>>http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cycling/15052681.stm
>
>It must have been like a long, flat TdF stage.

True - I think this year was pretty flat.

>As long as his team could keep him protected for the bulk of the race, and lead him out properly at the end, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion...

Also true I'm afaid - tactics play a huge part.....