Sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere in the threads from today, I haven't been on the site all day so as to avoid spoilers till I got home to watch the recorded stage.
So.
In stage 3, Astana made a deal with Columbia to cause that split. Armstrong was to position himself at the front with some helpers and they would drop the peloton, give Cav another easy win, and give Armstrong enough time to become the highest placed rider on Astana, even if only by seconds, so when Astana iwns the TTT--PRESTO--Armstrong in yellow.
In order for this to work, Armstrong had to be the highest placed Astana rider in the break, so that ruled out Contador, Kloden, and Leipheimer. That is why they stayed behind. Their absence from the front group also ensured that the other race favorites wouldn't organize a serious chase and bring the move back. Remember that not only Contador but virtually every other captain, guys with the racing smarts of Sastre or experience of Menchov and Evans, all missed the break. The only way they would have made it is if they were warned. Armstrong was riding NEXT to Columbia's third man (out of nine) when the break formed, literally at the front of the peloton, in the wind. He knew it was coming, and so did Contador.
So Armstrong and a pair of Astanas who were lower than him are in the move. They drive the pace to put Armstrong above Contador and Kloden (with the knowledge and consent of Contador). Unfortunately, Cancellara got into the break with some cyclocross acrobatics, but, with such a powerful team, Armstrong should still get yellow when Astana wins the TTT.
According to the plan, Armstrong would get yellow for PR reasons, etc, and Contador takes over in the mountains. That's why Contador didn't go in the move, b/c it was all planned. You can't say he missed the boat, b/c would Evans, Menchov, Sastre, both Brothers Schleck, Kreuziger, Nibali, etc all miss the move, too? No, it was planned. Armstrong and Burnyeel cooked this up way back at the beginning of the comeback, and Contador, Kloden, and Leipheimer were all privy to the plan.
We know how it ends now, but Armstrong only missed yellow by tenths of a second. It was a pretty good plan, especially considering that Armstrong and Brunyeel probably came up with it months ago.
So.
In stage 3, Astana made a deal with Columbia to cause that split. Armstrong was to position himself at the front with some helpers and they would drop the peloton, give Cav another easy win, and give Armstrong enough time to become the highest placed rider on Astana, even if only by seconds, so when Astana iwns the TTT--PRESTO--Armstrong in yellow.
In order for this to work, Armstrong had to be the highest placed Astana rider in the break, so that ruled out Contador, Kloden, and Leipheimer. That is why they stayed behind. Their absence from the front group also ensured that the other race favorites wouldn't organize a serious chase and bring the move back. Remember that not only Contador but virtually every other captain, guys with the racing smarts of Sastre or experience of Menchov and Evans, all missed the break. The only way they would have made it is if they were warned. Armstrong was riding NEXT to Columbia's third man (out of nine) when the break formed, literally at the front of the peloton, in the wind. He knew it was coming, and so did Contador.
So Armstrong and a pair of Astanas who were lower than him are in the move. They drive the pace to put Armstrong above Contador and Kloden (with the knowledge and consent of Contador). Unfortunately, Cancellara got into the break with some cyclocross acrobatics, but, with such a powerful team, Armstrong should still get yellow when Astana wins the TTT.
According to the plan, Armstrong would get yellow for PR reasons, etc, and Contador takes over in the mountains. That's why Contador didn't go in the move, b/c it was all planned. You can't say he missed the boat, b/c would Evans, Menchov, Sastre, both Brothers Schleck, Kreuziger, Nibali, etc all miss the move, too? No, it was planned. Armstrong and Burnyeel cooked this up way back at the beginning of the comeback, and Contador, Kloden, and Leipheimer were all privy to the plan.
We know how it ends now, but Armstrong only missed yellow by tenths of a second. It was a pretty good plan, especially considering that Armstrong and Brunyeel probably came up with it months ago.
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