Davis Phinney probably summed it up best when he wrote on twitter:

"stg7 my take; Astana controls stage perfectly but AC goes rogue at the end. Note to Alberto; there's no 'I' in 'T-E-A-M'..."

And VeloNews confirmed the rumors that were swirling around the Tour de France today after Alberto Contador failed to follow team orders and left his teammates in the dust about 2K from the finish line.

“There were no instructions from the car (to attack),” said Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel. “We wanted to try to maintain our collective strength and wait for the attacks to come. Those attacks didn’t come.”

VeleNews goes on to report that:

"Yet Bruyneel was putting the brakes on the Astana train, even with Cancellara flagging off the back, because it’s too early in the race to have to carry the weight of the yellow jersey all the way to the Alps.

The Belgian director was telling the troops to ease the pace and allow Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) to stay clear from the all-day breakaway and snag the maillot jaune instead.

But Contador had his own plan."

And unfortunately for Contador that plan didn't include the rest of Team Astana.

Lance Armstrong perhaps summed it in hos own way when he said, "It wasn’t really to the plan, I didn’t expect him to go with the plan, so that was no surprise.”

But you can't win the Tour de France on your own...no matter how talented, fast, or lucky you maybe.

Axel Merkxx knows this all too well and he put it this way: "Here are my thoughts. Congrats to Felliu and Nocentini! Contador made sure he passed Lance in GC, to win the tour you need teammates..."

So the question now that everybody is asking is just how many teammates can Alberto Contador count on in the weeks to come, and of course how many teammates can Lance Armstrong count on as the going gets tough?

Today, when it really mattered, Contador went rouge and Armstrong stayed with the team.

You do the math.

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Stage 8 of the Tour de France can be summoned up in three words: mountains, mountains, mountains.

The 176.5-kilometer stage will have the remaining 176 riders climb three times from the center of the Andorra-la-Vielle to Saint-Girons.

But while three climbs does not seem like such a hard day for the boys on the tour, the professional cyclist will earn their pay as two of the climbs are category 1 with the third climb ranked as a category 2.

You can watch the stage 8  preview video below, and don't forget to check out the Tour de France stage 7 results and General Standings below as well:

Top Stage 7 Results:

1 Brice Feillu (Agritubel)
2 Christophe Kern (Cofidis)
3 Johannes Fröhlinger (Milram)
4 Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale)
Egoi Martínez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
Iván Gutiérrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 3:26
Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 3:48

GC Standings after Stage 7:

• 1. Rinaldo Nocentini Ag2r-La Mondiale in 25:44:32
• 2. Alberto Contador Astana in 25:44:38
• 3. Lance Armstrong Astana in 25:44:40 at 00:08
• 4. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 25:45:11 at 00:39
• 5. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 25:45:18 at 00:46
• 6. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 25:45:26 at 00:54
• 7. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 25:45:32 at 01:00
• 8. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 25:45:56 at 01:24
• 9. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 25:46:21 at 01:49
• 10. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 25:46:26 at 01:54
• 11. Jérôme Pineau Quick Step in 25:46:42 at 02:10
• 12. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 25:46:53 at 02:21
• 13. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 25:46:57 at 02:25
• 14. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 25:47:12 at 02:40
• 15. Carlos Sastre Cervelo TestTeam in 25:47:24 at 02:52
• 16. Johannes FrÖhlinger Team Milram in 25:47:26 at 02:54
• 17. Franco Pellizotti Liquigas in 25:47:35 at 03:03
• 18. Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto in 25:47:39 at 03:07
• 19. Egoi Martinez Euskaltel - Euskadi in 25:47:42 at 03:10
• 20. Kim Kirchen Team Columbia - Htc in 25:47:48 at 03:16

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ANDORRA — Since Tour de France riders are in the midst of spending three straight days on some of the most famous and infamous climbs in the Pyrenees, it's a good time to define the severity of climbs and how they make or break riders' races.

Climbs in bike races are categorized in increasing order of difficulty, from 4 to 1 and then “hors categorie” or “above category.” The designation is of above category is often shortened to HC, and it's reserved for the most difficult ascents.

Race organizers can categorize mountains in their races as they wish. But Tour de France organizers follow strict guidelines via the length of a climb and its average gradient or grade.

A climb with a 10 percent grade, for example, rises one foot for every 10 feet it advances.

Here's how Tour de France organizers rate climbs:

Category 4 – Typically shorter than two kilometers and with about a five percent grade or as long a five kilometers with a two or three percent grade.

Category 3 — Can be as short as 1.5 kilometers with a steep grade of up to 10 percent. Can also be as long as 10 kilometers with an average grade of less than five percent.

Category 2 — Can be as five kilometers with an eight percent grade or as long as 15 kilometers at four percent.

Category 1 — Can be eight kilometers at eight percent to as long as 20 kilometers at five percent.

Hors Categorie — Reserved for the most severe ascents. Can be a category 1 climb with a summit at the finish of a stage. Can also be 10 kilometers with an average grade of 7.5 percent or as long as 25 kilometers at with at least an average grade of six percent.

The above category climbs in the 2009 Tour de France:

Stage 7 — Andorre-Arcalis (elevation, 2,240 meters), (10.6 kilometers, 7 percent, summit finish.

Stage 9 — Col du Tourmalet (elevation, 2,115 meters), 17 kilometers, 7.5 percent, mid-stage.

Stage 16 — Col du Grand-Saint Bernard (elevation, 2,473 meters), 29 kilometers, 6.2 percent, early stage.

Stage 20 — Mont Ventoux (elevation, 1,912 meters), 21.6 kilometers, 7.6 percent, summit finish.

James Raia is reporting live from the Tour de France for everymantri.com. James, a journalist since 1976, is co-author of Tour de France For Dummies. He owns several websites, contributes to many print and online publications. A long-distance runner for nearly 30 years, Raia also rides his bike -- to nearby coffeehouses. E-mail: james@byjamesraia.com.

Additional Cycling Resources:

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I interview Don Davis, founder and race director of the Survival of the Shawnagunks Triathlon.  This is truly a fantastic race, with eight legs and carrying your own running gear through the swims!  Listen in as Don describes how the race got started and some of the issues people have to deal with.

Don't forget, I will be hosting a talk on the Zen approach to fear and how to use it in the sport of triathlon.  The talk is 3 PM, Sunday, July 12, at the park atop the La Jolla cliffs on the south side of La Jolla Cove.  Here is a link to a map.  We will be at the northernmost tip of that park.  I will be wearing a white visor and a Half IM Buffalo Springs t-shirt.

Right after the talk, we will swim across that cove to the shore to the east... and back!  We will be putting our fear training to work!  Bring your swimsuit!

But it didn't take long for the photos to become political.

Today Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote a column entitled Sarah's Secret Diary, where she created a fictional Palin diary entry by writing:

"I posed for a cheesecake shot in Runner’s World with short-shorts and a crumpled American flag that’s destined to be on the bedroom wall of every conservative 12-year-old boy. It’s the metaphor, stupid! Heck yeah, I’m running! As I learned when I was a beauty contestant — flags and gams show you it’s about country.

And before you say anything though about the glam shots of me stretching and preening on the waterfront in my cute running outfits, don’t bother. That would be a sexist double standard."

So are the photos Cheesecake or political metaphor?

You decide the Runner's World Slide Show of all of the Palin photo's can be viewed HERE.

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Stage 7 was the first stage in the mountains, and the longest stage of the Tour de France, but when the riders had crossed the finish line seven time American champion Lance Armstrong was in third place just behind Alberto Contador and Italian rider Rinaldo Nocentini (team AG2R La Mondiale) who was in yellow and the lead.

Nocentini was part of an early breakaway and managed to stay in front long  enough to win the yellow jersey.

Rockie Frenchman Brice Feillu (team Agritubel) won the stage on the power of his last 5K breakaway from the summit making him the star of the day and perhaps a new rising star in professional cycling.

It was the final 10 kilometer climb of stage 7 where team Astana stamped its authority on the race by controlling the stage as Alberto Contador broke free of the chase pack in the last kilometer to gain precious seconds on Armstrong who stayed back in the chase.

Top Stage 7 Results:

1 Brice Feillu (Agritubel)
2 Christophe Kern (Cofidis)
3 Johannes Fröhlinger (Milram)
4 Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale)
Egoi Martínez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
Iván Gutiérrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 3:26
Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 3:48

GC Standings after Stage 7:

• 1. Rinaldo Nocentini Ag2r-La Mondiale in 25:44:32
• 2. Alberto Contador Astana in 25:44:38
• 3. Lance Armstrong Astana in 25:44:40 at 00:08
• 4. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 25:45:11 at 00:39
• 5. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 25:45:18 at 00:46
• 6. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 25:45:26 at 00:54
• 7. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 25:45:32 at 01:00
• 8. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 25:45:56 at 01:24
• 9. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 25:46:21 at 01:49
• 10. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 25:46:26 at 01:54
• 11. Jérôme Pineau Quick Step in 25:46:42 at 02:10
• 12. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 25:46:53 at 02:21
• 13. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 25:46:57 at 02:25
• 14. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 25:47:12 at 02:40
• 15. Carlos Sastre Cervelo TestTeam in 25:47:24 at 02:52
• 16. Johannes FrÖhlinger Team Milram in 25:47:26 at 02:54
• 17. Franco Pellizotti Liquigas in 25:47:35 at 03:03
• 18. Cadel Evans Silence - Lotto in 25:47:39 at 03:07
• 19. Egoi Martinez Euskaltel - Euskadi in 25:47:42 at 03:10
• 20. Kim Kirchen Team Columbia - Htc in 25:47:48 at 03:16

Follow on twitter @everymantri

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Roth debutante and two-time Hawaiian Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington, defending champion Patrick Vernay, Hawaii winners and German Ironman legends Normann Stadler and Thomas Hellriegel, Erika Csomor and Peter Jacobs head the strongest fields of recent years to assemble in the stunning Franconian city.

The presence of world Ironman champion Wellington is a major coup for race organisers and her ability to go hard and break a race open is sure to thrill the massive crowds that are a traditional feature of racing in Roth.

Wellington is a clear favourite on debut and it would be a brave person to bet against her adding to her illustrious resume but last year's runner-up Csomor, Kiwi Ironman and Challenge Wanaka Ferguson, Aussies Rebekah Keat and Belinda Granger and the UK's Leanda Cave will attempt to make life difficult for her.

Wellington said it is the magic and wonderful tradition that has lured her to Roth.

"When I turned professional I was speaking to a lot of the other athletes about the different races around the world and one name that kept coming up was Roth. I am happy to be here and to finally be racing on of the most famous and oldest race courses in the world and I am really looking forward to the race on Sunday."

"It is an incredibly fast course and my strategy is quite simply to go as fast as I can for as long as I can. Obviously that means trying to break the world record but ultimately I want to try and win the race and win it in the fastest possible time."

"I will be keeping an eye on the clock but I will also be keeping an eye on all the other fantastic competitors. The athletes last year really raised the bar for all of us to follow, so I have a lot to live up to. But the world record is something I will be looking at closely," she said.

Last year's winner, Yvonne van Vlerken of the Netherlands, lowered the record to 8:45:48 in Roth last year, with second-placed Csomor also dipping under the old record on the day.

Meantime, just making it to the start line will be an achievement in itself for six-time Roth starter and past champion Belinda Granger who is bruised and battered following an altercation with a car on a training ride early this week.

"A car turned left, straight in front of me without an indicator and I barely had time to react and we ran straight into each other. The bike is fine but I copped it, the car door hit me and there isn't a scratch on the frame."

"This is not the way I thought the week would start but I am determined to get to the finish line. I will be starting and hopefully I will be making it to the finish line but I am not putting any pressure on myself with regards to times or positions."

"Everybody has been wonderful in helping my recovery. I have been taken care of like royalty, getting physio every morning going back to the hospital and they have been superb. There is no excuse for me not making the start line--they have done everything possible to make sure I get there in the best condition possible," she said, still smiling.

The women's field is stacked with talent but former ITU world champion Leanda Cave is the dark horse in the race. Suffering a similar fate to Granger prior to last year's race, Cave wasn't able to unleash her enormous talent but this year's preparation has gone perfectly to plan.

"My year has been good so far and I think I am in good race shape but this is my first Ironman in over seven months and that is always a bit scary."

Storming Normann Stadler is hoping to live up to his name and finally win the Quelle Challenge Roth, a title that has eluded the German ace. Stadler, who became a father just a month ago, was relaxed, jovial and very determined.

"Of course I want the world record but wanting it and making it possible are two different things."

"I am definitely here to win the race but the best time is 7:51 and I don't think that is possible for me. I am realistic, a little under 8 hours is possible but I don't know what the conditions were on the day that time was set."

Watch for live coverage via the race website at www.challenge-roth.com.

The Californian sealed the deal and clinched his place on the Rome bound World Championship U.S. team in Indiana when he set a new world record in the 100 meter backstroke.

"It was a beautiful race," Peirsol told the USA Swimming Web site. "I knew I could do something special tonight. I'm a little speechless. I've said it before: anyone can win a gold medal or set a world record at any time. There's something to be said for consistency."

But why not watch his reaction for yourself below:

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Now the race begins...at least that's what many Tour de France insiders think as the road turns skywards and the mountains lay ahead.

In the General Standings Fabian Cancellara still leads the race over Lance Armstrong, but the two are tied for the lead on time.

Just 19 seconds behind them is Alberto Contador in 3rd place, and just 31 second behind the two co-leaders is Levi Leipheimer of Astana in 5th place.

Stage 7 of the Tour de France promises to shake up the lead as the mountains loom ahead. Just watch the preview video below, and don't forget to check out the stage 6 results and General Standings as well:

Top 10 Stage 6 Results and Riders:

1 Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam)
2 Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
3 José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) roj
4 Gerald Ciolek (Milram)
5 Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas)
6 Filippo Pozzato (Katusha)
7 Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC)
Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)
Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank)

GC Standings after Stage 6:

• 1. Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank in 19:29:22
• 2. Lance Armstrong Astana in 19:29:22
• 3. Alberto Contador Astana in 19:29:41 at 00:19
• 4. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 19:29:45 at 00:23
• 5. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 19:29:53 at 00:31
• 6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:00 at 00:38
• 7. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:14 at 00:52
• 8. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:38 at 01:16
• 9. Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank in 19:30:44 at 01:22
• 10. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:51 at 01:29
• 11. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 19:30:53 at 01:31
• 12. George Hincapie Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:58 at 01:36
• 13. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 19:30:58 at 01:36
• 14. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:03 at 01:41
• 15. Haimar Zubeldia Astana in 19:31:03 at 01:41
• 16. Yaroslav Popovych Astana in 19:31:07 at 01:45
• 17. Jens Voigt Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:25 at 02:03
• 18. Kim Kirchen Team Columbia - Htc in 19:31:38 at 02:16
• 19. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:39 at 02:17
• 20. David Millar Garmin - Slipstream in 19:31:50 at 02:28

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It was the fourth-best time in the world this year, and it was good enough for Darra Torres ,41-years-old, to win the 50 meter freestyle race in Indianan at the U.S. national championships.

Her time of of 24.43 seconds was about a half second behind the world record of 23.96, which is currently held by Marleen Veldhui of the Netherlands.

Torres was fighting an nagging knee problem, but when it counted she rose to the challenge to win a slot for the up coming world championships in Rome.

The adrenaline is kicking in, so I don't think about the knee that much," Torres said. "I just try to push it out of my head. Age is just a number, right? Everything I do is for Tessa. She enjoys coming out and watching me swim." 

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The 14-time Olympic gold medalist crushed Ian Crocker's record of 50.40 in the 100 meter fly which had stood since 2005 world championships in Montreal.

The star of the Beijing Olympic games lowered the record to 50.22 seconds at the Indiana University Natatorium.

"Crock had a ton more first 50 speed than I did. That's something I've really been working on," Phelps said. "I've always been able to come home pretty strong. I finally got the front half a little bit faster. If I can get that even faster, I'll be in better shape."

According to the Associated Press:

"Phelps led at 50 meters with a split of 23.83, just three-tenths off world-record pace. Known for his strong finishes, he pulled clear down the stretch to beat Tyler McGill, who touched in 51.06. Aaron Peirsol was third in 51.30."

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We gave our partner at this year Tour de France, James Raia, a tough assignment this week: take some beautiful photos of the most beautiful women of this year's Tour de France.

Yes, we know, please don't send us your resume as James must have one of the best cycling journalism jobs on the tour this week.

But as a cycling journalist who's covered the tour almost a dozen times, plus with the TdF book for Dummies under his belt, we thought he was up to the task.

Plus we thought it would be a great way to bring to you a bit of the behind the scenes flavor and feel of the tour.

So the question that we have for you is a very simple one; who's the hottest Tour de France girl of week number one?

Your choices are below, along with a simple web poll. In the case of a photo with multiple Tour de France girls just vote for the hottest one.

FYI: Once you vote you'll see the results immediately.

Tour de France Girl #1

Tour de France Girl #2

Tour de France Girl #3

Tour de France Girl #4

Tour de France Girl #5

Please vote for you favorite week 1 Tour de France girl below:

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OK, this may not seem like a lot of fun but for a certain type of swimmer the idea of watching the old movie Jaws followed by a midnight swim does have a certain appeal.

If you think this idea sounds crazy and you'd never try something so daft, you might just enjoy watching others as they combine their weekly masters swim workout with a movie, popcorn and a midnight swim. Watch the fun and video below:

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It was a wet and wild stage 6 at the Tour de France that saw David Miller try to break away but get caught within kilometers of the finish.

At the end of the rainy day it was Norway's Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) won his first stage since last year. It was the big Norwegians seventh career stage win.

In the Genral standings Cancellara still leads the race over Armstrong with two two tied on time. Contador is in third just 19 seconds behind, with Andreas Klöden (Astana) next, 23 seconds, and Levi Leipheimer taking up the fifth spot of the top 5.

Overall team Astana has four riders in the top fivegeneral standing positions.

Top Stage 6 Results:

1 Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam)
2 Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
3 José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) roj
4 Gerald Ciolek (Milram)
5 Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas)
6 Filippo Pozzato (Katusha)
7 Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC)
Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)
Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank)

GC Standings after Stage 6:

• 1. Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank in 19:29:22
• 2. Lance Armstrong Astana in 19:29:22
• 3. Alberto Contador Astana in 19:29:41 at 00:19
• 4. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 19:29:45 at 00:23
• 5. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 19:29:53 at 00:31
• 6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:00 at 00:38
• 7. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:14 at 00:52
• 8. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:38 at 01:16
• 9. Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank in 19:30:44 at 01:22
• 10. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:51 at 01:29
• 11. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 19:30:53 at 01:31
• 12. George Hincapie Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:58 at 01:36
• 13. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 19:30:58 at 01:36
• 14. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:03 at 01:41
• 15. Haimar Zubeldia Astana in 19:31:03 at 01:41
• 16. Yaroslav Popovych Astana in 19:31:07 at 01:45
• 17. Jens Voigt Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:25 at 02:03
• 18. Kim Kirchen Team Columbia - Htc in 19:31:38 at 02:16
• 19. Frank Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:39 at 02:17
• 20. David Millar Garmin - Slipstream in 19:31:50 at 02:28

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Exactly zero seconds separate Lance Armstrong (team Astana) and Fabian Cancellara (team Saxo Bank) in the General Standings of the 2009 Tour de France before the sixth stage of the race.

The next stage of the race will take the tour into Spain before three straight days of mountains in the Pyrenees that will certainly will test the riders. The next mountain stages promise to shake up the general standings of this year's tour.

Stage 6 promises to be another one for the sprinters before the climbers on the tour get their chance in the spotlight.

Top Ten Stage 5 Results:

• 1. Thomas Voeckler Bbox Bouygues Telecom in 4:29:35
• 2. Mikhail Ignatiev Team Katusha in 4:29:42
• 3. Mark Cavendish Team Columbia - Htc in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 4. Tyler Farrar Garmin - Slipstream in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 5. Gerald Ciolek Team Milram in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 6. Danilo Napolitano Team Katusha in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 7. Joaquin Rojas Jose Caisse D’epargne in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 8. Lloyd Mondory Ag2r-La Mondiale in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 9. Oscar Freire Rabobank in 4:29:42 at 00:07
• 10. Thor Hushovd Cervelo Test Team in 4:29:42 at 00:07

General Standings after Stage 5:

• Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank in 15:07:49
• 2. Lance Armstrong Astana
• 3. Alberto Contador Astana in 15:08:08 at 00:19
• 4. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 15:08:12 at 00:23
• 5. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 15:08:20 at 00:31
• 6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 15:08:27 at 00:38
• 7. Haimar Zubeldia Astana in 15:08:40 at 00:51
• 8. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 15:08:41 at 00:52
• 9. David Zabriskie Garmin - Slipstream in 15:08:55 at 01:06
• 10. David Millar Garmin - Slipstream in 15:08:56 at 01:07
• 11. Sergio Paulinho Astana in 15:09:05 at 01:16
• 12. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 15:09:05 at 01:16
• 13. Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank in 15:09:11 at 01:22
• 14. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 15:09:18 at 01:29
• 15. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 15:09:20 at 01:31
• 16. Michael Rogers Team Columbia - Htc in 15:09:21 at 01:32
• 17. George Hincapie Team Columbia - Htc in 15:09:25 at 01:36
• 18. Yaroslav Popovych Astana in 15:09:25 at 01:36
• 19. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 15:09:25 at 01:36
• 20. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 15:09:30 at 01:41

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Additional Endurance Sports Resources:

Complete Insider coverage of the Tour de France HERE.

• Who has the best female abs in the sports biz HERE
• Who has the best Male abs in the sports biz HERE
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1 minute and 44.23 seconds...that's how long it took Michael Phelps to stamp his winning authority on the 200 meter freestyle today as he easily cruised to the national title in Indianapolis.

The U.S. Swimming Championships are being help in Indiana this week just ahead of the Rome World Championships to determine who will represent the U.S. on the world stage.

To win the race Phelps held of Dave Walters who touched the wall in 1:44.95 and fan favorite Ryan Lochte who also came in behind Phelps in a time of 1:45.66.

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