TDF stage 15: playtime, boys

Some people seem to think that the sport of cycling is on it's last legs, and in some ways that may be true. But today's fireworks on the climb up to Prato Nevoso prove that the sporting heart of cycling is still alive and well. Savage hits from CSC finally shifted the yellow to the shoulders of Schleck the elder, though wether it will be a set of wings or a dead weight is yet to be seen. Surely it was getting too heavy for Cadel.

Big shows of form came from Sastre and Menchov, who could have taken 4th if it weren't for the slip on a sharp twist. They both took back some of the time they had lost in the first TT and the early Pyrenees and now we have the unlikely situation of 6 riders sitting within 60 seconds of the coveted golden shirt. Valverde clawed his way back into the top ten, but it's a long way back for the Spaniard after his early misfire.

Headline news came in the form of German Kohl who led Sastre, Valverde and Menchov to the line and very nearly took yellow for himself. He's looking like the darkest of dark horses (who was talking about him last week? anyone?) and who knows how well he'll hold on over the next two stages.

Still to come
Still, more big days to come this week, and guarenteed fireworks. Will Sastre take the bitter pill and watch his younger team mate run off with the prize he's dreamed of for so long? Will Cadel find freedom out of yellow and take it all back on the TT? We'll know come Sunday.