Hello once again meh hearties! We should have another exciting day of racing on tap here at the Drunken Gaming Corner! Today’s leg, Stage 7, from Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles is 123 miles long and includes medium mountains, so we may end up with so may end up with new leaders by the end of the day! Can Fabian Cancellara keep the yellow jersey? The finish is quite steep (14% grade) so it should be interesting!
Cadel Evans had a quick rear tire change when the coverage first started, but he was able to catch up quickly with the peloton. They are just past the feeding station at Laveline Devant Bruyeres. Lovely traditional pale buildings with red roofs in this area. I love the sunflowers in France!!!!
Peter Sagan is in the lead as they approach the sprint at Gerardmer. Seven riders are in the lead by about five minutes.
Oh mys, 17 riders have withdrawn from the Tour due to injuries, and 27 riders have been injured!!! Ouchies!!!! The Tour is also dangerous!
At 57 miles out, the peloton is 4:41 minutes behind. It looks like Matt Goss is having some problems with his gears at the sprint and he ended up losing the sprint to Peter Sagan, awwwws! Goss could have won!
Oh mys, someone is waving a flare around and it’s creating big clouds of smoke that are hovering over the course. Somehow, I don’t think that is helping any of the riders perform better – LOL!
Now they are heading up some real hills towards Col de Grosse Pierre as Peter Sagan really looks like he’s working here as they collect points for the polka dot jersey. Lots of spectators are crowding along the mountain road to cheer on the cyclists! Wheeees!
They pedaled past a cool ski area at about 50.5 miles. They continue to cruise along towards Col du Mont de Fourche to another Category 3 hill climb. Now they are really working up the hill!
Yays!!! Now Bob Roll is in ad riding inside the Oscar Meyer WeinerMobile!!! Wheeeees!!! Go Bob Go!!!
Tyler Farrar has lost contact with the peloton due to his injuries. He is really hurting! Ouchies! Hopefully he can heal up a bit on the upcoming rest day!
They are getting closer to the top of this summit, with the cheering crowd gathered along the road! Wheeees! The peloton is within 4 minutes now of the leaders as they go over the top! Now the peloton is snaking its way downhill as they speed along at about 45 mph into the sun. The black and white cows in a field are running away from the peloton – LOL!!!!
Awwws, college students in yellow waving at the Tour! Yays – Farmers welcoming the Tour to town!
The Area of a Thousand Lakes sure is beautiful, about 20 miles from the finish. The peloton is about 3.5 minutes behind the leaders now.
On through La Grand Croix with a man in a yellow hat standing on his roof and apparently oblivious to the camera watching him – LOL!
The riders are taking things up a notch with the peloton within two minutes of the leaders. A minor crash along the side of the road who was taken out by a press car.
About a minute behind the leaders at miles out from the finish. Many riders are falling back now including Mark Cavadish. The crowds are gathering again to cheer them. Jurgen Van den broeck had an issue on the hill so he’s trying to catch up now. The riders are really stretching out now.
Alejandro Valverte had a problem too and was stopped along side the road and is trying to catch up.
The peloton has split! They are climbing up the hill now and getting steeper! The guy in the red shirt looks a bit crazy as he runs uphill like a maniac – LOL!
Lots of people are gathered here and they had walk or ride a bike for miles uphill to take their place along the road to cheer on the riders.
Just a mile to go, with Bradley Wiggins, Cadel Evans, and Chris Froome going head to head!! Who will get there first? Who can dig deepest for the win? Who wants it most? Aaaanddddd Froose takes it!!!! Bradley Wiggins has taken the Yellow Jersey from Fabian Cannellara!
And today’s Beverage of the Day are wines from the Moselle area, which are lovely when available in the States. These are often wine shop items or at grocery store with an excellent selection. The roses are particularly refreshing, crisp, and yumm, especially on a sunny day! Buy and drink whatever you can find since most is consumed within the region!!!
Thank you once again for following the Tour with Drunken Gaming Corner Tram!!!! Wheeeees!!!! Haz the funz meh hearties tram!!!!