Here is ESPN's report on today's stage of the Tour de France. Spanish cyclist Mikel Astarloza won the stage after breaking away from his breakaway companions in the final couple of miles. It was his first victory as a professional, other than as the overall winner of a stage race. (Yes, it's possible to win a stage race without winning a stage.) I rose at 5:20 to watch the Tour coverage live on Versus. During commercial interruptions, I get things done around the house; so it's not a complete waste of time. I was horrified to see Jens Voigt crash on the final descent. It's not clear what happened. If I had to guess, he struck a speed bump (or something about that size) in the roadway, which caused him to lose control. He slid for an ungodly length of time on the rough pavement, which must have torn a lot of skin from his body. I hope he is all right.
Lance Armstrong got dropped by the best climbers on the second of the day's two climbs. I thought it was over for him, but he eventually attacked the riders who were with him and bridged across to the climbers, among whom was his teammate Alberto Contador. It was a magnificent display of power. I thought for a moment that Lance would go past the climbers when he reached them, but he didn't. He stayed with them on the descent and finished with the same time. Is Lance done? No. I honestly believe that he can win the Tour. I hope he doesn't win it because Contador crashes or gets sick; but these things happen. Contador lost a stage race earlier this year because he wasn't paying attention. Lance almost lost a Tour several years ago because he bonked (i.e., grew weak from hunger). It's also possible, as I said yesterday, for Lance to take time out of Contador in Thursday's time trial. If they're close together on G.C. on the Tour's penultimate stage up Mont Ventoux, anything can happen.
Here is tomorrow's stage. There is no mountaintop finish, but the many steep climbs could produce a reshuffling of the standings. Frank Schleck said before the Tour started that tomorrow's stage will be the hardest. I can't wait to watch it. I'll be up again at 5:20 to perk coffee and settle in.
Addendum: Here are some beautiful images.
Addendum 2: Here is Lance Armstrong's Twitter page. He says that his team will have an American sponsor next year.
Addendum 3: I was stunned to read, in this New York Times report, that Alberto Contador thinks Lance Armstrong is working for him. I watched the race today. Lance did no work for Contador. None. Other members of Astana put their noses into the wind. It's pretty clear that Astana has two protected riders: Contador and Armstrong. Neither, therefore, is "working" for the other. Lance may have agreed not to attack Contador, but that's different from working for him. Think about it. Lance lies second overall, just 1:37 behind Contador. Why would Astana manager Johan Bruyneel wear Lance out by making him work for Contador? Lance must stay fresh, in case Contador falters. If he were to work for Contador and then see Contador falter, Astana could find itself without a Tour victory this year. This is not to say that Lance won't work for Contador on the penultimate stage up Mont Ventoux, or even before then. It's to say that Lance is not now working for Contador.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 
