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Who's the suprise package?

May 10, 2010
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Which rider do people think is going to completely take us all by surprise and go top 5 or podium who isn't one of the big names?
 
all the top gc contenders bar valverde are there so the top 5 is going to go to the selection of about 15 top riders whom we already know are contenders. i think kreuziger is the least known rider who can potentially get a top 5.
 
It obviously depends on Bruyneel not being wedded to the idea of the three senior citizens, but I would say Jani B could surprise a few folks. But that's a pretty big dependency that I don't have any faith will come true.
 
looking at last years surprise - wiggins, the only thing comparable this year would be cancellara suddenly learning how to climb and being the surprise. Maybe it will be riis's revenge on the schlecks. but unlikely.
 
Nov 17, 2009
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Well... not that I actually know who the riders are... but I'll go with some schmuck on Footon suprising. They're all new to the tour anyway... maybe one will actually be good.
 
If Gesink placing top5 is a surprise, that's my guess:cool:

Out of the lesser known riders I'd say Dries Devenyns is in for a good tour. Rein Taaramae and Rui Costa should be given free reigns and it'll be interesting to see hw they fare...
 
Jun 25, 2009
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I think Mick Rogers may podium.
As far as I remember he was well situated in the GC and on a break in the Alps with Rasmussen but crashed on a descent. Rasmussen went on to get yellow that day...
His ToC form was good too.
 
Rogers will never stay on the final podium of the Tour. He's just not consistent enough in the mountains. One day, fine, but not for three weeks.

Hey, but that's maybe why you call it a surprise;)
 
Apr 1, 2009
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Libertine Seguros said:
Joaquím Rodríguez. He'll be 3rd or 4th, then drop three places in the final ITT.

Isn't he supposed to ride the Vuelta later? I think he won't go for the GC at the Tour, but rather target stages and KOM.

Fedrigo to top 10:eek:
 
Rein Taaramae is a good shout indeed. My only worry is how he will go in the firat week and the final time trial.

He may do very well in one of the mountain stages though and pick up a stage victory.
 
Jan 30, 2010
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I didn't have the cohones to tip them in my top 10, but any one of these four, in order of most likely to least likely to surprise:

Fugslang
Dan Martin (is he racing?)
Tony Martin
Dave Zabriskie
 
SpartacusRox said:
Tony Martin
Where Rodriguez can profit from a climb like Mende, Martin will get slaughtered on those inclines over 10 %. He'll probably have to make up a lot of time in the closing TT, which of course is tailor made for him.

And to the guy who picked the other Martin, Dan: he isn't racing. But even if he were, he's incredibly inconsistent.
 
Oct 25, 2009
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On the basis he is not already one of the favourites (or even if he is it would surprise greatly anyway) -- Mick Rogers
 
May 29, 2010
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Gesink has a real chance of top 10 maybe even higher.Looks like a good climber and Rabobank seem to have a pretty strong team this year!
 
Mar 10, 2009
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Brice FEILLU if he was in it, but unfortunately he joined the wrong team. Probably Tony Martin is my guess to suprise.