More than any recent Tour, this one seems to be ridden with accidents and misfortunes. Some of the "big" names have been forced to drop out of the race due to injuries, seriously lost time on account of accidents, and the like.
Fortunately, for Team Leopard Trek, they appear to have Lady Fortune smiling on them. After nine stages of relatively uninteresting terrain (meaning that there wasn't much in the way of variation), the riders of the Tour have a rest day today. Good thing. Perhaps it's just what is needed before engaging in the next succession of stages, in which the podium (the final podium placements in Paris, at the end of the month) will begin to be sorted out, to some degree.
Strategy-wise, Leopard Trek riders are in a great position. They emerged largely unscathed by the accidents of the first nine stages; they stand in 2nd place in the overall team classification; and, of the top 10 individual riders in the general classification, three are Leopard Trek riders (the next best showing is by two riders from team HTC-Highroad). They have remained safe, yet have chosen to ride toward the front of the peleton (the general pack). This mindset has positioned them well, as this week will see the first serious climbs, and the opportunity to solidify their place in the team standings and individual standings.
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