In stark contrast to Stage 8, Armstrong had a really solid Stage 9 yesterday -- especially over the Col de la Madeleine, which crushed a dozen other yellow jersey contenders, including the rider in yellow, Cadel Evans (riding with a broken elbow, it turns out).
Of course, Armstrong didn't win the stage but he never appeared in distress and for a guy who isn't riding for his own ambitions now, he was never really dropped. (That said, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador dropped everyone.)
So hats off to Lance. If he keeps this up, and if bad luck remains behind him, I think he has a shot at a top 10 finish -- at least.
The New York Times has reported that Federal authorities are issuing grand jury subpoenas to witnesses in the case involving Floyd Landis's claims of systematic doping and knowledge of doping practices leveled at seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and several other cyclists and key figures in the sport.