Who's the suprise package?

[oncehadhair]

Where - TdF? Michael Rogers?

yeah, hope so too

 

[Libertine Seguros]

He's a hack! He got all of his times in breakaways!

What about the '08 Giro then?

 

[Carl0880]

I got one possibility, Ruben Plaza for Caisse. He finished 5th in his only Grand Tour, eventhough it was the Vuelta. He rides for a team that has no true leader with Valverde suspended, and he could get a leash to be in mountain breakaway, and his is only 30 years old. Also a decent TT,.

I didn't know he was even in the race till i saw him with a Top 20 finish in teh Prologue.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Rémy Di Gregorio

someone says this every year

Might as well throw rolland in the hat too

---

*hoping that Jurgen VdB beat's evans*

 

[Thee_chisa]

geraint thomas is sounding confidant

 

[The Hitch]

for me, armstrong is looking like the big surprise. i mean i knew he was going to get a ferrari engine, but wooosh, he came 4th in a tt, above all his rivals.

 

[gingerwallaceafro]

surprise in top3:
-Brajkovic


surprises in top 10:
-Jesus Hernandez
-Ryder Hesjedal
-Le Mevel

Seconded, Brajkovic for me.

 

[blaxland]

someone says this every year

Might as well throw rolland in the hat too

---

*hoping that Jurgen VdB beat's evans*

I think Rolland could be a chance....But J.Van Den Breakaway wont finish in the top 10 thus wont beat Evans...I know your happy Timmy(RE;World cup sucess)but what has Jurgen shown so far this year?Results wise?

 

[DamonAlbarn]

A. Schleck reckons Gesink can get in the top 3

Which would be a bit of a surprise if you ask me.
Another huge prospect is of course Brajkovic, Top 10 perhaps?
Chris Anker Sorensen is convinced Fuglasang is Top 10 material, but that depends of coruse what plans the Saxo's have for him.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I got one possibility, Ruben Plaza for Caisse. He finished 5th in his only Grand Tour, eventhough it was the Vuelta. He rides for a team that has no true leader with Valverde suspended, and he could get a leash to be in mountain breakaway, and his is only 30 years old. Also a decent TT,.

I didn't know he was even in the race till i saw him with a Top 20 finish in teh Prologue.

Plaza's actually a very good TTer. However, his 5th in the Vuelta was whilst riding for Comunidad Valenciana (i.e. ex-Kelme) in 2005. I think with WADA and AFLD on the case, Plaza's contributions will be mostly from breakaways once we get deep into the race.

 

[tgsgirl]

I think Rolland could be a chance....But J.Van Den Breakaway wont finish in the top 10 thus wont beat Evans...I know your happy Timmy(RE;World cup sucess)but what has Jurgen shown so far this year?Results wise?

Second in the Ruta del sol, 10th in Pais Vasco, top 20 in all three of the hilly classics and fourth in the Dauphiné. Which is more than Rolland.

 

[spaceboy]

CVV lost a lot of time today so this give RH a lot more freedom and with Farrar getting x-rays, who knows. It looks good for my surprise choice.

 

[Bumeington]

Geraint Thomas - Similar pursuit times to Wiggins, not quite as tall but couple of kilos lighter. Same engine, less weight = ?

 

[Carlo Algatrensig]

Geraint Thomas - Similar pursuit times to Wiggins, not quite as tall but couple of kilos lighter. Same engine, less weight = ?

Still only 23 years old so possibly open to a greater amount of improvement than Wiggins as he's switched his focus to the road earlier than Wiggins did.

 

[dancing on pedals]

this has probably been said before but Roche is riding a good race so far - so i will pick him as a (sort of ) surprise
thanks

 

[Colm.Murphy]

Ryder Hesjedal - Zabriskie does not have any leadership ability. With CVV out, there is a void in the GC spot. I think Ryder is a superior racer at the Tour.

Vino - With Contador in a focus to win, it could be Vino can sneak into the top 5 in the last week. Should Contador be under pressure and need to rely on his team, this could change but I don't see Contador needing too much assistance once it goes vertical.

 

[euanli]

Vaughters has already said he thinks Ryder will be top five. though he said earlier the season the Z would surprise people at the Tour

 

[larryduff]

this has probably been said before but Roche is riding a good race so far - so i will pick him as a (sort of ) surprise
thanks

Yeah its been great to see him do so well and fact he is in 11th now is great. He is 9/1 still to get a top ten. Said at the start that top 15 place would be great and if he can perform in mountains that is a target he may achieve.

 

[sublimit]

Geraint Thomas - Similar pursuit times to Wiggins, not quite as tall but couple of kilos lighter. Same engine, less weight = ?

the G-Man could be ultimatley be a better rider in the next couple of years. He seems to have real horsepower.

 

[Kerbdog]

Im gonna go with Roche too. The fact im Irish has nothing to do with it.
But he is doing a seriously good race so far & he has family pedigree.