Yellow in Paris

[Midnightfright]

Why can't I root for Contador. He is a specimen of a cyclist, he seems grounded, and generally likable. For some reason I cannot cheer for him.

My hopes for this years tour is that someone new steals yellow. Such as Jani, Wiggins, or {insert name here}.

I am sad no one will make an obscure prediction. Seems everyone is following suite with the Andy/Contador safe bet.

Ok I will help u out with the obscure bet, on stage 12 vasili kiryenka, amets txurruka, jimmy engoulvent will form a breakaway early whilst all being about 30 minutes down on the GC. Due to a mix up with timeboards these will actually be allowed to gain an advantage of over an hour and will manage to win the stage by 53 minutes due to saxo and leopard looking at each to work. That time gained will be too much for anyone else to bridge before the the final stage in Paris so Kiriyenka takes yellow, with Amets finishing 2nd and tony Martin 3rd ( pipping Engoulvent with some stellar solo attacks in the remaining mountain stages)

 

[Pantani_lives]

I don't believe anyone from RadioShack can win. Leipheimer, Klöden and Horner are too old; and Brajkovic has never made the top ten yet.

 

[2wheels]

Much as it kills me to say anything nice about Radio Shack, I really like Horner and Leipheimer's chances in this Tour. Contador doesn't have the team to chase down multiple attacks from those two and Kloden, and Bruyneel, like him or not, is smart enough to exploit it. Leopard Trek certainly has enough talent to do the same, but unless Andy and Frank stop holding hands and learn to attack, I fear that the Shack of Evil might steal this one.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Much as it kills me to say anything nice about Radio Shack, I really like Horner and Leipheimer's chances in this Tour. Contador doesn't have the team to chase down multiple attacks from those two and Kloden, and Bruyneel, like him or not, is smart enough to exploit it. Leopard Trek certainly has enough talent to do the same, but unless Andy and Frank stop holding hands and learn to attack, I fear that the Shack of Evil might steal this one.

Contador's team might turn out to be stronger than many people expect. The two Sörensens for example are good helpers.

 

[peloton]

Contador's team might turn out to be stronger than many people expect. The two Sörensens for example are good helpers.

Just like happened last year with Astana....

 

[ferryman]

Much as it kills me to say anything nice about Radio Shack, I really like Horner and Leipheimer's chances in this Tour. Contador doesn't have the team to chase down multiple attacks from those two and Kloden, and Bruyneel, like him or not, is smart enough to exploit it. Leopard Trek certainly has enough talent to do the same, but unless Andy and Frank stop holding hands and learn to attack, I fear that the Shack of Evil might steal this one.

Multiple attacks Believe me, you really really have nothing to fear here

 

[Publicus]

Much as it kills me to say anything nice about Radio Shack, I really like Horner and Leipheimer's chances in this Tour. Contador doesn't have the team to chase down multiple attacks from those two and Kloden, and Bruyneel, like him or not, is smart enough to exploit it. Leopard Trek certainly has enough talent to do the same, but unless Andy and Frank stop holding hands and learn to attack, I fear that the Shack of Evil might steal this one.

I'm going to say that even if both attacked, Contador won't be chasing. AC will likely move when Andy or Frank moves. More to the point, the only one of the two you noted that MIGHT attack is Horner. And again, he's more of a threat to Andy (he can TT better than Andy), than he is to Alberto.

 

[c&cfan]

I'm going to say that even if both attacked, Contador won't be chasing. AC will likely move when Andy or Frank moves. More to the point, the only one of the two you noted that MIGHT attack is Horner. And again, he's more of a threat to Andy (he can TT better than Andy), than he is to Alberto.

question...

is it right to say that contador has to win this tour?that contador is the man to beat? it's obvious who is better as cyclist, but for me the one that has to win and is the man to beat is andy.

andy's season has one goal, the tour. look to what contador has already won and the way he did. he must feel free, without pressure... at least less pressure than that that andy has to feel.---this is another reason that makes me believe that andy will lost more than the tour this year, besides the fact that conti is better uphill, downhill, TT, flat and unlike andy, he can suffer like hell!

 

[Angliru]

question...

is it right to say that contador has to win this tour?that contador is the man to beat? it's obvious who is better as cyclist, but for me the one that has to win and is the man to beat is andy.

andy's season has one goal, the tour. look to what contador has already won and the way he did. he must feel free, without pressure... at least less pressure than that that andy has to feel.---this is another reason that makes me believe that andy will lost more than the tour this year, besides the fact that conti is better uphill, downhill, TT, flat and unlike andy, he can suffer like hell!

If Andy can't beat Contador after his having won an extremely mountainous Giro, then he really hasn't much hope of ever doing it. The spotlight and pressure is on Andy. How will he respond? He should be the favorite.

 

[Midnightfright]

question...

is it right to say that contador has to win this tour?that contador is the man to beat? it's obvious who is better as cyclist, but for me the one that has to win and is the man to beat is andy.

andy's season has one goal, the tour. look to what contador has already won and the way he did. he must feel free, without pressure... at least less pressure than that that andy has to feel.---this is another reason that makes me believe that andy will lost more than the tour this year, besides the fact that conti is better uphill, downhill, TT, flat and unlike andy, he can suffer like hell!

I agree with most of what your saying but do you honestly believe Andy has been able to finish 2nd in the tour twice to one of the greatest stage racers who has ever lived and not be able to suffer?

 

[CatsNK]

If it's AS I'm going to kill myself. OK, maybe not. But nearly all the joy in watching this race will be washed away. The only pleasure left will be (hopefully) watching Vino do *something*.

AC was pretty incredible in the Giro. If he has that form in France, I don't see anyone hanging with him.

 

[Publicus]

question...

is it right to say that contador has to win this tour?that contador is the man to beat? it's obvious who is better as cyclist, but for me the one that has to win and is the man to beat is andy.

andy's season has one goal, the tour. look to what contador has already won and the way he did. he must feel free, without pressure... at least less pressure than that that andy has to feel.---this is another reason that makes me believe that andy will lost more than the tour this year, besides the fact that conti is better uphill, downhill, TT, flat and unlike andy, he can suffer like hell!

I agree with you. Pressure is all on Andy. AC just won his 6th GT in seven starts. Andy is 0 for whatever (4?) and has to live up to his designation of the second best stage racer in the world at some point. The fact that he's talking about dropping his chain and AC not waiting while he sorted it out, underscores the pressure he is under--he should have LONG ago let that go.

This is his best chance to win IMO, but its going to take him getting out of his own way (mentally) to do it.

 

[Hinault en jaune]

On the other hand Contador wouldn't like to finish second, and have a Fignon-like season. People only remember the Tour.

 

[inri2000]

On the other hand Contador wouldn't like to finish second, and have a Fignon-like season. People only remember the Tour.

Considering how much scrutiny Contador has been under that is a pretty laughable statement

 

[c&cfan]

Considering how much scrutiny Contador has been under that is a pretty laughable statement

even if contador stays out of the podium, will it be disappointing? look to his season..his wins..the pressure he felt.. isn't that enough? i believe that he already has enough results this year. even if andy wins the tour there's no one with brain in this planet that is going to say that andy is better cyclist or stage racer, no one.

having said this, relax contador... take it day by day and if you can let me have something to tell to my kids in the future: "i wish that you were able to saw him race.,."

 

[Gubby Allen]

Not the two horse race many are suggesting - you can find some potential concerns with either this year, nonetheless:

1 - Contador
2 - Horner
3 - A Schleck

4- Evans, 5- Gesink, 6- Sanchez, 7- Levi, 8-TVG/Coppell, 9-Brad, 10-TVG/Coppell.

JVDB & the other 2 shacks will be in the top 15, don't fancy Basso or Frank at all this year, surprised they have votes at all.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If Horner finishes 2nd I'll send you $50

 

[Havetts]

If Horner finishes second I'll pay whatever to get some of that beetroot juice of his.

 

[blaxland]

question...

is it right to say that contador has to win this tour?that contador is the man to beat? it's obvious who is better as cyclist, but for me the one that has to win and is the man to beat is andy.

andy's season has one goal, the tour. look to what contador has already won and the way he did. he must feel free, without pressure... at least less pressure than that that andy has to feel.---this is another reason that makes me believe that andy will lost more than the tour this year, besides the fact that conti is better uphill, downhill, TT, flat and unlike andy, he can suffer like hell!

Spot on c&cfan...I would dare say if Andy doesnt win this TDF,he might not ever?(if contador is riding ofcourse)Lets see if he can stuff up another TDF?

 

[Parrulo]

Not the two horse race many are suggesting - you can find some potential concerns with either this year, nonetheless:

1 - Contador
2 - Horner
3 - A Schleck

4- Evans, 5- Gesink, 6- Sanchez, 7- Levi, 8-TVG/Coppell, 9-Brad, 10-TVG/Coppell.

JVDB & the other 2 shacks will be in the top 15, don't fancy Basso or Frank at all this year, surprised they have votes at all.

oh my got to love july

 

[khardung la]

If Horner finishes second I'll pay whatever to get some of that beetroot juice of his.

Really funny

 

[Jeanne]

2 - Horner

wow, imagine how many riders would have to drop out of the race to make this happen

 

[hrotha]

Actually, I'm afraid Horner might podium, just as I was afraid Rujano would podium at the Giro. And here, "afraid" is to be taken completely literally.

 

[Walkman]

I'd say Evans.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I agree with you. Pressure is all on Andy. AC just won his 6th GT in seven starts. Andy is 0 for whatever (4?)

6, I think. 1 Giro, 3 Tours, 2 Vueltas.