Being Savaged by a Dead Sheep on the road to Gap

Back in the late 1970s the then Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer claimed that being attacked by his Tory counterpart Geoffrey Howe was "like being savaged by a dead sheep". I somehow doubt that Contador reads up on great quotes from British political history, but I wonder if he feels that the dual Schleck attack is a bit like that most of the time. Watching the Schlecks try to launch a convincing attack is a bit like watching Rupert Murdoch trying to give a convincing answer before a Select Committee. And watching Andy Schleck trying to descend on the road to Gap was a real Bambi on ice moment. Oh, and listening to Schlecks whinging at the end about the descent being too dangerous was plain embarrassing.

On a more positive note today's stage was a pleasant surprise. I had spent most of the day writing a dull report for a client who I know is not interested in what I have to say, so I welcomed the distraction of what was unfolding to be an hour of excitement. A technical descent to Gap in the pouring rain meant that what should have been a run on a mill stage a must watch. So bravo to Cadel Evans, Thor Hushvod and Thomas Voeckler. The latter for still battling, Evans for spanking Contador and Hushvod for being so much fun for the last 2 weeks. And raspberries for the Schlecks. I hope they prove me wrong in the Alps.  My early podium prediction is (1) Evans; (2) Contador; and (3) Voeckler. What odds?