Greig Leach

Even before the tricolore smoke trail had vanished from overhead, the French National Time Trial Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) attacked the peloton and got a good gap before reaching the L'Arc de Triomphe to swing back down the other side of the famous boulevard. He may have broken the tradition of giving a full lap of honor to the Yellow Jersey but I am quite sure that the French will forgive him the cheek. Someone had to be the first to attack, Chavanel decided it might as well be him. Even with his time trialing abilities, it was unlikely that he could hold off the teams of the sprinters who wanted to claim the Parisian stage.