I prefer to base my statements on physical rather than psychological criteria.

To wit:


Millar is 26 years old, 1.92 m (6'4"), and 76 kg. Obviously, he is a large man and close to full maturity for a cyclist. It'll be interesting to see if he can become a bigger Mig.

Mayo is 25. Judging by several different photos, he looks to be 1.80 m (5'11") and 70 kg.
There must be several DSs salivating over the prospect of signing this Basque rider.

Armstrong is 31, 1.77 m (5'10"), and 74 kg (at the start of the TdF).
Flyin's comment about Armstrong not being a safe bet to win (or even finish in the top 5) shocked me, but I'll leave speculations about Armstrong's psychologically state for another time.

Hamilton is 32, 1.72 m (5'8"), and 67 kg. A cyclist of Hamilton's age is de-maturing if anything.
Riis may have sent him (and the CSC team) on some weird and challenging off-season expeditions, but that didn't expand Hamilton's physical envelope.
Being a team captain instead of a lieutenant has been the main reason for Hamilton's better results since leaving US Postal. More motorpacing has improved Hamilton's ability in the flats this year. (That is what I meant by Hamilton being a different type of rider.) Besides doing better in one-day races, he can get through flat stages fresher and without injury. For that reason, I believe he can climb as well or slightly better than he did in the 2002 Giro.
Unfortunately, given Hamilton's tough early schedule and his non-coincidental DNF from this race, once again, we won't see Hamilton's best climbing. Given his age, we never will.

As for Mercado, he's the new and improved Leonardo Piepoli.