TDF stage Six: Schumacher crashes

Not wanting to feel left out I thought I'd follow the world media in making the most of this headline opportunity. But really, you might feel sorry for the young German. Not only did he fall off his bike and scrape his knee, but his surname ensures that it will be headline news the next morning.

Schumacher has had an uneasy rise in the peleton - who can forget the nasty (and eerily similar) tumble that gave him the victory in 2006 Eneco tour? On that day he was likened to another Schumacher who infamously 'took out' Jaques Villeneuve to take the world championship - but this time it was Stefan doing the road licking and (in a freaky symmetry) Benelux loser Hincapie's team-mate Kirchen who made off with the yellow (and green).

For me it is a sad event. Schumacher had obviously been reading MIT and the last two stages saw him take the jersey but leave the shorts. Yes, he had a yellow lid, but in these days of excess any restraint should be applauded.

So what did we learn?
Taking people out to win races makes for great media coverage.
Evans is strong, but so is Valverde.
Heinrich Haussler needs a new zip on his jersey.
Kim Kirchen will now have 'dark horse' tatooed onto his forhead.

PS
Did anyone else see that monumental slip-up by the camera crew, who broadcast live images of full frontal nudity on Le Tour? During a quick nature break we were treated to some 'footage' (inch-age?) of the Predictor boys taking a pee - with one rider front and center - though you might have needed to look closely. A long day in the saddle is like a cold bath. Really.