Who would you put your money on, Valverde or Baby Schleck?

[Offtheback]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-believes-he-can-win-the-tour-de-france

That would be a duel I hadn't yet considered for the TdeF

 

[cineteq]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-believes-he-can-win-the-tour-de-france

That would be a duel I hadn't yet considered for the TdeF

None of them will win, but if I have to choose one, then Valverde by a mile!

 

[More Strides than Rides]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-believes-he-can-win-the-tour-de-france

That would be a duel I hadn't yet considered for the TdeF

It may be a different story with bonus seconds on the line, but I don't see it, especially this year. Although, we haven't seen any high mountain climbing out of Valverde this year (or many others, for that matter).

I'm not going to disagree with his perspective though; it doesn't do anyone any good to concede before the race even starts

 

[DominicDecoco]

Andy is the better climber, on the better team and with equally poor TT abilities he edges it and claiming a great top 7 overall. Well done...

 

[Benotti69]

I thought Sky has already bought this years TdF

 

[hrotha]

For the Tour, Andy. For every other race in the world or for any other endeavour in general, Valverde.

 

[Old School]

Valverde....he's got heart.

 

[Alpechraxler]

The problem with the tour this year is that people tend to underestimate the amout of climbing and the possibilities to gain time on evans, wiggans. Just because there is a lot of TT km, that doesn't mean that wiggins will not crank if he is consecutively attacked by Schleck and Valverde as soon as the gradients are above 7 %

And Valverde will climb well, he's leaner.

 

[birthmark]

It may be a different story with bonus seconds on the line, but I don't see it, especially this year. Although, we haven't seen any high mountain climbing out of Valverde this year (or many others, for that matter).

I'm not going to disagree with his perspective though; it doesn't do anyone any good to concede before the race even starts

Will there be bonus seconds? That could play a major role both for shleck and valverde.

 

[jens_attacks]

andy is better in the mountains by far especially those at high altitude.
i'd put my money on cobo though,he will again come under the radar if he's motivated,perfect for him.valverde leader just like menchov in the vuelta.

 

[airstream]

Uh, dear Alex, you can't imagine what pressure you'll be subjected to in the mountains... Valverde is likely a guy whose climbing skills are hyped most of all.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Considering the odds, definitely Valverde.

 

[movingtarget]

I think their chances are similar. Both will lose time in the TTs and have to gain time in the mountains. I would slightly favour Schleck to finish higher on GC.

 

[Ripper]

For le Tour, I would think Schlek over Valverde, simply because of the long climbs. In every other race, racing style, and panache, I'd bet on Valverde.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Considering the odds, definitely Valverde.

13/4 Andy, 20/1 Valverde.

Wouldn't go near either at those prices.

Clearly, Andy has far better chance though, even on this course.

 

[roundabout]

For le Tour, I would think Schlek over Valverde, simply because of the long climbs. In every other race, racing style, and panache, I'd bet on Valverde.

You have a strange definition of panache.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

13/4 Andy, 20/1 Valverde.

Wouldn't go near either at those prices.

Clearly, Andy has far better chance though, even on this course.

No, I wouldn't bet on either of them neither. But if I had to I would definitely rather put my money on Valverde at 20/1 than on Andy at 13/4.

 

[taiwan]

Schleck is the better climber and clearly has a better record at the Tour, but races are unpredictable, and Valverde is the better racer I believe. He'lll exploit any mistake or weakness. I could see him finding a way to win.

Valverde beat Evans in a GT before, and Evans beat Schleck. I know it doesn't work like that but it's conceivable.

 

[Ripper]

You have a strange definition of panache.

Keep in mind who the comparison is with.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

Too early to say for AV, I will wait to see if he has the chops in the June warm-ups but that is dreadful value for Schleck, on this parcours he should be much bigger.
Evans took the best part of 3 minutes off him in the TT last year and this time out there is more than double the TT kms and fewer big mountain stages. Bookies must be taking money on him from some quarters but its not a price I'd take.

 

[SimonC]

Neither as one can't TT and will never to able to and the other struggles in the high mountains. If i had to take one it would be Schleck.

 

[Sophistic]

We will see the same from Valverde, what we saw from Vino after his suspension, still enough snap to win on some short hills but not the endurance anymore to compete with the best on a long climb or a TT.

 

[airstream]

If we operate with the 2011 Tour TT, as a key factor why both can't TT, let's remember Albi.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Considering that Baby Schleck is going to end up domestiquing for Horner in July . . . .

But no, I don't see Valv winning the Tour either.

 

[The Hitch]

Obviously Schleck