Originally Posted by Veloduo
When Valverde's on, he looks virtually unbeatable. Right now, based strictly on form, I'd slot him in ahead of Der Jan.
My favorites:
Basso
Landis
Valverde
Vinokourov
Ullrich
Leipheimer
Evans
Rasmussen
Not going to happen:
Leiphiemer (Rides too cautious)
Evans (horrible build up so far)
Rasmussen (what are these funny bars they put on my bike?)
Going to happen:
Landis (podium)
Basso (probable winner)
Vino (podium)
Ulrich (4th and a retirement announcement)
Valverde (Could win, could podium, could implode mid second or beggining of third week)
My wild card: Savoldelli. Just killed at Romandie.
How Disco plays this will determine where he ends up. I agree with one mag pundit that Paolo's better suited to this year's TDF route than he is trying to defend at the Giro. Best all arounder at Disco right now.
The three teams that will be killing it for their leader are Phonak, Liberty, and of course CSC. Disco's indecision in naming "the man" is going to cost them, this is a group of guys who have known exactly who to ride for during the last 7 years, and I can't see having 2,3, or 4 leaders being a good thing or a good way to save bullets when you really need them.
Of those three CSC is built for the tour and Riis practices witchcraft, voodoo, and santeria so that's why Basso has got to be the favorite.
T Mobile, as usual, is a nice collection of riders for your fantasy squad, but not a "team".