Greig Leach

I am not being mean, "Gorilla," is Andre Greipel's (Lotto Soudal) nickname, one he embraces as his own. Whenever there is a flat straight shot to the line, you can count on the German National Champion being the odds on favorite. Behind the shadow of the big German were Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida) as well as Manuel Belletti and Alessandro Pettachi (Southeast). The sprint for the line was marred by a spectator trying to get a photograph of the charging peloton, One of the riders clipped the erstwhile photographer and went down hard. The video of the man writhing in pain from a dislocated elbow was way too disturbing. Along with his hitting the deck a large number of others kissed the pavement, including the wearer of the Magila Rosa, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo). As I am writing this, I don't know if Contador will be able to start stage 7. He was unable to open the traditional bottle of proscecco, donned his Pink Jersey or give the two armed wave from the podium.