For the most part, the final day of the Tour de France is a rolling celebration for the man and the team holding the maillot jaune at the start of the day. Champagne is poured and drank, photo-ops are prevalent and the pace is equivalent to most touring rides [at least until the peloton reaches the streets of Paris].

While the ceremony and traditions held firm, the day offered up something special to those Down Under and historic to those that follow cycling.

With a near perfectly ridden 20 days in the books, Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) became the first Australian to win the Grand Boucle in its 108 year history. The pre-Tour favorite was surrounded by his team moments after he crossed the finish line on the Champs Elysees.

The Luxembourg bookends of Andy and Frank Schleck (Leopard Trek) would join Evans on the final podium as he was serenaded with the Australian national anthem by countrywoman Tina Arena.

But, the 34-year old Aussie was not the only rider to make history on the streets of Paris. With four wins already in his pocket, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) earned his fifth in a decidedly easy fashion. The win, his third overall on the fabled cobbles of the Champs Elysees, also made the rider from the Isle of Man the first British maillot vert winner in Tour history.

A hard rushing Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Procycling) and Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma Lotto) finished in second and third, respectively.

Results - Stage 21
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
3. André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto

General Classification After Stage 21
1. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 86:12:22
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - 0:01:34
3. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - 0:02:30
4. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar - 0:03:20
5. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard - 0:03:57
6. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi - 0:04:55
7. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD - 0:06:05
8. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:07:23
9. Thomas Danielson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo - 0:08:15
10. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale - 0:10:11

Jersey Leaders After Stage 21
maillot jaune - Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
maillot vert - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
maillot a pois rouges - Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
maillot blanc - Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar

Quick Stepping Through The Tour - Ciolek Ninth on Champs Elysees

The 21st and last stage of the Tour de France brought the riders from Creteil to the world famous Champs-Elysees in Paris. The first kilometers the riders were chatting and celebrating with each other. It was also a beautiful moment for the photographers to shoot some beautiful pictures. After a slow start with the usual jokes and celebrations the peloton reached the Champs-Elysees with 50 kilometers to go. Immediately a group of 6 riders took off and gained a minute advantage.

In the peloton, the teams of the sprinters worked hard including the riders of our Quick-Step Cycling Team. The boys of Wilfried Peeters chased hard to reel the escapees in and to bring their sprinter Gerald Ciolek to the front. The German sprinter was well placed in the final kilometer, but had no answer to the power of Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and his lead-out train. Cavendish took his 5th stage win in this Tour, Ciolek finished in 9th place.

After 21 stages Cadel Evans was crowned to overall winner, the first Australian winner in the Tour`s history. On the final podium, Evans was accompanied by the Schleck brothers. Kevin de Weert reached Paris in 13th position, reaching his goal to improve his last year`s 18th position.

Photos: (top: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com)

Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.

By all accounts, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) struggled mightily on Stage 14. With five categorized climbs on yesterday’s docket, several teammates were needed to pace Cavendish to the finish line before the time cut.

Yet through all the adversity in the Pyrenees, the character and characters of Cavendish and his charges were revealed on the 187 kilometer Stage 15 from Limoux to Montpellier.

Another classic sprinter’s stage, and the final one before the fabled sprint on the Champs Ellysees, HTC-Highroad took up the majority of the pace-making to bring back the early break. Once the catch was made, the team worked in perfect unison to deliver Cavendish to the line.

Despite numerous late attacks and attempts by other teams to take control at the front, the boys based out of San Luis Obispo never faltered. Business-like, Mark Renshaw squirted through a sea of chaos and provided the launching pad for the Missile from Man.

Cavendish would take his fourth win of the 98th Tour de France, ahead of late bid by Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Cervelo) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD). Italy's Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannodale) would finish a close fourth.

Results - Stage 15
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD

There was no change in the General Classification. With two relatively innocuous mountain stages following the race's second rest day, the race for the maillot jaune is sure to come down to Stage 18, 19, and 20.

Can Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) limit his losses enough not be overtaken in the Stage 20 Individual Time Trial? With two cards to play, is this Tour the Schleck brothers to lose? Can reigning champion, Alberto Contador, get free of his rivals and mount a serious comeback...does he have the legs after winning the Giro d'Italia? If this race comes down to the ITT, is it Cadel Evans' to lose?

Stayed tuned as all will be revealed at week's end.

General Classification After Stage 15
1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
2. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - 0:01:49
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 0:02:06
4. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - 0:02:15
5. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale - 0:03:16
6. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi - 0:03:44
7. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard - 0:04:00
8. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD - 0:04:01
9. Thomas Danielson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo - 0:05:46
10. Kevin De Weert (Bel) Quickstep Cycling Team

Jersey Leaders After Stage 15
maillot jaune - Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
maillot vert - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
maillot a pois rouges - Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot blanc - Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling

Quick Stepping Through The Tour - Terpstra Most Combative

After all the climbing in the Pyrenees the riders covered a flat stage over almost 200 kilometers today. The 15th stage was just started when a group of five riders attacked. Niki Terpstra tried his luck together with Michail Ignatiev, Samuel Dumoulin, Mickael Delage and Anthony Delaplace. The five escapees didn`t open up a big gap as the peloton kept the pace high. The maximum advantage of Terpstra and his companions was only 4 minutes. “In the break we collaborated very well. The wind in the first part of the race was at our backs and so it made things a bit easier. When Ignatiev took off I saw that no one was reacting. So I attacked and I followed him”, said Terpstra. The two escapees were chased by the peloton, which was only a minute behind them.

With 6 kilometers to go Terpstra attacked again. “Then I found the strength to bust forward alone, but the altimetry in the last kilometers definitely didn’t help me. I’m satisfied anyway that I got the prize for combativeness. It’s a good result, that’s a major payoff for me and the team, for all the hard work we’ve been doing these days. We’re always very active and this is a prize for our guts and drive after the first week, which was marked by several falls", Terpstra commented after the stage.

After Terpstra was caught the bunch sprint in the streets of Montpellier were inevitable. Mark Cavendish won his fourth stage outsprinting Tyler Farrar and Alessandro Petacchi. Gerald Ciolek finished in the top-10 again, our German sprinter ended in 7th place."In the sprint there were some contacts that cost me a few positions. But I did my best. Maybe I could have made it into the first 5, but after the problems I had these last few days I’m happy with this. For us sprinters there won’t be other chances, if not in Paris. I’ll do my best to be there next Sunday and give a good final sprint.”

Next: Rest Day 2; Stage 16 - Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Gap (163km)

Photos: (top: Michael Steele/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com)

A winner on Stage 5 and again on Stage 7, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) claimed his third victory of the 98th Tour de France, and his 18th overall.

Through a late downpour, HTC-Highroad proved to be too much for the rest of the sprinters' teams as they mercilessly delivered their home run hitter to the plate in the closing meters. And the fastest man on two wheels would take it from there.

A late charge from the day's previous winner, Omega Pharm-Lotto's André Greipel, looked promising, but Cavendish was too far ahead at that point to even care. He would saunter to the line, with Greipel following in second and American Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Cervelo) in third.

Results - Stage 11
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo

General Classification After Stage 11
1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
2. Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
4. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
5. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
6. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad
7. Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad
8. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack
9. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek

Jersey Leaders After Stage 11
maillot jaune - Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
maillot vert - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
maillot a pois rouges - Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
maillot blanc - Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team

Quick Stepping Through The Tour

The 11th stage in the Tour de France was the final flat stage before the riders head for the mountains. Also today the weather conditions were bad again. From the start the riders were troubled by pouring rain. Just outside Blaye-les-Mines several riders tried their luck to get into the day`s breakaway. Eventually a group of 6 riders opened a gap and with permission of the peloton they extended their lead to 4 minutes.

The gap of the breakaway stayed around the 4 minutes for a while. On its way to the intermediate sprint the peloton accelerated and got some time back, but after the intermediate sprint was passed the gap of the escapees grew to 4 minutes again. The sprinters` teams then took command in the bunch and closed the gap second by second. The breakaway worked well together and didn`t want to capitulate quickly. At just 2 kilometers from the finish the last of the escapees were reeled in.

In Lavaur another bunch sprint had to bring the decision in this stage. Cavendish took his third stage win of this Tour beating Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo). Gerald Ciolek felt better than yesterday and finished in 12th place. Sylvain Chavanel finished in the first peloton again. "Today I was feeling a bit better than I had been these last few days. I tried to stay ahead and help De Weert stay in the lead positioning to avoid falls. For the final I preferred to slide back to the rear of the group to avoid any risks. Tomorrow things are going to start getting serious on the climbs. It won't be easy, considering the problems I'm having with my shoulder. I'll be suffering on the climbs, but I'm going to try to do everything I can to be useful to the team and De Weert in particular."

Next: Stage 12 - Cugnaux to Luz-Ardiden (209km)

Photos: (top: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com)

It would take a transfer to Omega Pharma-Lotto for André Greipel to finally make it onto his first Tour de France squad, but the big German proved he belonged.

The Gorilla, whose most notable destruction was that of the 2008 Tour Down Under, where he won four stages on his way to victory in the overall and points jersey competitions, accomplished what few riders dare to dream. Greipel would lock horns with Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) in the finale of the 161 kilometer Stage 10 and beat him straight-up, one-on-one.

Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar Team) would take third.

Results - Stage 10
1. André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto
2. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team

General Classification After Stage 10
1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
2. Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
4. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
5. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
6. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad
7. Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad
8. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack
9. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek

Jersey Leaders After Stage 10
maillot jaune - Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar
maillot vert - Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot a pois rouges - Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
maillot blanc - Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team

Quick Stepping Through The Tour

After a well deserved rest day the peloton continued the Tour de France with the 10th stage. A crash after just 10 kilometres frightened the peloton. Jerome Pineau was involved, but got back on his bike quickly without serious consequences. “I couldn’t do anything to avoid the fall. It’s never fun to wipe out, but luckily the consequences weren’t too serious. I just have some scrapes on my left side and knee, but they shouldn’t be a problem.” In the meanwhile several riders tried their luck attacking from the bunch. A group of 6 riders managed to open a small gap. Pineau launched a counter attack, but didn`t succeed in bridging the gap. The 6 escapees took a maximum advantage of 4 minutes.

The escapees didn`t get much space from the bunch, which aimed at a bunch sprint. The early escapees were reeled in with 20 kilometers to go. On the final climb of the day another group of 5 riders attacked. Dries Devenyns was one of the escapees and seemed on his way to a nice success. "When Gilbert got moving on the last climb I followed him with determination. We got a good lead, but in the lead group not everyone was collaborating. Tony Martin clearly wasn’t cooperating in order to favor Cavendish’s sprint. So I preferred not to force things. In these situations it’s also important to understand if a move will be successful or not. I’m happy, anyway. My legs are spinning really well, even after the rest day. We’ll see in the next few days if there will be any other chances”, said Devenyns.

The 5 escapees including Devenyns were caught just before the line. In the sprint the German sprinter Greipel won the stage in front of Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar). The Quick-Step Cycling Team missed its sprinters in the front today. Gerald Ciolek is suffering from a saddle sore that makes it uncomfortable for him to stay on his saddle. Gert Steegmans is still experiencing pain in his left wrist; he finished the stage almost 6 minutes behind the winner. Kevin de Weert was one of the riders who finished in the front and crossed the line in 20th place. "Again today the day went by without problems or falls. I tried to stay out in front to avoid surprises, and also because often after the rest day the legs might not be super.” French champion Sylvain Chavanel also finished in the first group. "Today I finished in the first group. It was hard for me, but the rest day surely helped me a lot. At the moment I still don’t have the energy I need to attack, but I’m hoping that in the next days I won’t have any more troubles and maybe I can try to needle my way ahead of the group.”

Next: Stage 11 - Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur (168km)

Photo: (top: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com

A few days ago there were more than a few people, including myself, who were wondering if the HTC-Highroad train had seen its best days and whether something were amiss with Mark Cavendish.

But on Stage 7, the retooled HTC-Highroad lead out train looked like a seasoned and well oiled machine, and Mark Cavendish, well he was his dominant self. The team was a perfect mesh of speed and synergy in delivering The Manxman to his second win of the 98th edition of the Tour de France and his 17th of his young career.

Italy's Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) would capture second and Cavendish's former teammate, André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) would come in third.

Unfortunately for Stage 3 victor Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo), he would never get the opportunity to contest both the day's intermediate and final sprints. The young American was one of a dozen riders who would get caught up in another massive pile up. The crash would cause a split in the field and take with it a pair of notable contenders.

Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling) and Chris Horner (Team RadioShack) were perhaps the two biggest casualties as Wiggins was forced to abandoned with a broken clavicle and Horner, who finished the stage but afterward was unaware of ever crossing the finish line, was taken to a local hospital with a suspected concussion.

Results - Stage 7
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
3. André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
3. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
4. David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Cervelo
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack
6. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek
7. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
8. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad
9. Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad
10. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team

Jersey Leaders After Stage 7
maillot jaune - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
maillot vert - Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
maillot à pois rouges - Johnny Hoogerland (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
maillot blanc - Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team

Quick Stepping Through The Tour - Boonen Out

The Tour de France is over for Tom Boonen. The former world champion was troubled by his injuries after his crash in the fifth stage. After 90 kilometers in the seventh stage he climbed into the sporting director`s car. In the meanwhile, an escape group of 4 riders animated the stage. They were in the front for over 200 kilometers, but were caught with 12 kilometers to go. In the bunch sprint Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) took his second stage win of this Tour. Gerald Ciolek couldn`t improve on his yesterday`s 8th place finish. The German rider and his team mates Dries Devenyns, Addy Engels and Gert Steegmans were involved in a crash that occurred 37 kilometers from the line and finished in the second peloton.

Immediately after the start a group of 4 riders attacked from the peloton. The peloton didn`t launch a pursuit, so the escapees opened up a gap quickly. The peloton took it quite easy during the first kilometers with the average speed not crossing 40 km/h. Fortunately there weren`t any big crashes in the first half of the race. After 90 kilometers Boonen dropped from the bunch to visit the team car. After some chatting with sports director Wilfried Peeters he left the race. The Quick-Step Cycling Team has now 8 riders left in the Tour de France.

"Yesterday just after the arrival I felt good, it felt like everything was going to be resolved soon,” explained Boonen. “But in the evening I started feeling worse. Last night I hardly slept, I had a headache and pain in my back and shoulders. This morning I tried getting back on my bike anyway. But during the race I wasn’t lucid, I didn’t feel safe. My head started spinning and I couldn’t keep my concentration. I hung out towards the back of the group but it was too dangerous to continue in these conditions, for me as well as for the rest of the group.” Boonen then reflected on his sporting objectives. “I’m very disappointed, I prepared well for this Tour and I think I could have definitely had some chances to go for it. The Tour is like that, the first week is always complicated to interpret, but I like this race and I’ll be back. Now I want to recuperate as best I can and reconsider my schedule for the following weeks. The work I did to get in shape for this Tour will come back to me and be useful in the near future.”

Jerome Pineau added a small positive note to the day, finishing 11th.

Next: Stage 8 - Aigurande to Super-Besse Sancy (190km)

Photo: (top: Byrn Lennon/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com)

With his [and his team's] demise greatly exaggerated, Mark Cavendish and HTC-Highroad finally found themselves on the score sheet of the 98th Tour de France.

A sprinter’s stage, Cavendish would take the 158 kilometer Stage 5 from Carhaix to Cap Fréhel in a style unaccustomed to his lead-out. Jostled into 10th position while lining up for the final push into the line, Cavendish displayed all the guile and agility at his disposal to find an opening to the outside. From there, the Missile from the Isle of Man rocketed past the group of would-be contenders to claim his 16th Tour de France stage.

Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) slotted into second, with Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Movistar Team) in third.

Results - Stage 5
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
3. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
4. David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Cervelo
5. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack
6. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
7. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling
8. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek
10. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek

Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
maillot jaune - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
maillot vert - Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot a pois rouges - Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
maillot blanc - Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling

Quick Stepping Through The Tour

The fifth stage in the Tour de France was dominated by some hard crashes. French champion Sylvain Chavanel crashed hard after 70 kilometers and had difficulty getting back on the bike as a result. After 100 kilometers the consequences were worse. Tom Boonen crashed hard with 3 team mates and stayed down for a while. Eventually Boonen got back on his bike but he was seriously suffering from his injuries. The experienced helper Addy Engels picked up his captain and lead him to the finish to meet the stage time cut.

Immediately after the start, riders started attacking. After 4 kilometers, three Frenchmen and one Spaniard opened a gap as the peloton let them go easily. The early escapees quickly gained an advantage of 4 minutes. Back in the peloton, the riders developed a high pace to catch them which caused some nervous racing and several crashes including French champion Sylvain Chavanel who was involved in one of the hard crashes injuring his shoulder. Luckily he wasn`t injured badly and was able to get back on his bike quickly. "In the fall I also hit my head and broke my helmet”, Chavanel says. “The consequences could have been much worse. Tomorrow morning I’m lining up for the start as usual, but it’s obvious that tomorrow I can look forward to a day of suffering."

After 100 kilometers Tom Boonen had less luck. The former world champion went down together with team mates Gert Steegmans, Gerald Ciolek and Addy Engels. Ciolek and Engels got back on their bikes quickly while Boonen and Steegmans kept their feet at the ground for some time. "To avoid the riders ahead of me I braked but my front wheel touched another athlete’s back wheel”, Boonen says .“I flew over my bike in an endo and I fell, hitting my head and the right side of my body. My helmet busted on impact." In the fall Boonen suffered a series of abrasions to his shoulder, elbow and right gluteus, which is sporting a rather deep cut. "After the first few minutes of shock I got back on my bike and I wanted to finish the stage”, continues Boonen. Engels waited for his captain, but first brought his team mates the water bottles he got from the team car before he crashed.

Steegmans was also troubled by the hard crash. In the fall Steegmans took some scrapes to his knee and his left shoulder. The Belgian rider is also suffering from pain in his left wrist. Together with a Spaniard he continued his way several minutes behind the bunch. Behind Steegmans his team mates Engels and Boonen were doing everything they could to reach the finish at Cap Frehel in time. “I have to thank Engels for his support. Alone I would have risked ending up outside of the maximum time. Now all I only want to recover some Energy from tomorrow." Boonen and Steegmans will be starting in tomorrow’s stage.
Next: Stage 6 - Dinan to Lisieux (226km)

Photo: (top: Byrn Lennon/Getty Images; bottom: © Tim de Waele - TDWSport.com)

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) recorded his second sprint victory at the 94th Giro d'Italia by taking the 184km Stage 12 from Castelfidardo to Ravenna. The 26-year old from the Isle of Man, who won Stage 10 two days prior and was part of the winning formula during the race's opening day Team Time Trial, was once again the beneficiary of some excellent teamwork as he cruised to the finish line.

Sky Procycling's Davide Appollonio and Lampre-ISD's Alessandro Petacchi attempted to contest the finale, but both were simply overpowered and outclassed in their bids.

Results - Stage 12
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Davide Appollonio (Ita) Sky Procycling
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD

Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) retained his overall race by finishing safely in the pack. With the mountains on the horizon, the Spaniard will once again take center stage as he attempts to claim his sixth grand tour title.

General Classification After Stage 12
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard
2. Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) HTC-Highroad
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
4. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Team Garmin-Cervelo
5. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
6. David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Movistar Team
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Pro Team Astana
8. Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
9. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quickstep Cycling Team
10. Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Next: Stage 13 - Spilimbergo to Grossglockner (167km)

Photo: Luk Benies/AFP/Getty Images

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) finally opened his 2011 Giro d'Italia account winning the bunch sprint in Teramo ahead of pair of previous stage winners, Movistar's Francisco Ventoso (Stage 6), and Lampre-ISD's Alessandro Petacchi (Stage 2).

Today's 159km Stage 10 from Termoli to Teramo was largely animated by a three-man breakaway led by Team RadioShack's Fumiyuki Beppu. However, the relatively flat run up to the finish meant that the sprinters and their teams would inevitably take control.

The victory was Cavendish's 24th grand tour victory overall and his 6th in the Giro d'Italia.

Vandewalle Crashes

With about 25 kilometers to go to the arrival of the 10th stage, Quick Step's Kristof Vandewalle crashed after a branch got stuck in the front wheel of his bike.

“A branch – perhaps it ended up in the road during the passage of the group – got stuck in my front wheel blocking it. I didn’t have time to react, in a flash I was on the ground and I hit my face hard on the asphalt.” explains the young Belgian rider.

At the end of the stage Vandewalle got 8 stitches to his chin.

“I have also a few scrapes on my arms and hands and I also chipped my incisor tooth “ Vandewalle says “It was quite a scare, but fortunately it’s nothing too serious.”

Vandewalle will line up as planned tomorrow for the 11th stage, which will take the riders from Tortoreto Lido to Castelfidardo in a stage that promises to be full of surprises.

Results - Stage 10
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Movistar Team
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD

It was a relatively nondescript day for those battling for the General Classification. Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) finished safely in the pack and retained the maglia rosa.

General Classification After Stage 10
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard
2. Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) HTC-Highroad
3. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Team Garmin-Cervelo
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
5. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
6. David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Movistar Team
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Pro Team Astana
8. Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
9. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quickstep Cycling Team
10. Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Next: Stage 11 - Tortoreto to Castelfidardo (142km)

Photo: Luk Benies/AFP/Getty Images

On the 244km second stage of the 94th Giro d’italia, Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) once again displayed the form, which sky-rocketed him into the stratosphere of other great Italian sprinters such as Alfredo Binda and Mario Cipollini. The 37-year old, who experienced a renaissance of sorts during the 2010 Tour de France, winning two stages and the maillot vert, bested Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and countryman, Manuel Belletti (Colnago – CSF) at the line in Parma.

For his efforts, Petacchi would move into the lead of the Points Classification and sixth on the General Classification.

Results - Stage 2
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
2. Mark Cavendish (Gbr) HTC-Highroad
3. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Colnago - CSF Inox

Despite his second placed finish, Cavendish became the new maglia rosa wearer, keeping the honor within the confines of HTC-Highroad for a second day in a row.

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2. Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) HTC-Highroad
3. Craig Lewis (USA) HTC-Highroad
4. Marco Pinotti (Ita) HTC-Highroad
5. Lars Ytting Bak (Den) HTC-Highroad
6. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
7. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team RadioShack
8. Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Team RadioShack
9. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Team RadioShack
10. Tiago Machado (Por) Team RadioShack

Next: Stage 3 - Reggio Emilia to Rapallo (173km)

Photo: LUK BENIES/AFP/Getty Images

Sprinting is a rough and tumble business. It is not for the faint of heart nor is it for those who lack intestinal fortitude.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia), Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) and Robbie McEwen (Omega-Pharma Lotto), among others are first to come to mind when searching for that type of swashbuckling mentality in the professional peloton.

But there are also those sprinters like Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) and Julian Dean (Garmin-Transitions) who carry as much bravado, but are rarely seen because of their roles as lead-out men.

Though Cavendish would garner all the well deserved accolades after taking the eleventh stage in the 97th edition of the Tour de France, his third win of this year's race and 13th overall in his career, the more significant story of the day lay in how he got to the podium.

In the chaotic build-up to the sprint finish, Renshaw broke out the kitchen sink to ensure his sprint leader's safe passage to the line. The relatively unseen and quiet Renshaw would throw a haymaker of a headbutt in the direction of Dean to prevent the Garmin-Transitions' rider from impeding his path. The scuffle ultimately opened up the hole to which Cavendish slid through, but it also left HTC-Columbia without a valuable piece in the lead-outs and in the hills as Renshaw was thrown out of the race for his actions.

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) would take second and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) third.

Stage 11 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions

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General Classification After Stage 11
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:00:41
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:45
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:58
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:03:59
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:04:22
8. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne - 0:04:41
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:08
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:05:09

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) climbs back into the lead of the maillot vert , while Jérôme Pineau (Quick Step) reclaimed the maillot pois-a-rouges.

Jersey Leaders After Stage 11
maillot jaune - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 12 -Bourge-de-Péage to Mende (210.5km)
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Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images