[Cyclefrance]

Still afraid to ask, eh?

Well, the current state of play is John Prescott projecting slightly ahead in the resignation stakes - managing to hang on by his balls, one might say.... Charles Clarke looked as though he was going to take a clear lead but has reined back a shade (although it's difficult to understand how or why - maybe he's electronically tagged?). Patricia Hewitt is keeping her head down and maintaining a position at the rear of the field - no trophies likely for her as she is and things stand, but there's still plenty of ground yet to be covered, and the field could change round completely before it's all over - stranger things have happened.