The team time trial is one of the most testing disciplines in the sport, and today US Postal Service showed they have become masters of it. They are one of the few teams that take the time and money to invest into this event to make sure that they have every chance of winning.

Although they had a slow start and were 37 seconds behind the Spanish leaders, Iles Baleares, at the first time check they never panicked. As they clicked into their TTT mode they knew that they were riding fast and climbed up into the top spot by the next time check.

From there, they never looked back and lead all the way to the finish. To win this event, though, is not a hazard. US Postal Service have to lay down their foundations for victory early in the year, and even before the start of the season.

Over and over, they try different positions and placements of specific riders. They try and find which is the optimum order of effort in the pace line. It can be so important for example for Hincapie to follow Ekimov, rather that other way around. Such a decision can gain a couple of seconds.

During the off-season, Armstrong has allowed his body to be bended, twisted and elongated onto his machine to get him into the most aerodynamic position possible. This corresponds to several seconds per kilometer advantage over his rivals.

That paid off today with a one-minute beating of the second place team -- all part of the plan and the preparation to win this great event for a sixth time. Although he leads now, I wouldn't be surprised if he loses the lead over the next few days, as I feel he doesn't want to the pressure on his team to lead for the next two and a half weeks.