Counterpoint:
Lance wanted to win the opening Prologue. He wasn’t saving anything for days ahead. He wanted to stamp his leadership and get Contador out there breaking wind for him for the next three weeks.

Lots of want, and a good ride, solid ride, but 10th overall and 4th on his Astana team alone.

Watching LA interviews since then, he seems even more challenged to swallow the fact that he’s now a support rider. He seems even to be separating out his views from Bruyneel’s, and those two historically spoke from the same PR book at all times.

Watching the Astana squad in Stage 2, it was noticable at times that LA positioned himself in the middle of the squad — as if he were the protected one (still), while Contador sat a bike or two back with some other team’s rider in front of him. Seems like strange karma within Astana.

The good news is that we could actually see a LA/Contador fight go on for some days ahead. Not that it’s healthy for the team, but it certainly makes for good TV.

Me, I’ve been to watch LA race in Georgia and in France, and I’ve rode with Contador in the US, and I think they’re both spectacular. But if it’s a matter of who’s got the best stuff for the Tour, just check the wagering websites for the odds and you’ll note that people who couldn’t care less about either of these guys think Alberto brings the goods.