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

[Kvinto]

Those are the ones who read the papers. Just knowing he's got 3 x 2nd places in a row, is enough for them to assume he'll win. They just don't know better.

but on the other hand it's great that there are people like you who know much more than those fools

 

[cineteq]

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

Thought we needed another thread & poll because the circumstances have now changed from the thread which was the same topic.

I apologise if I have left out any obvious choices

So VDB2 and Cobo are there, but no Gesink? #failed
What about Tony Martin, he's supposed to do better the both Schlecks?

 

[auscyclefan94]

So VDB2 and Cobo are there, but no Gesink? #failed
What about Tony Martin, he's supposed to do better the both Schlecks?

Gesink is coming back from a very bad injury and the Dutch posters may think I was being a bit harsh on him but the options above imo are the most likely winners of the race.

 

[Forunculo]

I would love Nibali but after reality check Cadel Evans

 

[cineteq]

I would love Nibali but after reality check Cadel Evans

100% agree but Evans is the best choice out there.

 

[El Pistolero]

Fran Contador will win.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Given the parcours, his pedigree and 2011 form, Evans is the clear favourite, right now. I think we all know this, deep down.

Schleck and Wiggins to complete the podium.

 

[Forunculo]

I give Andy more chances no because Contador absent itself but he is gonna be less afraid at climbs to attack without him. We will see Horner's strategy

The story will be Radioschleck against CG time trialers riders and their teams. Evans, Menchov, Wiggo, Levi so much opposition but a chance of poker play for who pulled the chase that let Andy a chance.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Samuel Sanchez

 

[Carols]

Given the parcours I have to pick Evans. I've always liked him, but then I don't 'dislike' any rider.

I just have less respect for Andy because of his whining, never fulfilling the genetic gift he's been given, and refusing to work on his weaknesses.

But secretly I'm a Nibbles fan, I'd like to see him do well. It'll be asking to much for a win but a podium would be nice.

Andy will ride with more abandon without Alberto there, who can crack him now? so has a chance to make the podium now. He is now the best climber in the race...can Evans stay with him or can he demolish Evans, leaving to much work to be done in the ITTs?

Nibbles is almost the opposite of Contador, exceptional genetics, explosive, exciting attacking vs more limited talent which he has nutured and made the most of, grinding one paced climbing and barely adequate timetrialing. Still I admire his tenacity and will to win despite his more limited genetics.

Evans
Wiggins/Levi/Andy (pick any one)
Nibali

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Given the parcours I have to pick Evans. I've always liked him, but then I don't 'dislike' any rider.

I just have less respect for Andy because of his whining, never fulfilling the genetic gift he's been given, and refusing to work on his weaknesses.

But secretly I'm a Nibbles fan, I'd like to see him do well. It'll be asking to much for a win but a podium would be nice.

Andy will ride with more abandon without Alberto there, who can crack him now? so has a chance to make the podium now. He is now the best climber in the race...can Evans stay with him or can he demolish Evans, leaving to much work to be done in the ITTs?

Nibbles is almost the opposite of Contador, exceptional genetics, explosive, exciting attacking vs more limited talent which he has nutured and made the most of, grinding one paced climbing and barely adequate timetrialing. Still I admire his tenacity and will to win despite his more limited genetics.

Evans
Wiggins/Levi/Andy (pick any one)
Nibali

I pick Menchov.Lord knows I support liquigas and the paisans but i don't see Nibali in the podium let alone winning it...imo.

 

[Carols]

I pick Menchov.Lord knows I support liquigas and the paisans but i don't see Nibali in the podium let alone winning it...imo.

Well there is selecting with your 'head' which I did Evans, and then selecting with your heart, so Nibbles made the podium in my picks. But I voted for Evans...

 

[Panda Claws]

And there I was hoping for the epic Contador vs Evans showdown. Because let's face it: 2011 Evans would have been a problem even for Contador.

 

[Carols]

I pick Menchov.Lord knows I support liquigas and the paisans but i don't see Nibali in the podium let alone winning it...imo.

BTW I think Menchov is past his 'due date' that is why he didn't figure in there...I wouldn't be disappointed if I were wrong. I've watched the 2009 Giro more than once

 

[williamp78]

Of all the GC contenders Wiggins will probably make the most time in the TTs. But if you were to guesstimate how much do you think he can put into Evans and Andy Schleck respectively?

And vice versa how much could they put into him in the mountains?

I'm not brave enough to through out numbers but i suspect evans could make back his time difference; not so sure about schleck. However I also doubt schleck could drop evans enough to gain back his minutes lost

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

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.

 

[dlwssonic]

Haha radioshack got a real break when they found out contador is not riding this year. At least they have some chance. Evans chances are really great now, all he has to do is follow the best on the climbs and TT his way to victory like he did last year. If he can even TT anywhere near how he did last year, and climb like he did last year the title is easily his. He just can't screw up.

 

[dlwssonic]

wiggins has no chance on the mountains of the tour. Plus his team would also have to concentrate on cav.

 

[Dancing On The Pedals]

Who do I think will win - Cadel. If he's in the same form as last year, no contest.

Who do I want to win - Samu

If Menchov is there in the form he had at the end of the Vuelta, he will push Evans very close. I think Andy will top 5 but no more than that. I think Wiggins can top 5 certainly, and the podium is a possibility - remains to be seen how Sky juggle the yellow/green conundrum.

I'd like Gesink to do well also.

 

[theyoungest]

Who do I think will win - Cadel. If he's in the same form as last year, no contest.

Who do I want to win - Samu

If Menchov is there in the form he had at the end of the Vuelta, he will push Evans very close. I think Andy will top 5 but no more than that. I think Wiggins can top 5 certainly, and the podium is a possibility - remains to be seen how Sky juggle the yellow/green conundrum.

I'd like Gesink to do well also.

Maybe his form last year has taken somewhat legendary proportions... he had basically lost the Tour on the Alpe d'Huez stage, until everything miraculously came back together.

 

[Cimber]

Prolly Evans. But I do hope that Sanchez or Nibali will nail it. Oh or Valverde - that would be awesome.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Haha radioshack got a real break when they found out contador is not riding this year. At least they have some chance.

He would have a bigger chance to win with Contador.

Evans chances are really great now, all he has to do is follow the best on the climbs and TT his way to victory like he did last year. If he can even TT anywhere near how he did last year, and climb like he did last year the title is easily his.

That's what he would have to do with Contador there as well.

He just can't screw up.

I wouldn't say that. You don't want to jinx him do you?

 

[Dancing On The Pedals]

Maybe his form last year has taken somewhat legendary proportions... he had basically lost the Tour on the Alpe d'Huez stage, until everything miraculously came back together.

I'm not so sure. The chances of Alberto's attack staying away to the finish was always quite slim I think, given that having been caught out by Andy on the Galibier stage, BMC would have been determined not to let it happen again. There was also quite a lot of flat between the bottom of the Galibier and the start of the climb up to Alpe d'Huez, in which BMC could drive the peloton to ensure they caught the break. On the Alpe itself, he was very strong I thought, both physically and tactically - although admittedly all he had to do was follow the Schleck's. He was very strong up the Galibier the day before as well.

 

[Fetisoff]

Wow, 2 people actually picked Bottle over Nibbles?

 

[Kvinto]

He would have a bigger chance to win with Contador.

No, with Contador he would have a guaranteed 2nd with no chance of winning while now he has nothing guaranteed, but with some chance of victory.