!http://www.active.com/images/newsletters/cyclist/TourdeFrance2007/images/fredrod.jpg|style=padding:10px;|align=left|src=http://www.active.com/images/newsletters/cyclist/TourdeFrance2007/images/fredrod.jpg!I woke up this morning feeling much better. We will have to see how the body will react in today’s race.

Yesterday was almost a repeat of last year’s Tour. I kept getting flashbacks to last year.

Basically, the only ones I can blame for such a bad crash is the Tour de France organizers. They say they are creating safe courses for us when, at the end, they do what they want. As sprinters, we have been asking for years for the organizers to take more responsibility for the roads.

You may remember how I crashed out of the Tour last year. Basically, on a straight road slightly downhill at high speed I went into uncovered construction hole. The organizers didn’t cover it, advise us of it or even shut down that side of the road. That crash could have ended my career, if not worse. The best part was that the organizers never took action to see how I was.

I was just off their books.

Sorry guys, I'm sounding a bit down on this subject, but I feel I need to give it to you how it is.

But again, cycling is one of the most beautiful sports in the world.

The crowds through Belgium were amazing. People were standing out on the road cheering on their heroes. One of my teammates, Wim Vansevenant, was able to sprint ahead to have a visit with his family and friends.

I did notice one thing. The fan base in France seems to be on the down side, but as soon as we cross the border the roads are crowded. Cross your fingers. Maybe some day the race will hit stateside.

Freddie

Colombian-born Freddie Rodriguez is a professional American road racing cyclist. He is a three-time US national champion and currently races for team Predictor-Lotto. His Fast Freddie Coffee, the Fast Freddie Foundation, and his new Team Fast Freddie raise funds to support youth cycling in America. Freddie resides in Emeryville, California, and Girona, Spain. Freddie is riding this year's Tour and will give us an insider's perspective on life inside the peloton. He welcomes questions and will try to respond during the Tour.