56 - Tour de France stage 6,7 and 8

Post no. 56 here:
The Tour de France continues with stages 6,7 and 8.

Stage 6:

The stage was a 226.5km ride from Dinan to Lisieux in Normandy.

Edvald Boasson Hagen has edged Australian Matt Goss to claim his and Team Sky's maiden Tour de France victory in the sixth stage. Boasson Hagen's fellow Norwegian Thor Hushovd finished third to retain the race leader's yellow jersey, with Cadel Evans still second on the general classification, trailing by one second.

It was another dangerous stage for riders, with Alberto Contador going down again, and Britain’s Bradley Wiggins was forced to retire from the race. 

Stage 7:

Another flat stage for the riders, with sprinters most likely to take out the 218km stage. 

Mark Cavendish claimed his 2nd stage win this tour, with another dominating sprint finish. "You guys are the best," an emotional Cavendish shouted at the finish to his teammates. He added: "I didn't have to do anything. They delivered to the last 150 metres to go today and I just had to finish it off." 

It was an easy stage for race contenders with everyone keeping their noses clean.

Thor Hushovd in leader's yellow jersey

Stage 8:

The hardest stage of the tour so far, with several mountains the riders had to climb. 

Alberto Rui Costa hung on during a tense finish to claim his maiden Tour de France victory on the eighth stage held over 189km from Aiguirande to Super-Besse. Norwegian Thor Hushovd upset predictions to retain the race lead on the first day of climbing in the Massif Central as an expected skirmish between the real yellow jersey favourites failed to spark.

Cadel Evans from Australia had another great race, finishing 3^rd and maintains his 2^nd place in the overall lead. 

Overall Standing:

1. T. Hushovd

2. C. Evans (+1 sec)

3. F. Schleck (+4 sec)

Joke of the Day:

Q. What do cats like for breakfast?
A. Mice crispies...