This final stage before the first rest day was tailor made for a large breakaway group and that's just what we got. A group of 15 headed out, slowly dropping riders over the days seven categorized climbs until only one remained David Lopez. A big win for Lopez, but there was no change in the overall. David Moncoutie used this hilly day to grab the climbing jersey. He's trying to win it for the third straight year.
The first day back is an odd one. It's a fairly flat stage, but we have a very steep and nasty climb near the end. It will be interesting to see who has the legs after a day off for this test.
As for the United States, well we have a pretty good showing so far. Tyler Farrar has won a stage and sits second in the points competition. Tejay Van Garderen sits 11th overall with Tom Danielson just behind him in 14th.
I follow cycling pretty closely but I have to admit to completely missing out on Van Garderen. He is 22 years old and a big time prospect. With this performance so far he's living up to all the expectations of being a serious stage racer. He took 2nd in this year's Tour of Turkey. He took 3rd in this year's Criterium du Dauphine, and then 4th in the Tour de l'Ain. That's a good start for someone only 22 and in their first full season off of a development team.
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