I'm new to the TdF this year... I'm amazed at the number of crashes and the general carnage out there... it seems like everyday there is a big pileup.

Is this normal? Or are there more crashes than usual this year, maybe due to the seemingly wet weather?

Also, around 180+ guys started the race and a number have already dropped out. Out of the origional starters, how many in a typical year will complete the entire race? I know it varies from year to year, but I imagine the mountains in the later stages really knock out many pretenders. Just curious...

Mr. Sherwen mentioned that every few years there's a tour that's really crash ridden. This is one of them.

It's been a while since I've seen this many.

Is it because there are so many new riders in the Tour this Year? Or is it because the design of the course is just crappy along with crappy weather?

i have no idea about how many will actually finish, but: when asked what the perfect tour would be, henri desgrange (the guy who started the tour) said the ideal tour is that which only 1 person finishes. such an amazing concept, the tour.

Riders new to the tour shouldnt make a differance, if you are ridding in the tour you are a skilled pro who knows how to handle the bike. I think on stage 3 people were just freaked out about the cobbles, and the rain doesnt help.
remember last year, it didnt rain once untill the final TT if i recall.

The crash on Stage 5, or 6, I don't remember exactly, was ridiculous. Nobody's fault but road problem.

It was a wide turn, and the guys automatically fell down, no one touched them, no mistake. About 5, 6 of them, one-by-one. Just like there was some kind of oil in that little corner.

When I saw that i burst out laughing, they were just going along and one by one fell over.

The rider behind can't necessarily see the difficulty of the corner. So when the rider ahead goes in to hard, he may follow by going in too hard as well. When a ride spins out in front of you like that, you only have a choice between riding into him and crashing, or falling on your own.

It's a lot harder than it looks...

Tyler Hamilton was railling on the Tour Director, Jean-Marie LeBlanc, about changing the same time line to 3km from 1km, so GC contenters can stay out of the way of the sprinters.

Lance was on Le Blanc's case for not having an ITT during the first week. An ITT would split up the GC contenders from the pretenders.

Many other riders want a standred on a finishing straightaway.