Stage 5

Today's stage could not have been much better planned for Lance and Team Discovery. It was a relatively flat stage, so it was again a day for sprint contenders. Tom Boonen has been dominating the sprints so far, but today Robbie McEwen won the stage. Boonen still holds the green jersey as he has earned the most sprint points, and is likely to hold the jersey for some time...potentially the entire race, which would be quite an accomplishment. Lance maintained his hold as the race leader and will wear the yellow jersey again, after a relatively easy day for his team.

As the stage started, lots of riders made attempts to break away from the peloton. One rider Flecha, managed to get out in front and was joined by 3 other riders. They usually don't let anyone "important" break away, so this was a chance for some underdogs to shine. The break-away pack made a great effort and held off the peloton until the final 10km. Because the stage finish is huge with respect to sprinting points, the teams that are competing for the green jersery (sprinting points) stepped up the speed of the peloton to catch the break-away group before the end. What this means is that the sprinting team (not the sprinters themselves) moved to the front of the peloton and pulled the entire way. This was great for Team Discovery because the sprint teams kept the break-away from getting too far ahead and potentially taking over the yellow jersey, while they got to sit back and effectively "rest" inside the saftey of the peloton today.

What is pulling? If you know, skip this paragraph.
When a team pulls, they are effectively doing the work for everyone else. The reason is the wind and ability to draft in order to conserve energy. It might not seem like much, but it's huge. In a pace line, such as in the team time trials of stage 4 where nine riders ride in a straight line, the front rider will be working at roughly 130% of his VO2 max and those following just under 80% their VO2 max. They can maintain just under 80% for an hour or so, but the 130% for only a few minutes before the lactic acid kicks in. Therefore, if they rotate who is in front the entire line can maintain an extremely fast speed with each rider only needing to do the hard work for 30 seconds or a minute at a time. This same concept translates to the entire peloton of 180+ riders. Those tucked inside are comfortably crusing, not using nearly as much energy as those doing the pulling.

Thoughts on the sprint competition:
The sprints get interesting, because those contending are the powerhouses of the sport, often the most hotheaded as well. An Australian Robbie McEwen won the stage today, outsprinting the main competition of Boonen, O'Grady, and Hushovd. McEwen had been disqualified from the sprint two days ago for effectively trying to block O'Grady with his head. It is questionable if it was a legit DQ and unfortunately it is enough of a blow that McEwen is unlikely again have a shot at the green jersey in this tour. However, I don't feel much sympathy for McEwen after hearing his comments following today's win. He continued his complaining about the DQ and how he has now proven he's the fastest man in the race, "I'm the man," he says. Even so, props to McEwen for a well executed sprint today.

Today's Yellow Jersey Controversy
Lance tried to start the race today in his Team Discovery jersey instead of the yellow jersey. The reason being that he earned the jersey yesterday when the previous leader, American David Zabrinske, fell. In the past, riders have made similar gesters, but the race officials stopped the race at the start and made Lance put on the yellow jersey. The tour is full of such traditions. No one wants to win the tour, or even just a day in the yellow jersey in a questionable way. For example, when the current yellow jersey holder is eating, or taking a bathroom break, everyone waits for him. It would be considered in extreme poor taste to attack and try to break away at such a moment. If someone successfully attacked at such a time, the cycling community would immediately discredit that rider's abilities because of the tactic.

Stage 6 preview:
Tomorrow's stage is longer with more climbs. It will still be dominated by the sprint teams, but a break-away group is likely to be able to stay away as the sprinters often have trouble making up ground on the big climbs. Who will make the jump and can they hold on for the stage win? Will Team Discovery have to work this time to defend the yellow jersey? Stay tuned.