Now Alberto is out, who will win the 2012 Tour de France?

[Fetisoff]

The biggest factor speaking against him is Holczer

Biggest factor might be him riding without his henchman Kozontchuk this year. I wonder what would it take to bring on RusVelo as one of the TDF wildcards

 

[theyoungest]

Biggest factor might be him riding without his henchman Kozontchuk this year. I wonder what would it take to bring on RusVelo as one of the TDF wildcards

Kozontchuk never rode the Tour. What's the difference?

 

[Fetisoff]

Kozontchuk never rode the Tour. What's the difference?

I wasn't really serious. In a way already looking for an excuse why Denis will fail this year.

And on a separate note (not that it would ever happen) I'd love to see Pisti's reaction to having two Katusha squads in the TDF.

 

[Havetts]

Denis Menchov I think will be the hot contender when everyone looks at Evans & "The Little Boss " (cringe). I certainly hope so.

Hoping the Condor is in the mix, certainly have good feelings about that .

 

[mr. tibbs]

It'll be a shame not to see Contador in France, but it does make for an exciting Tour. At least on paper. If it's not exciting, Evans or Menchov; if it is exciting, Andy or Samu.

But I'm still cheering for Rolland!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Cadel, Wiggo, or maybe Samu or Valverde. But I took Cadel.

Maybe Levi to podium if he really is learning to shed those leaching tactics, and maybe Denis.

Agree with the grinders/TT's making the headline. Wiggo for top spot for me. Evans just behind. Climbers will struggle to get into top 5.

 

[woodenswan]

This Tour is for the little Boss.

a.k.a. the lil walking stick
god i hope horner finishes higher on gc

 

[happychappy]

I voted Evans, but want Wiggins to win (even though I think he's a bit of a ****).

 

[Panda Claws]

Little Bos really is the most undeserved nickname ever. The only person who Andy can boss around is his brother as in "Fall and hold-up Contador." Or wait that never happened.

 

[ferryman]

Andy Schleck.

 

[airstream]

Evans 50% (if he'll be able to confirm his 2011 climbing level), Schleck 40%, Wiggins 5%. All the rest have an insignificant chance

 

[hoerpi]

Somehow I feel that Andy want look around as much this year as earlier since he realizes this is a golden opportunity to arrive in Paris dressed in Yellow. Even with the TT-kilometers included this year I think that he is number one favourite. If logics apply to sport (which it seldom does though...) Cadel should be fading and Andy improving, when you're 35 you're not getting younger.

I predict that Wiggo will fail big time in the mountains and struggle to make top 10. The Pope hasn't showed blistering form for a while. I see him as a fifty-fifty bet, either he podiums, either he doesn't make top 10. My mind says:

1. Andy
2. Evans
3. Menchov

Heart says:

1. Tobias Ludvigsson (neo-pro from 1t4i)
2. Samu
3. Jens

 

[LaFlorecita]

I voted Evans, but want Wiggins to win (even though I think he's a bit of a ****).

A whole lot of a ****

 

[Fetisoff]

A whole lot of a ****

A ****** *** of a ****

 

[jens_attacks]

yes but wiggins is ready to make any sacrifice to win it,he doesn't joke about it.

of course vino will be content with a yellow jersey,two stage wins and a shiitload of attacks all the way to paris.

 

[airstream]

yes but wiggins is ready to make any sacrifice to win it,he doesn't joke about it.

I think Wiggo would have a chance if he could ride both TT's as he did at the Worlds, but it's impossible in GT, or almost impossible. The race will devastate him seriously. Wiggins is the weakest climber among all the contenders. Do you really believe he will withstand in the mountains?

 

[Kvinto]

i think the podium is the best possible result for Wiggo and i fully agree with mr. tibbs on this:

It'll be a shame not to see Contador in France, but it does make for an exciting Tour. At least on paper. If it's not exciting, Evans or Menchov; if it is exciting, Andy or Samu.

These are 4 main contenders. The chances of the others are... i'd say 10%

 

[plooton]

I see only two possible winners Evabns or Valverde.

 

[Boeing]

I'm pulling for Froome but by the time Brainsford figures Wiggo is toast, there might be too much time to gain

From your list, Menchov

 

[gustienordic]

I'm pulling for Froome but by the time Brainsford figures Wiggo is toast, there might be too much time to gain

From your list, Menchov

Evans with best chance, but since crashes happen so often taking GC contenders out, i'm going to do an order.

Evans
Menchov
Wiggins
Nibali/Samu

 

[palmerq]

I voted for andy, although it all depends on how he does, I think he was not as strong last year if he has his strength of 2010 or 2009 then I think he has quite a good chance to win it, although if he rides like last year he will be lucky to get onto the podium..

But I will not sit on the fence, I will say andy is going to be on top form in the mountains and make an improvement in his time trialing and take the victory......

 

[Duartista]

Evans is obviously favourite, although I've managed to convince myself that Leipheimer is a serious threat over the last couple of weeks.

For three of the contenders (Wiggins, Menchov and Leipheimer) this is probably their only chance to win a TDF.

 

[jens_attacks]

I think Wiggo would have a chance if he could ride both TT's as he did at the Worlds, but it's impossible in GT, or almost impossible. The race will devastate him seriously. Wiggins is the weakest climber among all the contenders. Do you really believe he will withstand in the mountains?

he will be there i'm sure.it depends a lot on the form of andy and frank,they will definitely crack him but he will have a nice advantage from the ITT's.
again,i definitely see wiggins and maybe froome too staying on the mountains with cadel and menchov.with andy it will be probably too hard.difficult to guess the form of cobo,he is the dark horse,he can put devastating performances but you never know with him psychologically.valverde also seems creepy fit for a grand tour.

 

[The Hitch]

I see only two possible winners Evabns or Valverde.

Valverde can't win without time bonuses.

See Pais Vasco for example. Would have won that race by a minute if there were bonuses, instead lost it by 8 seconds. and in GTs time bonuses are worth twice as much.

These are 4 main contenders. The chances of the others are... i'd say 10%

Good to hear it

 

[hfer07]

well......

At this point Evans is the rightful favorite with a strong team backing (hoping Hushov & Gilbert don't do the dirty on him) & a parcours that suits him like a glove. His only nemesis at this point will be Menchov IF his form is the right one.
Otherwise this is Cuddles Tour to lose...

PS: don't want to say it this way, but Leechaimer........ I just don't even want to think about it- I have my mind so fvcked up with all the recent news