Yesterday was Stage 7, Strasbourg / Colmar. Lance Armstrong apparently didn't contest and is still 15th put has dropped to 5 min 56 sec back.

Today was Stage 8, Colmar / Pontarlier.

Massive Attack!

An attacking group of 14 riders created a piece of curious history today when their winning time was enough to eliminate the rest of the field from the Tour de France. In appalling conditions, the two main winners of the cold, wet and cruel 222.5km stage from Colmar to Pontarlier were Stuart O’Grady and Erik Dekker.

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Indeed, there were 161 riders today who finished almost 36 minutes behind the winner of the stage. And, in so doing, shouldn’t officially be allowed to start the ninth stage – thanks to their deficit being over 10 percent of Dekker’s winning time. But a Tour de France with 14 riders offers little appeal, and the organizers will have to make an exception to the rule tonight.

But the facts above illustrate the main stories of today’s stage: There were 14 riders who were prepared to race – and race hard – despite the conditions.

And one of those not prepared was Lance Armstrong who is now 24th and 35 min 19 sec back and lucky to be still in the race.