Every day I think I’ve got at least two out of three of the podium contenders solidified in my head, with the only question remaining who’ll be on what step. And then after every stage my list changes. Several days ago I had Valverde and Evans both being sure-things, with maybe Kloeden joining them. Then after the TT I had to exorcise Valverde from my list. And now after a couple days in the Pyrenees, Evans is looking not so hot. I tell you, picking a podium in this Tour has got to be one of the toughest calls we’ve had in cycling’s grand event for years - which is pretty damned exciting.

At this point, it looks like Contador and Rasmussen are both going to end up on the podium, it’s just a question of where. Of course, the last TT - the one Rasmussen actually performed admirably well in - was hilly. The next one is flat as a pancake, so should present him with more challenges. The same flatness could also be a problem for Contador, as well, so someone else might be able to leapfrog over them the day before the race rolls into Paris. That is, assuming someone’s been able to make up minutes on them in the couple of days following tomorrow’s rest day.

So, for reasons I’m not entirely sure of, my current podium favorites are Contador, Rasmussen and Kloeden - in no particular order. I’ll try really hard to not come back and edit this post later if one or all of these guys blows up completely between now and the end of the Tour. Come out on a limb with me - who are your current favorites?

(Personally, I’m finding Rasmussen to be kind of a jackass, so I’d prefer it immensely if he didn’t win, but obviously being a jackass in cycling has no bearing on one’s winning record. Too bad.)