606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Chris Bevan

1620: So, not quite as dramatic a stage as predicted (although John-Lee Augustyn may disagree!). Join me tomorrow for the last day in the Alps when things might just be different - and don't miss the finish on L'Alpe-D'Huez either.

1616: "So, did John-Lee Augustyn ever get a bicycle?"
bigcog on 606

No news on John-Lee Augystyn yet, who was first over the Col de la Bonnette but was left waiting for a bike after coming off and sliding down a ridge on his descent. I will check the classified result and include him in the final report though.

1613: "Oh dear Denis Menchov, let them get away, big blunder, could prove crucial."
bigcog on 606

1606: But it is not such good news for Denis Menchov, who finishes about 38 seconds behind the Maillot Jaune group and will drop down the overall standings. Christian Vandevelde also had a disastrous day.

1604: Frank Schleck finishes in the same time as his rivals Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre, Bernhard Kohl and Alejandro Valverde and will stay in yellow.

1602: But Frenchman Cyril Dessell times it right and bursts for the line to win the stage with something to spare.

1601: With just over 1km to go, Yaroslav Popovych makes a break for the finish.

1600: We still need to find out how much time Denis Menchov has lost too though, and today's stage win is still up for grabs, of course. It will be between the front four.

1559: So, today has not proved quite as decisive as some had thought. The main men are, largely, still together, although Christian Vandevelde has dropped out of contention. I'm sure tomorrow's finish at the Alp-d'Huez will be more eventful, though.

1555: Those four riders - Yaroslav Popovych, David Arroyo, Cyril Dessel and Sandy Casar - are still clear and have about 7km to go to the finish.

1553: Denis Menchov is about eight seconds behind Franck Schleck and Cadel Evans now with under 10km (all downhill) to the finish.

1549: Denis Menchov is losing some ground on the yellow jersey group, which could prove costly.

1548: Yaroslav Popovych, David Arroyo, Cyril Dessel and Sandy Casar are the front four riders now with 14km to go. The gap to the Maillot Jaune group is not decreasing, although expert descender Sam Sanchez is closing the gap on the leaders slightly.

1545: The fate of John-Lee Augustyn shows how tough and terrifying this descent is. The Maillot Jaune group are closing the gap on the leaders but they are still one minute and 40 seconds behind.

1543: John-Lee Augustyn was about two minutes clear of the peloton but not any more. He overshoots a hairpin, comes off his bike and slides down the mountain.

He isn't badly injured and climbs back up the scree to the road but his bike is still about 20ft down the hill and he won't be going anywhere fast.

1541: A bit of movement in the Maillot Jaune group - they have lost Kim Kirchen and Alejandro Valverde as they approach the top. Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers are still there, along with Bernhard Kohl and Denis Menchov.

1540: Well done John-Lee Augustyn who collects the points for making it to the top of the highest climb of the race first. He wins 5,000 Euros too apparently. Now it is just 21km to the finish - all downhill too.

1539: John-Lee Augustyn has broken away from the other eight riders as he looks to be the first rider over the top of the Col de la Bonnette. He looks like he will make it too - there is a bit of a gap at the moment.

1537: It looks like the winner of the stage will come from the leading nine riders - it will be hard for them to be caught on what is a ridiculously steep descent.

1535: After all their efforts, the top of the Col de la Bonnette does not appear a particularly welcoming place - a barren landscape greets the leading group as they approach the summit.

This has been the highest road in Europe since 1961 when the locals plonked some tarmac higher up than the original pass in order to claim the record...reminds me of that Hugh Grant film 'The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain'.

1529: A shame for Stefan Schumacher, who has just been dropped by that leading group. Inevitable really though.

1528: The yellow jersey group are two minutes and 14 seconds behind the leading group of 10 riders. Once we get to the top of the Col de la Bonnette, it is downhill all the way to Jausiers.

1524: Schu's been caught, but is hanging in with that group of nine riders. They are now two minutes and 55 seconds clear of the Maillot Jaune group with 25km to go until the finish.

1520: Bad news for Schu, who has been out on his own for over two hours but is about to be reeled in by the Valjavec group.

1516: There are now four CSC riders in the yellow jersey group - the Schleck brothers, Carlos Sastre and Kurt-Asle Arvesen.

1511: Tadej Valjavec (who is 13th overall) is still in that second group of riders who are on Schu's tail. They still have about four minutes on the Maillot Jaune group, who have dropped Christian Vandevelde.

1506: Schu is really struggling out at the front. It doesn't look like he will still be on his own when we reach the top of the Col de la Bonnette.

1500: The group chasing Stefan Schumacher is now down to seven riders. Damiano Cunego is one of those to have been dropped. Schu is only one minute and 26 seconds clear of them now with the yellow jersey bunch another five minutes back. The pace is still rising too.

1457: We are down to 40 riders in the Maillot Jaune group. Frank Schleck is towards the back of that bunch at the moment, alongside a clean-shaven Denis Menchov. Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre, Bernhard Kohl, Alejandro Valverde and Christian Vandevelde - the other men that matter - are all there too.

1453: The man in yellow, Frank Schleck, is still motoring along with his CSC team-mates. He looks cool and composed at the moment - still time for another push too.

1449: "I think Stefan Schumacher will be caught before the summit. Damiano Cunego is still driving hard to close that back, so do we think he could win it today and get a bit of redemption?"
Im_partial - TDF tops on 606

1447: Things are thinning out again on the road to the top of Col de la Bonnette as the heat and the climb begin to take their toll.

Sylvain Chavanel (only one left now!) is setting the pace in that second group of 28 riders who are closing in on Schumacher.

1444: The Maillot Jaune (spelt correctly at last!) group are setting a wicked pace too - they are just nine minutes and 47 seconds back from Schu now and those CSC riders are still at the front with Frank Schleck doing his bit to close the gap.

1439: Christophe Le Mevel has been caught by that second group of riders, who are two minutes and 57 seconds behind Schumacher. That gap is coming down and it is not going to get any easier for the German.

1435: The CSC team is doing all the legwork at the front of the peloton at the base of the Col de La Bonnette. A few riders are struggling though - Johan van Summeren and Oscar Freire have both been dropped.

1431: "(Re 1400) Marco Pantani and Richard Virenque have both been up to 127km/h (79mph)."
Jack in London, via text on 81111

1426: Just a quick update of how today's race stage stands as Stefan Schumacher approaches the foot of the Col de la Bonnette with 45km to go. He is three minutes and 45 seconds ahead of Christophe Le Mevel, with a group of 28 riders - containing Yaroslav Popovych, George Hincapie and Tadej Valjavec - another 30 seconds back.

The Maillot Jaune group of Frank Scheck, Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov is almost 12 minutes behind Schumacher.

1420: "Cadel Evans is coming back up through the cars being paced by Johan van Summeren. They come past another Lotto rider who to ask if he needs anything. Evans seems to reply "bars, gels, anything". Has Cadel missed his musette at the feed, that could be bad for him at this point of the stage as the last thing he wants to suffer is 'la fringale', the dreaded 'bonk' or 'hunger knock'."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Alex Murray on 606

1414: The peloton are in the feedzone, getting ready for the Col de la Bonnette - and, funnily enough, so am I. Tuna baguette ahoy.

1410: "(Re 1400) I heard Robbie McEwan got clocked doing 120km/h two years ago."
Scotlandforthecup on 606

1407: Under 60km to go now - and Stefan Schumacher's lead is up to 10 minutes and 39 seconds. There have been a couple of crashes on the descent from Col de la Lombarde, with Yaroslav Popovych one of those to come off, but he is now back on his bike.

1402: Just a reminder that (in the UK only) you can now listen to live commentary of the end of this stage from BBC Radio 5 Live's Peter Slater right here on this website. If you have any questions for Peter, post them on 606 (using the link at the top of the text commentary) or text in on 81111.

1400: "Anyone know what the fastest speed any Tour de France rider has been clocked at on a descent?"
TadpoleThe1st on 606

1358: Fabian Cancellara is usually one of the fastest - and bravest! - descenders but not on this occasion. He has got a puncture and is going rather slower at the moment.

1355: Bernhard Kohl did not pick up any climbing points at the top of the Lombarde but, of his rivals for the polka dot jersey, only Thomas Voeckler figured - picking up 16 points after being third to reach the summit. Kohl still leads with 85 points, Sebastian Lang has 60 and Voeckler is now third with 55 points.

1352: Schumacher is tearing it down the Col de la Lombarde, although the high number of switchbacks mean this mountain is as difficult to descend as it is to ascend. He is nine minutes and 34 seconds clear and it will be interesting to see what he has got left in the tank for the Col de la Bonnette...he will need quite a lot!

1347: "I don't see Cadel Evans doing anything special in the mountains. The key for him will be to hang in there and then hope to blitz everyone in the time trial...much like Miguel Indurain used to! Well that's my theory anyway!"
steviep1 on 606

1344: The yellow jersey group of Frank Schleck are coming over the top now too and putting on their jackets ready for what will be a chilly descent.

1339: Christophe Le Mevel is next over the crest of the mountain, closely followed by two bigger groups of riders including Juan Antonio Flecha, Samuel Dumoulin, Jens Voight and George Hincapie.

1335: Schumacher goes over the top of the Col de la Lombarde to collect the maximum 20 points for being the first to the summit and begins his long descent - eight minutes and 31 seconds ahead of the main peloton.

By the way, Bernhard Kohl (who is second overall) is currently leading the way in the King of the Mountains category, with 85 points so far. Plenty of points up for grabs today though.

1329: "I don't think the time gaps will be too big on this stage, the long descent should see to that.

I expect CSC to be putting the hammer down on the final climb, they need to put time not just into Cadel Evans, but Denis Menchov and, if he's still there, Alejandro Vandervelde. All three are capable of winning the yellow jersey in the final time trial if they are within a couple of minutes."
igmeister on 606

1325: Stefan Schumacher, who was in yellow after stages four and five of this year's Tour, is approaching the summit and receiving quite a welcome from the crowd who are gathered there. He is over eight minutes clear of the main peloton and deserves a pat on the back for his efforts so far.

1319: "CSC have sent Jens Voigt up the road for later in the day (like Fabian last week) I hoped Bernhard Kohl could get a bucket full of mountain points today, but too many riders already up the road..."
Austrian_Jez on 606

1317: I mistakenly described this mountain as being 2351km (instead of metres) high earlier (thanks to Dopster in London for pointing that out!). It's not quite that much of a monster, but it probably feels that way to most of the riders still strung out on its slopes.

1314: Oh dear! News of Lanterne Rouge Sebastien (not Sylvain) Chavanel...who has just abandoned. That leaves Belgium's Wim Vansevenant back in last place, again.

1312: Schumacher is nearing the top of the Col de la Lombarde, and is probably quite relieved about it too - he has gone round enough hairpins to make a man dizzy. He is three minutes and 10 seconds clear of the next group now.

1309: "Are each of the GC contenders' teams putting some riders further up the road on purpose? Could be a good policy for support, carrying bottles etc."
E, via text on 81111

1306: Schumacher is two minutes and 50 seconds clear as he continues up the mountain. He looks in good shape, considering.

1302: "My take on today: CSC have a huge chance to make a complete mess of it. With the yellow jersey now in their camp they are the ones who are going to have to ride on the front to control the attacks."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Alex Murray on 606

1301: The race is really being strung out at the moment as the riders struggle up the Col de la Lombarde in the heat. Another group has escaped the peloton, which includes Quick Step's Matteo Carrara, who is 24th overall.

1257: Stefan Schumacher is out on his own at the front now, and has dropped Christophe Le Mevel, Sebastien Rosseler and Thomas Voeckler in the last few minutes.

1255: "CSC will attack Cadel Evans and his team. They need to ensure they push them to give them a better chance of really breaking them tomorrow on Alpe d'Huez. Not sure who I fancy for the stage win. Will watch with interest."
rambon on 606

1252: The peloton were being led up the Col de la Lombarde by the CSC team but Damiano Cunego and Sylvester Szmyd (both of Lampre) have both launched an attack to try to bridge the gap to the second group. A few riders have gone with them, I'll let you know who ASAP.

1249: Samuel Dumoulin has been dropped by that lead group, which is now about two-and-half minutes clear of the chasing pack, with the Maillot Jeune group another five minutes back.

It's a hot old day in the Alps and some of the riders at the back of the main group are already feeling the heat. Wim Vansevenant and Sebastien Chavanel are among them!

1245: "I think (although hope not) that today may be a bit of an anti-climax. My prediction is a group of 20-30 will reach finish together, with either Kim Kirchin or Alejandro Valverde taking the win."
Number6Valverde on 606

1242: The riders are on the Col de la Lombarde now, and gaining height rapidly.

1239: "I went over the barrier and I saw... I had a vision from high above. I saw myself in the air and hit my head. I though I was going to die and hoped to feel nothing. To be unconscious when I hit the ground."
Spain's 2006 Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro on his crash on his way down the Col Agnel on Sunday.

Perieiro, as you'll probably remember, tumbled over a crash barrier and broke his shoulder. Ouch. He will undergo surgery back in Spain today.

1235: The front five are about 40 seconds clear of the next bunch, with the peloton over three minutes further back. That first climb is not far away now, so things are about to get interesting.

1230: That second group are still clear of the peloton by the way. No contenders for yellow in there either, but Spain's Oscar Freire, wearing the green jersey, is involved.

1227: Those five riders are Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner), Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole), Sebastien Rosseler (Quick Step), Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) and Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis).

Schu is the best-placed rider overall of that little lot - in 29th - followed by Le Mevel in 44th, Rosseler (100th), Voeckler (103rd) and Dumoulin (132nd). No-one here is going to trouble the overall classification then.

1225: Sorry, I seem to be mixing up my Chavanels...Sebastien is the Lanterne Rouge, already off the back of the peloton. Sylvain is doing rather better - in that second group which is being reeled in by the peloton.

1222: There are five riders off the front, including Stefan Schumacher - who was in yellow in the early stages of this year's Tour but is now 29th, 22 minutes and 30 seconds behind the Maillot Jeune.

Briefly, a bigger group of around 30 riders follows them in creating a gap to the main peloton but that does not look as thouugh will last long at all.

1219: David Moncoutie has been caught now and the riders are all back together again. We are still on the flat by the way and are still about 20km from the start of today's first big climb, the 2,351m Col de la Lombarde.

1215: A bit of news on Riccardo Ricco, who was thrown out of this year's Tour after testing positive for EPO after the fourth stage.

Ricco tried to avoid being tested, according to the president of the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), Pierre Bordry.

Ahead of today's stage, Bordry said: "When he saw that he was to be tested, he escaped. But he was caught by the stewards and we told him that as he had tried to avoid the test, he would be tested every day."

1209: Hmmm, Lanterne Rouge Sylvain Chavanel is having an interesting day...he has just been dropped by the peloton. Surely those early attacks haven't taken too much out of him? Still, at least he cannot drop any further down the standings.

Juan Antonio Flecha is also struggling off the rear of the pack. At the front, David Moncoutie has opened up a bit of a gap.

1205: "I'm really looking forward to seeing this Col de la Bonnette, as it is new. I wonder if the thin air wall cause someone to do something crazy, like attacking too soon."
Im_partial - TDF tops on 606

1202: Franck Schleck took the yellow jersey off Cadel Evans on Sunday...but how long will he keep it for? It will be interesting to see what the mountains do to those two, plus the likes of Bernhard Kohl and Denis Menchov, today.

1200: Sylvain Chavanel is currently the Lanterne Rouge - the last-placed rider in this year's Tour. At the moment he is just the two hours and 42 minutes behind overall leader Frank Schleck. Chavanel seems to be in aggressive mood today though - the Frenchman has been involved in about six of the nine attacks so far...and he is off on his own again.

1155: The riders rolled out of the neutral zone a few minutes ago and there have been plenty of attempted breakaways in the early stages. No joy for anyone yet though.

1150: This is only a short hop of 157km from Cuneo in Italy to Jausiers in France but it will be far from straightforward.

The riders will cross the Col de la Lombarde before tackling the Col de la Bonnette, which, at 2,802m, is the highest pass in Europe. Then they face a nerve-jangling 23.5km descent to the finish. Phew.

1145 BST: Morning all. Hope you're all rested and ready for more drama in the mountains. If you enjoyed Sunday's stage, you're going to love what Le Tour has in store for you today...