Another wet dangerous ride across Brittany today, with the tensions high and another gripping finish. The stage again dominated by a long breakaway caught just at the ten kilometers to go banner.

But if the main contenders didn't lose any time on the run in, I must say it is because they took incredible risks to stay at the front. Everyone was worried that the corners and roundabouts would split up the field. There was a split half way down the pack, but none of the big names got caught out.

Now that they have put the first week of the race behind them, they will have a chance to sit back and reflect over the rest day and think about what has happened and what should happen next.

Taking out the Prologue and the team time trial, there has never been any time made or lost between the top men, except for Mayo, who crashed over the cobbles on stage 3. That is a bit of a surprise, considering it has been a crazy first nine days with plenty of wind, rain and crashes.

It could stay like that all the way 'till next Friday, when the race first tastes the mountains. When we reach the Pyrenees, there will be nowhere to hide for the men who have been shadow boxing since Liege.

I for one am now looking forward to the mountains -- but discount the second race after the rest day from Limoges to St Flour.