The question with Mayo is whether he was already at a 100% on the Ventoux a few weeks ago. If he was he'll have a hard time holding that form, if he was at 97% or so and still looking to peak, he'll be a contender. I agree with RW about Mayo's team but there was a time when USPS had to defend Yellow for a 1st time. We won't know about Euskatel until if/when Mayo puts the Jersey on.

Probably won't see much in the 1st week as the GC contenders will ride pretty defensively. Unless some team makes a mistake we might even see Petacci in Yellow for a day or 2 early on.

I'd like to see a hard stage or 2 earlier just to increase the intensity on some of the flatter stages for the GC riders.

As to the point, early on I said LA wins easily or the combined peloton finally cracks him and he's well back. All or nothing so to speak. I'll stick with that though a closer finish is certainly possible.