Yellow Fever

So why reveal his condition nine days into the Tour? Rivals pointed out that there was no downside: If Landis wins, the bum hip renders him more heroic. If he loses, he's got an out. Bruyneel--who believes frailties are to be hidden, not publicized--even wondered aloud, with cameras rolling, what Landis was up to.

"It's not a weakness," said Landis, his eyes blazing briefly at the mention of his old boss. "I think I've won more races than anyone else in the peloton this year."

Even so, he did not hold off the field for long. Two days after taking over the yellow jersey, he surrendered it to former Phonak teammate Oscar Pereiro. But Landis made clear that it was a loan, not a gift. By choosing not to defend--indeed, by all but holding the jersey for Pereiro while the Spaniard slipped it on-- Landis allowed Phonak to lie low for a couple of days, marshaling its strength for the Col d'Izoard and the Alpe d'Huez, which awaited the riders on Tuesday.

If the race is tight coming out of the mountains, Landis holds a trump card. The last meaningful stage is a 57-kilometer time trial on Saturday, the day before the race ends. Of the remaining podium threats-- Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans, Carlos Sastre-- Landis is the best at racing against the clock, though you'd hardly know it from this Tour. At the prologue in Strasbourg he was late getting out of the start house, an unheard-of foul-up that resulted when a team mechanic noticed at the last minute that Landis's back tire had a tiny slit. A week later Landis lost a half minute when his handlebar extensions snapped during the time trial in Brittany. If he survives the Alps and gets through the final time trial without a Keystone Kops moment, this should be his race.

It could well happen. All Landis needs to do is ride the way he's been riding. And call in a loan.

SI.COM
Read more Tour coverage from Austin Murphy after every stage at SI.com/more.