Yesterday was the first stage in the Alps and it was pretty good. Since today is the first time trial (where riders ride alone for a stage, without the help of their team) many people thought that the big stars might take it easy yesterday to rest up. However, Jan Ullrich — who seemed to be out of it altogether, since he hasn’t performed well and actually has been asked to support another member of his team, Kloden — took off on an attack on one of the major climbs. It was thrilling for a while, until Lance’s US Postal team and Basso’s CSC team reeled him back in. One of the coolest things about the reel-in was that CSC “called back” Jens Voight — he was ahead of Ullrich due to an earlier breakaway, and he just pulled over and waited for Lance and Basso to catch up with him, so he could help them catch Ullrich. Fascinating strategy.

The attack spread out the field and several of the top 10 in the overall standings were dropped, including Voeckler (who held the yellow jersey), Mancebo, Casar, and Toechning.

At the end of the stage, only five top guys were left at the front — Lance, Jan, Levi Leipheimer, Kloden, and Basso. It was a sprint finish and Lance won! He totally celebrated in a exuberant fashion. It’s the 18th stage win of his career.

Lance is now in yellow. Basso is second and Kloden third, and they are his major remaining challengers. Mancebo hangs on to fourth, and Ullrich managed to pull himself up to fifth, but he is almost 7 minutes back, and that will be tough to make up.

Today is the first time trial and it is very exciting because it is on one of the most famous Tour mountains — L’Alp D’Huez. It’s very steep and the time trial will be completely uphill. Lance will start last because he’s in the overall lead. I can’t wait!