Best of the rest?

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Who will finish highest?

  • Other (specify)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
J

JaffaGT

Mar 15, 2013
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Rechtschreibfehler said:
I have no Idea how his form is, but out of principle I say Rolland.
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Top 5 might be impossible, but top 10 could be possible with some good luck.

Would also like to see Voeckler making a last serious act on GC, but he might be too impatient to sit in peloton most days and not chase stage victories.
 
A

Anderis

May 10, 2013
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JaffaGT said:
Would also like to see Voeckler making a last serious act on GC, but he might be too impatient to sit in peloton most days and not chase stage victories.
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I would like to be wrong, because Voeckler is a fun rider to watch, but for me he doesn't look like he is anywhere near the form that could allow him to have a serious attemp on GC.
 
sir fly

sir fly

Feb 24, 2014
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Somehow, I can't see Valverde in front of Nibali at the end. Probably because of Valverde's history in the Tour, but I might be wrong. He's ridden cobbles this year, improved time trialing, it seems, and it's probably the last time he'll be a sole leader.
Regardless of our perception of the GC hierarchy, the state of mind of "the rest" is what will determine their destiny. It won't be the same race if they enter it aiming for the top spot or just for the podium.
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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Maaaaaaaarten said:
I voted Valverde. He might even be second if Froome/Sky don't get their act together.
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Valverde has not had much luck in his last few GTs. With question marks about Nibali I think this could be Valverde' last shot at the Tour podium and I have picked him for third. Then again Nibali could be fooling everyone and his lack of form in the Dauphine could mean he will improve a lot during the Tour if he has timed things right. Also Talansky for fifth. I think Rodriguez might just go for stage wins after a lot of problems in the last six months.
 
Jspear

Jspear

Feb 23, 2014
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movingtarget said:
Valverde has not had much luck in his last few GTs. With question marks about Nibali I think this could be Valverde' last shot at the Tour podium and I have picked him for third. Then again Nibali could be fooling everyone and his lack of form in the Dauphine could mean he will improve a lot during the Tour if he has timed things right. Also Talansky for fifth. I think Rodriguez might just go for stage wins after a lot of problems in the last six months.
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Stage wins is all Rodriguez is thinking about. GC is not on his mind at all. He said he is using this gt to build form for the Vuelta. He wants to target certain mountain stages. His team even said it would be nice if he could lose time in the first stages....would make it easier for him to get into a breakaway.
 
Afrank

Afrank

Aug 16, 2011
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JaffaGT said:
Top 5 might be impossible, but top 10 could be possible with some good luck.

Would also like to see Voeckler making a last serious act on GC, but he might be too impatient to sit in peloton most days and not chase stage victories.
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The best he placed in GC in the Tour did come out of a breakaway chasing the stage victory.
 
SeriousSam

SeriousSam

Aug 31, 2012
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Why do people think because Valverde had bad luck in the past, he will continue to have bad luck? Coins don't have a memory, neither do bikes.
 
Afrank

Afrank

Aug 16, 2011
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SeriousSam said:
Why do people think because Valverde had bad luck in the past, he will continue to have bad luck? Coins don't have a memory, neither do bikes.
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It's the unwritten rules of cycling. Chance occurrences that we see again and again and again. Things like Rojas will always finish 2nd or 3rd or 4th for example.

Of course Valverde could finally make it through the Tour without any bad luck and do well. But history says otherwise.
 
SeriousSam

SeriousSam

Aug 31, 2012
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Vino attacks everyone said:
I find it rare that any athlete says they are going for gold, no matter how big a favourite they are. Either they say top 3, or that they are just 1 amongst many favourites.
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Contador and Froome and even Nibali are definitely going for gold. Saying otherwise, if they do (don't think any of those 3 did) is just managing expectations and avoiding a certain kind of press.

Valverde really does go for bronze, not gold, and it's smart from his perspective even if it isn't good from ours.
 
sir fly

sir fly

Feb 24, 2014
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Vino attacks everyone said:
I find it rare that any athlete says they are going for gold, no matter how big a favourite they are. Either they say top 3, or that they are just 1 amongst many favourites.
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It's not just what he said it's also the way he said.
It was like he's been refusing even the possibility of riding for the victory implied in LeMond's question. Short and clear "podium", with almost lamentable "I'll do more if I could".
Looked to me that he doesn't see himself at the highest step and like he accepted the role.
 
D

doperhopper

Apr 3, 2011
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Dauphine scenario is not that impossoble - Kreuziless Contadoms cracked early by Skyborgs in Pyrenean stage, then Vroom disintegrates on the next climb, and suddenly nobody there to chase the break, so Bertie goes alone (this time having one more chance, ITT).
 
Afrank

Afrank

Aug 16, 2011
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PedalCastro said:
What about Tejay Van Garderen's chances?? What do people think he can manage?
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Lower top 10 or just out of top 10 if not in form IMO.
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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sir fly said:
Well, Valverde stated during the presentation that the podium is his goal.
That's the answer about his mindset I've mentioned before.
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It also shows he's a realist. Never could climb or TT as well as Froome or Contador so how would he win ? Time bonuses would help him but it still would not be enough to win unless misfortune hits the other two which is always possible re crashes, illness or mechanicals.
 
RiccoDinko

RiccoDinko

Aug 1, 2011
234
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Tejay, the only guy to beat Froome & Contador up a mtn top this year. His TT is better than most. He's a good pick.
 
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