Stage 4

[2 X 2]

They're off and are now at 7km, no breakaways yet

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14km mark, Cofidis is heading the bunch, no breaks

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First climb:

1. Kuschynski

2. Millar

3. Auge

 

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Breakaway of 5: Flecha, Verdugo, Sprick, Chavanel and Knees.  They are 3'20" ahead.  Chavanel is the new vitual leader

[snah2]

Interesting to read on robbiehunter.net his views on lack of team support in the sprints and why they do not go in these suicidal early breaks..

[Tumbleweed]

you're right snah2, it would have stopped a lotta mudslinging on another thread yesterday. then again, what am i saying? nothing coula stopped that. looking forward to getting home in an hour to log on and listen to today's stage!

[Man with no name]

Flecha... that's good news for Crux, kakaa should they stay away. I know kakaa is a HUGE flecha fan

[Man with no name]

This according to the nasionale pers, quite knowledgable I thought

 

http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Tour_de_France/0,,2-9-1506_2140105,00.html

 

Stage 4 - Villers-Cotterets to Joigny, 193km

Four category-four climbs feature as the race leaves Champagne country and meanders down towards the Yonne river. Two of the stage's three intermediate sprints are either side of the last two climbs, giving the green jersey men some food for thought. Again, breakaways will be likely but whether they manage to go all the way will be up to the peloton.

[2 X 2]

Breakaway is now 3'34" ahead, aproaching the second climb of 1.9km at 4.9%.  Maybe we'll see some more action now

[2 X 2]

Liquigas setting the pace has split the bunch into three groups.  The five leaders are now only 2'00" ahead