Mr. Consistency

Alberto Contador wins the 2010 Tour de France but was he the best and most consistent performer over three week, asks Michael Tomalaris.

Alberto Contador wins the 2010 Tour de France but was he the best and most consistent performer over three weeks?

Obviously, the answer to that question is yes – after all the Spaniard collects the yellow for a third year and confirms his place as the best in the business.

But I can't help thinking what might have been had Andy Schleck started on a more positive note.

By losing some 60 seconds on his main rivals in the Rotterdam prologue, Schleck may have blown his chances from day 1.

Hard to believe the turning point of a three week marathon could unfold during the first 8.9km time trial of a 3.600km marathon.

While the "dropped chain" incident of stage 15 remains a hotly debated talking point, the Prologue will probably come back to haunt him, I feel Schleck's initially slow start was the catalyst to his overall downfall.

The Luxembourger doesn't need me to tell him that improvement in the "race of truth" discipline is required if he's to challenge for Tour hours next year, not to mention the return and support of his greatest ally – brother Frank.

Both have been signed to headline a Luxembourg based consortium that is expected to win selection to compete at the 2011 Tour.

For mine, despite failing to win a stage, Contador was the most consistent performer over three weeks and he thoroughly deserves the accolades that come with standing on the top step of the winner's podium in Paris.

As for the age-old argument on whether "a Tour winner deserves his place on the honour roll without a stage win" – that doesn't wash with me.

The Tour is all about consistency and Contador has ticked all the boxes.

Finally, if the riders are tired, then what about the viewers who have watched the drama unfold on TV sets and online?

SBS management tells me this has been one of the most successful Tours in terms of viewing numbers, in the 20 years the broadcaster has been covering the event.

We like to think the Australian television viewing habits for sport have changed as a result of bringing the Tour to you.

There was a time when only true cycling aficionados would have known of the Tour legends of the past such as Anquetil, Hinault, Poulidor, Anderson and Merckx, to name but a few.

I can only imagine names such as Hushovd, Cavendish, Evans, and Armstrong would fade into insignificance if it wasn't for this wonderful extravaganza.

And now we can add Contador and Schleck to the list of household names.

Thank you (the viewer) for making the Tour what it is, as we understand the time difference for live coverage is awkward given the late finish of each stage.

Congratulations to Alberto Contador and Vive Le Tour - always!