With short, hard climbs, a difficult chase, and a high-speed finish, today's stage reminded me of a Spring Classic. The action was marred, however, by Vinokourov's crash. I haven't heard yet how badly injured he is. He lost time, though, over a minute. That hurts, I'm sure. Klöden crashed, too, and he's questionable to start tomorrow, thanks to a hairline fracture of his coccyx—that's right, he broke his ass. The finish was crazy fast, nearly 50 m.ph.—allegedly uphill—and Pippo Pozzato pulled off the victory. Zabel was able to gut it out over the climbs and finish with the lead group. That was enough to move him four points ahead of Boonen and into the Green Jersey. I think it's nice to see the old man back on the podium.

Tomorrow's Stage: Stage 6 - Semur-en-Auxois to Bourg-en-Bresse - (199.5km)

This stage should finish in a bunch sprint, as it's relatively flat and no one will want to work too hard after today's violent efforts. It should come down to the teams with the trains—Quickstep, Milram, and Lampre—and I think that means this is Boonen's chance to finally win.  ¶ 11:49 PM