Epicycle said:
I don't think Armstrong gave the stage to Pantani. I think he was afraid to lose the sprint so he didn't try. Like what Boonen does when he doesn't get a good position in a sprint. Both Armstrong and Boonen are so incredibly competitive that sometimes they'll choose to give up when they don't surely have the upper hand.
I agree; Pantani was in a good position to win that sprint and probably a better
strijkijzer sprinter generally. It was a situation comparable to Cunego and F. Schleck on the Alpe d'Huez; Schleck knew he couldn't take Cunego to the finish, so he increased the pace rather than attacking explosively as Cunego had done.
But regardless, the interpretation that Armstrong gave the stage to Pantani is generally accepted by the press, probably because Armstrong has always successfully projected an image of being the 'patron', a bit like Indurain and Hinault did. Pantani, being very popular, was a threat to Armstrong's public image so he needed a psychological victory.
I also recall that at the time, Armstrong was considered an example of new, clean cycling while Pantani was considered a classic (europro!) doper. Things sure have changed since then.
Contador will not be giving the stage to Armstrong, because Armstrong will not be able to keep up with at the very least Andy Schleck and Sastre. My prediction (for obvious reasons) is that Sastre will win the stage, about a minute or so in front of Contador, who will have dropped the Schlecks.