Breakaway wouldn't work for the Yellow Jersey. LA and some of the Postal guys can definitely motor along on a flat stage but so can alot of guys not the least of them Ullrich. When all's said and done you haven't put time into Ullrich and you've tired yourself out before a truly critical time trial.
LA needs this time trial as he needs to put more time on Mayo. For the first time in his 4 Tours Lance has an opponent who might just be able to ride away from him on a climb. The TT is critical and can't be risked on a breakaway that has very little chance.
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“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay