2005 Tour de France Results

[cutters]

This is my top 5 for the 2005 Tour.

#1) Armstrong (Lance could win the Tour with one leg tied behind his back.)

#2) Vinokurov (He's motivated after being hurt last year.)

#3) Ullich (Year after year, the biggest talent, and disappointment.)

#4) Landis (I hope Phonak will be strong enough to help Flyod in the mountains.)

#5) Julich (If Basso doesn't have the legs after his Giro performance, Bobby J could lead CSC.)

The year of the Americans! :D

[Walter]

Until/unless he's beaten its hard to pick against LA. That's a bettor's logic but it's valid.

I don't agree that Ullrich is the greatest talent despite LA playing mind games by saying he is and then the chorus begins to echo. JU cannot climb as explosively as LA that's a consistently obvious and fatal flaw.

1. LA
2. Basso (hopefully putting to bed the idea you have to be a specialist)
3. Ullrich
4. Unknown TBA
Wildcard: Cunego (see notes for Basso)

FWIW

:beer:

[Jakey]

1. Ullrich: This is his last chance to beat Armstrong, and he'll come ready to play.
2. Armstrong: I think if he hadn't signed a new contract, he wouldn't even be racing this year
3. Vino: I think he's stronger than a Basso who will have just ridden the Giro.

[ljb61]

I think this may be the year 2 Americans stand on the podium.
1. Lance, unless he gets sick or has a bad crash no one is as strong
2. Jan, I think he will do better than last year
3. Levi Lepheimer, Maybe a longshot but I think he will really do well with his new team. He looked strong on Brasstown Bald in the TDG.

[Bikeophile]

I too think Lance will likely win. But I do think that Cunego has a better shot than most are giving him credit for...I mean he's young...but man what a talent!

I wonder if Jan even finishes in the top five. After 7 years of disappointment I wonder if he has any fire left?

[Iron Chef]

Is Phonak going to be in the Tour? I thought they were out due to some disciplinary action.

[ljb61]

Yes, Phonak will be at the Tour. For a while it did not look good for them to be in the pro-tour, but lucky for Landis they were allowed in.

[26mi235]

I too think Lance will likely win. But I do think that Cunego has a better shot than most are giving him credit for...I mean he's young...but man what a talent!

I wonder if Jan even finishes in the top five. After 7 years of disappointment I wonder if he has any fire left?

From what I hav heard, Ullrich is better prepared this year. I expect that the most likely scenario is LA vs JU, but others will have a say. However, I do not expect the others to be lead by Cunego; last year they still had the Seaco dominance of the Giro, but with other Pro Teams showing up it was clear that they were not on the same level this years -- the bar was raised. And the raised bar will be higher in the Tour and Cunego was not up to the bar in the Giro.

There are a set of other contenders, lead by the top from last year, although it appears that Basso has improved on his weakness (TT) while Kloden is not yet in peak form so look more to the '03 podium to that team's contribution. Landis, Leipheimer and Julich are all long shots with clear chances from the same school of "good climber, good TT rider". Of course, the other teams are not coming in empty handed starting with Heras.

[skydive69]

1. Ullrich: This is his last chance to beat Armstrong, and he'll come ready to play.
2. Armstrong: I think if he hadn't signed a new contract, he wouldn't even be racing this year
3. Vino: I think he's stronger than a Basso who will have just ridden the Giro.

He may come ready to play, but he is not good enough to beat the man!

[fishigan]

Is the TDF the only race LA does all year?

[26mi235]

Is the TDF the only race LA does all year?

You are kidding, aren't you? If not, then you know very little about the sport of bicycle racing at the top level. To call it his focus, however, it easily correct and probably an understatement.

[fishigan]

I know he does other races, but seldom do I hear mention of them.
I am new to the sport. I watch the races when they are on. I like Basso. But I don't know where to go to get all of the up to date info. I check out cyclingnews .com
But you guys seem to have more info about all the riders in general. What are good places to check out to get this info? I am a good season away from attempting any kind of race, but I would certainly like to do it next year. Maybe even this year.

[jkoman]

I predict Telecom will not bring Zabel...the team will ride for Jan...Jan will pressure LA more than at any previous time...LA will miss Slava as Jan will be closer than ever...I hate to say this but in the mountains LA and his ability to change tempo will PROBABLY beat Jan.

[gcasillo]

Landis will not finish in the top 10. Botero and/or Pereiro are more likely candidates from Phonak. Pena, too.

[roadgator]

i vote ullrich for first, mostly becuse i want the tour to be a little different this year, unlike the last 6.

if he shows up in shape, motivated and with T-mobile behind him, he will defietly be a force to be reconed with.

looking back, he was the strongest man in the 2003 tour (especialy considering how he dominated the first TT), but his bianchi squad was weak. if he were with t-mobile that year, he would have won. sure, lance still wone, but he did it through his team and tenacity more than pure strength.

[Marge]

I know he does other races, but seldom do I hear mention of them.
I am new to the sport. I watch the races when they are on. I like Basso. But I don't know where to go to get all of the up to date info. I check out cyclingnews .com
But you guys seem to have more info about all the riders in general. What are good places to check out to get this info? I am a good season away from attempting any kind of race, but I would certainly like to do it next year. Maybe even this year.

for great cycling coverage check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport and click on cycling

[fishigan]

Thanks Marge. I'll be able to increase my knowledge base thru a few sites now.

[Crack'n'fail]

I think Armstrong and Ullrich will be the top two and that the third position on the podium will be some dark horse that we're not really considering.

I'm pulling for Armstrong, but it would be cool for Ullrich to finally get the win with Armstrong right on his heels. Armstrong would lose nothing of his legacy, but Ullrich's legacy would increase exponentially, we could focus on his wins instead of his eternal seconds.

[skydive69]

I think Armstrong and Ullrich will be the top two and that the third position on the podium will be some dark horse that we're not really considering.

I'm pulling for Armstrong, but it would be cool for Ullrich to finally get the win with Armstrong right on his heels. Armstrong would lose nothing of his legacy, but Ullrich's legacy would increase exponentially, we could focus on his wins instead of his eternal seconds.

Of course the tdf is not exactly a race were you would expect a "dark horse" to emerge.

[oneradtec]

Skydive...I tend to agree that it is not likely that a dark horse will win the tour. That said...there have been years where certain dark horses emerged as real challengers...and even made it on the podium. A few that come to mind....

Mayo and Zubeldia in 2003
Mejia, Jaskula and Rominger in '93
Chiappucci in '90(who is this crazy Italian that attacks constantly?)
Riis in '96(everyone thought Indurain would win his 6th)
Julich in '98
Kloden in 2004

How about Chris Horner becoming a dark horse this year? I'm not saying he can win...but I think he has the talent to get a top 10 for sure. I hear is is riding the Tour de Suisse in June...and if he shows good form there then his team will consider him for their Tour roster. I never thought of Landis and Leipheimer as any more talented than Horner. Chris can ride at a very high level in Europe as we have seen when he was riding at the front during a recent world's...near the end of the race after more than 230 kilometers. That's amazing for someone who had been riding short U.S. domestic races all year. No other U.S. based domestic racer would have even finished such a long hard race that included the best one day racers in the world. I would love to see Mr. Horner do the Tour this year. I honestly believe that he could do a top 10. Leipheimer can do a top 5 this year. Julich's time trialing could get him a top 10 this year. CSC will do well in the team TT(maybe even win it!)...plus there will be two other individual TT's that Bobby J. should excel in. Bobby can also climb pretty well. This could be a good tour for Bobby J and the Americans.

[Crack'n'fail]

So, you all had Vinokourov picked for the Podium(you will notice I said finish third, not win) in '03? Basso and Kloden in '04? Rumsas in '02? For that matter, Armstrong in '99?

[skydive69]

Good points one. I will be watching every day!

[26mi235]

Of course the tdf is not exactly a race were you would expect a "dark horse" to emerge.

Like Kloden or Basso? (especially Kloden).

[doctorSpoc]

How about Chris Horner becoming a dark horse this year? ...

don't know about Chris Horner... last i read is that Saunier Duval almost sent him packing for not performing... and since then he's been completely off the radar.

..i'll give my top 5 after the Dauphiné Libéré and Tour de Suisse... as it stands i don't see Armstrong on the podium though... guess we'll see after the Dauphiné Libéré but based on his year so far... i don't even see him finishing.

i'll give my number 1 though... Jan Ullrich.. he has the team and his best form in years.

[Olyroller]

Once again Horner can't cut living and racing with the Euros

[Bikeophile]

Don't forget Lemond...another dark horse.

[Jim Bonnet]

don't know about Chris Horner... last i read is that Saunier Duval almost sent him packing for not performing... and since then he's been completely off the radar.

..i'll give my top 5 after the Dauphiné Libéré and Tour de Suisse... as it stands i don't see Armstrong on the podium though... guess we'll see after the Dauphiné Libéré but based on his year so far... i don't even see him finishing.

i'll give my number 1 though... Jan Ullrich.. he has the team and his best form in years.

oh come on... You don't see him FINISHING give me a break. Im not a LA lover but he is the guy to beat no matter how crummy he performed so far this season. Mind games... Maybe... But he will be there to win no doubt.

[doctorSpoc]

oh come on... You don't see him FINISHING give me a break. Im not a LA lover but he is the guy to beat no matter how crummy he performed so far this season. Mind games... Maybe... But he will be there to win no doubt.

like i said we'll see what's up starting this sunday at the Dauphiné Libéré but.. but for now i just can't see it... i don't think this is mind games... i think this is Armstrong getting REALLY bad prep and trying to cram 6mths training into 3mths... usually means a physical or mental breakdown at some point.. i.e. completely exploding under the pressure of the tour or getting sick some time in the near future... if Armstrong were playing mind games i don't think he would do it at the expense of doing his racing prep which is almost completely absent this year in relationship to other years...

looking at the start list... if Armstrong manages a top 5 finish at Dauphiné Libéré i'll change my mind

and Landis... he's not really riding that great this year... i think Botero or Pereiro will likely be the Tour leader at Phonak... Botero looks to be coming into form just in time for Tour... and he's time trialing like an animal again one of the few guys who has beat Lance in a tour time trial.. Ullrich can kick his butt in a time trial too.

[kokodeselavy]

For a dark horse I rather fancied Valverde earlier in the season but haven't heard much about him lately. He was 80th in the Catalunya. :eek:

[KingRene]

I wonder if Jan even finishes in the top five. After 7 years of disappointment I wonder if he has any fire left?

Have you been following his season?

[brianallan]

One things for certain, I'm getting tour fever :D :D :D

[sh_wn]

amen

[simplyred]

I've got my blind faith in CSC..
Basso [if he's ready]
Julich
Sastre..
Whatever..

But I still think Lance could do 7...
See him in Duaphine? He's pretty good..
And with the Discovery Team [Ekimov or no Ekimov] Lance is well guarded...

[cjbruin]

i think this is Armstrong getting REALLY bad prep and trying to cram 6mths training into 3mths...racing prep which is almost completely absent this year in relationship to other years...

looking at the start list... if Armstrong manages a top 5 finish at Dauphiné Libéré i'll change my mind.

What do you think now? I'm not breaking balls, I really want to know what you think.

[doctorSpoc]

What do you think now? I'm not breaking balls, I really want to know what you think.

like I said, top 5 and I'll change my mind.. and he has changed my mind.

i was most impressed with the final stage where he seemed to be toying with the other riders. I do have a feeling the plan was for Armstrong to join Hincapie and Popovych and he couldn't manage that, but still, he showed his form was coming along nicely. ironically from the Dauphiné it seems like Armstong Achilles heel may be his time trailing... seems like everyone and his twin brother can now kick his ass in a time trial... have a feeling he's going to lose big time in the TTs (especially to Ullrich). The only things i would say negative is that he was not able to attack and only to follow moves... and that forcing fitness usually results in fragile fitness... still has some time fine tune though

i am still am convinced that he will not win and will not be on the podium though.. but he has shown his professionalism (except for the Landis stuff... High School stuff, maybe elementary school playground stuff) and determination and that he is one of the worlds best again.

[cjbruin]

... seems like everyone and his twin brother can now kick his ass in a time trial... have a feeling he's going to lose big time in the TTs (especially to Ullrich).

i am still am convinced that he will not win and will not be on the podium though.. but he has shown his professionalism (except for the Landis stuff... High School stuff, maybe elementary school playground stuff) and determination and that he is one of the worlds best again.

Very interesting observations...it always amazes me how people can interpret information so completely differently.

In the prologue TT (8K) he finished 5th, six seconds back...in the stage 3 TT (46.5k) he finished 3rd. I don't see that as everone kicking his ass. Chris Carmichael said that he is not as explosive as he has been in the past but that he is coming along. I don't know for sure but I would guess that he didn't put the same effort into these TT's as guys like Botero and Levi. I still think he will be one of the top TT'ers in the tour.

Not even on the podium? Wow. I just think that's wrong....but it certainly does look like there are a lot of guys in great form this year. It should be a heck of a race.

With reference to professionalism, it seems to me that Lance has an issue with Floyd's lack of loyalty to the team. I think he was being groomed to take over team leadership when he jumped to Phonak and Lance felt betrayed. Overall though, I don't really think it's a big deal.

[hi565]

Yes, Phonak will be at the Tour. For a while it did not look good for them to be in the pro-tour, but lucky for Landis they were allowed in.

it basicaclly turned into hamilton being the main player, to landis?

Im not going to say anything dont want to jinx anything.

[Laggard]

I can't for the life of me understand why Landis is anything but a domestique. IMO, Botero and Pereiro have a much better shot at the top 10. Floyd should be riding for them.

[fore0121]

I can't for the life of me understand why Landis is anything but a domestique. IMO, Botero and Pereiro have a much better shot at the top 10. Floyd should be riding for them.

Totally agree with that statement. He had a great stage leading Lance near the end of the tour last year, and all of a sudden he's a GT favorite?
f

[doctorSpoc]

...In the prologue TT (8K) he finished 5th, six seconds back...in the stage 3 TT (46.5k) he finished 3rd. I don't see that as everone kicking his ass... I still think he will be one of the top TT'ers in the tour...

with the TT thing... it's an exaggeration...just for effect. it's not so much that he's sucking at TTs, it's that it would appear that instead of TTs being a place where Armstrong makes up time, it now seems like a place where he can just manage to hold his own or lose a little bit of time or to a guy like Ullrich, he might lose a good chunk of time... and remember only about half of the GC favourites were at the Dauphiné the others at the TdS.

I think his actions toward Landis are really juvenile and pretty pathetic... I don't think you can convince me he's keeping the high ground on that one.. i really think he has some issues that he needs to work out with with his shrink. i find his actions a little bizzare... especially when it seems from some other post this is normal behavior for him and he has done this to others who have left

[zero]

I wonder if Jan even finishes in the top five. After 7 years of disappointment I wonder if he has any fire left?

I wouldnt quite call 2nd place in the TDF a disappointment.

[skydive69]

with the TT thing... it's an exaggeration...just for effect. it's not so much that he's sucking at TTs, it's that it would appear that instead of TTs being a place where Armstrong makes up time, it now seems like a place where he can just manage to hold his own or lose a little bit of time or to a guy like Ullrich, he might lose a good chunk of time... and remember only about half of the GC favourites were at the Dauphiné the others at the TdS.

I think his actions toward Landis are really juvenile and pretty pathetic... I don't think you can convince me he's keeping the high ground on that one.. i really think he has some issues that he needs to work out with with his shrink. i find his actions a little bizzare... especially when it seems from some other post this is normal behavior for him and he has done this to others who have left

I'm sure he will have time for his shrink appointment after he wins the tour - which he will in fact do! I loved the statement he made to Landis - I'm even more of a fan now! Perhaps even a better moment than his famous look back (of course to the rear) at the German with his spitting, unruly fans.

[jbhowat]

I think the spitting unruly thing was primarily in 2004. Armstrong has also said that he wasn't looking back and judging Ullrich or anything. He was actually looking past him to see if anyone else was coming up the road. In 2004 Armstrong chased down and outsprinted Kloden in response to the German fans. I've heard from people who were there that the only person who had it as bad (if not worse) as far as spitting and cussing from the German fans - was Ullrich.

[overworkin]

Basso
Ullrick
Armstrong
Vino
Salvadelli



Lance is too distracted this year. He will still be one of the best things to happen to the sport atleast in North America.

[mellonhead]

A recent interview with Vino had him saying he would ride for Ullrich IF the German is the stronger rider, which hints that we could see Ullrich acting as super-domestique, towing Vino to a mountaintop showdown with Armstrong.

[skydive69]

Basso
Ullrick
Armstrong
Vino
Salvadelli



Lance is too distracted this year. He will still be one of the best things to happen to the sport atleast in North America.

Well, at least you have one place correct - Ullrich. It is too bad we cannot arrange a "friendly" wager on your inaccurate Lance theory. Of course if you don't even know how to spell the names of the players, you must not be an expert fan!

[ljb61]

Lance looks strong again this year to me. I'm not sure why so many folks think different. I thought he was the best climber on Brasstown Bald in the TDG, I know he did not win, but he was working for Danielson that day. He did lose time during the TT of that race, but one thing you never hear much about was that it was raining that day. When Lance started it was pouring! Landis was lucky that day it hardly rained at all when he raced( I was working that race as a course marshal).
As for the Dauphine, Lance looked just about were he needs to be. He does not want to be in top form yet, remember Mayo last year?
For the last few years some fans say Lance has lost it and he will not win the TDF, every year Lance proves them wrong. Unless he gets sick or has a crash I think he will win #7. He is good at the TT and in the mountains. He knows what it takes to win, and he has a very strong team that is 100% there to support him. He is overdue for some bad luck however.

[Marge]

This is going to be the KILLER TOUR! LA is always super guarded. I saw his
performance at Daphne de Libre, and I would say so what? Who knows what the
Texan is thinking. Jan Ullrich has got me all fired up, have you been following him?
He is a lean, mean fighting machine. No more screwing around like the last 4 Tours,
this man looks ready for action. Ivan Basso, Oy! If he hadn't gotten sick on the Giro
who knows!.... all I can say is I'm so jazzed for LE TOUR!!!! I can not tell you how many good daylight hours, (that I should be pedaling) I will be wasting watching the tube!!!!!!!

[mellonhead]

... all I can say is I'm so jazzed for LE TOUR!!!!

You have that right...

What will be better this year.....
- Vino is back after missing 2004. He can blow the race open.
- It's Ullrich's last chance to beat Armstrong. He's extra motivated.
- Iban Mayo has been training like mad to prevent another disaster.
- Michael Rogers can climb now!
- The whole field will not be 3:00 behind after Stage 3.


Unknown
- What shape will Heras be in?
- Are Leipheimer & Landis any better than last year?
- Will Basso be all tuckered out after the Giro?
- What's happened to Kloeden?

[doctorSpoc]

You have that right...

What will be better this year.....
- Vino is back after missing 2004. He can blow the race open.
- It's Ullrich's last chance to beat Armstrong. He's extra motivated.
- Iban Mayo has been training like mad to prevent another disaster.
- Michael Rogers can climb now!
- The whole field will not be 3:00 behind after Stage 3.


Unknown
- What shape will Heras be in?
- Are Leipheimer & Landis any better than last year?
- Will Basso be all tuckered out after the Giro?
- What's happened to Kloeden?


I think...

- Armstrong.. can't believe how he has brought up his fitness... but did he raise it to quickly and will he crack over the three weeks because of that? but his last day at the Dauphiné impressed me
- Ullrich... I think he's really ready this time... think he will take the number one spot
- Heras, don't think he will be a factor
- Vino will be on the podium
- Leipheimer will be a factor
- Landis will not be a factor... but Botero will be a factor, Periero??
- Basso... is it just me that noticed that Basso lost 20min on the big day at the Giro (the penultimate stage) when the leaders put the hammer down, he went backwards.. i'm not talking about the day he got sick and lost 40 mins, i'm talking about the second last day when he had "recovered". i mean he won a mountain stage when no one was looking at him, but on crunch time he went backwards BIG TIME!!! 20mins down, and he was obviously going for it because his team was working all day... he's a big question mark to me. TT has improved but i don't like how he looked and that 2nd last day.
- Kloden is just no where this year
- Mayo.. question mark he hasn't shown anything all year... has he actually over corrected for over training last year... can the boys at Euskaltel pull off another upset
- what about Wim Van Huffel can he take some mountain stages
- Simoni... he must be the new leader at Lampre... can he recover... he should have the full support of Mazzoleni... wonder why Mazzoleni wasn't at the Giro.. guess they were saving him for the big show in France

should really be a good race... i think it's wide open... and that's what will make it really good.