Originally Posted by
Quel
I think you (and JB) are using the term "leader" interchangeably with "best rider". In this case, I don't think the same. Lance and AC each thought they were both the leader and best rider, and both were mistaken. I have seen plenty to demonstrate AC is the best rider, but none of his actions seem to indicate he is the team leader.
I absolutely agree, except that if you read his quotes carefully, LA always said that AC is the "best rider". Of course he also said that he (Lance) is (or was) riding "to win", but that doesn't contradict his opinion of AC.
There a plenty of parallel situations. Jens Voigt, for instance, is referred to as the Saxobank "team leader", even though he may be the 3rd (or even 4th) best rider on the team.
What most of the people here seem unable to grasp is that a team leader - by definition - is not out only for himself.