It Is on Tomorrow

. . . said Bob Roll in closing tonight's Tour coverage on VS. Today was the first day in the Pyrenees, but everyone seems to agree that the main contenders were biding their time while waiting for tomorrow's even more difficult stage. So we should enjoy the U.S. leadership while it lasts; Team Columbia's Kim Kirchen retains his yellow jersey and Garmin-Chipotle's Christian Vande Velde, an American, moved up a spot into third today. I'll be surprised if either of them is in the same position at this time tomorrow.

Australian Cadel Evans, last year's runner up and pre-race (and cdl) favorite, remains six seconds back in second place. He didn't lose any time today, but had a tough ride after crashing halfway through the stage:

Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) crossed the line at the end of stage nine of the Tour de France in Bagnes de Bigorre, dripping blood and with ripped apparel. His left shoulder hip and leg were obviously grazed, but the injuries did not appear too severe.

Evans crashed over the top of a Euskaltel rider about 105 km into the 224 km stage. "I don't know what happened," Evans said immediately after the finish. He is being treated by his team and is expected to continue racing Monday.

"Don't touch me on my left side," he yelled as the press scrum swarmed around for any snippet available. Evans was whisked straight into his personal minivan and gone before he could be interviewed. But before he left, he did pass his helmet to Australian journalist Rupert Guiness and said, "This is your interview."

The helmet explained a lot. It was badly damaged and had received a severe impact on the left side. The front left corner of the helmet was completely crushed and there was little doubt that without the helmet Cadel would be out of the race and maybe even this world.

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