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

[LaFlorecita]

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.

Hm... I didn't think about it that way. You''re right. What I basically meant was that if Contador is there, he would have broken Evans and the other TTers, and Andy might be able to follow him somehow. Or at least ride away from the other contestants.

 

[element]

Hope its Menchov, got a bet on him at 80-1 a while ago! I think if Andy does well, then he'll drag Samu with him and away from the other GC people. It all depends on how well Andy climbs.

If Andy is on top form:
1. Andy
2. Menchov
3. Samu

if he isn't:

1. Cadel
2. Menchov
3. Wiggo

 

[dlwssonic]

He would have a bigger chance to win with Contador.




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




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

Yeah maybe Andy could follow Contador on the attack on the mountains.
Yup Evans has a much better chance now. Contador could have dropped him on the mountains and evans might not be able to get enough time on the TT.
Of course not, I will go mad if something goes wrong. Its his race to lose.

 

[dlwssonic]

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.

I agree. Its true evans had brilliant form. It was the strongest I have ever seen him. He was great on the climbs and spartacus like in the TT.

 

[The Hitch]

Good to see Pisti in the Samu camp.

The sad thing is that we will not see that Contador Evans tt showdown as in 2013 Cadels fans will say hes too old, not on peak etc.

 

[dlwssonic]

Good to see Pisti in the Samu camp.

The sad thing is that we will not see that Contador Evans tt showdown as in 2013 Cadels fans will say hes too old, not on peak etc.

I believe evans could have beaten contador in the TT this year anyway

 

[Fetisoff]

I just hope that Evans doesn't crash out in the first week, and Menchov doesn't lose 3 minutes in the crosswinds somewhere on stage 2. Add to that an in-form Nibali, Samu and Schleck trying to climb away from the competition - and we got ourselves a race

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Well looks like i have to go for a Samu victory this year (Vino close second thought )

 

[LaFlorecita]

I believe evans could have beaten contador in the TT this year anyway

We wanted a showdown to finally see who's better.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well looks like i have to go for a Samu victory this year (Vino close second thought )

Woohooo! Go Samu! And go Vino!

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

We wanted a showdown to finally see who's better.

I have never really understod why anyone cares about if AC can take 10 sec from Evans on a tt or not... AC wins the gc anyway if he want to

 

[LaFlorecita]

I have never really understod why anyone cares about if AC can take 10 sec from Evans on a tt or not... AC wins the gc anyway if he want to

We want to shut up the Cuddles fanboys.

 

[Thomsena]

Cant see past Vino.

No, it'll be Vino.

 

[the3verB]

Alberto or no, no need to change my pick . This Tour is for the little Boss.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto or no, no need to change my pick . This Tour is for the little Boss.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is Teh Troll.

 

[The Hitch]

We wanted a showdown to finally see who's better.

Not to see whose better. I already know whose better. A showdown to show those who still doubt, who the better tter was

 

[theyoungest]

Alberto or no, no need to change my pick . This Tour is for the little Boss.

Somehow I think of Janez Brajkovic when you say that. I know you mean Andy Schleck... anyway, the name suits neither of them.

 

[richwagmn]

If Levi can follow Cadel's blistering mountain attacks, he might just have a chance.

 

[dlwssonic]

We wanted a showdown to finally see who's better.

dont think we will get one. We could have gotten a really good indication at the olympics.

 

[Parrulo]

heart says nibbles but i head says samu

 

[roundabout]

Options 1,3 and 4 are the biggest favorites. Option 9 will outperfrom option 2.

Mind you, things could change a bit, but it's unlikely in less than 5 months time.

 

[Christian]

I think it will probably come down to a battle of the oldies ... Menchov took a bit of a "year off" last year so it'll be interesting to see if he can get back on top. My dark horse is Klöden ... between Horner and the Schlecks he could get a free ride to the final ITT. The podium will be between Menchov, Evans and Klöden or Andy. I wonder what the oldest TdF podium has been (combined)?

 

[theyoungest]

Denis "Il Papa" Menchov. It's time.

 

[Christian]

Denis "Il Papa" Menchov. It's time.

The biggest factor speaking against him is Holczer

 

[Maxiton]

Evans
Valverde
Menchov

In that order. Seems to me like the logical lineup.