The real race for this year's yellow jersey began on Stage 12 (Basso edges Armstrong for win at La Mongie) and may have ended on Stage 13 (This time Armstrong edges Basso; Voeckler stays in yellow.) These were the two toughest days in the Pyrenees. Lance shone and his pre-race rivals all faded. Tyler Hamilton has dropped out and his nearest pre-race rival, Jan Ullrich, is almost seven minutes behind. The race is over for them. However, new blood has arrived with 27 year old Italian Ivan Basso. He is being touted as a future contender for the yellow jersey. He is only 77 seconds behind Lance and could possibly challenge. He stayed with Lance on both mountain stages. I don't think he will deny Lance his 6th win. As they came in for the sprint on Stage 13, Lance, who had been climbing in the hot weather with his jersey unzipped, zipped his jersey in preperation for the sprint. There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to win the stage and he wanted a good shot for his sponsor. Basso isn't the time trialer Lance is and there is one cruel time trial, up the the Alp d'Huez, left.

Today's race was flat and no positions changed. Lance is still 22 seconds away from the yellow jersey and he should be wearing it at the end of Stage 15. Tomorrow is a day off and then it is into the Alps. Stages 15, 17, and 18 are mountain stages and Team U.S. Postal will be contolling the race. Stage 16 is the Time Trial of Death up Alp d'Huez. Stage 19 is flat and Stage 20 is ceremonial. There is still some racing left. Lance Armstrong is unbelievable.