Tour De France: Stage 6 Semur-en-auxois - Bourg-en-bresse

2.05pm


There may well be a reason why Britian's Bradley has gone on a glory cruise - today is the 40th anniversary of the death of Tom Simpson. And the Tour is sentimental and can allow these sort of things.


2.01pm: "Exciting to see Bradley 15 mins out in front," says Zoe« Cumming. "Do we think he can win the stage?"

No, is the simple answer Zoe. It's a 124 mile stage, and common sense dictates he'll be knackered way before the finish. However, I saw the great man in person at the Herne Hill Good Friday meet, and the guy has got calves the length of most people's legs. Freak, but very friendly bloke.


Preamble: Bonne apres-midi, bienvue and welcome to Stage 6 of the Tour de France, guest blogged by GU political corresondent, Matthew Tempest - the man who thinks "Gordon Brown Delays Property Levy Law" is a sizzling story. The race today is the last stage of the flat, before the riders hit the Alps - but with both Alexandre Vinokourov and Andreas Kloeden starting the day with fairly serious injuries that threaten their ability to reach Paris, let alone finish in yellow, the whole race - already without a proven rider on top form for favourite - has been thrown open. Never more so from the news that Britain's Bradley Wiggins started a lone attack at a mere 2km from the start today, was let go, and has now 15mins 40 sec ahead of the peloton - this is the biggest lead of any escape so far on Tour 07.