gnashing teeth of a rabid vorpal cricket

One of my favorite riders, Paolo "the cricket" Bettini ripped it up today.

This little man, twirling an enormous gear, with his tiny frame sprinting ahead of this humongous peloton.

Due to the uphill sprint, he managed to stop the Alessandro "I'll win everything that's flat" Petacchi train.

Benefitting from his performance was none other than Taylor's Pan Blanco who won the stage.

With only five days remaining in the Vuelta, it's getting a bit crowded at the top. As of today, there is a tie between Dr. Brian'sVuelta Skelta and Jeff's Thor and the Basque Batallion for first place on the GC. A mere 7 points back is Taylor's Team Rookie led by Denis Menchov. I would be remiss if i didn't mention that my sleeping giant, Unfrozen Taco is close behind them. But the real intrigue might come from none other than Carrie Casagrande currently sitting in 7th, but only 135 points back and she has Heras. So anything could happen, if he goes on a tear. Stay tuned...

Wouldn't be a stage without some abandons:
Fruita Freewheelers lost stage-winner Bertagnolli
Las Mariquititas lost former NCS sprinter Julian Dean