The media have done what they always do with a British sports star. OK, maybe not the tabloid press but certainly the cycling mags and papers like The Guardian and The Times, bigging him up, "real podium contender", "possible Tour winner" etc and then when he fails to live up to those expectations (as was fairly inevitable) they shoot him down (or at least express disappointment and start searching for answers).
He was never going to win the Tour this year, he's put on a bloody good showing considering. Loads of pressure, a brand new team, a much tougher Tour than last years (more climbing, the cobbles on Stage 3, the hot weather has also played a part) and the fact that he's now a marked man – no one is going to let him get anywhere near a break. Two more years and he'll be up there again. I reckon the star of the future though is Geraint Thomas, he's done brilliantly.