First off, as feared, Chris Horner had to abandon the Tour due to the injuries sustained in Stage 7. This was Horner’s 5th Tour, but the first as a GC contender and protected rider. Starting the Tour he was one of 4 for Radio Shack, but after crashes took out Brakovic and put Levi Leipheimer more than a minute down, Horner was sitting pretty when yesterday’s stage started. Such a shame, most likely at age 39 his chance to be in that position again may be over.
Stage 8 was an exciting one and a welcome relief after the crash filled flat-ish stages.
Movistar got their first stage win, and in their first Tour de France. They’ve had a tough year, it’s nice they won. I’m sure Vinokourov, Phillippe Gilbert and Tejay Van Garderen might disagree.
And, somehow Tour tough man Thor Hushovd, stayed with the Tour favorites and kept his overall lead and the yellow jersey.
Tomorrow looks like a stage for Thomas Voeckler, I was happy to see him not challenge Vinokourov today.
Forgive any typos, posting this from my phone.
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