Tour notes: Welcome to Hollywood, France

The Tour de France attracts all sorts of people - normal cycling fans, cycling fans wearing crazy and colorful costumes, and cycling fans missing certain (but essential) articles of clothing.

On Friday, a different breed of cycling fan showed up: Hollywood actors.

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, who are in France to promote their new film, "Knight and Day," had the complete Tour de France experience during Stage 18. They rode in official cars alongside the peloton, posed for pictures with overall leader Alberto Contador and his friendly rival Andy Schleck, and then stood on the podium as Contador was awarded the yellow jersey.

Wearing aviator-style sunglasses, Cruise raised Contador's arm and gave him a congratulatory slap on the back while the trio was on the podium. Diaz gave Contador the customary kiss on each cheek.

Cruise did not speak to the media afterward, but Diaz briefly commented about the Tour.

"I'd never seen a thing like that before," Diaz said. "I went to the Olympics but this is one of the most spectacular events I had the chance to see."

News wire AFP reported that Contador was timid and a bit shy upon meeting the famous duo.

"Of course I've seen a lot of your films, but it's a little bit strange seeing you up close," Contador said to Cruise and Diaz. "Here is a yellow jersey, which I hope to win on Sunday."

Contador was then asked if he was able to get Diaz's phone number, to which he replied: "I didn't get that far!"

Quotables
Stage winner Mark Cavendish on teammate Mark Renshaw, who was booted from the Tour last week for head-butting another rider: "Mark of course I miss him a lot. This win basically it's for him today."

Schleck on Saturday's time trial; he trails Contador by eight seconds, but his time trialing skills are not as good as Contador's: "I feel good. I have nothing to lose."