Another internet-challenged day here on the east coast... And another win for the U27 Project back in the old country. Today it was the turn of Tomas Vaitkus, AG2R's eastern bloc muscle, to eek out a stage win over Paolo Bettini et al in Termoli on the Adriatic coast. AG2R are now officially having a far better Giro than the Quick Step monolith. Everyone has to admire the Boonen Boys in March and April, but it's odd how they disappear after that. This year I can at least understand: they're resting up for one of the most green-jersey-friendly Tours in years.
- Stage 9 News: Today's rolling rest day, all of 127 flat km, sounds like a stage I could've managed... and with Brad McGee 11 minutes back, I might have even had a wheel to hang on to. OK, maybe not me, but our own SteveS. could've made the cut for sure. Anyway, race reports are up at Pez, as well as VN and as always BiciRace.
- As if things couldn't get any worse for CSC, check out the prologue results from Catalunya today. When will they ever get their act together?
More on the flip:
- Speaking of CSC, CSC Speaks! In the form of Scott Sunderland's daily <strike>crow</strike> diary. Looks like Tom Danielson's been too busy to write lately.
- T-Mobile's internal press agent bravely tracks down Jan Ullrich for an interview on his progress.
- More fallout from Passo Lanciano over at Pez as well as VN. Good quotes, obvious analysis. Poor Savoldelli has now learned of the Pez Cover Curse: all day yesterday their top story was "Savoldelli shows who's boss, again!" Exclamation, theirs.
- Ah, well... at least Pez makes right by interviewing an obscure anglo.
- Over at the Paceline, it's time to change the subject... Anyone up for Alpe d'Huez?