Here is video of the final five kilometers of today's stage of the Tour de France. British cyclist Mark Cavendish won the stage, averaging 25.81 miles per hour for 116.5 miles. As usual, the early breakaway was reeled in just before the finish. You may wonder why people break away if they are almost always caught. The answer is the word "almost." Every now and then, the peloton miscalculates. It's like buying a lottery ticket. You know the odds are against you, but you also know (1) that you have a chance to win and (2) that the magnitude of the victory is large if you win.
Lance Armstrong currently lies 18th overall, 2:30 behind Fabian Cancellara. Only four of the 17 riders ahead of Armstrong are overall contenders. Cadel Evans is 1:51 ahead of Armstrong; Andy Schleck is 1:21 ahead; Alberto Contador is :50 ahead; and Bradley Wiggins is :41 ahead. Armstrong can take time out of Evans and Schleck in the time trial on 24 July. He will have to attack Contador and Wiggins in the mountains, of which there are plenty to come. Don't underestimate Lance Armstrong. He is tough as nails and wise like an owl.
Addendum: If you watch the video, you will see that the peloton covered the final kilometer in 63 seconds. That's 35.50 miles per hour.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 