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Good morning, Elle!
Contador is hoping he will be OK before he gets to the mountains.
That is where he excels.
The time loss is a bigger concern for him than his injuries. Apparently, Team Tinkoff are using an "Indiba machine" to accelerate his healing.
I am not at all sure how that will help, but they claim it is "legal"!
I shall try and see Miss Hingis, and Lucie, if she is playing today.
I find it strange that there is such a variation in Red Button choice. Before the rain came I was getting a choice of six matches.
So today, I have cycling, tennis, and ospreys to watch.
Wonder if I can fit in my crossword!

Morning Rusty !

The ospreys are certainly worth watching closely now - It won't be long before at least two of them try their first flight; I also noticed that they eat the fish themselves now, as opposed to being fed.

Today's race should be (hopefully) uneventful, just ideal for some riders to recover from their bruisings; but it's true that Contador has lost a lot of time, so he can't afford to take it too easy!

Off to Dr now.

Good morning, Rusty!
It is lovely out this morning.
We had some quite lively discussions whist walking the dogs.
The topics covered the tennis (of course!), the EU Referendum, Scotland's take on the situation, and the football!
Never a dull moment......
So what is an "Indiba" machine? and how does it work?
You say Contador excels in the mountains.....now let me see if I have got this right....that means that he will compete for the polka-dot jersey?
"King of the Mountains"?
(I shall be devastated if I have remembered this incorrectly!)
You will certainly be busy today- what with cycling, tennis and ospreys!
I can add to the tennis coverage, too......Roger Federer starts play on Centre Court at 1 pm; followed by Serena; then Andy Murray plays Nick Kyrgios.
Court One sees the return (very quickly - he will be tired) of J-W Tsonga against Richard Gasquet.
And don't forget to watch Martina, if you can find coverage of her match.
(You can do your crossword later for a rest!)

Good morning, Pigale,
A flight is imminent, I think.
The third chick is a bit behind the others.
A long stage today.
Sagan is not happy with all the crashes.
He blames the riders. Poor riding skills.
He is a great bike handler himself.

Hello, Elle!
I think Indiba promotes quicker healing, apparently.
Something to do with molecules?
I thought Indiba was a name for Nelson Mandela, but am probably wrong there, too!
Contador is suffering from "road rash", the riders term for the scrapes and abrasions from the road surface when they crash.
Makes sleeping difficult.
No, Contador will have little interest in the polka dot jersey.
His team, Tinkoff, have targeted yellow for him, and green for Peter Sagan.
To win yellow, climbing skills are vitally important.
Tinkoff are an excellent team and they will try to protect Contador as much as they can before the mountains.
One year, Eddy Merckx won all the jerseys!
I usually do my crossword later.
My teatime treat!

Hi, Rusty!
Are you perhaps thinking of "Madiba" for Nelson Mandela?
That is the name of the clan of which he is a member.
I'll never get the hang of this competitive cycling! I'd thought that if you were good at mountaineering you would win the polka-dot jersey?
I think I'll stick to tennis and athletics !!!!
I've already done my crosswords ........ ready for tennis........but will have to fit in another dog-walk at some stage.
Maybe after Roger Federer's match?

Elle, Hi,

You need to be good at climbing but you needn't be the actual winner of a mountain stage, - just make sure you are within the 'winning group' so as not to lose time.

Just looking in .... My cousin's daughter studied at the College for Equine Physiotherapy and I have heard her mention the Indiba system, but not sure if she uses it. It is used in horses to accelerate the natural healing process and reduces muscular problems.

That should have read: "College for animal physiotherapy" but she now specializes in horses.

Hello, Elle!
That's him, Madiba!
Not a problem me getting confused, happens frequently.
The name for a meeting is similar too, but it is in the back of my mind just now.
Pigale is quite correct regarding the polka dot and yellow jerseys.
It is often the case that one rider has both yellow and polka dot, but wears yellow, as that is more prestigious.
A few years ago there was a French rider, Richard Virenque who only went for the polka dot. He was a great climber, but lacking against the clock etc, so the yellow was an unattainable dream to him.
Or, to wear yellow in Paris, was.
And it is "climbing", not "mountaineering"!
That is a different sport entirely!
Eirlys, that is my understanding of the Indiba machine, that it promotes quicker healing.
I had never heard of it before!