I won’t get credit for it because just after writing the title “Floyd Landis Must Attack” for a post I never published, Booth fils insisted that I stop thinking about the “Turtle France” and play with him. So instead I’ll say that I’m not surprised Floyd attacked. He never looked under pressure and was clearly the most fit rider in the tour so long as he didn’t bonk. Post bonk, he had a chance to prove his fitness in a way that, as Fausto said, will place him in the pantheon of great riders on a great ride.

So what’s the most striking difference in this year’s tour compared to the last seven? I’ll put forth the genuine affection that riders from other teams have shown to Floyd. Rasmussen gave him a hug after his great stage; Perreiro gave him a full-on man-grapple after yesterday’s stage. It’s clear that Floyd is well-liked in the Peloton, a fact which distinguishes him from Armstrong. I’m not sure if I recall even a discovery rider hugging Lance. There was no doubt that the Peloton respected Lance, as they should have, but a quiet thread of his seven-year reign is that no one, including LeBlanc, really liked him. The possible exception was Hinault who seemed to have a sympatico for a fellow badger-like character.

So now the question is: can Floyd make it back? The surgery he is about to undergo is equivalent to a Beloki re-tread. If he doesn’t, then what will the next year bring? Ullrich (career over, Jan) and Basso will certainly be sitting out suspensions. Cunego has announced he’ll focus on the Giro next year. Sastre, Evans, and Menchov all showed that they can’t respond to the pressure. So who’s left but Kloden? My dark horses are Popyvych, if he finally gets serious about his training and Zabriskie, if he trains his ass off enough to warrant being named team leader for CSC.