Will Lance Armstrong be able to defend his Tour de France Title?

[gc]

What do you think? Will Lance Armstrong be able to defend his Tour de France title this year? With all the top contenders out there like Jan Ulrich, Bobby Julich, Marco Pantani and other superstars, will he able to make it on the podium again ????

[Xavier]

I feel same way as Ba-Dg-Er.

However I feel that Lance does have a chance. It looks the same as last year. Sure the team will hae to work 100% as a bad day in any 3 week stage race can be deadly but he looks strong.

Sure there are strong riders out there but nothing great to cause big threat. Nothing like Ullrich in his day or Indurain or Olano in perfect shape.

There will be players, however too early to even point some out. Most of the big ones are in the Giro and may opt to not race the Tour or to take it easy in the Tour. Pantani is still uncertain he will attend the Tour. Even if he does nothing will happen.

I see the spanish riders again doing much work but for nothing great. Tonkov does have options but we will see after the Giro. Julich we will also see how he will come along as the Tour gets closer.

ONCE with Olano and Jalabert. Same as last year, Jaja will play some stages while Olano I believe will again falter. Olano is not a true stage racer but has been pushed in this position. Banesto also will shoot with Zuelle but again I beleive he will crack at least once.

The Tour will be won by an average rider that can hold for 3 weeks. Hold in the sense of not loosing much time in the mountains and controling threatening attacks and staying on top on the time trials.

As far as great attacks. We have missed those in the past years as teams are not forming great alliances with each others and riders now tend to be a wee bit more scare of forming a big attack. The last time these were seen was in the Vuelta last year with the Kelme boys. I hope they put on a great show this year.

Saeco looks to be one of the better teams on paper to date, but we will see after the Giro.

Please keep this alive as I love to put my thoughts as the date gets closer.

[Joe Gardner]

What are your thoughts on this now?

[Xavier]

As mentioned early he had a chance and now he will win. He won in Hautacam. How? By winning the stage he brought the moral of all riders down. He fisnished the deal in Ventoux by not only hanging with Marco but by making actions that seemed to Marco to be actions of playing with him. There it was settled. I wanted to see other riders come to the ocassion but as last year no response. Ullrich faltered while Olano was as figured and Zuelle also. One thing I am glad is Beloki's ride. A friend of mine and I am sure he is having the ride of his life. Also Kelmes good attempts to make the stages happen.

[Bontrager]

I predict he will this year, the next, the one after that, and the next one, and the one following that

[jlin453]

Wow, a thread that's nearly 5 years old.

[Bontrager]

That's what happens when you accidentally click the "last" link instead of "3"

[webist]

I'll feel bad if he tries it and loses. I'd rather he just go out on top. On the other hand, I'll be thrilled if he wins another! I'm a little tentative, but predict he'll do it. It just seems like he's doing a lot more "out of the saddle" things since setting the record. I worry that he may lose the edge.

[2Rodies]

If Marco wins it would be the sports comeback of all time!

[Laggard]

There are about 10 threads in the TDF and racing forum discussing this already.

[ManBearPig]

If he wins it'll be much less significant in my mind than #6 was. If he does not win, it won't really detract from #6. The 6th win was history, and everything that follow is just an epilogoue in my opinion, which can be omitted from the book without affecting the story.

[Bontrager]

Yeah, but we're discussing the 2000 TdF here

[ManBearPig]

There are about 10 threads in the TDF and racing forum discussing this already.

Ten threads aren't enough. We need eleven.

[norton]

[2Rodies]

Yeah, but we're discussing the 2000 TdF here

Well in that case I say he'll win and I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. Any takers!

[ultra-g]

I guess we'll find out at the end of July

[tharrel1]

When does the Tour Start?

[Guest]

Find a newer thread to discuss this in, please!

Thanks!

Koffee B.