Stage 8 Photos . . .

[BumbleBeeDave]

Annaelle Legue of Montauban, left, looks with emotion at French cyclist Richard Virenque as he signs a copy of his book "Plus fort qu'avant" (Stronger than before), prior to the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

A resident dressed in a Middle Ages outfit and carrying a traditional music instrument applauds as riders speed through the village of Moncontour during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Ronny Scholz of Germany, foreground, of Team Gerolsteiner, leads a three-men breakaway, followed by Matteo Tosatto of Italy, of Team Fassa Bortolo, rear left, and Jakob Piil of Denmark, of Team CSC, partly seen behind at right, in the ascent of Mur-de-Bretagne during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

A couple and their dog watch as the pack with overall leader Thomas Voeckler in his yellow jersey pass under a bridge on the outskirts of Carhaix-Plouguer during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, France Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Tour de France chief doctor Gerard Porte, right, takes care of French cyclist Samuel Dumoulin after he crashed in the last 10 miles of the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Tour de France chief doctor Gerard Porte, right, takes care of French cyclist Samuel Dumoulin after he crashed in the last 10 miles of the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

The pack pedals under Brittany flags, center and right, and the French flag, left, as riders nearly reach the end of the Mur-de-Bretagne ascent, chasing a three-men breakaway during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/ Bernard Papon, Pool)

[BumbleBeeDave]

The pack rides under Brittany flags in the Mur-de-Bretagne ascent, chasing a three-men breakaway during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Jean-Louis Fel, Pool)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Overall leader Thomas Voeckler of France, eats a snack as he rides in the rain during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Voeckler retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

T-Mobile rider Rolf Aldag of Germany gets a hair cut at the Tour de France village prior to the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

[BumbleBeeDave]

US Postal team rider Jose Azevedo of Portugal, tries to pose for photographers as the horse he was given as a present circles around him after signing the start list of the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Overall leader Thomas Voeckler of France, right, and teammate and fellow countryman Anthony Charteau, center, take a ride on a horse-drawn cart prior to the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

[BumbleBeeDave]

T-Mobile team leader Jan Ullrich of Germany adjusts his helmet strap as he takes the start of the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

“Hmm, this rain isn’t so bad . . . “

US Postal Service team leader and five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, rides in the rain during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Thomas Voeckler of France retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

“SonovaBITCH!! . . . “

US Postal Service team leader and five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, rear center, rides with teammates George Hincapie, left, and Viatceslav Ekimov during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Thomas Voeckler of France retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

T-Mobile teammates Santiago Botero of Colombia, second left, Jan Ullrich of Germany, rear center, and overall leader Thomas Voeckler of France, center in yellow jersey, take the start with the pack of the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

The pack rides under the rain during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Thomas Voeckler of France retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Overall leader Thomas Voeckler of France , center with yellow jersey, rides in the rain during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Voeckler retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[rnhood]

More great pictures. I hope these AP photographers get a pat on the back because they have sure clicked some good'uns. And Dave, you get a pat on the back too!

[BumbleBeeDave]

Tyler Hamilton of The U.S., foreground, rides with the pack during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Thomas Voeckler of France retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

“I’m going back to bussing tables at the bakery! . . . “

Overall leader Thomas Voeckler of France , center with yellow jersey, blows onto his fist as he rides in the rain during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, Brittany, France Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thor Hushovd of Norway won the stage, Voeckler retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . gently through the wheat! . . .

The pack of the Tour de France cross the countryside near Mur de Bretagne during the 8th stage between Lamballe and Quimper, Sunday, July 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Franck Prevel)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Thor Hushovd of Norway reacts on the podium after winning the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Lamballe and Quimper, France, Sunday, July 11, 2004. Thomas Voeckler of France retains the overall lead. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

[Tom Byrnes]

Thanks, Dave. Great stuff.

[Bruce K]

Thanks for the great photos Dave.

That last one got me wondering, has anyone else noticed how many of the LAF yellow wristbands are being worn at this year's TdF?

The Posties (obviously), the OLN crew (of course), but many other riders and a surprising number of spectators seem to have them as well.

I have also seen a fair number of them on people out and about.

The great thing about it is you don't have to be a Lance fan to appreciate what he's doing with the LAF and what the wristband campaign is accomplishing.

BK

[Kevin]

Thanks for the great photos.

Kevin