recycling.co.uk sign-on in the morning for the 1st Stage Photo © Larry Hickmott - britishcycling.org.uk

10.09.07: recycling.co.uk's Chris Newton ended today's stage in Southampton in 10th place overall in the race, just 20 seconds off race leader Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) who won his second stage in a row. Chris slipped down one place from yesterday because two riders moved up into the top-ten today, Piet Rooijakkers (Skil-Shimano), thanks to two time bonuses won along the route, and Emilien Berges (Agritubel), who gained a time bonus for finishing 6th on the stage.

All the remaining recycling.co.uk riders remain within 1 minute and 35 seconds from the race leader Cavendish, which in a race of this calibre can quickly be gained back in a break-away move in just one day. Tomorrow's tough stage could be one of those days as the riders head from Yeovilton to Taunton, a 105-mile route which includes the Quantock hills and passes over Exmoor.