The Last Word- Stage 16

Two massive mountains and an infinite amount of monumental accelerations highlighted today's stage. One move in particular reminded us all of how good Lance Armstrong can be at his best. Left behind on the Petit-Saint-Bernard, Armstrong eventually exploded up the climb to bridge the gap to his teammates, Alberto Contador and Andreas Kloden. In the process, protecting his tenuous hold on 2nd overall.

"Fate" was cruel to Team Saxo Bank today. Despite their best efforts to put Contador's Yellow Jersey in jeopardy, all they had to show for it in Bourg-Saint-Maurice was the loss of Jens Voigt to a horrific crash. That will be a MAJOR blow to their hopes in the final five days of the race.

Congratulations to Mikel Astarloza- he wins the first road race of his career- and what a time to shine- with the world watching his every move, and more specifically, his final brilliant blast at 2K to go, leaving his breakaway 'mates' in the lurch.

A great ride as well by the Garmin-Slipstream squad. Bradley Wiggins rode impeccably, and David Zabriskie drove the chase in the closing kilometers as few can.