Tour de London

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

65km - Eric Boyer, general manager of Cofidis: "It's difficult for a breakaway to keep going until the end of the stage. Yuo need a lot of riders working together for that to happen. As regards Sylvain [Chavanel], he is making progress with his climbing but is still not in the position to play a major role. I'd prefere him to target a stage victory. Last year, he had a bit of a cold in Montelimar, but I was pleased with his attitude."

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

58km - Bouygues' Stef Clement has stopped bythe side of the road. He has a problem with his derailleur, and it letting one of his mechanics have a look at the bike.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

57km - The gap is continuing to fall. 2'35" is the latest split.

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50km - The sprinters teams have started the pursuit in the peloton. There's still a long way to go, but they're taking absolutely no chances. 1'55" now the gap.

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49km - Chavanel is first to the top of the Cote de Galbaux, followed by Knees and Flecha in second and third respectively.

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48km - Matteo Tossato and Staf Scheirlinkx have both taken a tumble. Scheirlinkx has rolled up to the medical car for some treatment, though should be fine to continue.

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46km - Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel) has suffered a puncture in the peloton! He'll have to work hard to get back with the other four.

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44km - Knees is first up the fourth-category Cote de Bel-Air, ahead of Sprick and Chavanel. All of which means that Stephane Auge will keep hold of the polkadot jersey today.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

40km - It's a very up and down 40 kilometres into the finish. The CSC and Quickstep teams are doing the majority of the work on the front of the peloton. The gap is still hovering around the 1'50" mark.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

32km - Thanks to the time bonuses picked up throughout the day, Juan Antonio Flecha has managed to reduce his arrears on the yellow jersey of Fabian Cancellara to 1'00", while Sylvain Chavanel is now just 44" back.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

23km - The gap has come down to just one minute now. These five are almost certain to be caught barring any huge surprises.

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22km - Christian Knees (Milram) tries an attack, but is rapidly reeled back in.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

19km - Big Marzio Bruseghin is hauling the peloton along. His time-trialling ability makes him an excellent man for helping hunt down breakaways.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

17.3k - 1'00" still the gap. It looks like this will be one for the sprinters. The long, straight finish should be ideal for Tom Boonen.

 

 

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

16km - Bouygues' Anthony Geslin goes down toward the back of the peloton, though is straight back up and on his bike.

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15km - Remy Di Greorio has fallen off the back. He is still suffering from that fall, and has blood down his leg. He used up a huge amount of energy just getting back to the peloton after the fall.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

12km - Gorgeous scenery here in the Vallée de l'Yonne. Not that the riders have much time to take in the views. 32 seconds is the latest split.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

10km - The pack have the lead five in their sights now as they pass under the 10km banner.

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9km - Matthieu Sprick has attacked with nine kilometres to go. Flecha goes with him, as does Knees. Verdugo and Chavanel think better of it

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

7km - Flecha and Knees give eachother a mutual pat on the back as they are overtaken by the field.