40 Cent

What are his chances? He climbed brilliantly last year. Fourth last year, will he podium this year?

USAZorro

I like his chances to end up on the podium, but I don't like his chances of winning.

40 Cent

I tend to agree, and I hazard a guess Valverde and Kloden will be with him, but we may not have heard the last of Evans and I hope we haven't heard the last of Mayo.

Randomus

I would love to see at least one CSC member on the podium, but here is what I really hope to see:

Kloden, Levi, Moreau

It's actually amazing how close most of the overall GC contenders are with one another. I think the first TT should help rearrange the overall classifications a bit more.

40 Cent

The TT will definitely inject some reality in the race situation and then I think we'll be devoting less thread space to Rasmussen, and maybe a bit more to Vino. Vino's down right now but not as far down as Landis was after his bonk day (even though the evidence seems to show that comeback was in fact impossible too.)

reef58

Vino is toast.

This is a strange and exciting tour. Any GC contender can crack on any day. It will probably happen in the 3 tough mountain stages to come, and the two time trials.

If I could wish 1) Kloden, 2) Moreau, and 3) Levi

Likely 1) Kloden, 2) Valverde, 3) Evans

Richard

vic32amg

Sastre will destroy the next mountain stages.

Levi is a joke. the guy has been in difficulty every single moment of the tour. I heard he was put into difficulty on the rest day!!

Valverde is a scumbag
Moreau is strong even tho today was not good for him.
KLoden is strong
Evans was the most impressive to me. He is world class climber and TT'er.

I would like to see.

1.Vino
2.Rogers
3. O'grady

but reality will probably be

1. Valverde
2.Evans
3. Contrador

Another thing to consider is that Sastre only lost about 30 secs in the opening time trial to Vino and Levi etc.. Mayo lost about 50 secs.. Also the time trial is technical not just flats so that will tip in the favor of pure climber type like.. Sastre

erader

you're from the bay area and you want to see kloden over levi ? kloden has talent but he's not a leader. if he were vino would have been riding for him instead of him losing time towing a perenial loser.

well at least you aren't on the vino bandwagon....that guy had about as much a chance of winning the tour as abraham olano had becoming the "next miguel indurain" .

ed rader

reef58

Kloden is a better all around rider than Levi. He is a better teammate than most, and now that he is the man he will lead just fine.

Richard

reef58

I wouldn't consider Levi a joke. He is a little better than the average bear.

Richard

Randomus

While I am a Bay Area resident I also like to consider myself a realist.

erader

so it's just a matter of positioning yourself on the correct bandwagon on the decisive break ?

ed rader

Randomus

I actually cheer for Levi in races like the Tour of California and Dauphine Libere, but not so much in the TdF. If I were on the slopes of any climbs, you can bet your arse I would be cheering for him.

erader

so what are you saying?

he'll win the TDF?

how many times did you see a young lance armstrong fetching water bottles or towing some stiff who didn't have a dog's chance in hell of winning ?

man i guess we are really getting desperate. too bad armand de las cuevas and tony rominger aren't riding because they would be gods !

ed rader

reef58

Well I don't recall saying Kloden was God, or divine, or any thing remotely similar. I guess I will make it simple.

Kloden better than Levi
Kloden good teamate
Kloden good leader

Richard

erader

i hear you. i cheered for him two years running !

ed rader

https://www.fototime.com/1B9A396A0063788/orig.jpg

https://www.fototime.com/6F813F8A4A23620/orig.jpg

https://www.fototime.com/42A00030BBE2F33/orig.jpg

2wheeled

OP - There are too many good TT riders/climbers for Sastre to win.

reef - I like your picks, except:1) Valverde, 2) Kloden, 3) Evans

reef58

Well I just can't bring myself to put Valverde in 1st. Just don't like the guy, but you may be right. Kloden will smoke him during the TT though, unless his injuries come back to haunt him.

Richard

2wheeled

I agree with you. I put valverde to win because he has a stronger killer instinct in the mountains, I think he will gain a little time over Kloden. Tha TT's are another story though.