TDF GC - Time to talk

[BikeCentric]

i don't think people are giving menchov enough respect (suggesting he wont compete for the podium?)
Historically menchov gets better in his 2nd GT for the season, last year he came 5th at the giro then (post kohl drug) basically podium placed at the tour, ok he came more well prepared at the giro this year, so fair to claim it would have took more energy, but i think Dennis rode vey intelligently and is a smarter and better rider then last july. Not to mention he has the strongest team he has ever had behind him.. he only had Ten Dam at the giro (Gesink, Ten Dam, Garate for the mountains.. Clement and Posthuma for the TTT) Menchov can win, and personally i think he's contadors biggest threat.

I agree with you Timmeh - I expect Mechov to push for a podium spot. I picked him for 3rd because he will have Giro fatigue but he could go higher. I doubt there's much he can do against a fresh Contador however assuming things go well for Alberto.

 

[mr. tibbs]

1. Contador
2. Evans
3. Andy Schleck
4. Sastre
5. ????
6. Profit!

Gotta like Contador's chances.

And: The guys who can't hang with The Brothers Schleck in the mountains are gonna surrender some serious time, but I think Evans will be able to limit it and make up enough ground in the pointy helmet stages to keep himself on the podium. (But Andy might just bump him for second...)

(P.s.: It's good to be back! But wtf is up with the Cyclingnews home page?)

 

[greenjersey]

Time to start adjusting all your top 10 predictions

L'Equipe reports that NEW TESTS will be used in this year's TdF to detect substances/methods of D that cyclists wouldn't expect

Amazing that there are still LA doubters out there...
"I'm on my bike 6 hours a day... what are you on?"

(alas someone will be caught this tour)

 

[patswana]

Amazing that there are still LA doubters out there...

They're the fastest growing population in the world after Elvis impersonators

 

[BroDeal]

Amazing that there are still LA doubters out there...
"I'm on my bike 6 hours a day... what are you on?"

What is even more amazing is that there are people who still believe Armstrong was clean. That is mind blowing. It is the sort of thing that makes me question the workability of democratic government.

 

[Bala Verde]

What is even more amazing is that there are people who still believe Armstrong was clean. That is mind blowing. It is the sort of thing that makes me question the workability of democratic government.

That's why children and mentally disabled people (under psychological guardianship) aren't allowed to vote. Perhaps the criteria aren't strict enough...

 

[phillop]

the one token kazach rider that will be in the astana team will test positive, good bye LA AC LL and AK

 

[greenjersey]

That's why children and mentally disabled people (under psychological guardianship) aren't allowed to vote. Perhaps the criteria aren't strict enough...

Stay classy! Personal attacks are your specialty!

 

[BikeCentric]

Stay classy! Personal attacks are your specialty!

You're new here - Bala actually very rarely ever makes personal attacks. I wish you noobs would stop ****ing him off.

 

[Anonymous]

Stay classy! Personal attacks are your specialty!

that is the specialty of several in the gang.
there is a gang. it shouldn't take you to long to figure who's on the gang list but if you have questions ask me.

 

[BroDeal]

that is the specialty of several in the gang.
there is a gang. it shouldn't take you to long to figure who's on the gang list but if you have questions ask me.

And the speciality of Jack is to send people PMs, threatening to beat them up if they ever come to Ohio. If you live within driving distance of that state then I suggest you be very careful of what you say when responding to Jack.

 

[quadsRme]

And the speciality of Jack is to send people PMs, threatening to beat them up if they ever come to Ohio. If you live within driving distance of that state then I suggest you be very careful of what you say when responding to Jack.

he sounds like a real blowhard, probably never goes anywhere and lives for the forum, a forum geek.

 

[quadsRme]

1. Contador
2. Evans
3. Andy Schleck
4. Sastre
5. ????
6. Profit!

Gotta like Contador's chances.

And: The guys who can't hang with The Brothers Schleck in the mountains are gonna surrender some serious time, but I think Evans will be able to limit it and make up enough ground in the pointy helmet stages to keep himself on the podium. (But Andy might just bump him for second...)

(P.s.: It's good to be back! But wtf is up with the Cyclingnews home page?)

Tibbs I like your picks. esp #2 Evans is 2nd again?? LOL That will probably play out

 

[subzro]

1. Armstrong (unfortunately)
2. Contador (he will have a strange mechanical failure on Ventoux)
3. Levi (nothing suss)

I don't think a team has ever taken the top three places, you should put a bet on it.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Levi coming 3rd is very unlikely imho. he rode like a hack at the giro.

 

[Merckx]

A month and a half can make a difference. Although I don't think he'll be a GC threat.

 

[Kimono]

And the speciality of Jack is to send people PMs, threatening to beat them up if they ever come to Ohio. If you live within driving distance of that state then I suggest you be very careful of what you say when responding to Jack.

I'm actually headed to Ohio for the weekend. Family and all that stuff...

 

[Anonymous]

I'm actually headed to Ohio for the weekend. Family and all that stuff...

Watch out, you might get a good punching......those Ohioins are a rough and tumble bunch not afraid of the fisticuffs if your words demonstrate scoundrel leanings.....put 'em up!

 

[slowoldman]

Contador
Evans
Menchov
Sastre
Schleck (Frank)
Armstrong
Schleck (Andy)

 

[mr. tibbs]

Contador
Evans
Mechov
Sastre
Schleck (Frank)
Armstrong
Schleck (Andy)

I'm getting nervous that I didn't give enough credence to Menchov & Sastre in my picks. I figured that Sastre would be ouclassed in the climbs by Contador & Schleck and beaten in the TTs by Contador and pretty much everyone else, but he could do just well enough in both areas to podium...

And Menchov. Can he carry that Giro form? And will he look so capable in the mountains against Contador, et al? Di Luca is a great cyclist, but when it comes to really throwing down while going up guys like Contador and Schleck are in a different category.

Whatever the case, Cyclingnews is certainly singing their praises.

 

[Christian]

Alberto Contador
Andy Schleck
Cadel Evans
Denis Menchov
Kim Kirchen
Lance Armstrong

 

[Christian]

Just read the last Tour de France ladder and I did not know about this: Sastre is a man who has done at least two Grand Tours per year since 2002 - even finishing all three in 2006. He has more Grand Tours in his legs than any of our favourites - even veteran Lance Armstrong.

Interesting! Maybe I should have included him after all.

I cannot in any way understand why anyone would possibly put Michael Rogers on that list. I'm probably not the most objective on that matter, but all he ever did in the last three years is ride a mediocre Giro ...

 

[elapid]

I cannot in any way understand why anyone would possibly put Michael Rogers on that list. I'm probably not the most objective on that matter, but all he ever did in the last three years is ride a mediocre Giro ...

That's because he has been out for two years with injuries and mononucleosis. Pretty hard to get results when you cannot get on your bike and train.

 

[BikeCentric]

That's because he has been out for two years with injuries and mononucleosis. Pretty hard to get results when you cannot get on your bike and train.

Also (and I'm sure you're well aware of this elapid), he is a 3-time ITT World Champion who had gotten himself to the point where he could also climb pretty well when he got hurt in that Tour de France descent crash 2 years ago. Then he came down with mono while attempting to come back from that. He's a guy that does have the potential to do well on the GC but has never managed to put it all together and have a good Tour. This Tour suits a rider like him well if he can get his form back and not touch the floor of course.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Dodger no top 10 rider

Just read the last Tour de France ladder and I did not know about this: Sastre is a man who has done at least two Grand Tours per year since 2002 - even finishing all three in 2006. He has more Grand Tours in his legs than any of our favourites - even veteran Lance Armstrong.

Interesting! Maybe I should have included him after all.

I cannot in any way understand why anyone would possibly put Michael Rogers on that list. I'm probably not the most objective on that matter, but all he ever did in the last three years is ride a mediocre Giro ...

I am an Australian but i totally agree with you. This year their are so many riders who can ride high in gc. When Michael got top 10 in the tour in 2006 i would have to say it wasn't as strong as 2007's or 2009's field of riders. In the giro he was good in the first 10 days(setup by his Columbia's ttt win) but then was gradually swept away losing places gradually. He doesn't have the time trial legs in the grand tour and can't go with the big boys once it gets high up in the hills. I hope i am wrong but i think he will just be a top 15 rider and will struggle to get into the top 10.