So Yaroslav Popovych took off like a shot and won Stage 2 of the Tour de Georgia. Good time to do it with Lance in the team car with Johan. Wonder if Lance being in the car was the reason for this official action: “7. Team Director BRUYNEEL, Johan, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team is fined Chf 200 for breach of regulations of vehicle movement during the race. The second team car is not allowed within the front caravan except to replace the first car that has either stopped or advanced to riders off the front.” You know, I can just almost hear Lance telling Johan: To Hell with it, let’s get up there.....

I think it is always interesting to read the General Notes from the Officials after the races, for instance after Stage Two, here they are:
1. There is a correction to the results of Stage 1. Rider 25 GUTTIEREZ CATALUNA, Jose Enrique, Team Phonak Hearing Systems was involved in the crash in the final 3 kilometers of Stage 1 and is credited with the same time as the main field.
2. Rider 82, BLACKGROVE, Heath, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is fined Chf 50 and penalized 20 seconds for sheltering behind a vehicle for an extended period of time. Regulation 12.1.040.19.2.2.
3. Rider 7 MCCARTNEY, Jason, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team is fined Chf 50 for non-regulation breakdown assistance. Team Director BRUYNEEL, Johan, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team is fined Chf 200 for non regulation assistance. Regulation 12.1.040.20.2.
4. Rider 27 STALDER, Florian, Phonak Hearing Systems is fined Chf 200 and forfeiture of prizes for failing to attend the official ceremony for Best Young Rider. Regulation 12.1.040.36.
5. Rider 16 PEDERSON, Martin, Team CSC is fined Chf 100 for covered numbers. Regulation 12.1.040.5.
6. Rider 18 VANDBORG, Brian is Team CSC is fined Chf 100 for covered numbers. Regulation 12.1.040.5.
7. Team Director BRUYNEEL, Johan, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team is fined Chf 200 for breach of regulations of vehicle movement during the race. The second team car is not allowed within the front caravan except to replace the first car that has either stopped or advanced to riders off the front..
8. The following teams are warned for wearing articles of clothing not conforming to regulation 1.3.029. This states that riders must wear rain capes or vests that are transparent or look like the team's jersey: Team CSC; Prodir-Saunier Duval; Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team; Phonak Hearing Systems.

The UCI fines are always in Swiss francs (Chf), no matter where the race is held, so 200 Chf is about $156.55 USD. After every race, there are always these kinds of fines - the officials watch everything and never hesitate to levy fines to the teams..

As winner of Stage Two, Popo will now have the advantage of starting last in today’s Stage Three, 40km ITT - he’ll start at 1:06 pm Eastern time. He’s not too shabby at time trials, so he just might stay in the leader’s jersey...

And, I saw in VeloNews that Davis Phinney was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday night in Denver. Davis is from Colorado and graduated from Boulder High School. He certainly deserves that award!

The pic is from training camp,and no, Popo doesn't ride with his eyes closed - he was posing for the individual team shots. I have some funny "outtake" shots of the guys posing for the team pics...