1. Team Sky have not become self-aware
For all their dominance in the run-up to the Tour, they seem to be lacking the confidence to place Wiggins in the posh seats at the front. Sending back multiple riders to try and bring Froome back up as Plan B showed their hand far too early.
On Stage 3, Froome ended up in the barriers and Wiggins was slowed by a stack. What’s notable is that, bar Denis Menchov, almost all the other big GC contenders were the right side of that incident.
They’ve had poor luck with punctures if you want to be generous. Now with Sivtsov out, they are a man down. Handsome Bernie Eisel is going to have to get his Classics legs out the box and start filling that hole at some point.
Cavendish will find himself fully freelance, and don’t be surprised if he puts in shifts. He’s nothing if not a committed team player and knows that there’s potential gold at the end of the rainbow.
2. Watching BMC’s engine room of Hincapie, Quinziato and Burghardt at work is a joy
By contrast, BMC have been class so far in placing Cadel Evans in the box seat. George Hincapie seems to be in charge of putting him where he needs to be in the last 5km, while Manuel Quinziato and Marcus Burghardt – with others – do the ugly work in the last 30km when it’s on like Donkey Kong.
There was a moment when the three of them lost Evans on their way to the front on Stage 2. The looks they gave each other told you how important it is to them to get the job done, and get it done properly.
3. There’s some right miserable buggers out there
Yes you Robbie Hunter, and a section of the viewing public. Peter Sagan isn’t being arrogant, he’s smashing stage wins and enjoying it. God forbid he should enjoy that moment or express that in a way which might entertain.
When you win in the world’s biggest race, against the world’s best riders, you can bloody well Can-Can across the line for all I care.
I, however, will not be truly happy with the boy Sagan until I see a full “Big fish, little fish, cardboard box” celebration. A hand-jive might suffice if it’s a bit tight for room.