Can Levi Win the Tour de France

[rzombie1988]

Levi's looking at the end of the top 10 at best. Even in my wild fantasies I could never see him winning it.

 

[isayic]

Levi won the Dauphine a few years back if memory serves.... I'd say that was bigger.

He did but he was younger then and after this win he did a poor performance at the Tour.

 

[hfer07]

pleeeasseee.... Leech-haimer has won the ToS by "accident" and now he's turned into a Tour contender......

note: Ironically, he's performing way better now that LA is gone...hmmm estrange-isn't it?

 

[benpounder]

Levi always seems to be trying to win California--and sure didn't have the form to beat Horner.

If he wasn't on top form because he's going for the TdF, that's interesting.

He has no chance of beating Contador or Schleck barring some accident.

In the (ToCal) pre-race press conference, Levi as much as admitted that Chris Horner was in better form. My speculation was, and still is, with Lance out of the picture, Levi was targeting the TdF. Now, without question, he can not match the explosiveness of Contador nor Schlecklet, but he has always been a diesel engine in the mountains, and a very good time trialer. This year's parcourse suits him well (expecially with the TTT on stage two and the ITT on stage twenty.) And, there is only one steep ramp that suits the mountian goats - Plateau de Beille - that Levi has always had difficulties with.

However, he showed on stage 7 of the ToC, and stage 6 of the TdS that he can hang with the best climbers if, and that is the wildcard if, they dont go all Rasmussen v. Contador (stage 17 2007 TdF i think) on him. Also note that that very year, Levi earned his second GT Podium finishing third, only 7 seconds behind Cadel Evans, and 31 seconds behind winner Alberto Contador, his team-mate. And the next year, when his team was excluded from the Tour, he had his third GT podium, a second in the Vuelta. (and he beat his team mate and eventual winner Contador in the closing ITT) .

I'd say Levi is on form for the Tour de France.

[my edit] I'll add a bit more speculation. I think Chris Horner rides through my home town in late August as the fully supported leader of Team Radio Shack.

 

[luckyboy]

If this happens I will not be watching pro cycling again.

Klöden will do better than him anyway.

 

[DenisMenchov]

No.


characters

 

[Polish]

Levi has SEVEN GrandTour Top10 Finishes.

Alberto has "six", mostly gifts.
Cadel has six with authority.
Anyone starting with more than Levi?

However, I will be focusing on the TEAM GC this year, not the Top10.
Levi/Chris/Kloeden/Jani/andOthers
Promising to be a great race.
Vive le Tour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3EHJjHP6yc

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

 

[theswordsman]

Let me toss out a side question. Eurosport UK and others told me that Wiggins showed dominant form at the Dauphine. I checked stage results and saw he'd made time on GC guys on the Prologue and TT without a win.

How do you compare Levis's over all form as TdS winner to Wiggins at the Dauphine? And with an extra week of training, how would Wiigins had done if he'd raced in Switzerland instead of France?

On topic: In order to be able to watch Contador race the Tour, I had to make some mental adjustments toward some other riders. As part of that, until further notice,I'm going to pretend the old, bald guys are pure as the driven snow. In that skewed perspective, a podium wouldn't surprise me.

 

[thehog]

Let me toss out a side question. Eurosport UK and others told me that Wiggins showed dominant form at the Dauphine. I checked stage results and saw he'd made time on GC guys on the Prologue and TT without a win.

How do you compare Levis's over all form as TdS winner to Wiggins at the Dauphine? And with an extra week of training, how would Wiigins had done if he'd raced in Switzerland instead of France?

On topic: In order to be able to watch Contador race the Tour, I had to make some mental adjustments toward some other riders. As part of that, until further notice,I'm going to pretend the old, bald guys are pure as the driven snow. In that skewed perspective, a podium wouldn't surprise me.

It grates so much with Levi because we know about his past but we don't really know.

In response to your question; the additional two weeks of GT will find him wanting. Controlling the flat stages would sap a lot of his energy. More significantly Levi just can't handle accelerations on the mountains. Alas there's not a lot of climbs this year but he'll lose small amounts of time frequently.

 

[Polish]

Let me toss out a side question. Eurosport UK and others told me that Wiggins showed dominant form at the Dauphine. I checked stage results and saw he'd made time on GC guys on the Prologue and TT without a win.

How do you compare Levis's over all form as TdS winner to Wiggins at the Dauphine? And with an extra week of training, how would Wiigins had done if he'd raced in Switzerland instead of France?

On topic: In order to be able to watch Contador race the Tour, I had to make some mental adjustments toward some other riders. As part of that, until further notice,I'm going to pretend the old, bald guys are pure as the driven snow. In that skewed perspective, a podium wouldn't surprise me.

Good Questions

I think Brad should have raced the Swiss Tour and The Tour of California instead of the Rhondefart and the Dauphine.

He would not have won either one, but it would have been better Tour prep.
And that is probably his focus you would think. Tour Prep.

As far as Brad's form versus Levi - I see an exciting match up between the 2 in this years TdF.

But have to give the edge to Levi.
Levi has Ten Top20 finishes in Grand Tours, Brad only one.

Heck, ALL ten of Levi's Grand Tour Finishes have been top 20's:
18, 13, 12, 9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 3, 2
And only ONE of Brad's seven Grand Tour Finishes have been Top20:
134, 124, 123, 71, 40, 24, 4

But it still should be an exciting matchup.
Glad that TeamSkyFans started this thread.
Hope it stays "bumped" and active through the end of July lol.
Also hope the trolls do not cause it to be moved into the Clinic sigh.
Probably too much to ask

 

[Galic Ho]

I look at it this way. Brajkovic was floated as the future team leader after last years Dauphine win. Horner and now Levi have both won a week long stage race. So who is left out? Kloeden and for a reason. He's the go to guy this Tour. He's always been the consistent rider. He's not fully fossilised yet and when not towing his team mates he's been good. Levi was crap last year. Horner was stronger. Levi is far too inconsistent. Last years ToC he was off (wink, wink) and the year before at the Giro as Astana's leader he choked big time. The guy is 38. Horner IMO is better, but he couldn't handle the mountain pace last year either. Andreas does have some hiccups but overall he's the strongest and most consistent. He'll be the Shacks Tour leader.

However knowing how these clowns roll, someone will be better on one day and try and sneak another position. Kloeden is the only rider on the Shack who can top 5. He won't do it. Top 10 at best, same for the rest of them, they'll be lucky to crack 11-12th position. Top 20 for Levi and Horner at best. Why? They've peaked too early. They used all their juice to win ToC and Suisse (wasn't it depressing to watch as well). Same deal with Wigans. I think he went a lot harder than he had to. These gooses should have raced like Evans has if they want to be considered top 5 material. They'll be embarassed by Lottos wonderboy Jurgen Van den ******. I can't wait.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

I look at it this way. Brajkovic was floated as the future team leader after last years Dauphine win. Horner and now Levi have both won a week long stage race. So who is left out? Kloeden and for a reason. He's the go to guy this Tour. He's always been the consistent rider. He's not fully fossilised yet and when not towing his team mates he's been good. Levi was crap last year. Horner was stronger. Levi is far too inconsistent. Last years ToC he was off (wink, wink) and the year before at the Giro as Astana's leader he choked big time. The guy is 38. Horner IMO is better, but he couldn't handle the mountain pace last year either. Andreas does have some hiccups but overall he's the strongest and most consistent. He'll be the Shacks Tour leader.

However knowing how these clowns roll, someone will be better on one day and try and sneak another position. Kloeden is the only rider on the Shack who can top 5. He won't do it. Top 10 at best, same for the rest of them, they'll be lucky to crack 11-12th position. Top 20 for Levi and Horner at best. Why? They've peaked too early. They used all their juice to win ToC and Suisse (wasn't it depressing to watch as well). Same deal with Wigans. I think he went a lot harder than he had to. These gooses should have raced like Evans has if they want to be considered top 5 material. They'll be embarassed by Lottos wonderboy Jurgen Van den ******. I can't wait.

It is not like they rode any harder than Evans, just were much better time trialists. I don't understand why this forum is so good content on predicting when riders peak and have the ability to predict Tour performance based on when they do.

 

[UpTheRoad]

Levi has SEVEN GrandTour Top10 Finishes.

Alberto has "six", mostly gifts.
Cadel has six with authority.
Anyone starting with more than Levi?

However, I will be focusing on the TEAM GC this year, not the Top10.
Levi/Chris/Kloeden/Jani/andOthers
Promising to be a great race.
Vive le Tour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3EHJjHP6yc

Explain, please.

EDIT: I see that you will focus on the Team GC. Outside of the riders on the teams, nobody cares about Team GC. Good of you to be the first.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

No he can't.
No reason for further discussion.

 

[Ferminal]

Tony Martin will beat him.

 

[just some guy]

Tony Martin will beat him.

Thats cause Tony Martin will beat everyone.

 

[dlwssonic]

levi would have to concentrate his efforts for the all important team gc

 

[jens_attacks]

no it won't happen.

 

[skippy]

LL has done his bit for the team this year and will "domestic" for Klodi (great potential) or Horny (natural nice guy) at TDF !

Blogged that Horny will Podium at TDF and the rest since ToC will have made him even more potent . Checkout the "goodies" i am offering to help Adaptive/Physically Challenged Cyclists and get your friends involve also !

 

[Swabian Lass]

No.

Next question please.

 

[Swabian Lass]

Of course Tony will beat him. Tony will beat everyone!

 

[movingtarget]

No I doubt it. Top 10 maybe just like his team mates. Would be surprised if anyone from R/S made the Top 5. Great ride by him yesterday though. I wonder if Cunego is still serious about riding for GC in the TDF ? His time trialling is terrible.

 

[boomcie]

Short answer: "No".

Long answer: "No, he cannot".

 

[maltiv]

Nah, I think this will be the top 7 overall:

1. Klöden
2. Leipheimer
3. Brajkovic
4. Contador
5. Horner
6. Busche
7. McEwen