Professional Cycling - Prologue prediction

It's getting closer and closer. I'm not an expert of bicycle racing but I look at the result of tdf in great interest. I understand that first week of road course are not that important to make a difference in standings except prologue. It also a chance for each racer to see how fit their competitions are.

In your knowledgeable opinion, lest's take five guys, who have ability to challenge lance for the first place. If any of them are GC contender, it's even better.

Who I should be watching carefully? Let's say, besides Jan.


Edit: Ok, it seems like the sticky is already up there.

It's getting closer and closer. I'm not an expert of bicycle racing but I look at the result of tdf in great interest. I understand that first week of road course are not that important to make a difference in standings except prologue. It also a chance for each racer to see how fit their competitions are.

In your knowledgeable opinion, lest's take five guys, who have ability to challenge lance for the first place. If any of them are GC contender, it's even better.

Who I should be watching carefully? Let's say, besides Jan.


Edit: Ok, it seems like the sticky is already up there.

I predict no Prologue winner this year.

I predict no Prologue winner this year.

I predict no prologue this year. Regardless, who will win the opening stage (a 19km ITT)?

Okay, here are my predictions:

1. McGee
2. Armstrong
3. Rogers
4. Ullrich
5. Hincapie
6. Cancellara

:)

1. McGee
2. Botero
3. Cancelerra
4. Armstrong
5. Ulrich

What about Zabriskie?

1. Armstrong
2. Botero
3. Ulrich
4. Landis
5. Fletcha

Ullrich (by a large margin)
Botero
Leiphiemer
McGee
Cancellara
Armstrong
David Z ??

Ullrich (by a large margin)
Botero
Leiphiemer
McGee
Cancellara
Armstrong
David Z ??


Ulrich by a large margin - my comment: muhahahahahahahahahahaha! Damn, I wish this site worked like Pacific Poker where we could put money on our predictions!

Thanks to bac for saving my skin. It started looking like a legitimate thread. :p

I get an impression(without knowing how he's doing this season.) that Jan Ullrich had past his prime. Or maybe lost his motivation and decided to settle for a permanent second place, ending up in third place instead in TDF last year. For that reason, I don't hink Jan will make top three position(in ITT). Again, this not a well educated opinion. All criticism will be welcome.

Jan is excellent against the watch. He'll do well, and can easily do top three - especially considering his form is so excellent this year. He's also made a LOT of comments this year about aiming solely for beating Lance, etc.

He also came in 4th last year...

Heat, humidity, and wind will all play important roles in the Prologue. Too many variables to predict. Outcome of the Prologue doesn't really have deep impact on the overall outcome unless you are Pedro Delgado and show up 2:30 late for your designated starting time. ;)

It will be some no name Czech guy. :D

He also came in 4th last year...

That's just another proof how ignorant I am. :p

He's also made a LOT of comments this year about aiming solely for beating Lance, etc.


Don't you just love that. We need more trash talks to get things more exciting.

I agree with DocSpoc about the ullrich prediction.

1: Ullrich
2: Armstrong
3: Liephiemer
4: Botero

Heat, humidity, and wind will all play important roles in the Prologue. Too many variables to predict. Outcome of the Prologue doesn't really have deep impact on the overall outcome unless you are Pedro Delgado and show up 2:30 late for your designated starting time. ;)

yeah Prologues don't have a big impact on the race but this is a 19km time trial if anyone has a bad day they can lose a minute... that's a big deal.

Ullrich's strongest discipline is ITT's, and i think he could win it, but i don't know if he will really push for it or not that early in the race.

Ulrich by a large margin - my comment: muhahahahahahahahahahaha! Damn, I wish this site worked like Pacific Poker where we could put money on our predictions!

Jan is going to kick AZZZZZZZZZZZZ!! that's the only one of my prediction I would put money on... WHERE ARE YOUR PREDICTONS?!? hate'n on other peoples predictions and you don't put any up... what's up with that???

Ullrich's strongest discipline is ITT's, and i think he could win it, but i don't know if he will really push for it or not that early in the race.

i think he Jan is going to put it down ... it's only 19k and he has two pan flat stage to recover for the TTT... and I think he wants to send the others a message.

What about Zabriskie?

Of all these predictions, only one guy even mentioned Zabriskie.

Hats off to jbonus!

wow.....we all suck.

Of all these predictions, only one guy even mentioned Zabriskie.

Hats off to jbonus!

hey, i mentioned Zabriskie... i had him in 7th with question marks after his name, but i mentioned him... but yeah, i have to admit my predictions sucked pretty good...

hey, i mentioned Zabriskie... i had him in 7th with question marks after his name, but i mentioned him... but yeah, i have to admit my predictions sucked pretty good...

Your prediction looking good upside down, specially Ullrich.