You are only as strong as your team .... leader that is.

An eventful stage in this years Tour de France yesterday has seen the tour take on new shape. And has also raised a few questions.

Bradley Wiggins' competitors attacked and lead to some interesting action on the difficult climbs of the French Alps. Most notably was the performance of Wiggins' Team Sky itself, which I am sure will be a hot topic. Firstly Aussie Mick Rogers has been fantastic staying strong on the front for most of the day protecting his team leader and pouring everything he had into it - he has most definelty earned his pay packet this week, and then some.

Poor Ritchie Porte didn't last too long after Rogers had done his job and then it was up to Chris Froome to work and protect Wiggins.

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquidgas) threw some interesting attacks into the mix and along with Lotto's Jurgen Van Den Broeck made for some exciting climbing. Team Sky however, never looked phased. Never panicking, bit by bit they were able to bring back Nibali and Van Den Broek although by this stage the tempo had made for a surprising casualty in Cadel Evans (BMC).

Cadel, after attacking on the second climb of the day, although not convincingly I might add, was supported well by his fellow team mate in TeJay Van Garderen. TJ was selfless as he worked with Cadel and could have even gone on with it however sacrificed himself to try and draw Cadel back into the race as he faultered under the intenstity on the final climb of the day. As patriotic as I am, I am very much a realist and afraid that Cadel last night, lost the Tour and possibly even a podium finish.

The most interesting part of the race was the power and strength of Christopher Froome of Team Sky. He eventually neutralized the attack of Nibali and Van Den Broek and could have single handedly smashed the race to bits including his own Team Leader in Bradley Wiggins. As he poured on the pace Wiggins faultered for the first time in this years tour and was almost dropped of the back of the group as Froome punched his way up the mountain. If not for Team Sky management no doubt yelling in Froome's ear to remember who his team leader and yellow jersey holder was, Wiggins may have been left isolated and losing time at the hand of his own team mate.

But Froome slowed the pace for Wiggins and became once again the domestique, but we have seen what this guy can do - win the tour de France. I really think he can but obviously not this year. Froome still had plenty left in the tank attacking the final 'sprint' at the line once Wiggins was safe.

So with TJ Van Garderen looking stronger than Evans and Froome undoubtedly over Wiggins, it makes it clear that you are only as strong as your team leader.

Lets hope that Wiggins can repay the efforts and sacrifices of his team mates by holding onto the yellow jersey all the way to Paris. He will owe it to his team, lets hope he appreciates how much.

As for attackers Nibali and Van Den Broek there is no doubt that these guys make for an exciting race. Nibali in particular looks in amazing form and has the ability to attack re-attack and could indeed be a real threat currently sitting in third position only 2:23 down off Wiggins. He will need to continue to attack on the climbs as he will never match Wiggins in the time trial.

Let's also not forget today was a great day for France with a 1, 2 finish with Pierre Rollands (Europcar) taking the stage after a great show of stamina and young rider Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) a courageous second.