Lance is still grinding it out, after stage 9 his lead was cut down to just 21 seconds. He was somewhat lucky to avoid an accident. Whilst coming off the last climb and within a couple of miles of the finish, Lance and another rider, Joseba Beloki, were chasing down the stage leader when beloki lost it, locked his rear wheel slid sideways, the rear tyre flipped off and Beloki hit the deck. (These guys come off these hills a speeds up to 60 mph) Lance veered to the left to avoid hitting him and shot into a field. They were approaching a left hairpin. Lance rode across to the road, cutting out the corner. He had to dismount and leap over a ditch, remount and carry on. It was just as well there was no ditch where he went off the road. By the time he regained his composure he was amongst a large group of riders. He put the hammer down and finished 4th on the day. He lost some time but is still in quite a strong position.
The next few days are over flat terrain and shouldn't give Lance any trouble, barring accidents. The next big stage is Fridays Time Trial. I feel he will do it and cement himself into cycling history.
Sadly Beloki fractured a femur and suffered 2 fractures to an arm.
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