Le Tour 2010: plenty of crashes

 Café du Nord in Menetou-Salon decorated for le Tour 2009

Well Mark Cavendish didn't add to his tally of 10 stage wins yesterday as he failed to negotiate a sharpish corner about 2K from the finish. If Mark's form is anything like it was during the 2009 Tour then he was clearly a strong favourite to win. The last few weeks, however, have raised questions about his bike handling ability. Further bad news was Thor Hushovd got third place and valuable points in the content for the Green jersey.

The crash that involved Mark was only the first of three at the end of yesterday's stage. The next brought down or hindered well over half the peloton and completely blocked the road. Then within sight of the line there was another spill. All this gave Alessandro Petacchi, the Italian sprint specialist, the opportunity to win the stage – an impressive achievement as he is now 36. This must give encouragement to the 38 year-old Lance Armstrong that he can win the overall race. 

A rather lumpy stage todsay to Spa with a series of 4th and 3rd category climbs in the Ardennes may well rule out a bunch sprint. Tuesday's stage includes sections of pavé – unmade up roads with cobblestones. Yesterday's crashes were on normal roads, so you have to wonder what will happen on Tuesday with the pressure to be at the front for the sections of pavé.

Interesting analysis and article here in Cycling Weekly on the Armstrong doping allegations.