Tour de France - any predictions?

[Dan B]

I, too, haven't found it boring at all. Bubbling everywhere with little soap operas springing up.

Will Thor crash the Aussie party? Did Iban go home in a rubber truck? Will Floyd jump ship? Did Heras add a reverse gear? What of the amazing disappearing Simoni? What drugs did Walter Godefroot take to leave Cadel Evans off in favour of Zabel and Botero?

Then there's Basso's mother, Tugboat's cancer, the ASO being above the law, French pride (Voeckler and Virenque), spitting, xenophobia, cobbles, rain, horrendous helmet hair, technical hits and misses, and cows in the road ...

I find it interesting that LA peaked physically in 2001, yet he's able to maintain a level above that of any other cyclist. And yes, he does focus on one race above all else, but that's still impressive. He hasn't soloed off the front yet: teamwork means he hasn't needed to.

The Postal team is all on the same page. Incredible how they're able to drive the pace from the front like that, to stay out of trouble and force everyone else to react. Azevedo in the Alpe d'Huez TT and Landis yesterday show how strong the unit is individually. They all deserve their share of the winner's cheque.

Kloeden has been a revelation, a rouleur with TT skillz. Basso has been itching for this opportunity for years with Fassa Bortolo, and with CSC has finally got it. I think those two could be at each other's wheels for the next few years. CSC is the team of the future.

And Ullrich has shot himself in the foot again, losing too much weight too fast and attacking on a hiding to nothing.

Jan focuses his entire year around the Tour too, but it just goes to prove how vigilant Lance is with his season prep, taking everything into account, be it weight, tactics, terrain or mechanical matters, and never lets a thing slip before or on the day.

Not boring at all!

[David Lombari]

Maybe boring wasn't the right word. Maybe the phrase I should have used was anti-climax.
It's still the Tour De France in all it's splendour but I thought this one was going to be more competetive than last year's. There seemed to be so many genuinely strong overall contenders but they've all fallen by the wayside (some literally).

[David Lombari]

Dan,
You didn't mention Vladamir Karpets! With him and Brochard maybe there should be a Malliot Mullet.

[Elliot M]

Re Tyler and Tugboat

Heartrending stuff. Have a box of tissues ready.

http://www.velonews.com/diaries/rider/a ... 639.0.html

[David Lombari]

Actually that was quite moving. Nice to have another use for a box of Kleenex when I'm on the internet!
Another scandal is breaking.......
http://www.secretsofthepeloton.com/newshoundfashion.htm

[Daren L]

Yes, I've waited for a little while, but I now feel able to give my prediction:
I predict that Lance Armstrong will win the tour this year. Oh, and if I go out on a limb: Basso will clinch second.