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Le Tour 2010

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xmoonx

Apr 23, 2010
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Bit premature, but does anyone see a team beating out Radio Shack for the Yellow Jersey.
3 GT contenders and an entourage of savvy mountain goats (Popo, Horner, Chechu, Zubeldia, Machado, Brajkovic) to boot plus good train strength (Steegmans, Rast & Vaitkus). Probably the biggest question is who will sit out there so deep.
 
luckyboy

luckyboy

May 26, 2009
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Nah. I think Lance has got this one locked up tbh. Go Lance!1!!>!/11!111one

Seriously though, I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't just go to the Giro instead. Lance's tweets will surely put him off even trying to contest the might of Retirement Shack.
 
Publicus

Publicus

Mar 17, 2009
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internet_troll.jpg
 
alberto.legstrong

alberto.legstrong

Mar 22, 2010
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Publicus said:
02
Click to expand...

The image is blocked here at work, probably b/c it comes from a blog, but they block most everything (except this forum, I can't hep' it if I'm lucky :rolleyes: )

But I am imagining something from the failblog. The OP and luckyboy are right. Lance owns number 8.

Let's all buy stock in michelob, nike, viagra and cancer awareness.
 
I

issoisso

Mar 18, 2009
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luckyboy said:
e5gtnm.jpg


well i'm psyched. Gonna go and get me some electric appliances from my nearest retirementshack outlet in belgium. Support the cause!
Click to expand...

ZOMG ARMY IZ DA WINNARZ

trolls are getting boring
 
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kurtinsc

Nov 17, 2009
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Silly post... but I'll reply seriously (lord knows why).

For the win... it's Contador. Everyone else has to hope Contador screws up somehow.

After that, the only guys who have proven they can climb at the Contador level are Andy Schleck... and at times Frank Schleck (though some days he's not in the same area code). Since they can't TT well enough... they are shooting for podium spots, not the overall win. Frank's inconsistency may have him more in the last group... but he COULD match his good days up with the big climbs and do well.

Then come the riders who can climb well and TT extremely well... but can't climb at the Contador/Schleck level. Because of the lack of TT kilometers, they are a step behind the schlecks... but still have a shot of finishing ahead of them (but not Contador). I'd put guys like Menchov and Evans in this group, and to a lesser extent Leipheimer, Wiggans and Kloden (they may belong in the next group).

Then comes a group of good climbers/good TT riders and those that are better climbers but more suspect in their TT ability. Armstrong, Nibali, Kreuziger, Basso, Pelizotti, Gesink, Vandevelde, Sastre and a bunch of others are in this group. Now any of these guys could have a great few weeks and move up to a podium spot... but none will challenge Contador.

Chances are good that like last year you'll see Contador at #1, Andy at #2 and a big fight for the last podium spot.
 
luckyboy

luckyboy

May 26, 2009
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kurtinsc said:
Silly post... but I'll reply seriously (lord knows why).

For the win... it's Contador. Everyone else has to hope Contador screws up somehow.

After that, the only guys who have proven they can climb at the Contador level are Andy Schleck... and at times Frank Schleck (though some days he's not in the same area code). Since they can't TT well enough... they are shooting for podium spots, not the overall win. Frank's inconsistency may have him more in the last group... but he COULD match his good days up with the big climbs and do well.

Then come the riders who can climb well and TT extremely well... but can't climb at the Contador/Schleck level. Because of the lack of TT kilometers, they are a step behind the schlecks... but still have a shot of finishing ahead of them (but not Contador). I'd put guys like Menchov and Evans in this group, and to a lesser extent Leipheimer, Wiggans and Kloden (they may belong in the next group).

Then comes a group of good climbers/good TT riders and those that are better climbers but more suspect in their TT ability. Armstrong, Nibali, Kreuziger, Basso, Pelizotti, Gesink, Vandevelde, Sastre and a bunch of others are in this group. Now any of these guys could have a great few weeks and move up to a podium spot... but none will challenge Contador.

Chances are good that like last year you'll see Contador at #1, Andy at #2 and a big fight for the last podium spot.
Click to expand...

I'd say the young guys in your last group will be improved this year, and thus ahead of Lance..
 
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David Suro

Jun 9, 2009
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This should be a great TdF to watch.

To the original poster,

Not even counting Contador as a podium finisher is a bit of a bold prediction. He is the clear favorite. With no TTT, Contador will not have to rely on the strength of his team quite as much as in previous years.

contador showed last year that he can attack in the mountains and put time into his rivals and make it look practically effortless. His Annency TT performance was truly impressive.

Unless Contador blows it or other teams completely change the complexion fo the flat stages and apply relentless pressure, I do not see him being beaten by anyone.
 
Moose McKnuckles

Moose McKnuckles

Nov 7, 2009
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xmoonx said:
Bit premature, but does anyone see a team beating out Radio Shack for the Yellow Jersey.
3 GT contenders and an entourage of savvy mountain goats (Popo, Horner, Chechu, Zubeldia, Machado, Brajkovic) to boot plus good train strength (Steegmans, Rast & Vaitkus). Probably the biggest question is who will sit out there so deep.
Click to expand...

It's all about the team classification this year. There's no "I" in team, rookie.
 
alberto.legstrong

alberto.legstrong

Mar 22, 2010
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David Suro said:
This should be a great TdF to watch.

To the original poster,

Not even counting Contador as a podium finisher is a bit of a bold prediction. He is the clear favorite. With no TTT, Contador will not have to rely on the strength of his team quite as much as in previous years.
Click to expand...

Good lord, this thread lived. Only the good die young.


OK, so we're gonna get serious. Demand Media pays its 'writers' about $15 per article. I doubt that a blog or forum post rates that much consideration, but I think they can make it up in volume.

Contador. If he doesn't crash or suffer some sort of injury (please, Martinelli, keep someone between him and the Shack at ALL times.)

the only chance for another outcome for the win is if the entire peloton gangs up on Astana/AC at every opportunity in a very concerted way. And even then he might win.

At least this year it appears his opposition isn't wearing the same jersey. But let's face it, last year was as historic as Hinault/Lemond (granted I wasn't much paying attention in that time, but I know the story now.)
 
F

Frosty

Jun 25, 2009
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Contador is the best tter and the best climber out of the main contenders. This makes him difficult to beat as these are the main two opportunities to gain time. Maybe one of the other teams can plan something on the cobbles or some timely crosswinds will present an opportunity. The first tourmalet stage intrigues me a bit. On the face of it it could end being like last year where a long run-in means that the mountains are largely wasted. Hopefully the race situation will mean that the leader or his team is weak and so it turns into an epic:)
 
Libertine Seguros

Libertine Seguros

Feb 20, 2010
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staubsauger said:
contador won't win the tour, becuase lance and levi will do the same thing with him, that vino and kashechkin did with valve in 06 vuelta and cunego and simoni in 04 giro with popovych.
Click to expand...

Yup, because nothing says "attacking riders" like Lance 'Grand Prix de Combativité' Armstrong v.2 and Levi 'leaping off the front' Leipheimer.
 
nvpacchi

nvpacchi

Mar 13, 2009
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Txurruka and Voigt go on a break, gain a 30 minute advantage, and play defense the rest of the tour. Txurruka wins, Voigt 2nd
 
nvpacchi

nvpacchi

Mar 13, 2009
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Libertine Seguros said:
You, sir, are speaking my language. Throw in a podium for Urán or Moncoutié and we're laughing all the way to the bank.
Click to expand...

I was thinking Dessel to round it out, but your two choices are more than worthy:D
 
X

xmoonx

Apr 23, 2010
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I think your going to witness a major "shack attack" and a very tired Astana Team. If (almost sure they will) Levi or Klody breaks; Astanas going to be reeling crap in all Tour long. Since when have either LA, LL or AK been mediocre TT'ers? Frankly unless AC gets some help from the other GT'ers (teams), he's not going to win Le Tour....
Keep in mind theres only 3 mountain top finishes and one TT.

Personally I am just hoping for an exciting race and partial to AS or AC...:)
 
auscyclefan94

auscyclefan94

Jun 16, 2009
19,654
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xmoonx said:
I think your going to witness a major "shack attack" and a very tired Astana Team. If (almost sure they will) Levi or Klody breaks; Astanas going to be reeling crap in all Tour long. Since when have either LA, LL or AK been mediocre TT'ers? Frankly unless AC gets some help from the other GT'ers (teams), he's not going to win Le Tour....
Keep in mind theres only 3 mountain top finishes and one TT.

Personally I am just hoping for an exciting race and partial to AS or AC...:)
Click to expand...

Bad move. You are not allowed to hope or think armstrong will beat anyone or do well in this forum as you will be seen as an idiot and your head will be chopped off!
 
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