The angels that script sport are constantly battling the demons of doping. A sport ravaged by doping investigations was looking for respite from this great event of endurance and spirit - the Tour de France. And Norwegian Thor Hushovd has been promptly despatched to answer the despairing cries of the cycling world.
After winning the Prologue, he had his arm split open by an overly eager fan waving a sponsor's insignia on the final stretch of stage 1. As he collapsed after the finish line, people feared the worst as he was carried away to an ambulance for treatment. It wasn't to be the end of his race after all. Oh, that is something to cheer isn't it? Anything would do, for a sport that is desperately ill, as cycling is.
Stage 2 runs from Obernai, a small town in France that lives off tourism. There was indeed a rider short on day 3, but it wasn't Hushovd who bid adieu. Danilo di Luca of Liquigas, an Italian was the first retirement this year, as he failed to start the stage. Meanwhile, arm stitched and body enduring the drowsy effects of medicine, the Credit Agricole rider took to the road between Obernai and Esch-sur-Alzette, at 228.5km the second longest stage this year. Esch-sur-Alzette, the source of such wealth in Luxembourg, owes its cosmolipolitan status to the discovery of iron ore in the late 19th century.
Thor Hushovd isn't going to win the tour, no rider can do so without mastering the mountains, but he is the sort of start that can rouse the passion of the battered cycling fan. Thank you for changing the weather Thor. He promptly finished third on the stage, to reclaim the yellow jersey, which may cure all his ills.
The sprinter Robbie McEwen won the stage, his ninth on the tour. With metres to go, Hushovd the beleaguered rider, lost his pedal as his foot slipped off the cleat but managed to hold his step to finish behind Tom Boonen.
The third stage is a 216.5km ride from Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg to Valkenburg in the Netherlands. Valkenburg is one of those cyclist mecca's that dote this part of Europe, thanks to its hilly landscape.
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