In The (Time) Zone by David Olle, France, +39 333 5959 217 (twitter feed @DavidOLLE)

Stage 11     July 13     Blaye-les-Mines - Lavaur     168 km             

Results:
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad 3:46:07   
2 André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto     
3 Tyler Farrar (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo

Good boy Cavvy.

General Classification:  
1 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar     
2 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team     
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team     
4 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek     
5 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek

Skippy report:  No change to the GC, excellent for Cadel.  Not so for Richie Porte, in the service of Alberto Contador.  The Pyrenees start tomorrow!

French media report:  Women's football, front page of France's daily sporting rag EQUIPE, during the #TdF, what are they thinking! 

Don't miss this:  Giant are sponsoring real people, instead of just prof athletes. 30 riders of any age, style or ability will be chosen.

Cuisine Reports I didn't get to in the first half of the TdF:  
Marbré de gésiers et joues de porc confites aux lentilles. Duck gizzards, pork cheek and lentils, served as a terrine.  ‘It's the ducks guts Maxi!'  (second time ever, I have been able to quote from Mad Max at the TdF).   
The cheese chariot
Aligot:  Aligot is a dish from the Auvergne region of France. Specifically, Aveyron...and is a magnificent improvement on good ol' mashed potatoes.  A simple recipe, and like all simple recipes, relies on using the best ingredients, and the right ones...none of this Italian cheese sliding into the process. To make it, you need potatoes, a little butter, a little creme fraiche or cream, garlic and one of the following cheeses: tomme d'Auvergne, tomme de Laguiole or tomme fraiche.
Tarte aux fruits de saison
Entremet pistache fraises (something with fresh pistachios?) 
All the above served at Auberge du Barrez, two of their chefs toured Australia, and worked at Vue du Monde, no less. 

Tomorrow:  Stage 12     July 14     Cugnaux - Luz-Ardiden     209 km, hilltop finish, a very tough day for a Frenchman to have a win, and as it is Bastille Day, that means everything, to the locals.  

In The (Time) Zone by David Olle, France, +39 333 5959 217 (twitter feed @DavidOLLE)

Stage 10 July 12 Aurillac - Carmaux 161 km

Results:
1 André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto 3:31:21
2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team

General Classification:
1 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar 42:06:32
2 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team 0:01:49
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:02:26
4 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:02:29
5 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:02:37

Andre Greipel report: (today's stage winner, nickname: Gorilla) Now, I'm not exactly saying that he is ugly, but he definitely is one of that rare breed that looks better with their helmet on.

Contador Report: It's being reported that AC is not about to make any moves until the race reaches the alps, in the 3rd week. I'm suggesting, woe betide any GC rider who shows any sign of weakness, this week, in the Pyrenees.

Thomas Tonguey Voeckler Report: Not so much tongue action from young Tommy today, but he did a bit of gesturing towards other riders, when he was in a break for a few minutes. Thomas is pronounced with a silent ‘S' in French.

Skippy report: All very quiet. This is good. Tour hump day tomorrow (middle of the tour).

French TV Report: There is a lovely new ad shown during Le Tour coverage, by the French cycle racing body, it features kids on BMXs, MTB's and Road bikes. It's cute and encouraging.

Cuisine Report: Potage is only served hot, Soupe can be hot or cold, Gazpacho, cold. These are the rules.

Don't miss this:  Giant are sponsoring real people, instead of just prof athletes. 30 riders of any age, style or ability will be chosen.

Tomorrow: Stage 11 July 13 Blaye-les-Mines - Lavaur 168 km

In The (Time) Zone by David Olle, France, +39 333 5959 217 (twitter feed @DavidOLLE)

Stage 8     July 9     Aigurande - Super-Besse Sancy     190 km

Results:
Result 1 Rui Alberto Faria Costa (Por) Movistar Team 4:36:46   
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:00:12   
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:15 

General classification after stage 8
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo 33:06:28   
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:01   
3 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:00:04  

Skippy report:  Here's Wade Wallace from Cycling Tips on tour with topbike.  Yes, he's a skip...Wade?

Thomas Voeckler Report (from yesterday):  near the front of the peloton, he rounded the corner, leading into the intermediate sprint licking his lips like a hungry kid at a Sunday barby.   I can't imagine....

Giro Donne Report:  (Women's Tour of Italy)  Marianne Vos is GOLDEN.  Another win.  Shara Gillow has slipped to 10th, chin up mate, it's still fantastic.  ITT tomorrow!

1 Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit 25:20:08   
2 Emma Pooley (GBr) Garmin - Cervelo 0:02:48   
3 Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Highroad Women 0:08:07  

Favorite Fans Photo:  from yesterday in Buzancais
Cippo report:  Ciao ragazzi, ciao, ciao...
Cadel waves, on way to sign on

Cuisine Report:  OK, the DUCK looked fantastic last night.  And while the sour cherries were good and the gravy (I know I can expect to be struck down by the chef, just for calling it that) and the scalloped potatoes were damn fine, but the duck was tough.  Tough love eh?  Couldn't eat the garnish either...  And the rules of the garnish are ruled by:  You should be able to eat everything on the plate, right? 

Tomorrow:  Stage 9     July 10     Issoire - Saint-Flour     208 km