I hadn't heard anything about the stage (and I had it recording) so I watched the final 20km "live". It was very exciting I have to say.
Because of all the "poker faces" you just don't know, until it happens, who is going to blow-up first. Of course when they do, like Cadel Evans, you realise just how fast the pace is as they drop off the back like they are standing still. At one point I thought Froome had blown and Brad looked pained. All very tense.
I think the relentless SKY "TT" approach to climbing the big hills will scare most climbers. It seems SKY have got the perfect pace dialled in and, in Wiggins, a rider who knows how to ride at a planned pace. The other contenders have got two choices, try to stay with the relentless steady pace (which means they won't have much left at the end for a sprint, small time gains) or try to attack early and risk total burn out.
Maybe the lack of drugs on the Tour has signalled the end of superhuman breaks on huge climbs. Maybe Nibali's attempt was an example of what an un-juiced rider can achieve. ie. a few small attacks before blowing up and then being reeled in.
Froome looks like the only real contender. Growing up at 5500 ft in Kenya may be a form of legal EPO. What odds on his winning in 2013?