Stupid? I don't think so. Contador would have been stupid indeed if he believed that Armstrong would not try to defeat him in the time trial. And then Contador would been accused of not having the guts to win, lacking panache, etc. On the contrary, I think it was a smart move on his side, within a team that includes a self centered, righteous, shark (aka Armstrong). Why should anyone ask him to be less self centered than Armstrong? He put distance in the GC relative Armstrong and Wiggins, his main threats in the time trial. Did Armstrong pull Kloeden with him at the end of stage 17? No, he went right past him, not even a pat on the shoulder. Suggesting that Armstrong is playing self-less team mate, that is malicious.

Quote Originally Posted by arielmoon View Post
Yup, nail on head.

Bruyneel, who is trying to stay cool about Contador's move, is obviously upset that Contador has probably destroyed Astana's (formerly very good) chances for an all-Astana podium in Paris. Because Contador is almost certainly going to win anyhow, and because going away and dragging the Schlecks with him didn't help Contador in the G.C. standings, his move was either stupid or malicious. Either way it shows he isn't a team player, and could not care less about how the team fares.