1.   The Tour tests the stage winner and yellow jersey wearer every day.

2.   The pack whittled down an early lead by a quartet of riders that included two former yellow jersey wearers, Stephen Heulot and Laurent Desbiens, both of France.

3.   Fortunately the Belgian, a former yellow jersey wearer, was saved by some trees whereas his bike crashed several hundred metres to the bottom.

4.   Yellow jersey wearer Bjarne Riis of Denmark virtually assured himself the Tour, coming in second.

5.   The former yellow jersey wearer, Frenchman Stephane Heulot, abandoned during the stage, citing tendinitis in his right knee.