Party Like it's 1903.

Stage 14: Saint Pourcain sur Sioule - Lyon

We're heading to where it all began today.  The first stage of the 1903 tour from Paris to Lyon was 471km, so today's jaunt should be a breeze.

Froomey had a chance encounter with Bertie in the hotel corridors last night.  Not an encounter like past yellow jersey wearers, of course. Though now they're making a big fuss about a sideways elbow Froomey threw this morning in the pelaton, so we may yet get some old school leader's behaviour.

Speaking of unsporting behaviour, there's a bit of sketchiness in the Belkin camp.  They claim they were already on the front when Valverde had his mechanical yesterday, but pictures seem to indicate they only started chasing once they saw he was off the back.  Apparently the DSs of both teams were shouting from car to car all day.

Dave Millar, Tejay, TheJensie, and new family fave Jan Bakelants in the breakaway?? It's like some kind of rolling party!

And a wee OPQS as well, who's that then?

Ah, Matteo Trentin. Usually rather jolly and certainly at home within the japsiest team in cycling.

I'm a bit annoyed about the weakness of team Sky they keep banging on about. What the hell's going on? Why did Brad Wiggins get the A team when he was such an a-hole?

Take heart Froomey, Greg LeMond only had 3 teammates by the time he got to Paris. And he also had the shits and suffered psychological intimidation. So it can be done.

"There's Tommy Voeckler. He's a very very popular Frenchman." Too right.

Does Froomey look so strange on his bike? Phil and Paul are going ON about it, Christian Prudhomme previously called his style inelegant. He's quite gangly but I always felt Cadel had the most laboured style on the bike.

'Davey' Millar they're now calling him? I suppose his regular heroics and general air of panache are causing the confusion.

He's the winningest man in this breakaway, with 4 stage wins to his name.

PhilGil's having a bit of a rotten tour isn't he? He's been denied ambition, caught up in every possible crash, and now he's had a puncture. Mayhaps he's feeling the loss of good luck charm and bestie Jelle?

"Even the two World Wars have not been able to stop the Tour." IT IS SO EPIC.

Goddammit they're talking up Dave as the likely stage winner SO MUCH. We've been here before and if he doesn't get it my heart will break!

Dave, Jensie, Tejay and Jan need to splinter off the front and leave some of this chaff behind; that way no matter who wins out of the breakaway I'll be happy.

"This is a typical Millar move, getting into a breakaway like this."

Andrew Talansky's having a good day.  Depending on what the gap ends up being, he could leapfrog Cadel Evans in the standings!

Burghy and his flashy shoes are shaking up the breakaway, possibly to lay the foundation for a move from Tejay.

And a little attempt to get away from Dave there.

This breakaway has now turned on each other.

Tiny Jan off the front! Watch out for this one!

Oop, brought back, but it's sent Jensie off the back!

Tejay!

Oh dammit. Well that's killed Dave Millar. But then would it be a Tour without a broken Dave Millar acknowledging the camera with his sadness as it goes by?

Julien Simon solos off he front. But Tejay's not gonna let that go.

"Just look at the French people here. Loving the sight of the French off the front."

These crowds are MAD. What will tomorrow be like??

There's someone from Cofidis in the break? Cofidis is in this Tour?

COME ON TEJAY!

Goddamn he won't give up!

God well now he's off the back.

What the hell is going to happen today?

Bakelants and Bak coming across; with everyone trying to get the back wheels it's all a little confusing.

BURGHY!!!!! DO IT!

"And IS he coming across, he's coming across it like a train here!"

"BAKELANTS IS THE DANGER HERE!"

Ooo looks like Matteo is coming up pretty fast!

GOD when you see that baby blue of OPQS you know there is danger!

Yay Matteo!

WHAT is Tejay about riding in there slowly with his hands on his hips??

Davey and Jensie coming in together.  Like a dream.

The usual OPQS victory hug sesh there.  OPQS love hugs and everybody knows it.

Oh Matteo, so cute! "To do the victory for the first time, do it in the Tour de France is the best place in the world."
 
Well nobody wanted to talk to Niki there when they caught Cav getting on the bus, but he pulled focus anyway, reaching across in front of the camera to grab a teammate's hand.

"Another good night in the team hotel." NO. DOUBT.

Matteo is not getting off that podium til they make him.

Froomey always kind of looks like he's going to cry on the podium. It's so emotional.

Tomorrow: The longest stage in the Tour for 13 years AND it finishes atop Mont Ventoux.  Henri Desgrange, you live on.

"And in case the atmosphere isn't hysterical enough.. It's Bastille Day."

BRING IT.