I'm completely stoked about this year's Tour de France, which begins tomorrow in Monaco with a short individual time trial (called a "prologue"). Legendary cycling announcer Phil Liggett, who, with Paul Sherwen, does the television coverage for Versus, predicts that Lance Armstrong will finish on the podium (i.e., that he'll finish first, second, or third). Here is a story about the tension within the Astana team. It puzzles me why a team would have two leaders, but I suppose one can think of it this way. Astana has two men who can win the Tour. Things happen during a three-week stage race. Perhaps one of the leaders will crash or get sick. Perhaps one of them will prove to be weaker than than the other, either because of age (in the case of Armstrong) or because of inadequate training. If so, then the other rider can assume team leadership. Let's not forget that Astana wants to win the Tour. Whether it's Contador, Armstrong, or someone else doesn't much matter.
As for Armstrong, it's in his interest to stay safe during the first week and to remain close to the leader on the climbs. In other words, he mustn't foolishly lose time to his rivals. Later in the Tour, if he is feeling strong, he can attack. If Contador stays with him, so be it. If not, then Armstrong will have proved that he's the strongest and can expect Contador to work for him. Then again, it could be Contador who emerges as the strongest, and Armstrong could end up working for him. I don't expect Levi Leipheimer to be a contender this year, although he will do his utmost for whoever emerges as team leader. Leipheimer peaked too soon this season. It was no mistake; his aim was to win the Tour of California in February, which he did. It's hard to retain good form for six months.
Addendum: Here is tomorrow's stage.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 