TdF Recap: Stage 5
Category: Sports (Pro/College/HS)...
Posted Thursday, July 10, 2003 at 10:40 AM [GMT-6]

The stage following the Team Time Trial is typically a bit anti-climactic, as the peloton is content to get a little on-bike R&R, leaving the competitive urges to the sprinters and points leaders. Today was no exception, as the pack finished the stage together and with no change in overall individual and team standings.

The power of Italian Alessandro Petacchi continues to be the big story of the Tour, as he whipped the world's best sprinters again to claim a third stage victory. His sprint today was remarkable in that it began much earlier than most such finishing bursts. But once he made his move, the other guys were powerless to match him. Pettachi (pronounced "Peh-tah'-kee") is now just one point behind Aussie Robbie McEwen in the overall points standings. Petacchi is not generally considered to be an overall contender due to perceived weakness in the mountains, but I doubt anyone is taking him too lightly at this point.

The most interesting trivia from today's stage is courtesy of the unfortunate German, Jens Voigt, who was stung on the chest by a bee as he and a couple of other riders were breaking away from the pack early in the race. This was just a minor interruption, however, as he dropped back for a quick med-check, then rejoined the breakaway group. I can relate to Jens' predicament, at least from the insect-encounter perspective. I remember a fast downhill section on a century (100 mile) route in the Texas Hill Country, and the bee that somehow made his way into my t-shirt. I'm not sure which hurt more...the sting, or the self-inflicted beating trying to wreak vengeance on the intruder.

Look for tomorrow's 230km stage to be a repeat of today's -- relatively flat and fast...one Cat 3 and one Cat 4 climb...no notable changes in race leadership. This is the last chance to take a deep breath before the first of the mountain stages on Saturday.

Tyler Hamilton Update: Tyler again finished the stage with the pack. No word on his plans for continuing the race, but he has posted a detailed report of his condition as of yesterday on his website. It's very interesting reading, from a guy who deserves a lot of respect as one tough hombre.

Sources for this recap included OLN's live TV coverage and the following website: OLN.com; Bicycling.com; CyclingNews.com; and Eurosport.com.