!http://www.active.com/images/newsletters/cyclist/TourdeFrance2007/images/Pensec4150x150.jpg|style=padding:10px;|align=left|src=http://www.active.com/images/newsletters/cyclist/TourdeFrance2007/images/Pensec4150x150.jpg!I didn’t quite enjoy the race today. One more time, we haven’t seen any fights or échappée so I’m a bit disappointed by this stage. I was expecting more from it.

I thought riders would start showing their real faces but they didn’t. However, the Astana team showed us that they lack tactic skills as when Vinokourov felt, he didn’t get the support he should have received. He ends up this stage 1 minute, 20 seconds away from the yellow jersey...ouch!

I thought that Astana had a real strong team and I must confess that after what we have seen today, I’m no longer betting on them.

Something I’ve been thinking about and which is giving hope is that with Vinokourov’s crash, now he will have to struggle and play it offensively if he wants to come back seriously. So I’m hoping to see a great reaction from him, maybe not tomorrow but surely on Saturday with the first real big stage! And we all know that Vinokourov has great offensive skills and he has the real fighter spirit.

Finally, I have noticed an important tension between Steegmans and Boonen this morning after what happened yesterday. I think if this tension goes on for some more days, Quickstep may have to deal with internal issues that could compromise their Tour. We will see, but it’s a feeling. You should have seen Boonen’s look toward Steegmans...

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about the Team Time Trial today that we're really missing actually after such a classic day. It was such a fantastic concept, with lots of tactics, team spirit and such a nice entertainment for spectators. We will see how the Tour de France will handle this change and if it will be beneficial or not. But I’m missing the good old days today…

One thing is for sure now: We need some action right now!

Ronan

Ronan Pensec participated in eight Tours, and wore the yellow jersey in the 1990. He now operates Ronan Pensec Events, an official Tour de France operator hosting VIP cycling tours for recreational cycling enthusiasts.