Cavemen of the Tour - the peloton speeds through the Grotto of Mas d'Azil in search of the first sprint...
SCENERYTDF
It's taken over 90-kilometres to let an escape go away - there's about twelve of them, led by Turgo...
TURGOESCAPETDF
The peloton ias led up the Col de Portet d'Aspet by Robbie McEwen, Stuart O'Grady and George HIncapie - needless to say the pace is gentle for now...
PELOTONTDF
The family of Fabio Casartelli watch the Tour descend past his memorial, fifteen years after his death there...
Thomas Voeckler is the most energetic in the escape - they have almost ten minutes and the Frenchman senses a stage-win for the taking...
VOECKLERTDF
Stuart O'Grady is still leading the peloton, but this time he's also leading the chase...
O'GRADYSAXOTDF
Turgo is doing more work than anyone, but then he wants Voeckler to get as far away from the peloton as possible
Johan Van Summeren has broken up the escape on the Col de Bales - only five men are in front now...
SCHLECKESCAPETDF
Voeckler is about to jump away from his colleagues and ride to a fabulous stage-win...
Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador have started their duel with about seven kilometres of the climb remaining...
SCHLECKTDF
Schleck looks in great form - as his rivals can testify..!
Levi Leipheimer has got back to Schleck as well, and Armstrong is just behind him...
SHACKCLIMBINGTDF
Schleck has made another attack but unshipped his chain - Contdor has bolted ahead...
SCHLECKMECHANICALTDF
Sammy Sanchez has joined Contador in the attack - as has Denis Menchov...
SANCHEZESCAPETDF
Contador is trying to open a decent gap before Schleck can recover properly...
CONTADORTDF
Schleck is about 30-seconds down near the summit, and he has Hesjedal alongside him...
The summit of the Col de Bales is packed with spectators from France and Spain...
Alberto Contador produces his pistol salute - but has he actually shot himself for attacking Scheck in such a way..?