I don't expect anything from Sky pros. Nobody else has managed to have year-long peak performance.
Quite. I think a few people have got a bit carried away with the euphoria of the TdF and Olympics and were expecting too much from Froome in this race.
How good is Contador vs Froome?
Over a flat course, you'd favour Froome. But anyone surprised by yesterday's result should look at the 2009 TdF, which had a hilly, technical TT round Lake Annecy. Contador beat Cancellara in that.
Kessiakoff is a strong all-rounder who hasn't figured much in the race so far, so his performance was no surprise, but really Froome didn't do too bad, all things considered - just look at where Tony Martin finished.
Froome has done well so far but I'd now expect him to fade out of contention as the race goes on. Which is a shame.
d.