Le Tour De France

These fellows almost certainly aren't in Le Tour, but they're truly racing.

Once again The Tour de France is underway.  Once again I shall be compelled to watch the 198 riders from all over the world compete in what has to be the most arduous athletic race in the world.  This year they started in the Brittany region which is predominantly flat.  But soon they will be struggling up the Cap d' Huez with screaming fans closing in on them from both sides of the roadway.
Lance Armstrong will not be there this year, but there are some other non-Europeans - George Hinkape, Levi Leipheimer, and Tyler Farrar from this side of the Atlantic.  There are some very competent Brits too with David Millar, Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.  Also the explosive sprinting from the Manxman, Mark Cavendish, and also the Australian Cadel Evans.  Alberto Contador from Spain has the cloud of drug-taking hanging over him and even if he should win he won't be allowed to take the crown until his hearing in August.  So far on Day Four he is 1 minute 42 seconds back from the leader which is a huge amount to make up.  But it's a very long race and they have three weeks and 2000 miles to do it in.