Pierre Rolland and the Mountains...

I love it when the Tour heads into the mountains. They shake things up like nothing else. How many hopes have been ruined, how many plans foundered amongst the rocky peaks of the Alps and Pyrennes. The steep slopes and twisty roads hide all manner of surprises waiting to be sprung on the unsuspecting and unprepared. 


For the second day in a row, and the third in the past four racing days, France has found a worthy hero. Just as Thibaut Pinot and Thomas Voeckler did earlier in the week, today it was Pierre Rolland's turn to grab victory from the world's most worthy competitors.


But that was not the only secret to be revealed. Vincenzo Nibali's attack and counter attack, the seemingly bizarre attack of Chris Froome in the face of team leader Bradley Wiggins, the fade of defending champion Cadel Evans, the battle for the Best Young Rider Jersey. It's is not over yet, there are more mountains still to come, peaks and forested slopes hiding their own secrets waiting to be revealed.