TdF: Team Time Trial

Now that we are home I was able to catch the Tour de France on OLN.  I watched the fourth stage today which is the team time trial.  All nine riders for a team leave at the same time and race together, taking turns "pulling" (out front) and "drafting" (riding behind each other). 

It was an exciting stage.  Lance Armstrong and team Discovery Channel (formerly U.S. Postal) were the second to last team to start the race.  As they crossed the line they were in first place, but the pace of the final team (CSC) who was still on the course was faster as they tried to defend the race leader who is an American on their team. 

But Discovery Channel was too strong and CSC finished 2 seconds behind.  Lance has now taken over the maillot jaune (french for yellow jersey), which is worn by the race leader.  I wouldn't be surprised if Lance loses it over the next few days as the sprinters win some very flat stages, but he will likely regain it in the mountains sometime after this Saturday.

If you can't catch the TdF on TV, then keep up at Sportsline.com where they have updates every few minutes of the race.  Also check out The Paceline.