Road Bike Racing - Opinions on this years TDF

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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!

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.

I 1. Lance
2. Tyler
3. Bobby


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

Here's my out on a limb podium:

1. Armstrong
2. Mayo
3. Moreau

Here's my out on a limb podium:

1. Armstrong
2. Mayo
3. Moreau

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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!).

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

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!).
Very well thought out even if its not yet May lotek :D

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

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


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?

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

He'd have a chance on a Bianchi...... :p :D

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.

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......

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

Here's my out on a limb podium:

1. Armstrong
2. Mayo
3. Moreau


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....:p

He'd have a chance on a Bianchi...... :p :D
LOL. I agree and i also :D think if he stayed with the same team for more than a season his chances would be better ..

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

He he!

Alright. I've just watched The Lance Chronicles on OLN. I'm starting to get excited.

1. Lance
2. Ullrich
3. Tom Boonen! No, I'm kidding. That was a joke for all you depressed Classics fans out there. :)
3. Mayo

And Mario's going to make it to the Champs-Élysées. GO MARIO!

I agree with girl's predictions.

Anyone else notice Lance's new Giro TT lid?

*edit: Except for her prediction about Cipo!

Once again I predict that Cipo will drag his carcass over all the Cols and finish
in paris (where he will contest the sprint, giving Robbie, Banden and Eric a run for
their money).

marty

Cipo got dropped on the Cipresa at MSR. How's he ever going to make it over the Alps? I heard that he had lots of help at the Tour of Georgia.

I don't know if he could finish in the time limit on the stage from Bourg d'Oisans to le Grand Bornand.
If the weather is good, maybe. If this was the 2002 route, I would be %100 sure that he would abandon :D

Petacchi will finish, I would bet.

Cipo got dropped on the Cipresa at MSR. How's he ever going to make it over the Alps? I heard that he had lots of help at the Tour of Georgia.
I know, I know. I just think if I wish it hard enough, it will be so.

What about the Jerseys?

Will it be Virenque again, for the record seventh KOM? Peta in Green?

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....:p

You may be thinking of Santiago Botero (previous Kelme, current T-Mibile rider):

Looks like he is turning a corner...

Grampy, you may be thinking of Heras or Virenque

http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/sport/ciclismo/200009/10/39bbf95f062a7/heras.jpg
http://www.cyclingphotography.co.uk/images/virenque-richard004.jpg

Looks like he is turning a corner...

Yeah, that pic doesn't illustrate my point well. However, Botero keeps his head cocked to the right even when riding straight ahead.

I'm not sure who WILL win, but I know who WON'T: Lance. I just feel it in my bones. The divorce, Cheryl Crow, etc, etc, etc. He's gonna do well, but I have the feeling it'll be obvious he's not in the condition to do #6 by the end of the Pyrenees (though having the Alps near the end will be insteresting). I predict Lance loses by more than 2 minutes...

One thing people forget is that no matter how great your form may be or how smart you ride, winning the TDF (or any race) involves a fair amount of luck. Lance could easily get caught up in a crash on the very first road stage and put a quick end to his race. Your teammates can only protect you so much.

He's been pretty lucky so far. How long will it last?

One thing people forget is that no matter how great your form may be or how smart you ride, winning the TDF (or any race) involves a fair amount of luck. Lance could easily get caught up in a crash on the very first road stage and put a quick end to his race.

Good point. I'm sure Alex Zulle would argue that 1999 would have been a different race were it not for the Passage du Gois.

while I agree with the logic, i'm not sure you can say he was lucky last year.

I believe that lance will return to form this year and (with no bad luck) will dominate again. The only concern i have is the new team time trial rule, it really seems to benefit the puny climbers (I say that with affection as I consider myself to be one).

I wouldn't worry too much about Jan either, he'll be back to form in time and be a premier instigator in the Tour. If Lance does falter, I would sure like to see Jan win it. He's a terrific competitor and I would truly be happy for him to finally get a win during Armstrongs reign.

As for the team classification, Telekom sure seems to be in a position to do some damage, but Riis has a wicked squad that seems poised to dominate, if they haven't peaked too early.

As for KOM, I don't know who will push Virenque. Too many of the puny climbers are focused on the GC contention and won't really challenge him on climbs that are too early in a stage. He should be able to take advantage of that and earn his record.

As for the green jersey, I can't keep those crazy speed demons straight. Cippo will win one stage, he's fought too hard to get this last Tour appearence not to, but I don't think he'll really contend for it. If Petacchi can somehow finish the Tour I think he'll pull it off.

PS I think Cippo will finish it. I think that is part of why he did the Tour of Georgia to spend some time climbing (I know that sounds nuts that he would go to the US to climb, but I'm telling you it was a challenging course.) I saw him at the top of the HC climbing finish of stage six and he was smiling and having fun with the crowd and not THAT far back from the leaders.

I enjoyed reading all of your opinions, as it was said there is no way we can really tell what will happen, an accident could occure and wipe out all of our favorites in the early stages..
It would be nice to see Lance win his sixth and then hang up his shoes.
If Lance wasnt able to win, it would be nice to see Jan in shape and possibly win, but then again Tyler is strong and did exceptionally well last yesr..
Again thanks to all who posted.. i am sorry if my spelling isnt correct or my lack of paragraphing, but this is a cycling forum and not english 101..
Thanks again and everyone ride safe. :)