Meanwhile in other races

Let's wrap up with a few other results...

In Paris Nice we saw the continuing success of sprinter Tom Boonen. He looks unbeatable. So it'll be interesting to see how Tom goes against Petacchi, down the track. Robbie McEwen seems close to form, if his team can get him up front when it matters, too. Thor Hushovd and Oscar Freire are also on form. Milano-San Remo will be a real test. Just four days away!

In GC terms Floyd Landis went very well in Paris-Nice. Cyclingnews wrapped it up well. So Landis is hot. Too hot for March, perhaps? He clearly will have a peak, hold it, then rest prior to July. Note that PN was bitterly cold in parts and perhaps this race isn't as indicative as TA. Basso (raced the TA) has the greater problem of holding form for both the Giro and Le Tour, so it'll be interesting. Perhaps someone else (let's say Cadel Evans)will be cagier and stay out of harm's way for a few more months and peak later?

So what would Armstrong have been doing? Everyone's different in their goals and physiological adaptation, but a quiet Armstrong at this stage would not have surprised. Certainly Jan Ullrich isn't in a hurry to get back to the fray, despite the top GC riders already 'out there'.

Note also that until he crashed in stage 3 of TA, Bettini was also unstoppable in the uphill sprints.