OK, OK, maybe the sturdy Texan doesn’t deserve that kind of sarcasm, but let’s face it, Lance has never really been one for sugary diplomacy. Case in point, this entire affair began when he pretty much told Carlos Sastre and Christian Vande Velde their best-ever Tour results were little more than a joke last year.

But something’s changed in Armstrong this year, if only ever so slightly. He doesn’t seem to have that same Lance edge, the one that stared back Jan Ullrich and charged down doubters and doping accusors like a rabid bull.

Maybe it’s the birth of his newest son, Max, something medical expert types have pretty much decalred a miracle. Maybe he’s gained the wisdom of age. Whatever it is, Lance is definitely being more friendly than foreboding this year. Just check his Twitter account, he’s congratulated everybody but the Cutters on their race results at various times this year.

Not sure if this is better or worse for Armstrong, who always seemed to thrive when drawing from his seemingly endless well of you-doubted-me-now-come-and-f**king-get-me rage.

But, anyway you stretch it, he’s still less than the blink of an eye away from the yellow jersey, and that you cannot scoff at.