It compares well to kicking the ball out. It is more expected than out of the ordinary, although the circumstances yesterday were more extreme than a simple mechanical issue.

Chavanel abandoned now. Olympics prep.

There's a high chance of that. If that's the case, and Wiggins wins yellow, then maybe they'll have Froome leading a Giro team next year. Thing is, even if Wiggins is amenable to playing second to Froome next year if they win yellow this year then I just can't see them not defending it with the guy who won it.

Well that was.... dull. Should have been set up for a mass sprint, but nobody other than Sky were interested in doing any work on the front, so bugger it.

don't forget Cavendish who fancies his chances as no.1 - don't know if he will be happy to play second or even third fiddle at SKY as a mere DS ?

Well we know Froome signed a multi-year contract. I don't think we do know how long Cav's contract is. I wouldn't be surprised if he's only there this year.

I thought Cav was signed up for three years but he's been talikng about joining another stable as top rider so maybe he has a get-out clause ?
I wonder if it's ever happened that a team as strong as SKY has rotated the top man to even out the spoils ?

can't think of such a strong team since Banesto with the great Indurain etc ?

I don;t think it was ever announced. I assumed the same as vbfg, that he'd be there for this year, Sky get the kudos of having the world champion, Cav gets a tailor made program for the Olympics with the support of his trade team and then they go their separate ways so Sky can concentrate on British GC wins and Cav can get a team built around him to cement his position as the best of all time.

if box hill was in the tour de france what category climb would it be rated as?

Probably a cat 3