Welcome back to the Tour de Underpants! I hope that the riders involved in accidents in the first week had a good rest day so they can perform well in the Alps!
Today’s segment, Stage 10, starts in Macon (I like to call it bacon!!) and finishes in Bellegard-sur-Valserine. Since today’s stage begins in the northern Rhone Valley, The Wine of the Day is Chateau de Beaucastel from the Chateanuneuf-du-Pape region of the Rhone Valley. Chateau Beaucastel is the go-to wine as far as Rhones go because they are always well-made and have more flavor than the other Rhones wines. Also, Chateau de Beaucastel has an epic history with Pope John XXII moving the Roman Catholic Church to Chateau de Beaucastel in 1321 (yes indeed, I said 1321 A.D.!)
Quality Rhone wines have the coat of arms as part of the bottle as seen below, so if Beaucastle is not available or is too expensive (which it is in today’s world!), look for a Rhone with the coat of arms on it.
Red and rose Rhone wines are made primarily from the Syrah grapes and usually are blended with other grapes such as Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier (white grapes). White Rhone wines are made from the same grapes, only with no Syrah.
One of the latest fads in winemaking here in the States are wineries specializing in producing Rhone varietials, and they call themselves Rhone Rangers. Domestic wines made from Rhone grapes are very different in flavor and character than wines from the Rhone Valley, just as domestic wines made from Bordeaux grapes are very different than Bordeaux wines. If you are looking for something different, give the Rhone Rangers a try. Often pairs well with beef and other full-bodied dishes.
And here they go through the beautiful French Alps! The TV coverage begins at the sprint and Michael Goss wins it in Beon by a spoke or two! Nicely done tram!
And they ride on to Cozon along the Rhone River, past the big rail yards with cars and containers. This is an industrial town with the air conditioning company CIAT located here.
And up the big big hill towards the small town of La Seppette. This is a challenging section, the Grand Colomier, as the peloton stretches out up the hill.
Oh wow, the switchbacks on top of the large hill are sooooo epic with views down to the Rhone River. I would love to take pictures there! France is such a beautiful country!
Oh mys, the picture is rezzing out so it looks as though one of the riders doesn’t have any skin – LOL!
The peloton is about 6 minutes behind with 30 miles to go. The riders are really working here with their shirts open and such. Pedal pedal pedal!
Oh mys, a spectator was waving a huge flag on a long stick and was draping it over the peloton so that the riders in the back of the group couldn’t see where they were going! Don’t impede their progress, please!!!
Nice Norsk flags as they approach the top. What a great crowd here!
Awesome Huge French flag over a field. Acres and acres of French flag!
The peloton is about 5 minutes behind the leader as they fly down the backside of the hill.
Nice sculpture of a pig by the fine food producers with some people waving flags in the middle!
Now they are in valley in the scenic town of Sothonod with the peloton behind by a couple of minutes. They are approaching the final hill with 4 riders in the lead. Oh mys, more Norsk flags!
Nice stretch! One of the riders bent his leg back and gave his hamstrings a nice stretch as he was pedaling down the road.
And now Thomas Voeckler is taking off towards the finish! He’s busting a move as the other four leaders struggle to keep up with him in the agricultural town of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.
Zoom Zoom Zoom as Voeckler zips underneath the rail bridge and on toward the finish! And he digs deep as he huffs and puffs to the finish. Three riders are desperately chasing him as they all grimace to the finish! They are all looking back at each other as Voeckler holds them off for the finish in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. All of riders were so exhausted by the finish that they had one of the slowest finishes seen in many years. Nice job at digging deep!!!!
Cadel Evans is leading up the peloton as he also digs deeps and holds off the peloton except for Thibot Pinot. Great job everyone!
The Bulge of the Day Award once again goes to Peter Sagan for the way his protective cup was bulging as he was sitting on his bicycle seat as he pedaled over the finish line. I can’t help but wonder sort of protective cover he keeps wearing through the Tour – LOL!
Awwws, Thomas Voeckler is so happy to be on the podium! He jumped up and down from excitement and is beaming more than even the sun! The French peeps really dig him!
Bradley Wiggins retains the Yellow Jersey, with Cadel Evans almost 2 minutes behind, and Chris Froome a few seconds behind Cadel. Paul Sage is leading in Points for the Green Jersey, while Thomas Voeckler also leads in the hills for the red polka dot shirt. Thomas Van Garderen leads the youth for the White Jersey, and the Radioshack-Nissan Team is ahead of the pack.
Tomorrow’s stage features some serious mountaineering in the Alps, including two of the most difficult climbs of the entire tour! Tomorrow’s stage promises to truly separate the men from the boys. Good luck to all the riders tomorrow tram!!!!
Thank you meh hearties for following the Drunken Gaming Corner on my epic journey through France’s Underpants! Take care and have fun!