Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.

Today's stage in the Pyrenees was all set to be one where the Truth about leadership would come out. And it did in a big way.

It was to separate the best from the second best, and it did so in a perverse way: the best was relegated to second place. A mechanical incident threw the attacking Schleck out of the moment. Moment that Contador used to make a difference.

On the day the Tour de France celebrates the 100's anniversary of the inclusion of the Pyrenees in the track of the race, Contador's seizing of the moment flies into the face of the chivalrous tradition of this grand sport. There have been memorable battles between champions. There has been a sort of code of honor not to take advantage of a situation born out of bad luck such as a mechanical incident or a crash. That gentlemanly behavior was not Contador's today. He might win the Tour, with a bitter after taste. Contador, you don't do those things without consequences.

Of course sneaky behaviors and betrayals of trust have existed before. Speaking about another such incident and inelegant behavior involving a Luxembourg champion, let's revisit the Tour 1958. Charly Gaul who was one of the serious contenders for a final win, virtually lost his chances in the 19th stage, where he had a mechanical incident. Raphael Geminiani (and others) took advantage to relegate Gaul at more than 16 minutes. Two stages later an angry Gaul shook up the whole field in a punishing 21st stage. Not only did he do it, he announced that he was going to do it on the departing line. The press said on that day that Charly Gaul "the Angel of the Mountains" had become "the Demon of the Mountains."

Contador, I wish you in the days to come to be confronted by the true leader. Prepare not to meet "Andy" Schleck, but "Angry" Schleck.