So what was the point of Contador’s epic descent if Schlecks catch them on the line having pootled down the hill like a middle-aged Mtber from the UK?
The point would have been to get a gap, maybe force one of the GC contenders to make mistake which Voeckler did. Sanchez and Contador descended very, very well and they certainly looked to have got the gap at the bottom of the hill. What didn’t work in AC/SS favour was that the group behind got organised and rode an TTT to the finish to close the gap.
AC has to try and take time at every opportunity, some will work some won’t and it’s quite possible that he may even lose time by overcooking it at some point. But he has to try.