Who do you think will be the Liquigas "captain"?

[Winterfold]

Got to be Basso at the start of the race.

He may be tired after the Giro, but he was very impressive and calm in the way he went about winning it.

I dont see what Kreuziger has done that comes anywhere near that performance so I dont see how you could bet on him.

As other posters have said, if after the first mountains, Basso does a Menchov, then switch to Kreuziger.

Time is running out for Basso - he has to assert himself and go for the win. Kreuziger is young enough to wait and I am more convinced by Nibali as the next big thing tbh.

It will be brilliant to see leakygas and Saxo going at each other, and trying to destroy Sky/Astana/etc on the run in to the critical climbs

 

[rhubroma]

Kreuziger for sure. Basso has no chance but will probably have a free role.

Look here, I'll fill you in on something: Kreuziger has never been considered anything beyond a reserve on the Italian team, which has put everything into placing Ivan in the best position to be a Tour contender after winning the Giro.

 

[Bellkicker]

I sort of know what you mean about Pelli. I think he is a good addition to the list of 'introverted and fragile pure clmbers' who on their day are brilliant but just don't have the oomph for the GC in the Tour (eg Millar, Theunise, Clavy (RIP)

Franco Pelizotti is actually known as a guy who can muscle his way around the peloton. He sprints well on top of mountains, which is how he won the KOM in the jersey in the TdF last year. And don't forget that he took second in the Giro (excluding Di Luca) last year, too.

I wouldn't call him fragile at all and my impression is that he is far from introverted.

Just saying.

 

[180mmCrank]

Be great to see Basso in the mix... I am sure he'll be the man for LQGas

 

[dancing on pedals]

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/4...general-classification-at-Tour-de-France.aspx
velonation has this article
"I want to improve over last year. With Ivan Basso at my side, after the great Giro d'Italia he has done, we'll see how far I can get, but I am convinced that I can improve on that ninth place, and with Ivan, we can help each other in the overall standings."

Kreuziger is not concerned about sharing leadership of the team with Basso. In fact, the young Czech feels that it will be an advantage for the two racers and the team.

"I see it as an advantage for us to race together. We have a good relationship, and we get along on the road. We can help each other a lot. Ivan is very consistent, and we can work together at key moments and share attacks. This year we have a goal: attack. We don't just want to follow wheels."

As for Basso, Kreuziger feels that the two-time Giro champion will be up for the challenge of two Grand Tours back to back."
So fighting talk indeed - forza liquigas! regardless of the end result i think the team will animate the race, but having done so well in the Giro, maybe there has been a steep learning curb.which will carry them through - hope so
thanks

 

[Liquigas]

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/4...general-classification-at-Tour-de-France.aspx

"I see it as an advantage for us to race together. We have a good relationship, and we get along on the road. We can help each other a lot. Ivan is very consistent, and we can work together at key moments and share attacks. This year we have a goal: attack. We don't just want to follow wheels."

I really want to see that, Go Liquigas!

 

[Mellow Velo]

Basso looked fine today, in the Italian RR champs. Not going flat out, just cruising.
I wonder which outfit the: "we don't just want to follow wheels" barb, was aimed at?

 

[flicker]

Franco Pelizotti is actually known as a guy who can muscle his way around the peloton. He sprints well on top of mountains, which is how he won the KOM in the jersey in the TdF last year. And don't forget that he took second in the Giro (excluding Di Luca) last year, too.

I wouldn't call him fragile at all and my impression is that he is far from introverted.

Just saying.

Sorry but Franco is on the suspect list. He would be a fool to do some surprisingly Di Luca like moves in the mountains. He is to old to face a 2 year "vacation". If he is smart he will ride as support, and that is it.

 

[Galic Ho]

Everyone here should be damn lucky Pellizotti did not race the Giro. He was the main man for the first half of the season at Liquigas. Basso won. What does that say of Pellizotti's strength? Well, more accurately it talks wonders of his dealings with Ferrari, just like Nibali.

Long story short, Liquigas can at best hope for 5th or 6th. Any higher requires one of the big boys to choke. Evans is more likely to get on the podium than either Basso or Kreuziger and it would be bordering on a medical miracle for him to back up. This is not 1989. There are no more people riding like Fignon did back then...relatively clean (no blood top ups). They are riding at a level above the 1980s and Basso just won the Giro. Add in the fact the BioPassport reduces the chances of someone juicing up like Pantani did in 1998 and you won't see Basso podium. He could do very well though. Long story short...Kreuziger will be the go to man for GC and he should be.

Pick your podium and runners up to Contador from these guys:
Samu, Menchov, Schleck 1 and 2. Forget Gesink, Lance, Levi, Basso, Kloden, Kreuziger and all the others. They'll be eaten alive in the Pyrenees by the first four I mentioned. Throw Evans into the mix and it will amount to nothing. Liquigas are not on home soil and the AFLD will be showing up to throw some extra heat on riders. Basso does not make the podium. He might steal 5th though, but has to beat the second group I mentioned. They could finish in any order. I forgot Wigans...hopefully he chokes big time and fades back into obscurity

 

[Angliru]

Look here, I'll fill you in on something: Kreuziger has never been considered anything beyond a reserve on the Italian team, which has put everything into placing Ivan in the best position to be a Tour contender after winning the Giro.

Wasn't he their "leader' or "co-leader" at last year's Tour with Nibali, while Pellizoti was given free reign to pursue the KOM jersey? Or was it that Pelli lost so much time early in the race that it freed him to chase the KOM?

 

[ferryman]

Everyone here should be damn lucky Pellizotti did not race the Giro. He was the main man for the first half of the season at Liquigas. Basso won. What does that say of Pellizotti's strength? Well, more accurately it talks wonders of his dealings with Ferrari, just like Nibali.

Long story short, Liquigas can at best hope for 5th or 6th. Any higher requires one of the big boys to choke. Evans is more likely to get on the podium than either Basso or Kreuziger and it would be bordering on a medical miracle for him to back up. This is not 1989. There are no more people riding like Fignon did back then...relatively clean (no blood top ups). They are riding at a level above the 1980s and Basso just won the Giro. Add in the fact the BioPassport reduces the chances of someone juicing up like Pantani did in 1998 and you won't see Basso podium. He could do very well though. Long story short...Kreuziger will be the go to man for GC and he should be.

Pick your podium and runners up to Contador from these guys:
Samu, Menchov, Schleck 1 and 2. Forget Gesink, Lance, Levi, Basso, Kloden, Kreuziger and all the others. They'll be eaten alive in the Pyrenees by the first four I mentioned. Throw Evans into the mix and it will amount to nothing. Liquigas are not on home soil and the AFLD will be showing up to throw some extra heat on riders. Basso does not make the podium. He might steal 5th though, but has to beat the second group I mentioned. They could finish in any order. I forgot Wigans...hopefully he chokes big time and fades back into obscurity

I like your direct approach

Samu is not rated by most on here and your assertion for Menchov over Gesink is interesting given the woeful form of Menchov this year.

I would like to add Rodriguez into the mix. And, god bless him, Carlos

 

[dancing on pedals]

it talks wonders of his dealings with Ferrari, just like Nibali.

Kreuziger will be the go to man for GC and he should be.

Pick your podium and runners up to Contador from these guys:
Samu, Menchov, Schleck 1 and 2. Forget Gesink, Lance, Levi, Basso, Kloden, Kreuziger and all the others. They'll be eaten alive in the Pyrenees by the first four I mentioned. Throw Evans into the mix and it will amount to nothing. Liquigas are not on home soil and the AFLD will be showing up to throw some extra heat on riders. Basso does not make the podium. He might steal 5th though, but has to beat the second group I mentioned. They could finish in any order. I forgot Wigans...hopefully he chokes big time and fades back into obscurity

Just to be fair Nibali has categorically denied ever seeing Ferrari and is still taking (last I heard) legal action against the newspaper and the team manager who claimed to have seen him training behind the car of Ferrari. Please note that is not a Ferrari car - now that would lead to enhanced performances or possibly death by motorised doping.
i don't understand why you feel Menchov should go well but i agree that Evans will and you forgot to mention Sastre who will do well in the last week.
As for the Schleck's if band of brothers is coming into it i will go for RK and IB against them' That said,as you say 5th and 6th spot are realistic, especially if they panic and decide to go for a stage win. But i hope they do attack at the right moments and let the other teams burn themselves out before they make their move - I think Basso has learnt a lot from this years Giro then again so has Evans and Wiggins - who can always move back to the obscruity of multi gold winning Olympian.
thanks

 

[Galic Ho]

Just to be fair Nibali has categorically denied ever seeing Ferrari and is still taking (last I heard) legal action against the newspaper and the team manager who claimed to have seen him training behind the car of Ferrari. Please note that is not a Ferrari car - now that would lead to enhanced performances or possibly death by motorised doping.
i don't understand why you feel Menchov should go well but i agree that Evans will and you forgot to mention Sastre who will do well in the last week.
As for the Schleck's if band of brothers is coming into it i will go for RK and IB against them' That said,as you say 5th and 6th spot are realistic, especially if they panic and decide to go for a stage win. But i hope they do attack at the right moments and let the other teams burn themselves out before they make their move - I think Basso has learnt a lot from this years Giro then again so has Evans and Wiggins - who can always move back to the obscruity of multi gold winning Olympian.
thanks

Actually it was a moped, better known as a Scooter. Ferrari's noggin was clearly visible to Ivano Fanini, who made the claims. He double checked with Liquigas management to confirm whether Franco and Vincenzo had been near Livigno training. They had been. Nibali is trying to save face. Pellizotti's BioPassport irregularities speak for themself.

Yes Wigans can go back to the track. It is where he belongs. Maybe he can become the super domestic for whoever Sky picks to steal from Liquigas...Nibali or Kreuziger.

Menchov always does well in one GT. Forget his mistakes at the Tour. It is his numbers from the Giro that suggest he can perform very well, as long as he stays upright and banishes the nerves. One bad day and his Tour will be over, or so history suggests. He has to reverse that luck. He has the ability, but does he have the will? We'll find out. He is also fresh. Basso isn't. Only Kreuziger is and until Roman performs at a GT, I will always rate Dennis to do better overall than him.

Carlos...I like Carlos. Nice guy, good rider. I thought he'd win this years Giro and he had a horrible first week. I no longer expect anything. Hope he does well though. He certainly can challenge, but I'd put him about where Lance's group will be...maybe a little further behind.

I like your direct approach

Samu is not rated by most on here and your assertion for Menchov over Gesink is interesting given the woeful form of Menchov this year.

I would like to add Rodriguez into the mix. And, god bless him, Carlos

I did not watch the Tour de Suisse. Heck, until yesterday I assumed Gesink had won. I've gotten into debates (heated at times) with the Dutch fans on this site about their boy. Even I didn't think he could lose that race. He did. I'd put Gesink somewhere near Le Mevel and Rogers. They may surprise and sneak a place near 10th. Same with Luis Leon Sanchez...but I won't hold my breath. They need to do it first before I can look at a race (GT) in advance and expect something from them in terms of high GC placement. Despite Rogers having a very good year, he cannot top 5 at the TdF. Evans can, sadly for Mick, he cannot...unless everyone falls down and he gets a new team.

As for Rodriguez...he is Katusha's best bet. I really like his riding. He will do well if his form is good. Better than Kolobnev and Ignatiev will do. I'd rate Rodriguez equal 5th, maybe 4th best Spanish rider overall. Which naturally puts him in good company.

If Samu can finish close to Valverde and just in front of Evans, despite falling in last years Vuelta, then for me he can certainly challenge for a podium.

I would not be surprised if both Schleck's made the podium this year. Who'd have thought Franck would win the Tour de Suisse? Not me.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Lulu will not be a GC contender but potentially has the chops to be up in the lower end of the top 10 like Tiralongo in last year's Vuelta or Kreuziger in the Tour just by hanging on; I get the impression that rather than wheelsuck his way to about 10th he'd rather drop time and go stagehunting from a decent position rather like Astarloza last year. He could go for the Radioshack approach, but Lulu as a rider and Caisse as a team aren't the type to race that conservatively.

 

[rhubroma]

Wasn't he their "leader' or "co-leader" at last year's Tour with Nibali, while Pellizoti was given free reign to pursue the KOM jersey? Or was it that Pelli lost so much time early in the race that it freed him to chase the KOM?

That's right Pelli was iffy from the start as a GC contender. If things went well then the team would have worked for him, if not, then he just rides pace for a hard stage to exit the GC classification and then rides for the polka dot jersey. Nibali started even with Pelli, while Kreuziger was always the "back-up."

Basso if he is as good as at the Giro will finish on the podium this year, wait and see.

 

[Anonymous]

That's right Pelli was iffy from the start as a GC contender. If things went well then the team would have worked for him, if not, then he just rides pace for a hard stage to exit the GC classification and then rides for the polka dot jersey. Nibali started even with Pelli, while Kreuziger was always the "back-up."

Basso if he is as good as at the Giro will finish on the podium this year, wait and see.

I am going out on that limb with you. I think Basso will podium, and I think he will challenge more strongly than Schlecklet or Frank. I realize the Giro/Tour double is incredibly difficult, but I think Basso might ride better with less "preparation" than most other riders would, and because of the microscope on doping at the Tour, I think we will see a cleaner Tour this year.

 

[Oldman]

I am going out on that limb with you. I think Basso will podium, and I think he will challenge more strongly than Schlecklet or Frank. I realize the Giro/Tour double is incredibly difficult, but I think Basso might ride better with less "preparation" than most other riders would, and because of the microscope on doping at the Tour, I think we will see a cleaner Tour this year.

I didn't read much of this thread but agree with you. Plus Basso seems like a good candidate to screw with Contador on the big climbs.

 

[BroDeal]

I am going out on that limb with you. I think Basso will podium, and I think he will challenge more strongly than Schlecklet or Frank. I realize the Giro/Tour double is incredibly difficult, but I think Basso might ride better with less "preparation" than most other riders would, and because of the microscope on doping at the Tour, I think we will see a cleaner Tour this year.

I don't know. Basso's time trialing has decreased enough that I would not be surprised to see the Schlecklet beat Basso in the long time trial. The Tour climbs do not seem favorable to Basso's style of climbing. It took half the Zoncolan for him to crack Evans. I think Evans will do better than Basso.

 

[Cobblestones]

It's really hard to predict. Either one (or both) could still be suffering too much from the Giro to make a top ten. Still, I would give the advantage to Basso, because of the psychological effect of actually winning the Giro.

At this point, I think the biggest mystery is going to be Schlecklet/Bertie. Neither has been peaking so far, so it's going to be interesting how they timed it.

 

[Oldman]

I don't know. Basso's time trialing has decreased enough that I would not be surprised to see the Schlecklet beat Basso in the long time trial. The Tour climbs do not seem favorable to Basso's style of climbing. It took half the Zoncolan for him to crack Evans. I think Evans will do better than Basso.

Even with the allegedly advanced medical scrutiny? I think Basso would "naturally" fare better than the rest under those circumstances. Just a hunch.

 

[this_is_edie]

I am going out on that limb with you. I think Basso will podium, and I think he will challenge more strongly than Schlecklet or Frank. I realize the Giro/Tour double is incredibly difficult, but I think Basso might ride better with less "preparation" than most other riders would, and because of the microscope on doping at the Tour, I think we will see a cleaner Tour this year.

Heck I agree with you:

1. Contador
2. Basso
3. A Schleck

 

[rhubroma]

I don't know. Basso's time trialing has decreased enough that I would not be surprised to see the Schlecklet beat Basso in the long time trial. The Tour climbs do not seem favorable to Basso's style of climbing. It took half the Zoncolan for him to crack Evans. I think Evans will do better than Basso.

Evans can't climb with this Basso at the Tour either, Bro. Ivan at the Giro-Vuelta last year was either a "clean" exception, or merely an exception. Evans had exploited being in competition primarily with Flandis, Sastre, Leipheimer, and the Shlecks during his best Tours. Last year he was nowhere. I don't expect him on the podium. Sorry.

I do agree, however, that Basso's biggest handicap is the time trial. This could do him in.

 

[Zen Master]

Evans can't climb with this Basso at the Tour either, Bro. Ivan at the Giro-Vuelta last year was either a "clean" exception, or merely an exception. Evans had exploited being in competition primarily with Flandis, Sastre, Leipheimer, and the Shlecks during his best Tours. Last year he was nowhere. I don't expect him on the podium. Sorry.

I do agree, however, that Basso's biggest handicap is the time trial. This could do him in.

I couldn't agree with you more...

1. Contador
2. Basso
3. A Schleck

+1

 

[dancing on pedals]

Actually it was a moped, better known as a Scooter. Ferrari's noggin was clearly visible to Ivano Fanini, who made the claims. He double checked with Liquigas management to confirm whether Franco and Vincenzo had been near Livigno training. They had been. Nibali is trying to save face. Pellizotti's BioPassport irregularities speak for themself.
Well a moped and a Scooter are two different vehicles - are you telling me that Ferrari is aiming for derny racing results or is he pushing for a mod revival? That said, if life was fair, which is about as likely as scooters being mopeds, he would be in gaol now.[/BAs for Fanini, I am not knowledgable on the Catholic Church so no comment.

Yes Wigans can go back to the track. It is where he belongs. Maybe he can become the super domestic for whoever Sky picks to steal from Liquigas...Nibali or Kreuziger.
I think they will go for Giovanni Visconti.

Menchov always does well in one GT. Forget his mistakes at the Tour. It is his numbers from the Giro that suggest he can perform very well, as long as he stays upright and banishes the nerves. One bad day and his Tour will be over, or so history suggests. He has to reverse that luck. He has the ability, but does he have the will? We'll find out. He is also fresh. Basso isn't. Only Kreuziger is and until Roman performs at a GT, I will always rate Dennis to do better overall than him.
Fair comment but Menchov seems to have picked up the mantle left by Alex Zulle, has the ability to crash at the most odd moment.



Carlos...I like Carlos. Nice guy, good rider. I thought he'd win this years Giro and he had a horrible first week. I no longer expect anything. Hope he does well though. He certainly can challenge, but I'd put him about where Lance's group will be...maybe a little further behind.

[i tend to agree, but the last week must be like a moth to the flame for him,he has the ability and i think the right build up and more importantly the desire, it is realistically his last chance and i think he feels he has not been properly respected for his acievements so far. So I rate him above Menchov, since when Menchov makes his move he will probably crash, Sastre will always come out fighting.
thanks
/B]

 

[issoisso]

Ivan at the Giro-Vuelta last year was either a "clean" exception, or merely an exception.

It was typical of a guy just coming back from a long layoff. Armstrong, Fignon, Hinault, Lemond. None of them managed top form in their first season back.
For example, few people remember that after an entire year of training and racing, Lance only placed 4th at the Vuelta in 98.