Indurain was pretty exciting on occasion, not least when time trialling, climbing, and riding away from the peloton. Trouble was, he never looked like he was trying that hard. When he retired, he made the point that no one gave him credit for the effort he put in.

It's all very well criticising Evans for hanging on, but if that's all he can do what sense is there in suggesting he goes on the attack? In a previous post I observed that he doesn't appear to ride to his strengths on climbs, but supposing he was capable of controlling the others by climbing at a steady fast pace. Everyone would say that was boring the way they did about Indurain.

If the other contenders can't put enough time into Evans on the Alpe, then he deserves to win regardless of his riding style.

Dead right right Mark, While the tour hasn't had any flashes of brilliance (bar Ricco's climbing which we all know about) it has however been really tense. With all the riders on a more consistent and human level it has been very tense and tactical.

I also hope Evans wins but he is really leaving it to the last minute by relying on his time tial performance in the penultimate stage. That said he is not an out and out climber and did well to control the play yesterday.

Very impressed with Andy Schleck's climbing - effortless.

I think it is an exciting tour. It was interesting to see CSC's tactics. I was never sure who would attack and the way Andy Shleck covered every attempt was amazing. All in all yestedays stage was one of the most exciting for years.

It will all now be down to the time trial on Saturday. Almost as exciting as the Paris time trial with Fignon and Lemond battling it out for victory.

I'm hoping Evans doesnt win it but you have to give him some respect for still being there after all the concerted effort from the CSC team. Do you think Valverde was in on the CSC gameplan?

My prediction is that Andy Shleck will be a future tour winner, talk about a super domestique.