Did Schleck blow it today, were his tactics wrong or was Contador too good. Did he miss the opportunity to attack after Contador failed too lose him. Initially I thought Andy had ridden as well as he could but maybe less eyeballing more aggression.

Once upon a time, when we were naughty little school kids, my school chums and I clubbed together to buy some fireworks, including an air bomb repeater called a 'Five Star' (well, 'twas the 80s). Some bright spark came up with the idea of dropping it in the bottle bank at the local shopping precinct - ho, ho, you can imagine our giddy anticipation - five big bangs hugely amplified - it was going to be ACE! Shame then that the bloody thing didn't go off - our early teen impishness ruined. And an expensive lesson learned.

Was it just me, or did today feel a little like that? I was almost hyperventilating with excitement when the final selection was made on the lower slopes - then... nada. Baby Schleck didn't seem too downhearted at the end... he should have been absolutely gutted! Baby Schleck the new Poulidor? I suspect so. Bert is ruthless... he's a WINNER! And he's gonna win le Grand Boucle every year for at least the next five years!

p.s. if I catch any of my kids playing with fireworks, I'll, er, I'll, er, I'll cancel their subscription to The Comic... that's what I'll do!

big wow you won a stage that alberto gifted 2 you, as for the stare well ask your self this andy who`s got the yellow jersey?

@Cavologuardi: No it was not just you. The revenge battle so long announced by baby Schleck was pathetic. Though Contador was right to save his energy fot the iTT. But watch out, baby 'wanabe yellow jersey' said it is not over yet. Vive Le Tour ?

Do any of you self-professed experts actually ride bikes? Have any of you been up the Tourmalet? Do you have one iota of understanding about what Schleck was attempting and failing to do and the effort he was putting into it? If you don't get fireworks you resort to criticising the riders. I'm starting to agree with Cav on this one - forums and stuff get dominated by people who don't know jack about what it takes to win a bike race but want to tell everyone what they think. Are you really suggesting he couldn't be bothered or doesn't know how to suffer. The guy rode the whole hill on the limit, matched AC's power attack, but couldn't break the worthy spaniard. Just 'cos he didn't sweat blood your disappointed.

I think you're all being very harsh on the 2 leaders (OK, on AS) whether Contador turns out to be the stronger of the pair (and, short of some sort of miracle, he already has) one thing is clear; these 2 guys are streets ahead of everyone else in the race. I challenge anyone who's calling AS some sort of whinging softie to even think about the prospect of riding away from the best of the professional peleton up mountains. Again and again and again over the last 2 weeks these 2 have done just that.

I look forward to their rivalry continuing for years to come

"Giants of the Road",Duffield would always go on about when commentating on the Tour.With all the moaning and bickering this year it's hardly what you would expect from Giants!!!Has the charisma of the tour faded.i believe it has i'm sorry to say.

Hovis, I defer to your better knowledge... I struggle up Totti Road never mind the Tourmalet... but... I am a rider nevertheless... and I am a devoted fan of road cycle racing... and I have been since the 80s.

Remember how Roche looked after his chase after Delgado up La Plagne? I was fifteen years old when I saw that and it left an impression. As a fan... and I claim to be nothing more... that's the kind of effort I was hoping for (but not expecting) from Baby Schleck.

We all know Bert is gonna wee all over him in the ITT. It was Andy that needed to make the time up... it was Andy that was bigging himself up to the media... it is Andy that still thinks he's a better climber than Bert... it is Andy that will not win this year's Tour.

@hovis: yes I actually ride my bike and I even grew up in Pau! When you have a big mouth little Schleck you should not complain of being teased when you fail. It is Schleck who announced for days a big firework in the Tourmalet, no one else. I am not disappointed that he failed, simply amused. I think nowadays the so-called 'big stars' of the sport talk much more than they race their bikes. Grande Carlos Sastre!