Tour de France 2014

He's up against two cunning and experienced stage hunters in Chavanel and Terpstra, so it's a big ask for him I think.

But, he's in the break on a day that suits him so that's a good start.

What was the skewer on Yates's bike they just showed a close up of?

over 10 mins, should be a breakaway win

Please fuck off with the poetry

Are they wearing skinsuits? Is at least astana wearing skinsuits? Is this a thing on non time trial stages that I didn't know about?

I'm wearing one right now.

If I wear one will I be better able to win strava segments on my 10 minute commute?

Please fuck off with the poetry

Who is that bloke? It's like my old history teacher has wandered in to the studio.

I reckon I see some teams riding more consistently in trains than others. I've noticed Astana lining up nicely every so often, but then again that might be down to their striking colour making them more visible.
Which teams are good at sticking together and which are bad? And does it matter? I suppose there might be teams with other priorities, such as Europcar that seems to be intentionally all over the place.

It's fair to say that some teams have got a bigger incentive than others to ride in a train at the front. Astana will want to keep Nibali safe at the front today and the safest way to do that is to get to the head of the peloton.

If it was a flat stage, we'd probably see Giant and Lotto doing the same.

I wouldn't say there are teams that are better at it, it's more a case of them doing it when conditions suit.

Having said that, Europcar did have problems with their organisation the otherr day when Kevin Reza executed a great leadout for nobody.

Voekler the star of his own inverse-breakaway today. Much frowning and looking ragged.

Carlton says we may lose pics thanks to the weather. Please no. Not today.

Heh, I thought Reza was sprinting for himself. Mind you, he probably wasn't sure either.

"country roads with sometimes rough surfaces that are not smooth"

Chava gets the prize for ugliest bike in the 'ton

Garmin are drilling it and Chavanel's off.

Tres Chavvy.

And Kadri. Should suit him. That win in Roma Maxima last year was impressive.

Break looking less like a sure thing now... 5 mins 24km to go?

I can't see it sticking. Tinkoff have properly turned the pace up.

Saxo trying to put the hurt on Nibbles

I miss the Skytrain

Lucky there's a Saxo one

Sky transformed into the WeepingDeath...

How much did Kirby sound like Partridge when he said 'embedded granite nuggets'?