Well, in spite of all of my many criticisms of Francisco Mancebo since Operación Puerto, that was one of the great stage victories of the past few years. An absolutely jaw-dropping ride - from the fact that he attacked virtually from the dropping of the flag, to the weather, to being able to out-sprint Nibali and Van de Walle after being caught. Ths is a guy who (with possible assistance) finished fourth in the Tour and third in the Vuelta - keeping him off the top of the podium will be a fair old task. One thing in the favour of his rivals is that he may well be knackered tomorrow, and the climb of Bonny Doon Road - which tops out 25 km from the finish line - could be a springboard for attacks.
We also get the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow - hopefully we will see that on the television coverage.
Speaking of television coverage, the production today was nothing short of shocking. Inaccurate time gaps being given the whole way through, appalling choice of camera selections at times, the decision to keep the helicopter on the Armstrong group even after they had effectively given up on the final circuits rather than focus it on the front group, and the inability of the moto cameramen to wipe a lens, as well as constant nonsense coming over race radio. The weather would generously excuse some of that, but most of it was simply shoddy.