Tour riders pay tribute to Australian team

The Tour peloton held a minute's silence before the start of the 18th stage between Albi and Mende in memory of Amy Gillett, the Australian national women's team rider who was killed and five of her teammates seriously injured in a terrible accident in Germany last Monday. It was a sobering moment for the riders, who would have all had close calls with motor vehicles during their careers.

Cyclingnews' John Trevorrow spoke to Tour leader Lance Armstrong about the tragedy, and the Discovery Channel captain commented, "Our sport is extremely difficult. Every time you suit up you take life into your own hands. As an English speaking rider, it's close to home.

"Our hearts go out to their families. I know that we were thinking of them. Their loss weighs heavily on us, and everyone in the peloton. We know that every time we go out it could happen to us."

CSC's Luke Roberts put things into perspective: "The last couple of days I have been struggling with concentration about a bike race. I think of the pain that I am going through, and then I think of the families and loved ones of the girls [Australians killed/injured in Germany] and what they must be struggling with. I then realize that this is nothing."