Going for the podium - I presume this means he wants one of the four on the podium as opposed to sweeping the entire podium (which could have happened in the AC/LA year).

I don't think the strategy is flawed - I think he's got four top 10 possibles and he'll ride each day with an open mind and see who has the legs. Why state now that you are going with "Levi, or Andreas, or Chris ..."

Just as easy for one of the others to have great legs and surprise you. Even more likely that whomever you annoint gets the flu and stinks up the first two weeks.

So why alienate three guys with the only upside being you've given one an "atta boy".

Good strategy. In fact - proven. If I recall the last time he did this he had two spots on the podium and managed to get it done with two MAJOR PRIMADONNA personas. These four are all near or slightly-past prime ... no one is going to look at Johann and say they're upset because no one will be ....