Course: None

Comments: I skipped my run today because my legs were feeling a little wiped out from running up and down all the stairs in yesterday's orienteering meet.

Today's Tour de France stage finally settled some GC issues. Namely, George Hincapie is no threat to win. I overlooked Menchov, mostly because I'm used to Rabobank not having a good candidate for the overall. Plus, Menchov is a rather unassuming rider. Because of Leipheimer's choke job in the ITT, Menchov looks like a podium finisher. Cadel Evans is hanging in there too, and I still think he'll finish in the top three. (I might need to stop nominating favorites. They seem to run into trouble when I do. Valverde crashed out of the stage I predicted he would win. I picked Leipheimer as a podium candidate, but I don't think he can get there now that he lost six minutes in the time trail. I pimped Karpets yesterday, and then he slipped back on the climb and dropped out of the top ten.) Klöden couldn't stay with the final group on the last climb and lost a little bit of time. I'm glad because I don't like him much, but now that I've said it, he'll probably stomp all over everyone in the Alps. Unless Landis runs into a real "spot of bother" on a critical stage, I think he's wrapped up the final victory.

My prediction for Bastille Day is constant French attacks. I expect Dumoulin to go out hard in a breakaway at some point. I think, however, it will eventually come down to a bunch sprint. Tom Boonen will have the Quick.Step boys working hard to reel the breakaways back in. As a consequence, he won't have a full-strength lead-out. McEwen will take advantage of that and pip him for the victory. That is, of course, assuming the Peloton doesn't let a Frenchman sail free. There's always a chance they'll just let a breakaway go if it's comprised of low-placed riders trying to win on their national holiday.  ¶ 7:34 AM