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A French Contender?

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gustienordic

gustienordic

Feb 15, 2011
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The French always try to do something at the Tour, but who do you think has the best realistic chance (I'm including people like Taarmae who are not French, but on French teams)

I think Gadret (if he races) has the best chance, even though he is coming off of a hard Giro. The others I can think or are Coppel, Fedrigo, Taarmae, and Kern. Does anyone think we could Frenchman in the top 10?
 
gustienordic

gustienordic

Feb 15, 2011
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El Pistolero said:
So Valverde was a French GC contender back in 2008? :eek:
Click to expand...

Valverde is most definitely Spanish, so I guess maybe Taarmae should not count.

Gadret, Kern, Fedrigo, etc?
 
will10

will10

Dec 27, 2010
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Coppel looked to be building nicely at the Dauphine. I expect him to do 11th - 15th, can't see any other Frenchman getting into the top 10 without a nice breakaway.
 
taiwan

taiwan

Aug 18, 2009
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Any reason why Thomas Voeckler couldn't ride a top ten? I suppose he has had a very full schedule though.
 
taiwan

taiwan

Aug 18, 2009
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I wonder if Thibault Pinot will ride. Not going do ride a good GC this time, but he's an interesting prospect for the future.

I just mentioned Voeckler because he's always there. Looking at his CQ, if he was a stage racer you'd say he was having an OK season.

Doesn't look like Pierre Rolland will be anywhere this year.

Peraud is the rider that's been forgotten so far. He's never had a result in a GT, but his stage race performances have been quietly satisfactory for someone aiming at the Tour.
 
mortand

mortand

Oct 30, 2009
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Sandy Casar could do it in his usual aggressive, but somehow unspectacular fashion: Sneak into a couple of breakaways, get beaten by Fedrigo and LL Sanchez, and enter Champs-Élysées in 10th spot (or thereabouts).
 
F

Frosty

Jun 25, 2009
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taiwan said:
Doesn't look like Pierre Rolland will be anywhere this year.
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I was going to mention him. Looked a good prospect for coming around 10th a couple of years ago at the age of 21/22 but he doesnt really seem to have pushed on. He finished 18th in the Dauphine and must have been helping Voeckler/Kern a bit. Maybe Kern was aimed to peak in the Dauphine and Rolland could be going to peak in the tour? Bit of a long shot i'll grant you.

taiwan said:
Peraud is the rider that's been forgotten so far. He's never had a result in a GT, but his stage race performances have been quietly satisfactory for someone aiming at the Tour.
Click to expand...

Vuelta was his first i think. Will probably have learnt a lot. With Roche and perhaps Gadret in his team i think he may end up having to support those riders.
 
Damiano

Damiano

Sep 5, 2010
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taiwan said:
I wonder if Thibault Pinot will ride. Not going do ride a good GC this time, but he's an interesting prospect for the future.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he won't.

taiwan said:
Peraud is the rider that's been forgotten so far. He's never had a result in a GT, but his stage race performances have been quietly satisfactory for someone aiming at the Tour.
Click to expand...

Peraud mentioned that he wouldn't aim for a Grand Tour because it's too long. Don't know if he changed that statement since then, though.
 
just some guy

just some guy

Apr 9, 2011
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taiwan said:
Any reason why Thomas Voeckler couldn't ride a top ten? I suppose he has had a very full schedule though.
Click to expand...

Tommy knows what he is good at - stage hunting and breaks will only ride GC type if he is Yellow again.


taiwan said:
I wonder if Thibault Pinot will ride. Not going do ride a good GC this time, but he's an interesting prospect for the future.

I just mentioned Voeckler because he's always there. Looking at his CQ, if he was a stage racer you'd say he was having an OK season.

Doesn't look like Pierre Rolland will be anywhere this year.

Peraud is the rider that's been forgotten so far. He's never had a result in a GT, but his stage race performances have been quietly satisfactory for someone aiming at the Tour.
Click to expand...

Pinot not riding to young according to team management
 
Michielveedeebee

Michielveedeebee

Feb 25, 2010
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just some guy said:
Pinot not riding to young according to team management
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true, his season goal was Dauphine in which he was very strong... Shame the team abandoned him on that stage where he lost 5 mins...
 
B

brianf7

Aug 4, 2009
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Wouldnt it be nice to see another French Tour winner maybe the AFLD will go into retirement after that .
If you need a pill then take a pill. who said that????
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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taiwan said:
I wonder if Thibault Pinot will ride. Not going do ride a good GC this time, but he's an interesting prospect for the future.

I just mentioned Voeckler because he's always there. Looking at his CQ, if he was a stage racer you'd say he was having an OK season.

Doesn't look like Pierre Rolland will be anywhere this year.

Peraud is the rider that's been forgotten so far. He's never had a result in a GT, but his stage race performances have been quietly satisfactory for someone aiming at the Tour.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think Peraud will be a possibility for the top placed French rider. I think he looked pretty good in the Dauphine.
 
Cimber

Cimber

Jan 3, 2011
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Ruudz0r said:
I think Coppel will be best Frenchman in the GC he is looking pretty solid and had a pretty good season.
Click to expand...

I 2nd that. Gadret might be the best bet for a podium candidate, as he could go for the polkadot.
 
goggalor

goggalor

Oct 16, 2009
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If Thibault Pinot develops in the right direction he could be the next French Tour winner. Uh, no pressure. He showed he can already climb with the best (at least when they are not quite in peak condition) when he stayed with Gesink and outkicked him on the line on the stage to La Toussuire at the Dauphiné, despite having been out in front on the previous climb as well. I hope maybe he'll ride next year.
 
Angliru

Angliru

Mar 10, 2009
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Depends on one's definition of "contender" and whether the OP means for this year's Tour or in the future. If it means someone who might finish in the top ten of the gc this year, I'd have to go with Coppel. As stated earlier Gadret and Dupont will be gassed from the Giro and as I understand it, Gadret will be riding for Roche (Is AG2R sure of that?;)). Still though I don't see Coppel making the top 10...top 15 maybe if he continues with his progress.

Long term I'm rooting for Thibot Pinot. I know the stage where he finished ahead of many likely Tour top 10er's for the 2nd place in the Dauphine wasn't the most challenging of mtf's (Voeckler was in that same trailing bunch), it still was impressive for a 20-21 year old. Plus I can't help but hope that one of these Frenchmen will one day be capable of climbing and competing with the elite grand tour riders. The list of those who tried and failed is a long one.
 
VeloCity

VeloCity

Sep 10, 2009
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Looks as though Gadret is going to ride, so yeah, maybe the French do have a possible top 10'er after all.
 
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