1.   A master tactician, Indurain has never faded in the mountains and has often increased his lead over specialist climbers.

2.   He has never faded in the mountains and has often increased his lead over specialist climbers over the past four Tours.

3.   Apart from the obvious benefits of the Colombians being at home they are also specialist climbers and cycling at high altitudes does not affect them.

4.   Laudelino Cubino, the Spanish specialist climber, won the eighth stage of the Tour of Italy here on Saturday.