And Lance recognized the perfect moment to hitch a ride! In typical fashion he showed himself to be both quick-witted and strong enough to gain back the 40 seconds he might need later in the race. And it was from just being there. More than any rider I've seen, Lance has the instinct to recognize the moment when his rivals are vulnerable. It's beyond conscious thinking - it's an instinct that animals have. From this day on there will be some frosty moments at the Astana team dinner table until a clear leader emerges.

The Euro media is usually an odd lot and they were quick to discount Lance after his tenth place in the stage one TT. The one thing they've forgotten is that when you underestimate Lance in the Tour, he will punish you.  I don't think the Columbia break-away would have succeeded without Lance. Cavendish would've still won, but it was Lance's thrilling effort that ensured that it was an explosive stage.

As for Mark Cavendish, he 's really a good kid with a type of pure, raw speed that I haven't seen since the days of Freddy Maertens in the '70's.  He's more focused than Cipolini. He has more desire than Petacchi. And he has more confidence from is team than Zabel had. With Cavendish we are witnessing a guy who will be winning races for a long time to come.

Team Columbia was phenomenal today. They might pay for it in the team time trial, but like Lance, they know you gotta make hay while the sun shines! I say that when the genie is out of the bottle you have to start granting it some wishes. The peloton is the genie and there could be some repercussions for Columbia, but it would've have been worse if Columbia had shut the break down.

Ad now the team time trial is next  - it doesn't get any better!