What's the difference?

You are right, to an extent. The theory is that the MJ and team will ride to "protect" it from being stolen by someone else(important). CSC could just as easily let it slide, too, but it's all relative to the energy spent : general classification "scare". The thinking is that if Jan Ullrich/Vino attack, CSC will want to follow them as well. Of course, riding in the front from a dead sprint requires more energy than "tailing" up the road and/or drafting. MJ usually(should) watch and make most tactical decisions. We'll never know what these guys are thinking, honestly, but we all have our very different ideas. I personally wonder after seeing Ullrich crash again if this isn't a ploy to use later as an excuse in the case that Vino could get a gap over LA. It could make amends/excuses for any gossip of "who's on first" with T-Mobile. I don't think this is the case, just things like this happen in any sport where fortune/fame is involved. I don't believe giving the MJ away is in anyones mind unless it simply is too much work to keep it for minimum gains. I'd admire Disco's tactical abilities but the other boys aren't idiots. Cat and Mouse for a few days. With so many potential toughies within the 2 minute spread, it will be fun (and nerve wrecking) for the riders and the viewers. Catcha later!

artemidorus said:

Here goes a potentially stupid question. LA is holding the MJ, so team Disco control the peleton, making sure that noone important gets away from their man. Now, he loses the MJ, almost certainly temporarily, to a man who is probably not a major long-term risk given previous form on mountains.
Why does team Disco suddenly lose interest in controlling the peleton? Surely they still want to make sure that JU, or Vino, or Basso, or now even Rasmussen, don't make a break on LA? All the commentators are saying that CSC will now have to do all the work, and that Disco will get a break, but I don't see why team Disco's responsibilities have changed one jot from the previous stages.
Help me out here.