A breakaway group passes during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Brest and Plumelec, western France, Saturday, July 5, 2008. Alejandro Valverde of Spain won the stage to take the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Alejandro Valverde of Spain reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage and take the overall leader's yellow jersey of the Tour de France cycling race between Brest and Plumelec, western France, Saturday, July 5, 2008.

Rain drizzles down on the pack as riders climb Mur-de-Bretagne during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Auray and Saint-Brieuc, western France, Sunday, July 6, 2008.

Sylvie, just married, encourages the riders as they pass near Lanrodec during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Auray and Saint-Brieuc, western France, Sunday, July 6, 2008.

The pack passes the church of Maure-de-Bretagne during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Malo and Nantes, western France, Monday, July 7, 2008.

Overall leader Alejandro Valverde of Spain, center, and his teammates lead the pack during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Malo and Nantes, western France, Monday, July 7, 2008.

Vincenzo Nibali of Italy strains in the closing stages of the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Cholet, western France, Tuesday, July 8, 2008. Stefan Schumacher of Germany took over the overall leader's yellow jersey. Nibali is the highest ranking Italian rider at 9th in the overall standings.

New overall leader Stefan Schumacher of Germany throws flowers to well-wishers on the podium after winning the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Cholet, western France, Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

Overall leader Stefan Schumacher of Germany, right, rides in the pack during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Cholet and Chateauroux, central France, Wednesday, July 9, 2008.

Alejandro Valverde of Spain is being treated by a doctor after crashing during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Cholet and Chateauroux, central France, Wednesday, July 9, 2008.

Mark Cavendish of Great Britain, second left, reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Cholet and Chateauroux, central France, Wednesday, July 9, 2008, ahead of Oscar Freire of Spain who finished second, center, Erik Zabel of Germany, right, who finished third, and Thor Hushovd of Norway, left, who finished fourth and took over the best sprinter's green jersey.