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Commentators were saying Cancellara did a disappointing time trial because he had worked so hard for the Schlecks. But Cancellara - and Voight - seemed a lot less visible this year than last. Just as Contador's Spanish contingent were hardly up to their previous standards.
I do wonder about the no-needles rule. The UCI admit they can't really enforce it but equally teams know that if only one syringe is found, used or unused, containing drugs or legal substances, they are out of the Tour. Because it looked like this Tour was about recovery, about riders getting tired, teams getting tired, just like they did before the 90s. So Cadel is able to compete because of his natural ability and Contador and the Schlecks drop back a level. Voeckler is able to hang on, and Rolland able to win, right at the end of the three weeks because the others are fading. I don't, either, believe that Contador had a bad knee for even one day in the race.
At least I would like to believe that is what happened. Boassen Hagan, Hushovd and Gilbert all did things that, were they Spanish or Italian, would have you shaking your head. They make it possible to have some hope. Anyone who thinks doping is not really such a bad thing, or that it still leaves a 'level playing field' will, surely, now shut up. Doping made cycling, and especially the Tour, dull for years and years.
And those who used to complain that some of us talk too much about doping can now see, can't they, that doping was, and is, the most important story in cycling. It determines, and it ruins, everything.
Armstrong's era, and his shabby victories, look even worse after Cadel's brilliance and the daily excitement of this year's race. With luck things will get better still in the next year or two.