I think you're not getting a clear picture. You're missing a very exciting spectacle. There's action and suspense aplenty. Riding 150+ miles in 100 degree weather is remarkably draining, regardless of your speed or condition. Going up the 5th climb of the day in the Pyrenees is not conducive to seeing the top 40 riders in the peleton battling it out to the finish line.
Yes, there have been some riders' whose performance has disappointed to some degree or another, but man, I'm really eager to watch the next three days of action. I was glad to see Lance do well, but the tour has been kind of boring the past few years. I'd like to see Valverde and Vino adding to the drama, but even without them, this is great.
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In search of what to search for.