The 2007 TdF starts in 11 days, and...
 

we still don't know who won the 2006 edition. How much longer does the panel from the Landis hearing plan to sit on their judgement? Wouldn't it be reasonable to expect that a decision could be reached far enough ahead of the 2007 start that the story wouldn't overshadow this year's race? Or do I ask too much?

The night before the start of the race we'll find out.

They'll give it to Ullrich and Basso in a tie.

so who are the current faves for the tour? it seems like a lot of the faves won't be able to race do to "issues"

Vinokourov is the heavy favorite.

If they'd already told us who they "think" won, they wouldn't be able to ruin two years of cycling.

I thought they said a month for a Landis decision?

My podium:

Valverde
Kloden
Contador


Vino will have his usual melt down on a mountain stage and Kloden will take over as team leader.

im not buying it, valverde doesnt like to finish tours

He finished the Vuelta last year.

I don't even think we know who's going to be starting this tour. The holdout to gather as much information as possible before disqualifying anyone is almost counterproductive in that they'll likely do the same thing as last year - anyone with the slightest question of doping will be kicked out of the Tour at the last minute. Surprisingly, they got it pretty right last year.

maybe even more than "pretty right" the confessions are still coming, some may take oh i dont know... 11 years

incorrect.

http://www.artasauthority.com/images/Landis.jpg

The 2007 edition could be just as flawed as the 2006. Why would anyone assume that this year's "winner" won't test hot or have some other issue which would mean another year of uncertainty.

I expect the Landis verdict to come in the shadow of some bigger sports story. In case of either verdict it is better for the authorities to bury this story as half of the people that care will be angry regardless of the outcome. As this past month has been slow for news the results of this case and the bizarre circus of the hearing could have certainly dominated the news (bad for everyone). Also, ASO might get angry at a cleared verdict and holding off on issuing it until after the start of this year's TdF might be good for US riders- who knows how ASO might react.