour, crashed out. Stuart O'Grady apparently fractured a vertebra, but he may start tomorrow anyway. Chris Horner crashed and injured his hand. (I also read in Peloton Press that Floyd Landis was caught up in yesterday's crash near the finish line and hurt his back a little bit. Injuries are turning this into a classic race of attrition.)

Now, my picks for tomorrow's stage. Without Fred Rodriguez to help get him to the front, McEwen will suffer when Quick.Step finally organizes a decent leadout. "Tornado" Tom Boonen will blast to the line for an easy win, keeping both the Yellow and Green Jerseys in hand.  ¶ 6:09 PM