That comment wasn't just based on this picture alone, but also on the behaviour he displayed during the Tour. If you feel being second man in a team is below you, fine. The guy has proven to be pretty good at cycling so more power to him if he thinks he should be the main man. The one thing you should not do if that's the case however, is to sign a contract that basically says everything you do is for the benefit of the first man in the team, and then try to backstab your way to the top. There's no glory in that.