Giro d'Italia and the Tour

I have been watching the Giro d'Italia bicycle race for a couple of weeks now. I see that Lance Armstrong is using this race as a preparation for the Tour de France. That's obvious, and it's very promising. He struggles in the Giro, but is getting back in shape. What is clear is that he demands and gets the full support of his team.

How will he do in the Tour? What is his objective? Astana already has the super-favorite, Alberto Contador. What will Armstrong's role be? Will he work for Contador and try to recast himself as the wise experienced architect of his team mate's victory? Or will he try to unsettle him? That is the race within the race of this year's Tour. It could be a drama. And it certainly raises questions that will not be answered before the Tour is well underway. An eventual rivalry between the two Astana riders could open the door for young Andy Schleck from the Saxobank team.