‘In the (Time) Zone'
David Olle, France, +33 66 16 909 87

Tour de France, July 3 - 25, 2010, Report stage 6
Stage 6    Friday, July 9    225 km     Montargis → Gueugnon

Results
1      Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia      5:37:42  
2     Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions           
3     Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
4      Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha

General classification after stage 6
1     Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank     28:37:30     
2     Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team     0:00:20     
3     Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team     0:00:39     
4     Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions     0:00:46

Skippy report:  Robbie McEwen had a little ‘off' across the line, damaged his bike and spent time with the medical team.  Cursing the whole while.  Not having a good run, picked up his fourth fourth today, too.  Must be a record.  NB:  he said after his first fourth, I certainly didn't come here to place 4th...   Could be a skip in yellow tomorrow, watch this space.  No guessing who.

Cuisine report:  Magret de Canard (duck)last night.  Served with mushrooms, mashed potatoe and a jus.  Two out of 16 refused to eat the duck fat!  T'was the best part.

Tomorrow:  Stage 7    Saturday, July 10    161 km     Tournus → Station des Rousses
This stage between Tournus and the ski resort village of Station des Rousses provides the first mountain-top finish of the 2010 Tour. The climb to the Station des Rousses runs 14 kilometers and finishes at a relatively low 1140 meters in elevation. Though the Station des Rousses hosts the Tour for the first time, the Côte des Rousses commonly serves as a prelude to the col de Faucille, which has appeared in the Tour on more than 40 occasions since 1911.  (from steephill.tv)

‘In the (Time) Zone'
David Olle, France, +33 66 16 909 87

Tour de France, July 3 - 25, 2010, Report stage 5
Stage 5    Thursday, July 8    185 km     Epernay → Montargis
Results
1      Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia      4:30:50      
2     Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram           
3     Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team

General classification after stage 5  
1     Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank     22:59:45     
2     Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team     0:00:23   3     Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team     0:00:39     

General report:  Ok, just how much money did Cav have on himself to win this stage....?   Good boy Cavvy!  Getting me (and everyone else) convinced he were nothing but a loser, then turns around and wins the next stage.  Took us all for a ride, he did.

Skippy report:  Cadel, at today's start in Epernay, did more interviews than any other GC rider, cool and calm all the while, answering questions in English, French and Italian.  So has he changed?  No, he's the same, just looking good, because everyone's attitude towards him has.  N'est pas?    

Cuisine report:  Annabella, Interviewing Carlos Sastre, ‘what do you eat first out of the musette (from a feedzone)?  Sastre:  The chocolate bar!  You, and the rest of the world, Carlos.

Tomorrow:  Stage 6    Friday, July 9    225 km     Montargis → Gueugnon
Make way for the sprinters to have their day....(we're in the mountains soon enough)

‘In the (Time) Zone'
by David Olle, in France, +33 66 16 909 87

For those in Australia, SBS shows a daily report on the Tour de France, along with many stages broadcast live, catch them if you can.  SBS does a fantastic job with their unfailing dedication to cycling.  Send them an email and let them know how much you love it.  It will help, believe me.  Do it now.  

(Not forgetting our own Topbike TV on digital channel 44, check your local guide for details)

I've also heard Dave McKenzie is talking TdF to ABC radio, I have no idea when, but if anyone can let me know, I'll pass it on.

Tour de France, July 3 - 25, 2010, Report stage 3
Stage 3    Tuesday, July 6    207 km     Wanze (BE) → Arenberg
Results
1      Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team      86:18:00  
2     Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team           
3     Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team

General classification after stage 3    
1     Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank     14:54:00     
2     Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team     0:00:23  
3     Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team     0:00:39     

General report, Paris is my office
Cadel rode like a champion today,  kept near the front, stuck near Cancellara, stayed out of trouble, and did more than his share of work in the lead group heading to the finish, he did everything but win the stage.  Ripper!

Skippy report:  Simon Gerrans had another spill today, not obvious why, but that's bike racing.  Ripped his shirt and grazed his chin.  He's already in bandages.  

Lance report:  Today we witnessed him riding on his own, on the flat, not a team members present.  Must be a TdF first.  He lost a lot of time too.  Don't write the old dog off yet.

Cuisine report:  How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?   Charles De Gaulle

Tomorrow:  Stage 4 Wednesday, July 7, 154 km, Cambrai → Reims