Schleki's won't win TDF

[dlwssonic]

some of you guys don't get it that andy is the odds on favorite for this years tour, he easily put minutes onto everyone other than contador on the big climbs he attacked on, none of them could follow his wheel. if you say andy has no chance for the tour you should go watch him on the col de madeline and the tourmalet and morzine avoriaz. Contador is the only capable person to follow him in the high mountains but then again he is not riding. Andy is much more of a talent than frank schleck. have you guys seen verbier?

 

[greenedge]

more cash/ cancellara = win fir Andy.

 

[theyoungest]

Gesinks tt improvements are not just based on Oman but also Tirreno Adriatico and Pais Vaco. He was awesome in the tts in both races.

Yeah, the "Evans is obviously better" part was quite funny, as Gesink amost rode Evans out of the leader's jersey in the Tirreno TT. Not that I think that Gesink will beat Evans at the Tour this year, but that's not really based on time trialing, just their general level as a rider.

 

[Met de Versnelling]

Gesinks tt improvements are not just based on Oman but also Tirreno Adriatico and Pais Vaco. He was awesome in the tts in both races.

Sanchez Gonzalez has been putting in Andy Schleck tts most of this season but in gts his tts can be very good. 2nd in a 2009 Vuelta tt and 1st in the main 2007 Vuelta tt (against an on form Menchov) suggest he could put time into most of the contenders in Grenoble.

Yeah, the "Evans is obviously better" part was quite funny, as Gesink amost rode Evans out of the leader's jersey in the Tirreno TT. Not that I think that Gesink will beat Evans at the Tour this year, but that's not really based on time trialing, just their general level as a rider.

Ah, okay, i was on Holiday during T-A, didn't see any of it, and i hadn't bothered to check the results past who'd won the overall. Forgot about the Pais Vasco one. Seems like Gesink has really worked hard on it over the winter, so fair play to him, i was being a bit harsh. But as Hitch says with Sanchez, a GT TT is a very different animal when it comes to fighting for GC.

 

[md1975]

If Contador is out, Andy has a great shot. However, in the TDF many have a shot.

Look at '99, not 1 person thought Lance would wear yellow, let alone win the race. He was a dark horse.

So while Contador (much as I dislike him) and Andy will go into the TDF as the 2 favorites. You can never count out guys like:

Basso
Evans
MENCHOV
VINOKOUROV (slim outside shot)
SASTRE
WIGGINS

And that is just the guys many have put in as best chance to win besides AC and AS.

 

[Sasquatch]

Menchov and Sastre aren't invited

Wiggins fluked his TDF result 2 years ago. Will not repeat or better that performance ever again.

Vinokourov is going for a stage win and a few days in yellow knowing he doesn't stand a shot of having yellow in Paris.

 

[uphillstruggle]

I dunno, i hear what your saying, but Frank seems to have come on more the last year or so than Andy, i think everyone agreed that Contador had dropped a level on previous years, more than it being Andy stepping up a gear. Even his "greatest TT ever" was helped by the fact Bertie never got going all year on the TT bike he had, it was ill fitting for him.

Regardless of what Frank's TT capabilities are, they are better than Andy's imo, which is the most important thing.

Look at all of the TT's the shlecks have ridden together. Andy beats his brother in almost all of them. From an early age Andy has been better than his bro in that discipline. Although I agree Frank has looked better than Andy this year, Andy is notorious for peaking at the tour.

 

[Christian]

Andy's big advantage is his recuperation ... at the end of a GT he has more left in the tank than most riders and certainly more than his brother (cf. Ventoux). That's also part of the reason why his GT ITT results are OK-ish and better than Fränk's

 

[palmerq]

How many itt kms are in the tour this year?

 

[sky forever]

I think you have to remember that Gesink is a year older and wiser. Therefore, he has a better chance of following AS. However, I think if Contador rides - he wins. If not, I think Andy could get complacent and bank everything on 1 day as someone said early. Also if you look at the GC riders performances this year, the top 3 would have AC, Cuddles and Gesink because they have been up there in most of the races. Also did anyone actually think that Gesink would beat EBH in the Oman TT?

He would start as huge fav is AC isn't there. However, I honestly don't think he will win.
If AC is there:

1)Contador
2)A.Schleck
3)Gesink
4)Van den Broeck
5)Cuddles

If not:

1)Gesink
2)A.Schleck
3)Van de Broeck
4)Cuddles
5)F.Schleck

 

[boomcie]

How many itt kms are in the tour this year?

41. Only one ITT.

 

[Walkman]

I think you have to remember that Gesink is a year older and wiser. Therefore, he has a better chance of following AS. However, I think if Contador rides - he wins. If not, I think Andy could get complacent and bank everything on 1 day as someone said early. Also if you look at the GC riders performances this year, the top 3 would have AC, Cuddles and Gesink because they have been up there in most of the races. Also did anyone actually think that Gesink would beat EBH in the Oman TT?

He would start as huge fav is AC isn't there. However, I honestly don't think he will win.
If AC is there:

1)Contador
2)A.Schleck
3)Gesink
4)Van den Broeck
5)Cuddles

If not:

1)Gesink
2)A.Schleck
3)Van de Broeck
4)Cuddles
5)F.Schleck

Am I missing something here? AC is doing the Grio and is aiming for the win isn't he? And still you believe he would win le Tour if he is to participate?

 

[palmerq]

41. Only one ITT.

Then schleck really should win this fairly easily... Only problem I can see for him is that he might be a bit lost being the favourite and not always fighting contador on the mountains.. Who will beat him, I can only think of basso if he is on top form and even then it might not be enough the last couple of years andy has been on a different level to everyone but contador(who is on a different level to andy).. Andy is a very good gt rider especially one that has little individual time trialling.

I don't think contador will be there.

 

[boomcie]

Then schleck really should win this fairly easily... Only problem I can see for him is that he might be a bit lost being the favourite and not always fighting contador on the mountains.. Who will beat him, I can only think of basso if he is on top form and even then it might not be enough the last couple of years andy has been on a different level to everyone but contador(who is on a different level to andy).. Andy is a very good gt rider especially one that has little individual time trialling.

I don't think contador will be there.

I'm currently taking avatar bets

 

[md1975]

I think you have to remember that Gesink is a year older and wiser. Therefore, he has a better chance of following AS. However, I think if Contador rides - he wins. If not, I think Andy could get complacent and bank everything on 1 day as someone said early. Also if you look at the GC riders performances this year, the top 3 would have AC, Cuddles and Gesink because they have been up there in most of the races. Also did anyone actually think that Gesink would beat EBH in the Oman TT?

He would start as huge fav is AC isn't there. However, I honestly don't think he will win.
If AC is there:

1)Contador
2)A.Schleck
3)Gesink
4)Van den Broeck
5)Cuddles

If not:

1)Gesink
2)A.Schleck
3)Van de Broeck
4)Cuddles
5)F.Schleck

I don't feel it will matter in AC is riding or not. Andy should be more ready than AC(if he can ride) after the Giro. That race is going to take alot out of anyone.

My top 3, not in any order of GC finish/
Andy
Gesink(with luck)
Unknown(someone who has not been rumored or thought of as a TDF winner like LA was in 99)

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Am I missing something here? AC is doing the Grio and is aiming for the win isn't he? And still you believe he would win le Tour if he is to participate?

This. I don't get it either. A lot on this form think he will easily take the double.

 

[dlwssonic]

I think you have to remember that Gesink is a year older and wiser. Therefore, he has a better chance of following AS. However, I think if Contador rides - he wins. If not, I think Andy could get complacent and bank everything on 1 day as someone said early. Also if you look at the GC riders performances this year, the top 3 would have AC, Cuddles and Gesink because they have been up there in most of the races. Also did anyone actually think that Gesink would beat EBH in the Oman TT?

He would start as huge fav is AC isn't there. However, I honestly don't think he will win.
If AC is there:

1)Contador
2)A.Schleck
3)Gesink
4)Van den Broeck
5)Cuddles

If not:

1)Gesink
2)A.Schleck
3)Van de Broeck
4)Cuddles
5)F.Schleck

lol gesink beating andy schleck? not a chance gesink didnt do that well in the 2010 tour as compared to how much he is hyped. if andy schleck does get beaten(not likely) it will probably be basso. but cant think of a better climber

 

[theyoungest]

lol gesink beating andy schleck? not a chance gesink didnt do that well in the 2010 tour as compared to how much he is hyped. if andy schleck does get beaten(not likely) it will probably be basso. but cant think of a better climber

I agree, if anything he's gotten worse this year so I don't see how he could ever hope to beat Andy. Not that Basso has made too much of an impression either...

 

[Cimber]

This. I don't get it either. A lot on this form think he will easily take the double.

I dont think he can do it easily, but if anyone can its him. He wasnt at his best last year but still won. Anyways, there is a high probability that he wont start at all.

 

[diorgen]

Brajkovic is going to win the tour

 

[Cimber]

Brajkovic is going to win the tour

U better go to your local bookmaker and put 500 euro on that then, cos u will get amazing odds on that bet

 

[dlwssonic]

ok if brajkovic is gonna win the tour, then I will say benat inxausti for podium.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I agree, if anything he's gotten worse this year so I don't see how he could ever hope to beat Andy. Not that Basso has made too much of an impression either...

You're still so convinced he can't climb as well anymore...

We'll see. I think you'll raise your eyebrows come june/july

 

[Hugo Koblet]

In the "crazy predictions" thread, I stated that Andy Schleck will never win the Tour de France and I stand by that (though the prediction doesn't look good this year if Contador isn't there and Menchov won't be there either).

 

[theyoungest]

You're still so convinced he can't climb as well anymore...

We'll see. I think you'll raise your eyebrows come june/july

Oh, his climbing is okay. Just not better than last year. Still very good, mind you, but not Tour podium good.