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If you look closely on the frame of Fabian Cancellara's bike, you will see the name Tony Montana emblazoned across it.

How apt that the Swiss speedster, who blew away the prologue field like a gangster riddling rival henchmen with bullets, should choose Al Pacino's character in Scarface as his favourite role model.

The 28-year-old, whose cycling style is far from fabian, was imperious in Monaco, winning by a massive 18 seconds over Alberto Contador. Just as Mr Montana controls his Mafioso underworld, so too Cancellara had an iron grip over the peloton.

Rumour has it Cancellara constantly fools around with his Saxo Bank team-mates imitating Pacino and reeling off lines from Scarface.

Yes, Blazin' Saddles can picture him now scratching his prodigious chin with one hand and performing a certain exhibitionist act with another, while saying: "Say hello to my little friend".

And yet you'd think a cyclist (of all people) would see the irony in choosing a notorious fictional drug lord as an alter-ego (unless their name was Bernhard Kohl, of course, in which case there would be no pretending).

What's more, wasn't Montana known for his 'outsider' status - something Cancellara can hardly fall back on. He's won three Tour prologues now, not to mention Olympic medals, classic races and, recently, the Tour of Switzerland.

It's clear that this be-wheeled Roger Federer has bigger ambitions than wearing the yellow jersey once a year for a brief stint after the prologue.

Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly may have surprised a few this year when they suggested Cancellara as an option in the GC, but perhaps they are right.

Perhaps Cancellara has his eye on wearing the yellow jersey in the third week of the race, as opposed to simply at the beginning of the first?

In fact, perhaps Fab is going to do a Carlos Sastre and break the fetters that constrain him, rise up against his oppressors, say no to the Riis Empire and become an outright leader himself - just like his other alter-ego, Spartacus.

The Shleck brothers - so limp, thin and fragile in Monaco - had better watch out. Last year Frank led until Alpe d'Huez; this year, Andy's role might be wrestled from him much earlier.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "If Fabian Cancellara doesn't win the prologue I'll eat my shorts." The world is spared seeing Robbie McEwen's package after his prologue prediction is spot on.

PLAT DU JOUR: As the race passes through Provence on Sunday and near the town of Caillan, Alberto Contador will remember that this is the place where he bonked and lost Paris-Nice back in March.

Alberto should know better because there's no need to eat badly in this area of France. Just using local produce, Al could have feasted on succulent, juicy prunes, a heaty bouillabaisse and ratatouille infused with herbes de provence - preceded with a refreshing pastis.

PREDICTION: It's as up and down as Tyler Hamilton's moods so Jens Voigt might well have a pop, but the sensible money's on Mark Cavendish. Why else finish fourth-last in Monaco?

Don't forget to follow Blazin' Saddles throughout the day at www.twitter.com/saddleblaze

Stage Two LIVE at 12:15 on Sunday July 5 on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Felix Lowe / Eurosport