It was a faultless display by Lance Armstrong and his team. Mission accomplished in the best possible way. I don't think any of the leaders' teams got away without something going wrong, but there was no doubt that this US Postal are probably the best team ever to ride the team time trial.

Rookie Bejamin Noval was dropped at a time the team was running fifth, but once he was gone the other eight, with 55 Tours between them, piled on the pressure to lead at all of the remaining checks.

Smiles all round as they approached the line. As big as they were when they won this stage for the first time last year, this was a real feeling of success and all rivals for final victory all lost time.

Lance has now won 60 yellow jerseys over the years -- the same as Miguel Indurain -- but he still has a way to go to catch up with Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault.

I think he will let the lead go if he has to this time, as the last week is so hard and he will not want to wear his team out at this early stage. Not with the final week that the tour has in store for him!