BOBKE MAKES THE CALL
Monaco provided a spectacular backdrop in which Fabian Cancellara did what everyone believed he could do - dominate the field in the stage one TT of the 2009 Tour de France. To be the 100% favorite to win does not mean you win automatically. In fact, it's perhaps more difficult in cycling to be the overwhelming favorite than in any other sport....and even more so in the Tour.

The press will hound you in the days leading up to the Tour which can rob you of your vitality. It takes a superior force to disregard those distractions and focus on the job at hand. Fabian must be considered the best TT rider in his generation as he has proven more than capable of winning the big events, one after another

With four riders in the top ten today, Team Astana would have proven that they are the strongest team in the race. It begs the question however: will they be able to to stay united and work for one leader – whoever that may be.

Lance was an early starter and rode a comfortable race. Alberto sent a clear signal to the team that he is ready to lead this year's Tour, but time will tell exactly who the team will rally behind.

Although I can't recommend Monaco as a cycling destination, if you are a bottle fed, bourgeois, Euro trash, spent piece of jet fuel with sketchy connections and too much free time on your hands – this is the place for you! I'm glad the Tour is leaving and won't return for another 64 years because while the Grimaldi family were delightful hosts, Monaco remains the most densely populated country in the world. Let's hope they don't use Yosemite National Park as a similar tax haven...see where I'm going here?