the ones that got away

For the most part, the guys in the breakaways always get caught - but not today. These 2 broke away about 50km in (along with 13 other riders) and stayed away for the rest of the stage - even up the HC climb of the Col du Soudet (14km at 7.3% grade...yikes). It was kind of funny watching the end of the stage - the AG2R rider was destined for both the yellow jersey and the polka dot jersey whereas the Agritubel rider could only hope for the stage win. I think Mercado (the Agritubel guy) tried to work out some sort of deal with Dessel, but Dessel wasn't going to give him the win...so Mercado just sat on Dessel's wheel for the last 5 km or so and then sprinted by him just at the finish. Cheeky bugger!
In the meantime, the peloton - who obviously miscalcuated things today, came in about 6min later. I suppose they could have been saving themselves for tomorrow's nasty stage in the Pyrenees.