I do have to pick up again on the emphasis on Australian riders, yes it sells magazines and webspace, but the riders are riding for their team, not for their country. Yes good to follow them and share the road with them in bunch rides when they get back but the spectacle of TdF overrides all.

Cadel- or ‘Whiney Skip’ as he is known among TeamPoseur, has to step up and perform, and by himself, his team have clearly shown they are not interested in helping him. His best chance is to stay at the front and take the breakaways when they occur. He is marked though, so any attempt will be monitored by Astana, who will not work in the break. Perhaps Whiney Skip can do it tonight and charge into Andorra, the profile suits his riding style, but too often he left open and exposed and continually being attacked by natura;l climbers.

Hasn’t Popovych done well again working for Lance? Leadership or desire?

The Col de Serra Secca look steep at the start of the climb, the winner of the stage should come from the leaders at this point. The twenty kilometere descent from Porte del Comte deosn’t look that bad, but then I’m not racing the course.