Where do you think Lance will place in the Tour?
06-23-10, 12:10 PM
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8th, he wont have ac to wait for him on a mtn stage and neutralize attacks from the schlecks like he did last year on ventoux; no team time trial, without which he would not have been on the podium; his team was great in 2004 but now they are just name brand old guys.
la is a great bicycle racer, good enough for top 10 at TdF kind of like christophe moreau or mancebo, but it would be very surprising to me if he's in the mix at the end. honestly, just being able to participate actively at 38 y.o. is pretty amazing.
I do think the cobblestone stage will be exciting and anticipate a RS/Saxo collusion like the LA astana's and Columbia did last year in the crosswind stage intended to gap off AC. RS will do it to be dicks, Saxo will because they know neither schleck can hold AC's wheel in the mtns and neither can TT within a minute of him.
la is a great bicycle racer, good enough for top 10 at TdF kind of like christophe moreau or mancebo, but it would be very surprising to me if he's in the mix at the end. honestly, just being able to participate actively at 38 y.o. is pretty amazing.
I do think the cobblestone stage will be exciting and anticipate a RS/Saxo collusion like the LA astana's and Columbia did last year in the crosswind stage intended to gap off AC. RS will do it to be dicks, Saxo will because they know neither schleck can hold AC's wheel in the mtns and neither can TT within a minute of him.
06-23-10, 12:28 PM
#27
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06-23-10, 02:09 PM
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2nd. Did anyone else notice his subtle jab at Contador in his post race interview in Switzerland? The pokes have begun.
06-23-10, 02:14 PM
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It will take a serious coupe-d'equipe for him to land on the podium, but since the Livestrong Foundation donors are paying his salary, the Shack money can be dedicated to buying the best superdomestiques possible.
Contador's superior climbing & time-trialing vs. Armstrong's superior depth of pockets.
Contador's superior climbing & time-trialing vs. Armstrong's superior depth of pockets.
06-23-10, 02:15 PM
#35
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Armstrong's third place finish was surprising to almost everyone. If he hadn't had to ride in support of Contador, it's difficult to say what might have happened.
Over the years, he had some tough breaks and near catastrophes, rode right out of them, and managed all those wins. While it might take a few unlucky breaks for the likes of Contador and Schleck and everyone else, and a few lucky breaks for LA, counting him out of a podium finish, including first place, should not be discounted.
His power might be lessened, and his endurance might be questioned, but not LA's skills, not his experience, and probably not his desire to win nor his belief that he will win.
Over the years, he had some tough breaks and near catastrophes, rode right out of them, and managed all those wins. While it might take a few unlucky breaks for the likes of Contador and Schleck and everyone else, and a few lucky breaks for LA, counting him out of a podium finish, including first place, should not be discounted.
His power might be lessened, and his endurance might be questioned, but not LA's skills, not his experience, and probably not his desire to win nor his belief that he will win.
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06-23-10, 02:15 PM
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I expect he will be top 5. I expect 3 or 4 Radioshack within the Top 15 though. They definitely have a solid team.
06-23-10, 02:16 PM
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7th.
Lance had an amazing kit last year. RS is good, but it's no 09 Astana.
Lance had an amazing kit last year. RS is good, but it's no 09 Astana.
Last edited by Blackdays; 06-23-10 at 02:37 PM. Reason: freudian slip
06-23-10, 02:30 PM
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Everyone on Astana last year from the TdF squad bar AC went to RadioShack
06-23-10, 02:37 PM
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06-23-10, 02:40 PM
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06-23-10, 02:52 PM
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Given how many stages of the tour are harsh climbs, especially the Montereau stage, Lance would concede the yellow jersey to Contador again unless he can outclimb him. Plus, Contador is known as the time trial champion of Spain or it is unrealistic to expect that Lance would gain on him from TTs. Whichever way you look at it, it's a tall order seeing Contador is 27 and at his prime.
In addition to watching Lance and Contador, Cadel Evans would be another contender for the General Classification. He was 2nd two years straight and I would think he would train to overcome whatever has been stopping him from capturing the top prize.
In addition to watching Lance and Contador, Cadel Evans would be another contender for the General Classification. He was 2nd two years straight and I would think he would train to overcome whatever has been stopping him from capturing the top prize.
Last edited by finale23; 06-23-10 at 02:58 PM.
06-23-10, 03:17 PM
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I think Lance has a chance. I think he will ride hard and consistent and hope experience keeps him out of trouble. Then he just has to hope the other "bright bulbs" burn themselves out.
06-23-10, 03:17 PM
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Every poseur knows that, you would think a pro tour bike team would too.
06-23-10, 03:24 PM
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8th, he wont have ac to wait for him on a mtn stage and neutralize attacks from the schlecks like he did last year on ventoux; no team time trial, without which he would not have been on the podium; his team was great in 2004 but now they are just name brand old guys.
la is a great bicycle racer, good enough for top 10 at TdF kind of like christophe moreau or mancebo, but it would be very surprising to me if he's in the mix at the end. honestly, just being able to participate actively at 38 y.o. is pretty amazing.
I do think the cobblestone stage will be exciting and anticipate a RS/Saxo collusion like the LA astana's and Columbia did last year in the crosswind stage intended to gap off AC. RS will do it to be dicks, Saxo will because they know neither schleck can hold AC's wheel in the mtns and neither can TT within a minute of him.
la is a great bicycle racer, good enough for top 10 at TdF kind of like christophe moreau or mancebo, but it would be very surprising to me if he's in the mix at the end. honestly, just being able to participate actively at 38 y.o. is pretty amazing.
I do think the cobblestone stage will be exciting and anticipate a RS/Saxo collusion like the LA astana's and Columbia did last year in the crosswind stage intended to gap off AC. RS will do it to be dicks, Saxo will because they know neither schleck can hold AC's wheel in the mtns and neither can TT within a minute of him.
06-23-10, 03:51 PM
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"In addition to watching Lance and Contador, Cadel Evans would be another contender for the General Classification."
Somehow, I can't picture Cadel making a successful attack on any of the GC contenders on a big climb (maybe holding on for dear life).
Somehow, I can't picture Cadel making a successful attack on any of the GC contenders on a big climb (maybe holding on for dear life).
