So after Cadel Evans win on the Ventoux today, I got to thinking.
Did he break much "etiquette" by abandoning Popovych to go for the stage win on the day? After his big time losses in earlier stages I recall him mentioning how they would try for Popo for the overall, but he also said he wanted to try his chances on the Ventoux. They seem to have conflicted .

So how do they weigh which is more important?

Team orders more than likely - if you have the legs go for it. Also, Evans wouldn't have been able to assist Popovych much as Popo had crumbled big time.

Popo couldn't hang and Evans applied his trademark move and stuck on Gesinks wheel till the line. He didn't help him, he just sat there. No foul in my book.

Seems like Evans tried to help Popo, but Popo didn't have the legs for it today. So, he got the stage win. Good work by Evans.

Ahh, responses are kind of in line to what I was thinking as well. Great ride by Gesink (again!)

Just noticed too this stage kind of had parallels to Levi and Janez on Brasstown Bald last year.

Don't be too hard on Cadel. He is unsure what to do when he does not have a wheel to follow.

Popo told Cadel to slow down so other guy attacked.... Popo popped

Its all positive for Evans. He worked for Popo, Popo couldn't hold the wheel when Evans lifted the pace for him, Evans gets a free ride to a stage win because he couldn't assist Gesink due to team orders, and the pecking order as to who is the strongest in the team Lotto is sorted.