As you’ve probably already heard, Mike Creed has been diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus and is chomping at the bit to get well and get back to training and kicking A in races. He has his eye on Philly and I’d love to see him there. He says he’s already had mono in the past, and this EPV seems like a bit of overkill from the Cycling Gods to me.... Come on, MC, we’re rootin’ for ya!!!

And speaking of the DC off-the-bike list, Tom D talked to the Durango Herald and confirmed, unfortunately, that he has inflammation of the knee joint and also tendonitis. It was treated and fluid removed. He’ll be wearing a stabilizer for that knee when he gets back on bike, I bet... He just can’t figure out how it started (in Georgia, I guess). All the media hue and cry about the injury being only a devilish plot by Johan to get Tom ready for the Tour was the usual media-trying-for-sensational headlines, just like they’re doing again with Lance. Every year, the sensational combo of Lance and Tour de France always brings out the sleazeballs like The Star and David Walsh, with salacious, slime headlines trying to seize the opportunity for sales or website hits or low-life personal publicity....

Popo rode so well yesterday at Catalunya - while he placed second in the stage, he picked up a bunch of time on that killer climb in the TT. He upped his GC lead from 11 seconds to 20 seconds... Our DC guys there are riding so hard and so well..... What about Benjamin N? He placed over 25 seconds ahead of Jan Ullrich and Floyd Landis in the TT! Good on ya, Benny!

But I hear that Ryder abandoned the Giro, that’s a bummer - hope he is not injured. It just makes so much more work for the remaining guys to support and protect Paolo, when the team numbers diminish at this stage (Ar Ar - ’scuze me) of the Giro. The guys hate to abandon, so I know Ryder went as far as he could....

Other news, Roger Federer was selected for the Laureus World Sports award, topping Lance and Michael Schumacher... Yeah, those tennis matches are pretty grueling - on your toes for two or three hours at a time - especially when they stop the match for rain, and the poor guys have to wait, dry and warm, for the match to continue.... Wow - such courage, toughness and determination must deserve the award over those wimpy bike racers.... Uh huh......Right.... Tennis players: Chill - I used to play amateur, competitive tennis and have a few mildewing trophies in a box somewhere, so I do know....

Darn, I miss the OLN live-stream video of the Giro - sitting here banging the refresh link is not quite the same thrill... Dave Z seems to be working his butt off for CSE and Basso at the front of the maglia rosa pack. I like Jeff Jones’ comments on cyclingnews.com live report - sample at 29 km to go: Belli now consults with his team car. "Wadda we do boss?" "Go up this next hill and win." "Thanks boss." Jeff is the best...