I wonder if he'd want to take the jersey so early on and have the team feeling pressurised into holding it. Then again, who'd say no to the maillot jaune?
The great thing about this stage is there are so many possible victors (Ricco, Betinni, Valverde, Cunego, Evans, Friere, Kirchen...). I wouldn't even rule out the possibility of a break staying away.