Hermes, lots to think about! It truly is a chess game, isn't it? In the moment, it's easy to put aside, as a spectator, what it must take to race on the level for the Tour de France, as well as any other grand tour. Those riders make it look so easy that the true measure of their suffering is rather hidden (except for Voeckler, he gives great "suffer face"). When I take the time to find out or have the nuances explained to me (I am a layman, after all), the huge effort and amount of preparation, as well as the enormous energy and toll on the body such a race demands comes into focus. That kind of knowledge increases my fascination and enjoyment of the tour, and any other pro cycling event, as well. In a way, it helps make me a better rider, and athlete, although I could never, ever hope to even breathe the same air as those men (and women)! Just the same, it's a wonderful thing to watch such superb athletes perform in such a tough venue. The "who's gonna win"? guessing game is intriguing, too!