The only thing that would probably alter that plan would be some trouble coming at them from elsewhere. But, who is still healthy enough to bring it? Maybe the next two days will tell.
Today my "Silver Sprocket" award for gutsy performance was going to go to Chris Horner. To think that he was almost killed in April when he was hit by a car in a dark tunnel and left lying in the road amazes me. I once broke some ribs in a road race pile up and the pain and discomfort lasted for months. Horner is tough as nails.
That said, I have to share his award with Tejay Vangarderen and Andrew Talansky. These guys have bounced off the asphalt so many times in the last week, I don't know what gets them out of bed.
It can happen; after all, who heard of Blel Kadri before today?
I don’t have anything against Niboli but I certainly hope we don’t have him in yellow all the way to the end. That would make for a very boring Tour in my opinion despite all the recent fireworks. My guess is that Contador will be in yellow at some point. He may not in Paris but I think he will attack and get the jersey in a mountain stage. Niboli is also apparently a terrible time trial rider so will need a big cushion if it comes down that the ITT at the end.
I would love to see Talansky or Van Garteren at least on the podium but after the past 2 days, I suspect that is wishful thinking. They have both taken some very tough falls that have got to take a lot out of their ability to compete.