Today was the most thrilling finish of a Tour stage in recent memory, with the breakaway of Simeoni and Landaluze being caught literally 50 meters from the line.

From melee, it was the green lightening bolt of Robbie McEwen flashing across the line --- a micron ahead of Thor Hushovd. To win a sprint stage in the green jersey is a special feeling for the fast man of international cycling, and Robbie McEwen was genuinely thrilled to take out this stage.

Meanwhile, the yellow jersey was never put into serous difficulty, because the highest place man in the breakaway, Landaluze, began the stage 20 minutes behind the race leader, Thomas Voeckler.

Lance Armstrong had very smooth day, as did Tyler Hamilton.

Jan Ullrich seemed to have some issue, but none that couldn’t be resolved. He got back in the file without too much trouble, after he appeared to adjust his saddle. Maybe with the rest day, he was waiting for the feeling for racing to come back in the legs.

Tomorrow, however, the Tour de France begins for real, and it could not come at a better time. The weather seems to be clearing and the riders seem ready to rumble.