Watching it I will say it is a little unfair to put all the blame on AC. Sanchez and Menchov weren’t angels either. Would they have probably slowed had he yelled at them, yes, but they were driving things as much as him it looked like.
With that said, even if they had not, as well as AS was climbing, him and AC taking turns probably would have still caught them. I think there is that much of a difference between the top 2 and everyone else.
I agree, MB, and w/ the other points you noted. AC had riders #3 & 4 right there, and... AS started the attack. What do you do, do the classy thing hoping that Samuel and Denis don't take off? They're 'only' 2+ minutes back, right, leaders of their own teams, and in one helluva battle for that last podium position.
A lot of this is just people, incl myself, wishing AC was a better patron instead of an obvious prick. ;>)
I don’t think there is any question that had AC indicated to Menchov and Sanchez that they would all wait for AS, they would have waited. Cancellara was able to hold up the entire peloton after Stage 2 with no problem. There is generally respect among riders. I think Chris Brewer’s comments on the livestrong page are quite telling- there is a trend here...