Bu, Bu, Bu, BOOONNNEN!

Alright, so the written version doesn't even come close to Detroit Pistons PA announcer, John Mason's, unique style. No disrespect to Phil and Paul, but it would have been great to hear Mason call the sprint today.

The Tornado, Tom Boonen (Quick-Step - Innergetic), finally got it right today, following the mix up...er, gift...er, plan during Stage 2's lead out by teammate Gert Steegmans. The victory, placed Boonen back in the Maillot Vert, which was being temporarily looked after by Erik Zabel (Milram), more on Zabel later.

I couldn't tell if it was the stress from not having won a stage yet, the tiredness from such a long sprint, the knowledge that he'll be cruising the autobus during the mountain stages, or the fact that he'd won so many races before, but Boonen certainly looked more relieved than elated as he crossed the line today (Photo: CorVos/Pezcyclingnews). If I didn't know any better, I'd say that his look bordered on being disinterested, bored, or even indifferent. Perhaps I'm reaching for something that isn't there, as Boonen was all smiles on the podium. But having seen that signature two handed salute in full elation before, you'd swear that he was a superhero preparing to take flight. Today, um...not so much.


Green With Hypocrisy?
This from Velonews' Ben Delaney:

"Germany's veteran sprinter Erik Zabel (Milram) had not one but two Tour de France green jerseys taken from him Friday before stage 6 even finished.

He lost the first - his overall best sprinter title from 1996 - when Tour de France authorities announced they were revoking it because of Zabel's admission this May to use of the banned blood-booster EPO that year. He lost the second - the current green jersey of the 2007 Tour de France sprint competition - on the road today after Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Innergetic) scored points at two intermediate sprints and the final to overtake him in the competition."

I'm all for justice and righting a wrong, but I can't help but feel like Lance Armstrong did before the start of the Tour when he called out Tour Director, Christian Prudhomme.

"Seven-time Tour de France winner criticized Tour Director Christian Prudhomme for his actions regarding Bjarne Riis. The Texan referred to the Frenchman as a "hypocrite" for wanting to take away Riis 1996 Tour jersey following the Dane's confession to doping during the same year.

"The hypocrisy of certain directors irritates me," Armstrong said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "After the confession of Riis, Prudhomme asked for the return of the yellow jersey. Why did he never ask Virenque for his polka-dot jerseys? To Thévenet for his two yellow jerseys? The family of Anquetil for his five yellow jerseys?""

Many may say that Armstrong's sentiments are nothing more than "the pot calling the kettle black," but he's absolutely right in his statements. If you're only going to punish the few, why do it at all? Didn't 5-time Tour champion, Jacques Anquetil, freely admit that he took amphetamines, all the while arguing that it was part of the cycling culture at that time.

Isn't that what's going on now?

I'd think Raymond Poulidor, a man who was certainly more loved by the French than Anquetil, and who will be forever known as the "Eternal Second," would certainly appreciate just one of those 5 jerseys, let alone the three he lost to him.

Mr. Prudhomme, you have some more jerseys to collect [and more history to re-write], or do the rules only pertain to non-French riders.