If the internet has taught us anything it is that every moron on the planet is entitled to share his random/useless/uninformed/poorly researched/horribly written opinion, with an unsuspecting public.

It has also taught us that when you don't have anything interesting to say...quote someone who did.  

Here are a handful of riders that are most definitely flying under the radar at this tour....or are they

Cris Anker Sorensen (SAX):  I guess on a team like Saxo you can't highlight everyone.  But here is a kid who is on a pretty damn steady trajectory.  For those who don't recall, after a quiet early season, marred with injury, he had a beautiful stage win at the Giro on Mont Termillo.  A win that defines grinta and the power of old school encouragement.  So on those bumpy stages when a Schleck isn't going for broke, or Fuglsang, Breschel, Voigt, Tony or O'Grady aren't going for a stage win...expect to see something from this kid.  

Eros Cappechi (FOO): While the most consistent thing of this riders season has been his DNF's (Pais Vasco, AGR, Giro d'Italia, Dauphine), he has also rung up a nice second place behind Daniel Navarro in that stage where Contador let the retractable leash run long.  The 2008 giro is the only GT that he has finished (out of 6 starts) and this his first Tour.  Keep an eye out for this one in the long breaks.  And lets all hope that he goes for the KOM.  Perhaps the Tour will give them permission to don a team-wide KOM jersey.  

Dries Devenyns (QST):  You may know him from such posts as "Hidden Gems".  Another rider enjoying a year consistent with his steady improvements over the last few.  He has 2 Giro's under his belt, an anonnomous ride with Lotto in 2008 and a nice ride last year, culminating with a 7th in the final ITT.  With Boonen out, and Seeldraeyers also untested in the Tour, look for DD to get his chance for some glory this time round.  

Rui Costa (CdE): Haven't heard much from this little one this year.  Heralded as the next big thing to come out of Portugal on two wheels.  Last year had a strong start with a win overall at 4 jour de Dunkerque but didn't show as strongly at the tour, not making it to the start line on stage 12.  While he will probably be kept in the service of LuLu for much of this tour, perhaps the CdE have a new perspective since piti was forced to take some quiet time.  

Manuel Cardoso (FOO): Another Portuguese rider ignored by Chris.  Since his win down under, also having a season marred by DNFs (Algarve, la Ronde, Romandie, Lorraine, timed out on alpe d'huez).  But he is only in his first year in the big leagues, and  perhaps now that he has the weight of his national champs jersey lifted from his shoulders he will find that burst of speed that we saw back in January.