Later today starts another amazing 23 days of cycling. I have the Stevo locked on OLN and Newsgator pointed at Frank Steele’s always awesome Tour de France blog!

• Can Lance make it to seven?
• Will we see Jan Ullrich wear yellow in Paris?
• Can Ivan Basso stay with Lance again in the mountains?
• Is Bob Roll going to shave those gnarly muttonchops?

I have no idea, but I cannot wait to find out!

We’ll miss you this year Tyler Hamilton — Good luck!

The start of Le Tour is just hours away and I am already on the edge with anticipation. No matter the outcome, I guarantee that it is going to be an epic battle. Far more dramatic and compelling than any over-hyped “reality show” could force feed viewers.

Kudos to the Outdoor Live Network (OLN-TV) for their live unabridged coverage. I or my STeVo will be there from Liege to the Champs-Elysées in Paris!

New York Times article on the technological advances going into Lance Armstrong’s equipment for this year’s Tour de France

“This is a mathematical model,” he said, noting that other factors affect performance. “A rider could have a bad breakfast.” (Link via Lockergnome’s Tech News Watch)

From a spectators point of view, it’s a little early to be thinking of the 2004 Tour de France, but Eurosport has an excellent analysis of Armstrong’s chances for six

“In the group of five-timers, however, Armstrong excels in one crucial domain: More than any of the others, Armstrong can endure the forces of an apocalyptic Tour de France — and still emerge with his yellow jersey intact.” Here’s why…

Well, as I’m sure most know, Lance made it to number five.

Congratulations on joining the Five-Timers-Club

Congratulations also to the awesome Postal Team!

Speaking of Lance, here’s a great quote from the recent Washington Post article by Sally Jenkins who co-author of the Lance Armstrong book, “It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life”

Stage 16: Armstrong still retains the Yellow Jersey, but …

“With a fractured collarbone, Tyler Hamilton has battled on to become the sixth American rider to win a stage of the Tour de France.”(via Le tour en direct

I know I keep saying it, but what an awesome race!

Go Tyler!

Kudos to all the riders in “Le Tour” this year!!

I was on the edge of my seat, even while reading the live updates online of today’s stage 15.

All I can say is WOW! I can’t wait to watch the replay tonight!

“At the end of the 15th stage, Armstrong has increased his lead over Ullrich. The American is now 1’07” ahead of the German in the generall classification. Vinokourov began the day within 18″ of the overall lead, he finished it with a deficit of 2’45”.

At least Armstrong still retains the overall lead with 34 seconds over Ullrich, but …

“Ullrich … powered across the 29 miles of rolling vineyards in 58 minutes, 32 seconds to take the Tour’s 12th stage. He was the only rider of 167 to finish in less than an hour.”(via ESPN)

And…

“Immediately after crossing the finish line in fifth place, American Tyler Hamilton — competing with a broken collarbone — stumbled off his bike, lurched forward and vomited.”

Catherine sent me the following quote from Tyler Hamilton’s latest journal entry about his current status at the Tour:

“The pain in my collarbone is now being matched by pain in my spine. I started feeling a jabbing pain in my back and rib cage a couple of days ago. We just figured it was a bruise making its way to the surface and that it would get better each day. But the problem is it’s been getting worse.”

Anil Dash points to a great Tour de France weblog.

I’d like to add however, that VeloNews has been reporting live coverage of the tour in blog-like fashion for the last few years, which has been great as well!