Any First Year Pro's racing the Tour de France in 2011?

[Polish]

It is very very rare for a Neo Pro to start in the Tour de France.

Two notable exceptions are Lance and Big Mig - who both started the TdF in their First July as a Pro (1993 and 1985 respectively)

Of course, neither was able to finish the grueling race, but the experience was probably part of the foundation to their later success....

Any other Neo Pro's start the Tour in recent years?

Any predictions for 2011?

It would be cool if Davis Phinney was able to start next July!

 

[ilillillli]

It would be cool if Davis Phinney was able to start next July!

Or even Taylor...

 

[Skip Madness]

It would be cool if Davis Phinney was able to start next July!

I think we can all agree on this...

Edit: Balls, beaten to it.

 

[AngusW]

It is very very rare for a Neo Pro to start in the Tour de France.

Two notable exceptions are Lance and Big Mig - who both started the TdF in their First July as a Pro (1993 and 1985 respectively)

Of course, neither was able to finish the grueling race, but the experience was probably part of the foundation to their later success....

Any other Neo Pro's start the Tour in recent years?

Any predictions for 2011?

It would be cool if Davis Phinney was able to start next July!

Paul Kimmage started the Tour de France in his first year as a pro. Unlike Armstrong and Indurain, he did actually finish the Tour.

I agree with you that it would be very cool if Davis Phinney was able to start the Tour de France next July - he is now in his 50's.

(Beaten to it!)

 

[BotanyBay]

It is very very rare for a Neo Pro to start in the Tour de France.

Two notable exceptions are Lance and Big Mig - who both started the TdF in their First July as a Pro (1993 and 1985 respectively)

Of course, neither was able to finish the grueling race, but the experience was probably part of the foundation to their later success....

Any other Neo Pro's start the Tour in recent years?

Any predictions for 2011?

It would be cool if Davis Phinney was able to start next July!

Objection: Relevance.

Counselor, do you intend to bring this line of questioning into the topic of doping at some point?

 

[Polish]

Paul Kimmage started the Tour de France in his first year as a pro. Unlike Armstrong and Indurain, he did actually finish the Tour.

I agree with you that it would be very cool if Davis Phinney was able to start the Tour de France next July - he is now in his 50's.

(Beaten to it!)

Probably will not be the last time I say Davis and mean Taylor - and vice versa

Also, I did not realize Kimmage started and FINISHED the Tour as a first year pro.
There are not many others who accomplished that feat.

You have to wonder if that did any long term damage to his riding ability.
Maybe he should have been pulled out of the race as was the normal practice for a younster.
He was never able to finish another Tour after that one...injuries?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

So Polish, you expect Fabio Felline to win 5 Tours minimum?

 

[The Hitch]

Another reason why Richie Porte will be a multi time gt winner

note:
(The other reason is that Sassi says so)

 

[hrotha]

I like how Armstrong-related threads go in the Clinic by default.

 

[BotanyBay]

I like how Armstrong-related threads go in the Clinic by default.

Interesting how things have changed. Even the fanboys that supposedly "believe", point their heads first to the gutter when they want to talk about him.

 

[Christian]

Felline is the only one I can think of from recent years, but I'm sure there were others.
At first I thought it was ridiculous of Footon to bring him, but then I was actually quite impressed with his performance, he gave it all despite his crash, I like that spirit.

 

[AngusW]

He was never able to finish another Tour after that one...injuries?

It's all explained in his book Rough Ride.

 

[BotanyBay]

Probably will not be the last time I say Davis and mean Taylor - and vice versa

Also, I did not realize Kimmage started and FINISHED the Tour as a first year pro.
There are not many others who accomplished that feat.

You have to wonder if that did any long term damage to his riding ability.
Maybe he should have been pulled out of the race as was the normal practice for a younster.
He was never able to finish another Tour after that one...injuries?

So Polish, how long you been a fan of cycling?

 

[Polish]

So Polish, how long you been a fan of cycling?

86 because of Greg and also 7/11.
87 88 not so much
89 onwards every year a fan.
Big Greg Fanboy...
Then a Big Mig Fanboy...
Pantani & Jan too.
Lance Fanboy off on on since 92...
CUBS Fanboy since Ron Santo played.....ouch, that one hurts.

BTW, Have become a Big Fignon Fanboy recently.

 

[skidmark]

Not a GC contender, but Cav rode the tour in 2007, which I believe was his first year. I remember him crying at the end of a mountain stage where he abandoned, literally saying 'it's so hard...'

 

[AngusW]

Geraint Thomas 2007 (?)
Chris Boardman in 1994 (turned pro in 1993, but after the Tour that year had started)
Martin Earley 1985
Paul Sherwen 1978
Lucien Van Impe 1969 (first ever pro race)
Felice Gimondi 1965 (and won it)
Barry Hoban 1964

 

[Barrus]

I like how Armstrong-related threads go in the Clinic by default.

I think it has more to do with the fact that polish doesn't post about anything other than Armstrong, nor posts anywhere else than the clinic

 

[flicker]

I think it has more to do with the fact that polish doesn't post about anything other than Armstrong, nor posts anywhere else than the clinic

Intelligent, seeing as Lance Armstrong is the most interesting, charming and talented cyclist to come around in a long long time.

He has done more for cycling internationally and in the US then any other bike rider. Doping scandal or not this is no lie. I personally like the mission of the Livestrong organization and I support their message.

 

[Polish]

I think it has more to do with the fact that polish doesn't post about anything other than Armstrong, nor posts anywhere else than the clinic

Wrong again Barrus - but maybe you were just joking?
Of all the threads I have started - 40%+ have been outside The Clinic.
Here are some of non-clinic threads I started:



When did you FIRST start following the Tour de France?

My "old bike" was stolen today....

Greg's TdF 25 Year Anniversary

2011 Amgen Tour of California ProTour Squads

3 Time Winners of the Tour de France

Should Vino withdraw from the Tdf?

Amgen Tour of California as Tour de France Prep

Rode 1382km / 857miles this week.

Hard Men of the Tour de France

Basso Giro/Tour Double?

Only 6 riders have won the "Ardennes Double"

Astana / Contador Equipment 2010

Mat Hoffman vs. Dave Mirra???

SRAM XX 11-36 with Ultegra 10speed 6600 STI

Top 5 Team Bosses - 2010 Pro Tour Teams

First Rider to wear an Aero TT Helmet in the TdF

plus many more hits.....

 

[BotanyBay]

I do believe Fignon finished his first TDF as well. Photo below:

 

[Polish]

I do believe Fignon finished his first TDF as well. Photo below:
]

I am becoming a bigger and bigger Fignon fanboy as the years go on....

But Fignon did not race the Tour in his first year as a pro.
He did race the Giro, however, wearing the Maglia Rosa for a time

 

[LeakyLens]

I do believe Fignon finished his first TDF as well.

But that wasn't his first year as a pro.

 

[LeakyLens]

As for neo-pros who may start this years Tour, Freire has announced he's not gonna ride.

SO does anyone think Rabobank will give Michael Matthews a go? Or will it be full gas behind Gesink for the G.C.?

 

[Skibby the bush kangaroo]

Wasn't Ricco a neo-pro when he finished 97th in the 2006 Tour with Saunier Duval?

 

[BotanyBay]

What about Bobke? I know he rode domestically for Mug Root Beer in '85, but I'm not sure if they were considered pro then.