bianchi_rider

This is it, a little over two Months till the TDF.
What is your favorite team, do you think they will win and why.
Who would you like to see win and why.
As for me, My favorite team is probably T-Mobile or USPS... For the second part of this thread I would like to see Lance win #6, the reason why is obvious, but if he doesnt win I guess I would like to see Tyler Hamilton win tho I dont like his new team or colors...
ps I hope I spelled everyones names right, forgive me if I didnt and please dont discredit me.

bac

I would like to see Lance make history also, so my favorite team is Berry Floor (I've quit calling them the other name). However, if not Lance, these are my other choices:

1. Tyler Hamilton: Why? Did you see the 2003 Tdf? Nuff said.
2. Alexandre Vinokourov: If Jan slips just a bit, Vino will be ready!
3. Bobby Julich: Hey, what a story that would be! He's motivated, and could very well be the CSC GC contender.

townandcountry

Spelling okay, punctuation not. But I still like you.

My guess is Detroit Redwings or San Jose Sharks. Oops, wrong sport.

Okay, okay. Here goes. Same favorite teams. Those guys in pink are soooo cool. It takes a really manly man-type to wear pink. Yep, Lance for #6. I think he's going to have to work very hard for it, much more than last year.

That's it, that's all, folks.

auricpoe

My favorite team is USPS (just in case you dont see the image to the left)
I want Lance to get 6...it will probably be the toughest yet

My runners up are Tyler Hamilton and Ullrich(just cause he's come so close so many times)

Laggard

I predict that a lot of people will show up here who've been gone since the last TDF. Afterwards, they will quickly disappear.

My favorite team is Fdjeux.com

I don't know if I want Lance to win. If he does, people will think he's the greatest TDF rider ever.

brent_dube

I want to see Armstrong win.
I mostly want to see a 'good' race.
I don't mean 'good' as in a necessarily close race.
I don't want to see a dark horse win it because of a breakaway in the first two weeks that the peloton was too lazy to chase down.
I'd like to see time gaps in minutes, rather than seconds.
I want rain in the mountains. I want the race to blow apart in the mountains.
I hope that the flat TT has a winning time of well below 50km/h.
I wish that the TTT was under 30km. That would make sense, but I doubt that it will happen, ever.
Seeing how tough the Tour is now, and how its grown, I bet the racing for stage wins in the first two weeks will be very intense.
Will it snow in July again? We shall wait and see.

Grampy™

I think Lance will win #6, easily (I'm guessin' 5 min.). Beloki looks really suspect this year. That was a terrible crash to come back from in less than a year. Jan is riding like he is already beat. I don't think Tyler has the team necessary to win. Vino? Don't think so.... T-Mobile will all be working for Jan. Bobby? Maybe give a run for the podium. My order of finish:

1. Lance
2. Tyler
3. Bobby

OooOOoOOOooh The tour dominated by U.S. riders! Kewl!

Jakey

I think it will be

1. Lance
2. Heras
3. Tyler


Lance will win by a bigger margin than last year. Heras will destroy everyone in the mountains.

Laggard

You do know that there are non-american riders in the race, right?

Here's my out on a limb podium:

1. Armstrong
2. Mayo
3. Moreau

brent_dube

Why do you expect Moreau?
I'm just curious as I haven't heard much of him.

These are just wild guesses (though basic) but the three I would pick for the podium would be Mayo, Armstrong, and Ullrich.

bianchi_rider

You really think Ullrich will make the podium this year, I hear he is off to a very slow start.

slotibartfast

It would be great to see Lance win #6, but I don't know if my heart can take it. I was on the edge of my chair for most of the Tour last year. I feel Lance had a lot of bad luck to overcome last year and it doesn't look like Ullrich will be much of a threat if he doesn't get into shape really fast. My prediction for the podium in Paris:

1. Lance
2. Hincapie
3. Landis

Hey, I can dream, can't I? As for the OLN program following the Tour each night, I have to give the edge to the bulls. Can't wait for July.

TriDevil

1. Cipollini
2. Zabel
3. Petacchi
Whoops, sorry. I thought somebody asked what the podium would be if hell froze over!

Smoothie104

I predict Heras will be there for a while, but fade. Mayo will be a strong contender. I would like to see Lance get 6, I really would

go to www.mrbookmaker.com and but you money where your mouth is.

You can even bet on the US Presidential Election!

bac

Yup, it would only make him the greatest TdF winner through 2004 - not of all time.

lotek 

Oh jeez its not even may and we're ponying up our picks.
I think its too early to make any predictions about Jan. I think
he is capable of making the podium, but if he even hints at faltering
Vino is gonna be all over him like stink on . . . well you know where thats going.
I think Mayo is gonna be the dark horse this year, he has the talent to I'm just
not sure he has the team to support him. The new TTT rules will certainly not
hurt his chances.
I believe that Tyler is going to give Lance a run for his money, and if so, I think
Lance is gonna be PO'd and when that happens look out. An angry lance is
a winning lance, no?
Bobby will do well, I'd say top 5 finish but I'd be surprized if he podiums,
there are too many other captains on CSC, but I do see CSC winning Team again
this year.
So, my thoughts? based on current condition etc.
Lance gets number 6 win
Mayo 2nd
Tyler is 3rd.
(Jan if he gets in shape or is just faking can blow this whole thing).
Virenque in a haze of drug induced frenzy wins KOM again.
I also think the points jersey will be the big battle this year.

Marty
(remember, my sig used to say: "Indecision may or may not be my problem" now you
see why!).

bianchi_rider

I will work on the puctuation town
and the pink is way cool......

bianchi_rider

Very well thought out even if its not yet May lotek

SipperPhoto

1. Lance
2. Tyler (although i really want him to win)
3. Ullrich

oh, and I think the new TT rules blow goats... if you or your team suck and end up 5 minutes back in the TT... that is where you should be

jeff

brent_dube

Yeah, it doesn't make sense.
If they don't want the weak teams to lose too much time, why didn't they just make the TT shorter?

Grampy™

He'd have a chance on a Bianchi......

Grampy™

Heras???? No way. There is more than one TT. Heras will lose 2 min. in the long TT and the TTT. He may beat Lance/Tyler/Bobby by a couple of seconds on L'Alpe D'Huez...... May......

Grampy™

Mayo....is he that guy that rides with his head canted? He drives me nuts! I keep trying to watch the race and all I can see is this guys head tilted sideways....

bianchi_rider

LOL. I agree and i also think if he stayed with the same team for more than a season his chances would be better ..

SamDaBikinMan

I hope Ullrich yanks number 6 out from under LA by a handful of seconds....

He he!