Stage 11 is underway

July 16, 2008

The rest day is done and the riders are back on their bikes. It’s only about 8AM here in Boston, but the cyclists have been pedaling for more than an hour and are at the 60KM mark.

It’s been a few days since I gave you the abandon totals. With a field that began at 180 riders (as opposed to the usual 189 riders of most other years), we’re down to 167 in the race.

Many drop out due to injury. Broken wrists and collarbones account for the most abandons. Then some are forced out because they didn’t finish within the time allowed. And finally some riders just feel unable to continue.

Imagine your hottest, weakest moment and how nice it would be to get off your bike or out of the field or away from your current task and sit in a comfy air-conditioned team car. Free snacks. The Tour is on the race radio. You get to wave at your teammates while driving past.

You get the picture.

Well, it’s time to put fingers to plastic and tap out today’s stage review and recap. If you’re just joining me for this journey, I won’t put SPOILER info up before 9PM. That way you can get a feel for the stage and still enjoy the surprise of the result when you watch or read about it at night.

Until those bits of info go up, you will get info about the stage right here at TDF08.com.

I’m Jeff Cutler, your faithful reporter.