Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
I posted in the Stage 1 thread that Valverde's effort in taking stage 1, was not consistent with a guy that was confident in pursuing a GC win. I was ridiculed.
It certainly looks now like Valverde himself knew he better grab what he could get when he could get it, because his GC hopes are questionable.
I think you are reading to much into Valverdes effort in stage one, it wasn't your typical opening stage and it suited him perfectly. Other than losing time in the tt (which we new he would) he has done fine. Looked alright today and we will find out for sure in the mountains. The great thing about this years tour is that any one of the favorites could blow up in the mountains and none of us would be suprised. Anyone who thought this years tour would be boring was completly wrong, the stages have been exciting from day one and we haven't had to sit through a week of flat stages before the real racing begins.