but USPS strategy was all about using 8 men to make it harder for Arnstrong's competitors to either shell competitors teams before the last climb, or to weaken Lance's competitors so they were the ones who could not attack on the last climb.
Lance being the best climber and timetrialer, plus having the 8 strongest teammates, 2 which would have been top 10 calibre if they rode their own race, one of whom might have been a podium finisher if he was a team leader, gave the ASO no berth to tweak the race in others favour