Greig Leach

Today's stage was 168 kilometers long, plenty enough time to get rather uncomfortable. I certainly would be. Add the distance to the heat of the day and one could find a sweaty head getting rather itchy. Tom Jelte Slagter (Cannondale) took the calm moments in the peloton to remove his helmet, scratch his head, and then suit back up for battle. The peloton is full of many nationalities including the Spaniard. Joaquim Rodriguez and his Austrian teammate, Marco Haller (Katusha), riding shoulder to shoulder with Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and the Italian on the Spanish team Daniel Moreno (Movistar). This sport of power, speed, endurance and beauty is truly and international endeavor.