Race wrap

We are into the hilly bits with most of the specialist sprinters out of the race. Which should leave Bettini in with a good chance, although he managed to miss the break yesterday, leaving Schumacher to take the prize. More mountains today, so expect to see Basso defend against Simoni, Cunego and the unexpected opportunists. If he is as strong as he looks he'll roll over the top in the lead, again. Meanwhile Jan is just completing his daily riding duties with no pressure - roll on July!

Aussie wrap:

Stage 18 - Thursday, May 25: Sillian - Gemona Del Friuli, 210 km (from Cyclingnews)

8 Matthew White (Aus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
78 Scott Davis (Aus) T-Mobile Team (best Aussie @74th on GC)
138 Henk Vogels (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto
139 Mathew Hayman (Aus) Rabobank
151 Nick Gates (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto

Meanwhile...the Tour of Belgium - 2.1 Belgium, May 24-28, 2006
Stage 1 - May 24: Oostende-Oostende, 180.9 km
Boonen was 2nd, but it was good to see Baden Cooke near the
sharp end of the field...
4 Baden Cooke (Aus) Unibet.com (6th on GC)
60 William Walker (Aus) Rabobank (Continental)
100 David McPartland (Aus) Team Tenax Salmilano
125 Michael Simms (Aus) Profel Ziegler Continental Team

Stage 2 - May 25: Oostende-Knokke Heist, 180.5 km
Boonen wins... and..again...
4 Baden Cooke (Aus) Unibet.com
Walker, McPartland and Simms well back.

Also, Luke Roberts is 30th in the GC for the 27th International
Bayern Rundfahrt
Josh Collingwood is 73rd.

In the 35th Tour de Vendée we saw:

32 Mark Renshaw (Aus) Credit Agricole
33 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Cofidis
51 Simon Gerrans (Aus) AG2R-Prevoyance
53 Benjamin Johnson (Aus) Agritubel

At the 24th Volta ao Alentejo - 2.1 110th on GC is Ben Day (Aus)
for Carvalhelhos-Boavista

At the Rás Peter Herzig (Aus) for FRF Couriers is best Aussie at
7th on GC.

And at 20th place Julian (AUS) Blackwell (Team Emporelli
RaceInEurope.com) appeared in the "Men C" category at the GP
Buchholz - NE