Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

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Carlos Sastre benefited from an ungodly strong CSC team that helped him also leap into the Yellow Jersey lead. The strength of CSC is almost unprecedented. Not since the days of La Vie Claire has there been a collection of riders who were generally equally matched and able to all content in the tough moments. Lance Armstrong’s Postal/Discovery teams were generally strong but they were focused on getting only one man to the Yellow and did that with precision. Team CSC on the other hand has several cards to play and deals them evenly. Frank Schleck and Carlos Sastre each took advantage of the work that Jens Voight and Fabian Cancellara laid down with their powerful pace-making. Sastre was finally able to get a good jump and build on a lead. While Frank and Andy Schleck controlled the group of elite contenders with an iron fist. It was a perfect day for CSC and with the time gained by Sastre it could be a perfect Tour for the team which switches over to Team Saxo Bank next year.