CYCLING Live

Tour de France - *Embrun - L'Alped'Huez

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  1. 16:50 - Carlos Sastre is the new yellow jersey. He holds a 1'24" lead over Franck Schleck, 1'33" over Bernhard Kohl and 1'34" over Cadel Evans. Will it be enough to keep Evans, a time trial specialist, at bay on Saturday's 53km ITT? Be sure to return to eurosport.yahoo.com to see...

  2. 0km - Sanchez and Schleck junior came in 2'03" down, with the others seven seconds later.

  3. 0km - Schleck enters the home straight in the lead... gives it a little kick... photo finish for second! And the big guns all follow a few seconds back!!

  4. 0km - Or is it? Andy Schleck has joined him! Will it be a CSC one-two instead?!

  5. 0km - Sanchez passes the one-to-go banner... it's going to be a Spanish one-two!

  6. 0km - Sastre wins the stage atop Alpe d'Huez! He pumps the sky with his fist. The clock starts ticking down... will he have enough time for Saturday's ITT?

  7. 0.5km - Menchov is reeled in.

  8. 1km - SANCHEZ ATTACKS! MENCHOV AND VANDEVELDE FOLLOW!

  9. 1km - One to go for Sastre.

  10. 1km - Menchov on the front now, but he doesn't have it in him to attack.

  11. 1.3km - Evans is upping the tempo... no one else can attack him while he's on the front like this... Menchov is on his wheel...

  12. 1.8km - Sastre is giving it all as he passes under the CSC hotel by the bridge...

  13. 2km - Sastre approaches the two-to-go banner with a 2'17" lead.

  14. 2.5km - VALVERDE GOES! Schleck senior responds, with Vandevelde hot in pursuit. It all comes back together again.

  15. 3km - Frank Schleck can't seem to muster the energy to do anything apart from follow the wheel of the rider in front of him. Menchov rides alongside him. Kohl is suffering but hanging in...

  16. 3km - Sastre has 2'09" so victory is assured.

  17. 3.5km - Kohl is on the back of the group as Evans ups the tempo. Efimkin and Schleck have been caught. Evans is riding with the authority of a future Tour winner... but he will not want Sastre to get any more time, hence this extra effort.

  18. 3.5km - Goubert has cracked, along with team-mate Tadej Vadjavec.

  19. 4km - EFIMKIN GOES! Right from the back of the group... Andy Schleck has gone off in pursuit... they are together 20 lengths in front of the group.

  20. 4.5km - It looks like everyone in the chasing group are exhausted and cannot attack... that said, Menchov seems to be prepareing himself...

  21. 5km - Carlos Sastre passes the five-to-go banner with a 1'50" lead. He is riding into the yellow jersey, but will he be able to keep it all the way to Paris?

  22. 5.5km - The lead is growing: 1'45" now.

  23. 6km - Sastre has 1'30" now. This is a great ride from the Spaniard. Goubert is setting the pace, his team-mate Efimkin on the back of the group. Evans is sucking the wheel of the yellow jersey - it's all he needs to do. Menchov has dropped back alongside Sanchez, making an attack unlikely. Also, it looks like he might not be able to respond to any attack that will no doubt come. Reminder: Cunego and Kirchen are not here. Nor is Nibali.

  24. 6.5km - HERE COMES MENCHOV! He rejoins the group and he looks strong. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't try something - provided he has the legs!

  25. 6.5km - Schleck ups the tempo! But again Evans responds with ease. Sastre now has 1'17" so is vitual yellow. Menchov is just 10" down on this chasing group.

  26. 7km - Vandevelde is setting the pace at the moment, but Menchov is continuing to gain back ground.

  27. 7km - And Menchov is getting closer and closer, the big Russian has found something in reserve and has almost rejoined the yellow jersey group.

  28. 7.5km - Sastre has a second wind and has 57" over the chasing group now.

  29. 8km - Goubert of AG2R attacks! He joined and passed this group from nowhere! Andy Schleck goes in pursuit, followed by Vandevelde. But this just serves to bring it all back together...

  30. 8.5km - Sanchez is back in the fray now... as Andy Schleck moves to the front... CSC's time is ticking away...

  31. 8.5km - Kohl and Efimkin are back in that group now... it has come back together... meanwhile, Sastre is powering ahead, but only has 23"...

  32. 9km - Vandevelde and Evans manage to bridge the gap, but Kohl looks to be suffering for the time being...

  33. 9km - VALVERDE ATTACKS AND TAKES BOTH SCHLECKS!! Evans has not responded...

  34. 9km - A brust of pace by Schleck! But it is not enough and Evans and Kohl over it.

  35. 9km - Kohl and Schleck continue to put Evans under pressure. Schleck senior ups the tempo, but Evans moves ahead.

  36. 10km - Sastre has 28" on the yellow jersey group and 48" on Menchov, who is not out of it, but is struggling.

  37. 10km - Now Vandevelde joins the front. It's all back together except: Sastre out in front and Menchov off the back.

  38. 11km - Kohl now on the front, with Andy Schleck just behind. EFIMKIN ATTACKS AGAIN! Andy Schleck cruises up to hold his wheel...

  39. 11km - Evans is leading the chasers now, in and out of his seat. Menchov is suffering back with Chris Froome of Barloworld.

  40. 11km - Efimkin digs... but Kohl covers it. NOW FRANK SCHLECK ATTACKS! But Evans reacts and it comes back together...

  41. 12km - Sastre has 14" over them and 35" over Menchov.

  42. 12km - This is excellent by Sastre... Kohl leads the chase, with Efimkin behind. Then both Schlecks, Evans, Valverde, Vandevelde...

  43. 12km - MENCHOV HAS CRACKED!! The Russian is already 30 bike lengths back...

  44. 12km - Moncoutie attacks next as Sanchez is dropped off the back.

  45. 13km - Sastre passes Pineau. It's Mario Aerts, not Vansummeran who is helping Evans. Aerts in fact goes off ahead... Kohl, Schleck and Evans all there...

  46. 13km - Just as Sastre and Menchov are caught, Sastre turns up the gas again and opens up a gap. Kreiziger has been dropped.

  47. 13km - MENCHOV AND SASTRE HAVE BROKEN AWAY! Evans is not panicking, and has a team-mate with him, Vansummeran.

  48. 13km - Cancellara already off the front. Sastre is pushing the pace immediately, with Menchov in the wheel.

  49. 13km - VELITS HAS HIT THE WALL ALREADY! Pineau powers ahead... The peloton have hit the first ramp.

  50. 14km - HERE WE GO! They have started the climb and pass virage #21!

  51. 15km - Not long until Pineau and Velits hit the first and steepest part of the climb.

  52. 17km - I came here for the 2005 ITT with my brother. It was a great occasion, and we were camped out by the road at the last virage, just where Armstong overtook Basso to secure his seventh and final Tour. It was like being at a music festival but one where all the fans were decked out in lycra and signing about the likes of Jan Ullrich, Armstrong et al. The atmosphere was electric, the weather very hot, the local food delicious. All in all, one of my best Tour memories. Let's hope for more of the same!

  53. 19km - I have to admit that this has been a rather poor stage so far today... it promised so much, but has delivered very little thus far... here's hoping there will be some attacking witnessed on the 21 hairpin bends of the Alpe d'Huez.

  54. 20km - The CSC-flavoured peloton are driving the leading riders along this long, straight road which stretches out down the valley to Bourg d'Oisans at the foot of Alpe d'Huez. They pass the 20-km-to-go banner...

  55. 20km - Alpe d'Huez is known as the Dutch Mountain for its long association with the Dutch. It even has a parish priest who is a Dutchman! And such is the hot weather today, it will be a bit of a Dutch Oven out there. Marco Pantani holds the record for climbing the Alpe: 37'35" in 1995. It's a 14.5km climb rising 1150m to 1850m at an average gradient of 8% and a maximum gradient of 13%. Sit back and enjoy their pain!

  56. 24km - The lead remains at just under the two minutes mark with Alpe d'Huez looming large on the horizon.

  57. 28km - Velits takes on some water - and a little tug - from his Milram team car. They are zipping alongside a lake, enjoying this last bit of flat for the day. Soon, hell will freeze over.

  58. 30km - Velits and Pineau are together now, riding at 1'49" over the peloton.

  59. 31km - The yellow jersey group includes: Frank Schleck, Andy Schleck, Arvesen, Sastre, Evans, Vande Velde, Valverde, Kohl, Menchov, Kirchen, Cunego, Weening, Moncoutié, Valjavec, Siutsou, Sánchez, Casar, Froome, Summeren, Cancellara, Dessel, Popovych.

  60. 32km - Pineau is about to join Velits out in front. Further back, the likes of Cunego, Dessel and Popovych have rejoined the chasing group.

  61. 37km - Velits is onto a slight uphill stretch that splits up this descent towards Bourg d'Oisans.

  62. 38km - Confimation of the top ten over the Croix de fer: 1. Velits, 2. Kohl, 3. Arvesen, 4. A.Schleck, 5. Vandevelde, 6. F.Schleck, 7. Froome, 8. Moncoutié, 9. Kirchen, 10. Sastre.

  63. 41km - Velits has 57" on Pineau and 1'28" on the peloton. I think they both know that neither of them stands a chance in hell!

  64. 43km - It's a familiar sight on the front of the peloton: Cancellara with his orange sunglasses setting the pace down into the valley. It's going to get very very exciting in a bit. Hopefully.

  65. 45km - Jerome Pineau of Bouygues Telecom had attacked on the descent and has opened up a little gap over the peloton. The indefatigable Cancellara is back on the front (!) brandishing water bottles for his team-mates. Incredible effort by him...

  66. 50km - The truth of the matter is that Frank Schleck (or Sastre or Menchov for that matter) has to attack on the final climb if he wants to win this Tour de France. If not, then Evans will take the yellow on Saturday. Let's hope what has so far been a rather disappointing stage will turn into a classic on the 21 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez...

  67. 52km - Kohl leads the chasing group over the summit 1'06" down on Velits. With little Tommy Voeckler nowhere to be seen, I think we can safely say that Kohl will be the king of the mountains this year. Prior to this climb, Kohl lead Voeckler in the standings by 97 points to 65. It is, of course, a somewhat watered down competition given the fact that the vast majority of the points prior to the Alps belonged to riders from Saunier Duval...

  68. 54km - Velits crosses the summit of the Croix de Fer. The Milram rider from Slovakia puts a piece of newspaper down his jersey and begins his descent.

  69. 55km - Velits passes a kind of stagnant pond / small lake in a crater near the summit. There are lots of camper vans next to it, music to the ears of the many mosquitos that no doubt reside nearby.

  70. 55km - Schleck junior peels off the back to pick up some more water. He looks so composed. Surely a Tour champion for the future? What would be really interesting, of course, would be a time when both the Schlecks were competing for the top honours... would they have to part and ride on different teams?

  71. 56km - Lone man Velits continues his ascent towards the peak, holding a slender 1'11" lead over the chasing group. It's curtains, but he will do his best to enjoy it while he can.

  72. 56km - APOLOGIES FOR THE TEMPORARY LOSS OF COMMENTARY! I was writing it in but our system seems to have been taking time off, perhaps to watch this stage... anyway, it seems to be back to normal now.

  73. 57km - The question we are all asking is whether or not CSC will actually do anything other than set a fierce pace. Surely they can't put all the eggs in the one basket that is Alpe d'Huez? The likelihood of Schleck or Sastre stealing more than two minutes off Evans on the final climb is not huge... or maybe i'm wrong?

  74. 58km - A young boy on the side of the road sprays the riders with a bottle of water. Menchov gets a load in his face, but doesn't complain. Schumacher has been passed and will suffer here on in.

  75. 58km - Both Andy Scheck and Bernhard Kohl pat Schumacher on the bum as they pass, presumably congratulating him for his guts to attack again today after yesterday's effots.

  76. 58km - So, CSC 'only' have Sastre, Arvesen and the Schleck brothers... this leading group is about 20-strong. Schumacher is about to be caught... Velits is 2'11" further up the road.

  77. 59km - Cancellara and Cunego are riding together... Voight has also been dropped and Gustov... CSC thinning out then... lots of Rabobank riders will join them soon...

  78. 59km - This may not come as a huge surprise, but Damiano Cunego is being dropped by the leading group...

  79. 59km - One by one the peloton is being whittled down by CSC. Finally Cancellara comes off the front after kilometres of hard work... chapeau!

  80. 61km - STILL CANCELLARA ON THE FRONT! What strength from the Swiss world time trial champion.

  81. 61km - Peter Velits pulls away from Stefan Schumacher! It looks like the German has hit the wall - either that or he knows that the slender 2'05" lead just is not worth defending any more.

  82. 62km - Evans, Kohl, Valverde, Sanchez, Vandevelde, Menchov... they are all there along with the CSC train.

  83. 62km - Since the beginning of this climb, Velits has been riding ahead of Schumacher for 100% of the time. Is this a bluff from the German, a tactic? Or maybe he really is just hanging in there after yesterday's near exploits.

  84. 63km - Perez is about to be caught by the peloton. On the front, it's still Velits doing the work, with Schumi happy to take his wheel. They have 3'08" over the peloton.

  85. 64km - And still Cancellara sets the pace on the front of the peloton. He's hardly betraying any emotion, but he must be in some considerable pain considering all he's been doing.

  86. 65km - Popovych has found a companion in Alessandro Ballan off the back of the peloton. They will soon be joined by John-Lee Augustyn, who suffered that frightening fall on the Bonette descent yesterday.

  87. 67km - It must be hard for Perez, who is still 1'38" down on the two leaders, but some 2'20" ahead of the peloton. No-man's land can be a lonely place.

  88. 68km - Jens Voigt has dropped back to the team car for some fresh water bottles. Carlos Sastre joins him.

  89. 68km - Velits is setting the pace on the front, with Schumacher nestled in behind.

  90. 69km - Frank Schleck looks composed as he rides fifth in line. They are on to one of those false plateaux... with still more than 14km left to climb to the summit!

  91. 70km - Oscar Freire has cracked... but more importantly, so has YAROSLAV POPOYVYCH! So, that's one less for Cadel Evans... After yesterday's display, maybe Silence Lotto thought Popo had got over his Tour blues and was ready to finally offer some help to Evans. No can do.

  92. 71km - Perez is 1'18" down on the two leaders. The peloton are riding at 4'29". How much further can Cancellara continue this blistering pace?

  93. 72km - Maxime Montfort (Cofidis) has been dropped by the peloton. Cancellara is doing an astounding job on the front for CSC.

  94. 72km - CSC have reeled in Remy di Gregorio. Schleck, in yellow, is being followed closely by Evans, Kohl and Menchov.

  95. 73km - Jose Luis Arrieta the latest rider to slip back in the search of the suitcase of courage... the peloton are 5'14" behind the two leaders now, with Velits jumping out of his saddle in the dancing position. Schumacher continues his usual bulldozer style: constant and in the seat. The German squirts a bidon of water over his infeasibly large pate.

  96. 74km - Fabian Cancellara is setting the pace on the front of the peloton for CSC. Usual tactics for Bjarne Riis' team...

  97. 74km - Nibali is having trouble back in the peloton! The Italian youngster is falling back off the pace...

  98. 74km - Perez has been dropped by Schumacher and Velits. So there were two...

  99. 75km - Remember David Millar? Well the Garmin-Chipotle rider is now slipping off the back of the peloton.

  100. 76km - Right, thanks for all your comments but we're going to have to take a break from the email chat so we can concentrate on more important matters: the Croix de Fer! The riders have hit the first false plateau and are on a quick descent before the next upward incline... The gap is 6'03".

  101. 77km - Jonathan on Saunier Duval: "I think it is really sad that Saunier-Duval have pulled out of cycling and I really feel sorry for the guys in the team who were clean and are being punished for others mistakes. However, Saunier-Duval have shown that they are serious about drugs cheats, that and the fact that more cheats are getting caught can only be a good thing. Perhaps new sponsors like Columbia and Garmin-Chipotle with tougher attitudes towards drugs cheats is what the sport needs."

  102. 78km - Riders are beginning to fall off the peloton like flies... CSC are a man down after Stuart O'Grady calls it a day and drops off the back.

  103. 78km - Karol writes in from Dublin about her views on the Saunier Duval saga: "Not sad about Saunier Duval collapsing, giving how much the cyclists are supported by the personnel around them I find it hard to believe that one can dope independently without someone knowing. It is a shame though when the team sponsers leave the sport. Should this continue to happen then the sport could be choked of funds, which would be a sad day."

  104. 79km - Mike says: "I guess Schumi is getting wound up by not getting help from his fellow escapees as he knows how much time he needs to put into the others to stay away by the top of Alpe D'Huez. I would like him to win today (as yesterday) but I doubt he will make it - not putting in that sort of effort 2 days in a row." Mike concludes that his tip for the day is Denis Menchov, who "will make a blistering climb on Alpe D'Huez and bring himself back into contention by winning today."

  105. 79km - Di Gregorio is now 3'05" down on the leaders. The peloton is 7'00".

  106. 80km - Such is it's stop-and-start nature, and its lush, green forna, the out-of-category Croix de Fer climb is known as the Pyrenean Alp. It's an interminable 31km climb, reaching a height of 2067m after a height gain of 1502km at an average gradient of 5.4% and a maximum gradient of 12%. This is the hardest climb in the Tour, according to Swede Magnus Backstedt.

  107. 81km - The three leaders have 7'17" over the peloton as they move on to the initial slope of the Croix de Fer. Di Gregorio is being paced by his FdJ team car... he must be deflated after having been dropped on the last descent.

  108. 82km - CRASH! Bernhard Eisel hits the deck after a roundabout. He ripped his shorts and gashed his thigh on someone else's bike but somehow managed to jump off his machine and land on his feet on the pavement. That's the second crash for Columbia riders today, after Adam Hansen's earlier spill.

  109. 84km - Aybars has also taken a day off work to watch the race. He says: "I'm a mountain bike guide in Bodrum Turkiye and today I cancelled all the activities and we are watching the Tour with guests. I really guess how will it be unfolded at the finish line; yesterday first 3 was in 10 seconds!!! No favorits but I feel like Menchov may surprise us."

  110. 86km - On our Kazahkstan debate, Paul O'Sullivan writes in: "Come off it. Vino is as gulty as sin. Its this sort of muggy thinking that has cycling in this state. Just look at our 'cleaned-up peloton'." Paul does go on to list a roll-call of present names in the peloton, but for the sakes of libel laws, we will not cut his short just there.

  111. 87km - NEWSFLASH: Saunier Duval are ceasing operations with immediate effect following the fallout from the Ricco-Piepoli scandal... Another one bites the dust. A tragedy for cycling or the best thing since sliced bread?

  112. 87km - Michael Maclean writes in with a serious observation: "Has anybody noticed the striking similarity between Cadel Evans and Pauline (the Job Centre woman) from The League of Gentlemen?" Yes, it's the dimple and wide jaw line...

  113. 89km - It's a lost cause for Di Gregorio who is dropping further back from the leading trio, who now hold a 6'05" over the peloton.

  114. 90km - The leaders pass through the feeding zone at Saint Julien Mont Denis. A chance to have some coke and a ham n cheese sandwich before the massive Croix de Fer climb up ahead.

  115. 91km - Cadel Evans gesticulates for the cameraman to get out of his way... And why does the Australian want some privacy? He's about to take a natural break, that's why...

  116. 92km - Remy Di Gregorio (FdJ) rides alongside a lack as he tried to regain contact with the three leaders: Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner), Rubén Pérez (Euskaltel) and Peter Velits (Milram). The peloton is at 5'08".

  117. 95km - Di Gregorio is now 35" back from the leading trio and looks to me making no effort to rejoin them out in front. Maybe he is suffering - or simply waiting for the next climb. The peloton is riding at about 4'30". Prepare for fireworks!

  118. 96km - Another Malingerer, Swiss Dan, writes in: "Managed to "work from home" last week when they were in the Pyrenees but not so today. Have my office door shut, phone on voicemail and Eurosport audio on though. Did the fan who saved Augustyn and his bike yesterday get to keep it as a reward? Today's prediction...Evans will blow again as will Valverde. A Shleck will drop back once he's got rid of Evans. F Shleck will hang in there but lose time at the end leaving Kohl, Sastre and Menchov to battle it out. That will be on the podium although not necessarily in that order!"

  119. 98km - O'Grady is leading the whole of CSC down the descent, giving hand signals each time he picks a new line. Superb team-work this. I bet Di Gregorio wishes he had that kind of service!

  120. 100km - Di Gregorio has been distanced and trails the three ahead by 15 seconds. He looks terribly tense. Maybe that near miss earlier is playing on his mind...

  121. 101km - Maarten van Bokhoven writes in from the Netherlands: I am curious how the "Descent of Denis" is looking at this moment……?? Besides the excitement of the descent I hope that Menchov is going for a 100% attack today. Not only for his ranking but also to reward his Rabobank team mates for their work in this Tour." Don't worry Maarten, Denni is safely in the peloton. Let's just hope he doesn't crash up the hill the next time he attacks - if he attacks...

  122. 103km - Di Gregorio is really suffering on this descent and has been distanced by the three others. He is taking a more direct line, and as a result, has to break quickly and ride over the bad road surface. It's terrible style and he could hit the deck any moment here - like he almost did a bit earlier.

  123. 104km - A load of riders have been tailed off the back of the peloton on this descent. The four leaders have 3'32" over the CSC-pronged bunch, while the Voeckler group has been gobbled up.

  124. 106km - Remember Erke, our Astana fan from Kazakhstan? Well, he has written back in support of both Alexandre Vinokourov and Andrey Kaschechkin: "We support the position that the results of the A and B samples were a direct result of the violent fall Alexandre suffered during the fifth stage. We insist he is innocent. As for the Andrey Kaschechkin. He will come back, he is still young and hope that the last year bad record of his life will be a lesson for him. Thank you very much that you still remember our riders." Interesting that Vino is deemed innocent but Kash is not...

  125. 108km - Raymond writes in with an observation that has passed me by: "Has anybody else noticed that Peter VELITS has a Garmin Edge unit on his stem, bit late for a training ride I would have thought?"

  126. 109km - Sarah joins in the Gerolsteiner water debate: "From memory there was another water supplier as a main sponsor on the Tour and apparently Gerolsteiner riders were banned from drinking it. Everyone wanted to get a photo of a Gerolsteiner rider drinking something else but none were successful..."

  127. 110km - Confirmation of the summit of the GALIBIER : 1. Schumacher, 2. Di Gregorio, 3. Velits, 4. Perez, 5. Kohl (at 4'45"), 6.Voeckler, 7. Augustyn, 8. Txurruka (at 4'55"), 9. Siutsou, 10. Barredo.

  128. 111km - CSC banging out the tempo now. The moment of truth is approaching. Surely they will spring multiple attacks on the remaining two big climbs of the day today...

  129. 113km - SCHUMACHER HAS GONE ON HIS OWN! The German is not happy with the work ethic of the breakaway group and in an angry show of impatience has attacked on the small Col du Telegraph. The other three catch him, but they may have got the message.

  130. 115km - Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) has caught the Voeckler group, which is riding about 20 seconds ahead of the peloton.

  131. 116km - Oliver is watching the Tour on the Thai island of Koh Phi Phi: "It is quite exotic where I am too. I have been keeping a keen eye on the tour, whilst over here, but not as much as I would have liked. I will be watching in a bar later tonight as Alp D"Huez action unfolds, and I cannot wait. Personally my money is on Evans, and I do not think he will crack. Certainly not to the extent required. He will tap it out today, and lose very little time in my opinion, and win it at the TT." Stay clear of the special massage parlours, Oliver...

  132. 117km - Voeckler has been joined by Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel) and Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) on the descent. They are riding extremely fast.

  133. 118km - Down in the valley Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) and Pérez (Euskaltel) are having heated words. It seems that the Spaniard tried to break clear on the descent and the German is now berating him for his actions...

  134. 120km - Malingerer Raymond Leddy is living the high-life for the sake of the Tour: "Hi! I have faked a back pain to stay at home in the hills above Maspalomas on GC, it is 35º I can see the ocean in the misty horizon and the green mountains behind me. I have a large bowl of fruit and an easy chair and am skyping mates around the world about this day. I met Shleck at the Tour of Ireland last Aug. He and his bro are cool guys!"

  135. 123km - Voeckler has broken clear on the descent and has 20 seconds over the peloton. The leaders are a further 4'20" back up the peloton. Perez is back there after recovering from that fall.

  136. 124km - It was Bichot and Hansen there...

  137. 124km - Back in the peloton two riders go down on a tight bend. A Columbia and a Abritubel rider...

  138. 126km - ALMOST A CRASH! Di Gregorio's back wheel slips on the descent and the FdJ rider has to use his left leg to stabilise himself. But Perez is the one to suffer from this, the Euskaltel rider forced to do exactly the same and running onto the grass verge and falling off his bike. He'll have to catch up with the others now, although he got right back on his bike.

  139. 128km - Kohl comes across the summit in fifth position with Voeckler taking sixth ahead of Augustyn. Points breakdown coming up.

  140. 129km - The Barloworld rider is John-Lee Augustyn! The Tour's youngest rider, who escaped from that sensational crash over the cliff yesterday with just the odd cut and bruises.

  141. 129km - The Kohl group have about 20 seconds over the peloton, which is beginning to react. A few riders break out to counter...

  142. 130km - VOECKLER ATTACKS FROM THE PELOTON! The little Frenchman is obviously trying to pick up some points for the mountains classification, even though he is in no real position to win it. He is followed by Gerolsteiner's Fabian Wegmann and Bernhard Kohl. And there's a Barloworld rider, so the other best keep their distance on the descent...

  143. 131km - Schumacher goes over the summit of the Galibier in pole position to take up the points ahead of Gregorio.

  144. 132km - Richard from Oxfordshire is a Menchov fan: "I would like to see Menchov split the GC wide open today, its going to be dependant on what team support he can get and how good those legs are feeling. He just needs to find that burst that I know he is capable of and I think he could put himself back in the top 3 places. CSC look strong but only time will tell if Frank is dependant on his brother Andy and if he can go it alone when the time calls?! Come on Denni!"

  145. 132km - The leaders pass a cluster of camper vans. There will be many many more of them on Alpe d'Huez later, that's for sure!

  146. 132km - The four leaders are going ok at the moment. They are taking it in turns setting the pace and they have even opened up the lead a little to 5'45".

  147. 133km - Rick writes in from a place not renowned for its love of cycling (they tend to prefer things powered by oil, not two legs out there...): "I'm writing you from a little town called Ali in Kuwait and am waiting tranport to Iraq, no fun but it pays the bills. My laptop battery is about gone and I have no place to plug in yet. I am a fan of Cadel Evans, mostly for selfish reasons, the best bike in my collection is a 1998 Blue Cannondale Moutain Bike with Cadel Evans name on the side. I believe he won a few races on it back in his MTB days. Cheers!"

  148. 133km - Jonty, interpreting seismic lines in sunny Oslo, says: "As usual I would like to see some of that Cunego magic on todays climbs, I think it might be time however to admit that Cunego is in fact totally pants. On that basis I’m backing the two Schlecks to take 2 minutes on Cadel, and Kohl for the stage win. I think CSC have to put the pressure on Evans and co early on. Cadel has looked pretty strong in the climbs so far, it would be way too risky to leave it to the last climb for Frank to grab a lead as big as 2 minutes. Go Franky Boy!!"

  149. 134km - AidanQ here watching from his garden shed in Donnybrook, Cork, Ireland: "I think Andy Schleck has what it takes to outshine his brother today on L'Alpe. Andy Abu ! (Go on Andy)"

  150. 134km - Rabobank's Juan Antonio Flecha is riding as if he has an arrow in his side... The Spaniard is beginning to drop off the back... One less for Menchov...

  151. 135km - Five kilometres going to the summit, and as predicted, it seems that none of the GC contenders are going to try their luck this early on in the stage. The four leaders still have 5'30" so it seems that the Galibier will just be a case of stalemate...

  152. 135km - It would be interesting to hear Erkebulan's take on the whoel Vinokourov-Kaschekin situation... what is public opinion at home about these fallen national Kazakh heroes?

  153. 136km - Erkebulan from Kazakhstan: "Sastre will attack on the second climb. Evans and Company (Kohl, Menchov) will try to catch him. CSC will allow them to catch Sastre, but right after that Frank will attack. The only rider who can follow him is Valverde imho. Menchov and Kohl will be in a big problem today. Evans seems to be a biggest loser of the stage. Sastre will join Frank and Valverde on the last climb. I think Andy will be riding as a load to Evans, he will not attack him till the end of the day. Valverde to win the stage. General, after this stage Frank 1st, Sastre 2nd."

  154. 137km - Schumacher takes a bidon of water (or energy drink) from his team car. It would be interesting to know whether or not the German's team actually drink Gerolsteiner water, or if they favour, say, Vittel or Evian. Any insider info? Do let us know...

  155. 138km - It's a breathtaking mountain, the Galibier. I went there in 2005 with my brother when we camped out at Alpe d'Huez for the time trial which Lance Armstrong blitzed. I do not envy those riders, that's for sure. But the views are stunning: lush green meadows, blue skies, jagged rock faces, glistening glaciers and, above the tree-line, lunar-esque landscape.

  156. 139km - The easy stuff is over: now the Galibier gets serious! The four leaders have 5'08" over the CSC-led peloton. Kurt-Asle Arvesen, the Norwegian champion who won stage 11, is already grimacing. Rabobank, Euskaltel and Lotto are also making their presence known.

  157. 140km - Przemek continues: "Also being Pole I am so much sorry for Lampre’s Sylwester Szmyd, who has such a great legs this year that he easily caught yellow jersey group but is not allowed to go on lonely attack because there’s no other man in Lampre to drag a total disappointment called Cunego up the hill."

  158. 140km - Przemek from Poland: "As much as I’d like to see an early attack on Galibier or Crox, I am afraid that CSC despite loud mouths will again wait until Alpe d’Huez and as a result it will be too late for major shakedown in GC - as yesterday. I am really disappointed with conservative ride from all GC contenders this year making this Tour plain boring."

  159. 140km - Simon Kettle writes in with another question: "What time advantage do you think the leading group need to get the Alpe d'Huez before the peloton catch up?" Well, yesterday Schumacher had a full 10 minutes but got caught. While Alpe d'Huez is not as long as the Bonette, it will see the yellow jersey group attacking like morons and so the pace will be high. That said, there is no certainty that this group will stay out at all, esp not once the Croix has its say.

  160. 141km - Talking of Andy Schleck, he has a big fan here in Clare: "Does anyone else think that Frank Schleck is totally reliant on his brother pulling him up the mountains? I don't think Andy is getting enough credit, he is on the front every day for his brother doing all the work! I wonder if Andy tires out, will Frank have enough to keep going?"

  161. 141km - Andy Schleck, the white jersey, drops back to do a water run for CSC. He was outstanding yesterday - maybe we wants to join his brother in the annals of the race and win a stage atop Alpe d'Huez?

  162. 142km - Dean writes in from an oil rig in the Indian Ocean: "Even if CSC get a bit of time today, it probably won't be enough to beat Evans by enough. Do you think that Kohl and or Menchov on the ascent rather than a descent can be the one to attack and get the advantage? Today, after yesterday's fiasco on the downhill, beware of Menchov for the stage... but not by enough to get Evans for the Yellow after the time trial." Do we have any fans out there following this stage from a more exotic / interesting / inaccessible place than Dean? Email me at lowefelix@hotmail.com

  163. 143km - Why not watch our Alpe d'Huez stage preview? Copy this link into your browser: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/23072008/58/stage-17-preview.html

  164. 144km - When the Tour first climbed the Galibier in 1911 only three riders completed the ascent without dismounting from their bikes - including the summit conqueror Emile Georget.

  165. 144km - So demanding is the Galibier, Tour de France founder Henri Desgrange once said: "In front of this giant we can do nothing but take out hats off and bow". Chapeau, Henri.

  166. 144km - After the Bonette and Agnel, the Galibier is the third highest climb of this year's Tour. Known as the Giant of the Alps, the Galibier is an 18km slog to 2646m above sea level and a high gain of 1216m, with an average gradient of 7% and a maximum gradient of 10%.

  167. 144km - The peloton passes a couple of donkeys grazing on the side of the road. Who will be the donkey today?

  168. 145km - On the front of the peloton, it's CSC's Stuey O'Grady and Nicki Sorensen setting the pace.

  169. 146km - Kim Kirchen had a problem with his bike and is now easing his way back to the peloton.

  170. 147km - The riders are on the the Col de Galibier and already its precipitous slopes are taking their toll: Thor Hushovd is amongst the riders slipping back.

  171. 148km - "CSC should send sastre up into a break‏," opines Azriel, not Roman, Ambramovich. "This way if he gets enough time he can win the tour. Or at least contend for it. It will put pressure on Evan to react giving Scheck even better stage to win. I’d rather see Schleck Jr. run forward but Sr. needs him too much."

  172. 149km - Regimantas thinks this is the biggest days in Tour history: "I realy think Kohl is going to win today, but will lose everything in ITT. I realy believe that Cadel will totaly crack today if Andy will be able to produse performance he did on Sunday, but the question is if Franck has got stamina because he's never done strong big tour and is he experienced enough? Despite not liking him, my prediction for overall is Denis Menchov because he's going to attack today and will be very angry, but it's shame he can not perform in ITT as well as he did two or three years ago. It may cost him the win."

  173. 150km - Gediminas from Lithuania writes: "I see Carlos Sastre going on the second climb of the day. He’s already 33 years old and still don’t have the Grand Tour under his belt. A bit of shame. I think it’s his last chance, because I can’t remember any guys who have won Grand Tour aged 34 or older. But it also depends on team strategy. Is there any chance that this well-oiled mechanism, called team CSC, could disrupt in the wake of Grande Boucle honours? That’s the most interesting question of today’s race."

  174. 152km - The leaders have passed through the intermediate sprint of the day, uncontested. Just in case you're interested, Di Gregorio picked up the points ahead of Velits and Schumacher.

  175. 153km - The lead is 5'19".

  176. 155km - Simon Kettle asks: "Do you think that Stefan Schumacher is going for top polka dot points today? I am judging this from his heroic performance yesterday. Maybe he's on a mission?" If Schumi is on a mission, it is not for the polka dot jersey Simon - his team-mate Kohl is wearing that and looks certain to carry it all the way to Paris. In fact, he's so sure, that he has changed the background of the homepage of his website accordingly. Have a look: www.bernhardkohl.at

  177. 157km - Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, from Kyiv, Ukraine, has a message for Bjarne Riis: "If I were the CSC manager, I would have the team attack on the first HC climb, to get Evans out of the peloton without no support, then I'd keep the pace up all the time to put the hammer down on Alpe d'Huez to drop Evans. This is the climb where he can easily lose 2-4 minutes, and Frank Schleck knows how to win the stage. So I'm e[pecting lots of action early, then things will settle only to explode on the final climb of the day."

  178. 158km - Interestingly, there have been rumours of failed dope tests circulating about two riders: France's Christophe Moreau, who mysteriously withdrew as soon as Moises Duenas was caught out for EPO, and Stefan Schumacher, the man out in front today and yesterday, and who wore yellow after the Cholet time trial. French anti-doping chief Pierre Bordry today has denied that either men have failed tests and told Eurosport that there is no dossier on them both. Cleared that one up then.

  179. 159km - The colours of CSC are followed by the polka-dot jersey and his sky-blue Gerolsteiners on the front of the peloton.

  180. 160km - Benjamin Loberant from Copenhagen: "Hi, I think CSC have to and will attack much earlier than the final climb. I also think they have their work cut out for them, as none of them can afford to get away without a good group too early! they will do some one-twos on Evans and Menchov on the second climb of the day, and hope to lose them before the Alp d'Huez. I think Kohl or Andy would be the my best bets for a winner."

  181. 161km - Brad, feeling very chummy towards yours truly, thinks it's a ding-dong battle between CSC and Cadel Evans: "Mate the tour will be won or lost on the Alp d Huez today, a climb likethat at the end after the climbs earlier in the day will test anyone'swill to win. If CSC work as a team they could seal victory by droppingEvans. If they don't then Evans will be to good on the TT on Saturday.Evans needs his team to help him or it could be all over for him."

  182. 162km - Lots of messages coming in... can't possibly publish them all, but here are a few. PoS from London writes: "CSC will put a rider up the road, keep the pace up behind with Evans over Galibier\Croiz de Fer but wait until the Alpe to launch the Schleck attack. If only Sastre had the confidence to attack, i think he might have put Evans away already. Reminds me of lejarreta....great climbing talent but always waited too long to attack. And kohl....he has a very good chance of winning this tour I think."

  183. 163km - Positions over the Côte de Sainte-Marguerite : 1. Schumacher, 2. Di Gregorio, 3. Perez, 4. Velits.

  184. 164km - The four leaders have 4'24" with the Croix de Fer looming.

  185. 166km - Marky Mark (from the Funky Bunch?) writes in to ask: "Who do you think will suffer first today, and do you think anyone will be dropped on the first big climb? (except Cunego that is, he gets dropped on every climb!)" Maybe Menchov and Valdevelde will feel the sting a little... who knows? Realistically I think they big guns will all stay together until the Croix de Fer.

  186. 168km - Rohan Ryan writes in with this question: "I was wondering how Bernhard Kohl lost over two minutes on the second stage?" Funnily enough, Magnus Backstedt also lost around two minutes that day and although he can't remember exactly what happened, the Swede thinks that there was a split in the peloton after the fierce crosswinds brought about a crash towards the finish.

  187. 171km - It's the Croix de Fer, and not Alpe d'Huez, that is today's real killer, according to Magnus Backstedt. He just told me: "The thing about the Croix is that it is so long and it comes in steps and so you can never get in any rhythm. That really sucks."

  188. 172km - On CSC, Jonathan Evans writes in to say: "I think they should delay any attach until at least the Croix de Fer and keep driving the pace as they are currently. Leaving everything until the Alpe d huez could be dangerous and they need to put some good time in today so best get working on the Croix."

  189. 175km - Just been chatting to Magnus Backstedt in the studio. The big Swede is in as a pundit for the Tour show with James Richardson and Stephen Roche. Despite the terrible schedule for the riders, Magnus wishes he was out there in the peloton sharing their pain. The Garmin-Chipotle rider, who was forced to retire from the race before the Pyrenees, hopes team-mate Christian Vandevelde can pull out something special today, but his big tip is polka-dot jersey Bernhard Kohl.

  190. 178km - As can be expected, CSC are driving the pace on the front of the peloton. It will be interesting to see if they attack from the outset today, or leave it till the final 21-hairpinned climb to Alpe d'Huez. What do you think? Email me at lowefelix@hotmail.com

  191. 179km - Read more about Menchov's timid descent - and John-Lee Augustyn's frightening fall - in today's Blazin' Saddles. Use the old tried and tested method of copying and pasting this link into your browser: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23072008/58/tour-de-france-blazin-saddles-duck-ice.html

  192. 180km - The gap has ballooned to 2'15" as the Schleck brothers ride on the front together.

  193. 180km - Eurosport caught up with Rabobank boss Erik Dekker this morning and asked him about Denis Menchov's poor descent yesterday: "It's a shitty feeling to lose 33 seconds in a downhill. It's one things uphill, but downhill is not good. And this Tour is going to be a race of seconds. But anything is possible now with Alpe d'Huez. It depends on Denis's legs. Yesterday he felt good, but lost those seconds. Today he is going to have to be outstanding." Not mincing his words, the Dutchman.

  194. 181km - The riders are on the Cote de Sainte Marguerite.

  195. 182 - A summary of the climbs coming up: Côte de Sainte-Marguerite (KM 31, 3rd cat): 3.5km at 6%, Col du Galibier (KM 79, HC): 20.9km at 5,6%, Col de la Croix-de-Fer (KM 156, HC): 29km at 5.2%, L'Alpe-d'Huez (KM 210.5, HC): 13.8km at 7.9%.

  196. 183km - The four leaders have 45" over the peloton. Lequatre and Auge are not making much headway at the moment.

  197. 184km - Franck Schleck already having a natural break on the side of the road. Maybe some pre-climb nerves?

  198. 186km - Milram's Ralf Grabsch punctures at the back of the peloton.

  199. 188km - So, up in front it's the initial three breakaway riders - Rubén Pérez (Euskaltel), Rémy Di Gregorio (Française des Jeux) and Peter Velits (Milram) - along with Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) who managed to close the gap. They are followed by Geoffrey Lequatre (Agritubel) and Stephane Auge (Cofidis).

  200. 190km - Stunning scenary here, simply stunning. The gods have decided to smile on the monster that will be played out before our eyes.

  201. 191km - Five or six riders have now left the peloton in pursuit after an accelaration from a Credit Agricole rider...

  202. 192km - The former yellow jersey Schumi built has been joined by three riders and they have a lead of about 10 seconds over the peloton. Two Frenchmen from Cofidis and Agritubel are riding in between the leaders and the peloton. Full names coming up.

  203. 194km - Another attack! Not content with almost going the distance yesterday, Stefan Schumacher gives it another pop today - on the most arduous stage of the race.

  204. 195km - To recap the overall position Schleck, who won at l'Alpe d'Huez in 2006, leads Austrian Bernhard Kohl, the current King of the Mountains leader by seven seconds with Evans a second further back.

  205. 200km - Despite almost 15,000 feet of climbing over three hors categorie mountains to come, the bunch is riding at a rapid pace to keep the three leaders in sight.

  206. 205km - Peter Velits (Milram), Ruben Perez (Euskaltel) and Rémy Di Gregorio (FDJ) are frisky early on and have a ten second lead on the peloton.

  207. 210km - The 151 riders remaining in the race set off for the queen stage.

  208. 10:40 - Blue skies meet the riders at the start with the temperature around 23 degrees.

  209. 10:30 - CSC team manager Bjarne Riis admitted that adverse wind conditions atop yesterday's second unclassified climb, the Cime de la Bonette-Restefond, had scuppered their plan to leave Cadel Evans in their wake. But the Dane is planning more attacks today: "If you want to win the Tour you need to beat him, you need to drop him for sure because he's the fastest (of the contenders) in the time trial. I think the big battle will be on the Alpe d'Huez, but after the Galibier and the Croix de Fer if you're suffering on the Alpe d'Huez you can really lose a few minutes."

  210. 10:20 - There are two notorious passes, the Galibier and Croix de Fer, before we reach l'Alpe d'Huez, and it is likely that CSC will send men off on the attack early. Should they fail to pull more than two minutes out on Cadel Evans then the Australian would maintain his pre-Tour status as the clear favourite. Will Sastre attack on the Croix de Fer??

  211. 10:10 - Click on the links on the right for all the details about today's stage which will tell you that rollout is at 10:25 before the official start at 10:40.

  212. 10:00 - Welcome to our live coverage of stage 17 of the Tour de France - the 210.5km stage from Emrbun to the classic finish at l'Alpe d'Huez will be pivotal.