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The sorting continues in the Alps with only 2 riders left within 2 3/4 minutes of the lead. Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador shattered the rest of the contenders on the final climb of the day. Though they did not sprint for the stage win, the two caught the breakaway within a kilometer of the finish, leaving all the other contenders spread across the mountain. Cadell Evan’s, who started the day in yellow, lost over 8 minutes, not only ending his hope for a victory, but probably ending all hope for a podium finish.

Today was a sad day in the history of the Tour de France. Bad luck and age caught up with Lance Armstrong today to leave him 13′26″ off the lead. Compounding his trouble on the cobbles in stage 3, Lance fell 3 times today and at age 38, he just didn’t have the gas to rejoin the leaders. Regardless of the falls, Lance really didn’t have what it took to keep pace on the climb as teams Sky and Astana held a fast tempo up the high mountains. The other contenders, Contador, Evans, Schleck and Menchov were able to stay together. Notably, Lance’s teammate Levi Leipheimer was able to stay with the leaders, and leave team Radio Shack with a shot at the podium.

Expect to see team Astana set a blistering pace to destroy the other teams and climbers. The Schleck brothers will try to repeat their feats from 2008, but team Astana will prove too much. If Lance at age 37 can keep up with Contador, the yellow jersey will be his, but that will be no easy task.

Stage 2 played out exactly as one would expect. The peleton chased down a non threatening breakaway, ending in a typical sprinters dual, with Cavendish beating all and Tyler Farrar best of the rest. Hushovd coming in a respectful 4th.
Stage 3 showed the value of experience. Only Cavendish and Hushovd made the break when team [...]