Blaireau

Who wants to go first?....

reef58

1) Levi does attack today. I am not saying it will work, or be very strong, but he will.

2) Evans, Levi, Rasmussen, Kloden, or Contador crack on this stage

3) Winner, Contador

Richard

Ziptie

I think Kloden has to try something. He and Levi are still in contention if they can take some time out of Rasmussen. Granted, they will both need to have the time trial of their lives, and hope that Rasmussen faulters on Saturday, but it's not impossible. That is, if they can take some time back tomorrow.

VT Biker

I guess I wish I knew who was receiving the most recent blood transfusion.

Ziptie

Nevermind.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/240720...rug-shame.html

Blaireau

Blaireau

Contador: Discovery has been the best doping team in recent years....

reef58

I was right Kloden did crack

Richard

SunSwingsLow

I dont think Levi has the power to make any attack stick. I think he rides in support of Contador.

Contador FTW.

reef58

I didn't say it would stick only that he would.

Richard

jibi

It won't be Kloden

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...me-trial-11722

Rasmussen must have the best chance, he has to go this time and not wait for Contador to attack

george

SunSwingsLow

I dont think he will. I think he will drive the pace up to hopefully drop Boogard and Menchov.

I think Popo, Hincapie and Levi are going to drive a pace that will only leave AC and Ras for the final climb.

reef58

Levi wants a podium. Evans has looked a little suspect on the climbs lately. Levi will attack. Discovery also has a goal to put time into Evans. Evan can take 2 minute on AC in the time trial. Levi, Rasmussen, and Contador ride away from Evans.

Richard

CyLowe97

A Levi attack would support Contador. Levi goes up the road, forcing Rabobank and Rasmussen to push the pace to keep up. Contador hangs on to Rasmussen.

If they catch Levi, then Contador can attack.

That's the advantage Disco has with riders 2nd and 4th on GC.

acathi_cyclist

Soler goes early to get KOM points. Expect some attacks to follow him. MR and AC will battle this one out. They'll wait till Col de la Pierre or maybe Col de Marie-Blanque to attack. If Contodor is strong, I think he will be the first to go, but Rasmussen will keep him close enough to protect his lead.

I pick Contador FTW. It could go either way.

merlinextraligh

Contador, with Rasmussen a few seconds down.

wabbit

I'd like to see Soler win another stage...it'll be interesting to see how he does on some of the really nasty climbs.

vpiuva

Levi will be the third GC contender to finish.

Socalcycling

Wim Vansevenant will DESTROY EVERYBODY!!!!

Scout Sniper

This is exactly what I think. But that doesn't put you in very good company because I have no idea what I'm talking about and I'm wrong more often than I'm right. So take that for what it's worth.

Here's hoping that Levi doesn't get caught and draws up on Ras and Contador.

BigSean

MR will crack. The pressure of the press and aligations are getting to him. Contador looks fresh and ready to go. Levi is ready to give himself up. I look for George and Popo to go early. Levi will pull hard with only Contador and MR able to follow. Contador will then attack and bridge across to Popo and hincapie. I can hope ya know. I wuldnt be suprised either.

FlashBazbo

By his own admission, Levi lacks the game to launch a serious attack. I am saddened by this, but I think this marks a turning point in Levi's career. He's done as a #1.

At least before the sample B's come back, Contador. Of the top ten, I see him finishing first. (Not to say an unknown, perhaps clean, rider won't beat him to the line.)

I think "attack" will be a matter of semantics. It looks, to me, as if most of the big players have expended all they've got. Without some serious chemical enhancement (and I'm not talking Enzyte), none of them is going to play the way they did yesterday.

Who's the French national champion? (Sorry, but I forget his name.) After the sample B's come back, I see him as the official winner. It might take two years -- but it will come. And no European lab is going to have a problem with his sample B's.

deyendznyr

Bob Roll FTW.

EvilGoodGuy

I would be suprised to see Levi launch an early attack. If he could keep up with Ras and AC, he would have on stage 14 and 15. I think Levi will look to put time into Evans once Ras and AC are gone. When AC attacks, Ras will follow and Evans will chase. Levi will follow Evans until there are a few km's left then Levi will drop Evans. I don't believe Levi has any intention or ability to keep up to Ras and AC. An early attack by Levi will ruin his chance to put time into Evans on the final climb. Levi is racing for third. As much as I like Ras, I think AC will drop Ras by 30secs to a minute on the final climb. However, I can't see Ras completely cracking on the last mountain stage after a rest day with a couple near rest days to follow. I highly doubt Ras will attack at all. He has no reason to attack. He has enough time on the other contenders to win. It's up to AC to drop Ras.

plainsdrifter

If possible get Levi in an early break with George and have Popo and Conta kick back and watch the other teams work and see how it plays out.