who is gonna win the white jersey in the tour de france

[trevim]

Rolland didn't come out of nowhere. Those names you mention, EBH, Gautier... they would be huge surprises. Rolland was actually known as a big climbing talent.

Regardless of what were the prospects for Rolland in his career, he went from getting beaten by Paulinho and Kyrienka (2010 to Gap) to beat Contador, Sanchez and Schleck on Alpe d' Huez. I would call it a surprise. Still, I love his style on the bike and I hope he's in super form.

 

[theyoungest]

Regardless of what were the prospects for Rolland in his career, he went from getting beaten by Paulinho and Kyrienka (2010 to Gap) to beat Contador, Sanchez and Schleck on Alpe d' Huez. I would call it a surprise. Still, I love his style on the bike and I hope he's in super form.

I don't think many people listed him as a white jersey favourite, that's true, but with a top-10 in the Dauphine under his belt, and top-15 in Paris-Nice, he had at least shown some stage racing talent.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Regardless of what were the prospects for Rolland in his career, he went from getting beaten by Paulinho and Kyrienka (2010 to Gap) to beat Contador, Sanchez and Schleck on Alpe d' Huez. I would call it a surprise. Still, I love his style on the bike and I hope he's in super form.

context tho. Contador was far from hi best, and he and schleck had been in a break all day.

Really Rolland was a big prospect for a long time, last year for me was more of a "well it's about time..." then a "rolland.. wth?" situation.

 

[TeoSheva]

Now I know Wiggo won a sprint in Romandie, but..

and Cav won the GC of ZLM Toer

 

[LaFlorecita]

Probably said something nice about the Schlecks.

Come come don't be so mean. I already explained. I am not as superficial as you think I am.

 

[Der Effe]

Come come don't be so mean. I already explained. I am not as superficial as you think I am.

It was a bit cheap, but whenever I can make a (bad) joke I can't help myself and have to do it. My sincere apologies.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Sky bring in Uran or Henao, and go for all the jerseys

Uran - White
Cav - Yellow
Wiggins - Green
Froome - Mountains
Eisel - Lanterne Rouge

Nah it will by Eddie the Boss in the mountains jersey.

 

[The_Z_man]

Pierre Rolland is still eligible right? If Voeckler does not ride I would be interested to see how he goes.

I have no idea who might win white, but I do want to say that this is the best username on here!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

White jersey contenders:

BMC: Van Garderen
Cofidis: Taaramae
Fdjeux: Pinot? (Jeanneson too old)
Rabobank: Kruijswijk
Sky: Uran?
Argos: Geniez?


other selections are too vague, will add more to the list later

 

[Thibaut Pinot]

Does anyone have some info about Taaramae? After he broke his elbow, does he still have ambitions for a GC, or what? A month ago I read an article in which he noted that it's possible that he'll only ride the Vuelta and not the Tour this year. Any updates?

 

[Von Mises]

Does anyone have some info about Taaramae? After he broke his elbow, does he still have ambitions for a GC, or what? A month ago I read an article in which he noted that it's possible that he'll only ride the Vuelta and not the Tour this year. Any updates?

He rode Dauphine, but was poor. He wrote in his blog afters stages 1 and 2, that does not feel good: no power, no endurance. But after stages 6 and 7 he wrote that he is feeling a bit better. Considering his last race was P-N and after this he battled mono and broke his arm, it is no surprise.

I think that he will start with GC ambitions, but if form is not good enaough, goes for stage hunting.

 

[killswitch]

He rode Dauphine, but was poor. He wrote in his blog afters stages 1 and 2, that does not feel good: no power, no endurance. But after stages 6 and 7 he wrote that he is feeling a bit better. Considering his last race was P-N and after this he battled mono and broke his arm, it is no surprise.

I think that he will start with GC ambitions, but if form is not good enaough, goes for stage hunting.

And maybe for KOM? KOM battle will probably be the only interesting competition in the Tour this year.

 

[TheEnoculator]

Kruijswijk. This guy finished 8th overall in probably the hardest Giro in history. Even if he has to work for Gesink/Mollema, he still will have his own chances.

Rabo is putting all their eggs into one basket for this Tour. Let's hope it'll work out.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Grey Jersey:
1) Chris Horner
2) Jens Voigt
3) Andreas Kloden

 

[Kazistuta]

Kruijswijk. This guy finished 8th overall in probably the hardest Giro in history. Even if he has to work for Gesink/Mollema, he still will have his own chances.

Rabo is putting all their eggs into one basket for this Tour. Let's hope it'll work out.

One basket???

As far as I've read the three guys are starting at equal terms. My pre-race fave is Kruijswijk as well, but I'm gonna throw a potential first-timer in the mix: Thibaut Pinot - he might surprise us come July.

 

[roundabout]

I don't think Pinot is starting. Maybe Jeanneson's problems will open up a spot for him, but I have my doubts.

 

[TheEnoculator]

One basket???

As far as I've read the three guys are starting at equal terms. My pre-race fave is Kruijswijk as well, but I'm gonna throw a potential first-timer in the mix: Thibaut Pinot - he might surprise us come July.

Perhaps I should clarify.

Rabo is a WorldTour Team. They need points to keep their licence. They go to all three GTs automatically. They already left the Giro with no points, and if you have three GC talents on the team, you might want to spread them out to try and gain points, like they did last year.

 

[killswitch]

Kruijswik.
Wildcard - Rafael Majka (if he starts).

 

[martyfulu]

I don't think Pinot is starting. Maybe Jeanneson's problems will open up a spot for him, but I have my doubts.

what happened him on the last day of the suisse. he was tenth then he Dnf along with a load of other FDJ guys.

 

[roundabout]

He had a heat stroke on the stage to Arosa.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Perhaps I should clarify.

Rabo is a WorldTour Team. They need points to keep their licence. They go to all three GTs automatically. They already left the Giro with no points, and if you have three GC talents on the team, you might want to spread them out to try and gain points, like they did last year.

The World Tour license is based on Rider value points. Not World tour points only. The RiderValue ranking is a lot like the CQ ranking

Rabobank score more than enough points in all races (WT+CT) to ensure a WT license. For example winning races like California ensures a lot of RV (=ridervalue) points...

Nice argument, but many people still don't understand that the WT ranking is not the same as the (invisible) RiderValue ranking used by the UCI to determine sportive results.

 

[Kazistuta]

I don't think Pinot is starting. Maybe Jeanneson's problems will open up a spot for him, but I have my doubts.

Pinot is still very young, but I think it would be wise of FDJ to give him a GT this year (his third as pro). Haven't heard anything about a potential FDJ-lineup, though.

EDIT: Just found an interview with him stating that he doesn't care if he goes to Le Tour or La Vuelta, but he wants to take on a grand tour this year: http://www.thibaut-pinot.com/spip.php?article49

Perhaps I should clarify.

Rabo is a WorldTour Team. They need points to keep their licence. They go to all three GTs automatically. They already left the Giro with no points, and if you have three GC talents on the team, you might want to spread them out to try and gain points, like they did last year.

I see your point now

Kruijswik.
Wildcard - Rafael Majka (if he starts).

He won't - should've had the chance in the giro, but an injury kept him from going. That injury is still a problem, hence he won't get selected.

 

[roundabout]

I think the plan for Pinot is to do the Vuelta.

 

[Kazistuta]

...Which should suit his abilities better anyway

 

[LaFleur]

Taaramäe's ambitions haven't changed, he still wants the GC and the white jersey, we should see something about his form in the next few days when he competes in the Estonian Championships against Tanel Kangert who won the last stage of Tour de Suisse.

By the way LaFlorecita, I think you should dislike Taaramäe, he has expressed his dislike for Albert Contador