But is his performance really better this year than years past? Has he riden statistically faster this year than in the past? Considering how most of his oponents have dropped out this year he hasn't really been put under any pressure. And strategy wise the team has dominated, but part of that appearance has been because most of his competition has dropped out of the race.
Oh and Merckx was leading when he had his run in with a spectator and then fell a couple of days later (with broken bones in his face), I think that had quite a bit to do with his loss in 75 (as opposed to say Indurain or Hinault who just got beat).