Either T-Mobile is completely wasting any potential benefit that Vinokourov could be providing, or Vino is just completely doing his own thing regardless of any direction that he might be getting from the team. His repeated attacks do nothing for him, and even less for Jan.
Oscar Sevilla was the quintessential team player yesterday, waiting up for Jan and then all but twisting his neck out of joint trying to be the perfect carrot. Once I even shouted at the TV "Just put your head down and ride as fast as you can! Make him keep up with you!" but my wife asked if they were answering me so I kept my mouth shut after that.
George played it perfectly, but I heard that a few were tweaked that he took no pulls all day long. For crying out loud, he was there to keep an eye on things, slow things down if possible and to be there for Lance if necessary. George had no reason to try to advance in the GC. Once it became obvious that they would not be caught his only priority was to take the stage. Pereiro's only shot was to lose him on the climb, and he just couldn't do it. If Oscar had taken it easy on the climb to try to sprint with George he wouldn't have gained as much time. Tough for Oscar, but that's racing.
Mancebo is like a little, tilted head, Spanish version of Ullrich on the climbs. Sit there and grunt it out, don't follow the jumps but make it up in a decent time anyway.
Rock has a point about Basso, Ullrich and Valverde, but I don't see Jan blossoming once Lance is gone unless T-Mobile does a major overhaul at the top. Leaving Zabel home but bringing Vino as a backup (but not using him to help Jan in any meaningful way) is a tragedy of half-measures. What a bunch of wasted potential. CSC on the other hand, did a great job with Sastre and Basso yesterday. Don't know how they could have played it better with the talent on hand.
