Obviously, this is an extraordinary talented group. However, Eki's absence raises an interesting question: who will take his role on the flats? There is not a lot of HC climbing in this Tour, and Beltran, Rubiera, and Azevedo are your mountain goats (although Azevedo is quite capable on the flat). Popovych can be a strong rouleur, as can Salvodelli, but niether would relish the role of towing the bunch for the first few hours of a flat or moyenne montagne stage...that's a tough job to swallow for one who has stood on the podium of a Grand Tour.

This looks like a good group if LA takes the jersey with a week to go, but not too much earlier...this group could defend the jersey and control the race over the Massif and through the Alps...enough rouleurs for the early going, but not a team to control two weeks of racing (of course, watch them prove the doof wrong)....LA takes number 7, but doesn't spend more than 8-9 days in yellow.