cewen has been fourth on this stage, four times in a row, in the first bunch kick of the tour. In 2002, if you ignore that Bertogliati stole the first stage, he was second behind zabel or second behind Friere in stage 2.

2003 he was second behind Petacchi when he tried to pass to early and did not have it to come over Petacchi. Should have hid and passed him in the last 50 like Friere does.

2004 he lost to Kirsipuu coming from too far back...

actually last year he was third



This would hurt though, the first stage must be the most presitgious for the sprinters and to lose to Jimmy Casper of all people.

He really lost to Boonen. Because when Casper went flying past he should have reacted, like Pollack forgot to react to Forster in the last stage of the Giro. He was worried about T Boonen.

Then he got boxed, and to get out of it with second was a miracle, great bit of riding, and in the quest for green, it is really a win. He has about 15 points head start on Boonen, and nullified Hushovd's advantage.

If he had not have been boxed it looked like he had the speed to win. He had Casper in 10 more metres. And he had to accelerate twice, and acclerate from a lower launch speed. Higher launch speed requires less watts to acclerate from. Casper launched at a decent speed.

Zabel really should have come around Casper, he was given an armchair leadout.