I couldn’t disagree more.

Contador is a great rider, probably one the best to come along in years.  The way the he can excelerate up a hill, then do again and again is almost magical.  In the years to come, Contador will most certainly find himself in the yellow jersey many more times.  He is a superstar for sure.  But the true leader of Astana is Lance Armstrong.  Not because he deserves it, although 7 wins of the Tour should make him the clear leader, but because he’s earned the respect of his fellow riders and he knows how to lead.  If Contador wins, it will be because of the tactical ability of Lance.  As the different teams jockeyed for position today, hoping to set things up for their prospective finishers, Lance was right up front with the other Astana riders helping keep tempo and attack when the time was right.  Even at the last 10 km it was still not clear whether Lance or Contador was going to attack to take the win.  When Contador surged up the, Lance did not chase, but held the tempo that kept others in the peleton from chasing Contador.  Knowing how good Lance is on the hills, it looked as though Lance was holding back to help Contador the win.  Lance has been contentious and brash in the past, but certainly had the talent to back it up.  The older Lance has learned the art of discretion and is a little wiser before shooting his mouth off – all signs of a good leader – but he also knows that sometimes you have to think of the team first.  That is true leadership.