Hold the (it's pronounced "My-Oh") Mayo. Salad days of TDF almost over.

[HuckleB]

Basque Cyclist, Mayo, Enjoys Salad Days on Tour
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/12/sports/sportsspecial/12CND-TOUR.html

"If sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, making puns with somebody's name ranks closely behind. Ask Iban Mayo.

On second thought, don't ask Mayo. Since he's Spanish and the word for mayonnaise in his language — "mahonesa" and sometimes "mayonesa" — is never shortened to "mayo" and since, in any case, his name is pronounced Myo, he wouldn't get the joke.

Not that there is a joke, despite what headline writers for the English-language press and Internet sites think. All spring, as he chalked up one victory after another, it was "Hold the Mayo," "Can't Hold the Mayo," "Mayo on a Roll" and "Mayo Spreads It Around." Enough already. These puns don't cut the mustard.

Despite his 89th place overall in the Tour de France and a deficit of 15 minutes 2 seconds behind the yellow jersey after a crash last week, Iban Mayo, the 26-year-old leader of the Euskaltel team from Spain, is no laughing matter. He's a rider to relish. On one of his strong days, his rivals can do no better than play catch-up."

----------

Oh? The race? Is there a stage today?

Filippo Simeoni and Inigo Landaluze have gone on a classic, long break, but with 15 km to go, it looks like they might be caught by the peleton, as their lead is shrinking dramatically.

Me oh, my oh.

The sprinters' teams have had to lead the peleton's charge for most of the day, leaving the General Classification favorites well-rested as the Tour hits the mountains tomorrow.

I can't wait.

[HuckleB]

1. Peleton within 35 seconds of the break with 4km to go.

[HuckleB]

2. Peleton catches break with 50 meters to go. McEwan wins. Thor 2nd.

Oh, the heartbreak. All that work for nothing.

Tell it to Jakob Piil.

What a finish!