Gallery
They Are Coming
Today's long stage brought the peloton and the leading break away that much closer to the high alpine passes that but fear into the hearts of use mere mortal cyclists. The early break of six riders were not given much of a leash by Peter Sagan's Cannondale boys. Cannondale looked over the race profile and felt that their climbing sprinter had what it would take to distance Greipel and Kittel on the final climbs and be the one to throw his arms in the air in Nancy. The six men in the break, including these three Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling and new Swiss National Champion), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and the young American, Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing). The group is being shown the gap between them and the Cannondale led peloton, in the old school method of a piece of chalk and slateboard. With all of the riders riding with radio earpieces taped to their ears, it seems a little redundant, but this is a sport full of traditions that die hard.