Team Time Trial Could Give Lance Yellow

With the surprising breakaway from the peloton propelled by Team Columbia in Stage 3 of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong could be in the yellow jersey tommorrow afternoon in Montpeiller, France. Armstrong did not fall asleep on the move by Team Columbia and joined the group of 27 riders that broke away from the peloton. Armstrong and Columbia's Michael Rogers were the only two main contenders for the title that made the move. Armstrong didn't have a chance to take the leader's yellow jersey today because Fabian Cancellara, the leader through the first 3 stages, jumped on the move as well. Being heads up may turn out very well for Armstrong tommorrow as he is 3rd overall going into the team time trial.
Armstrong's Team Astana is by far the strongest team at the 21-stage tour. With 2007 winner Alberto Contador of Spain, fellow American Levi Leipheimer, and Germany's Andreas Kloden, Astana boasts 4 contenders for the general classification title. The team time trial that occurs tommorrow around Montpeiller, France is based on the times of the 5 best riders of the team that finish. If Astana beat Cancellara's Saxo Bank team and Columbia by 40 seconds or more, Armstrong will be in the yellow jersey for the first time since winning on the Champs-Elysses in Paris after winning his 7th tour in 2005.

Also, if Armstrong takes yellow, the power struggle within the team will continue to strengthen. Armstrong has already stated repeatedly that Contador is the team leader but with yellow on his shoulders possibly, the tides could change going into the first mountain stage on Friday.