OT: 2017 Tour de France

[jghall]

Know this place is more of the Classics and some of the other grand eventsplace, but I like the Tour too. Apologies if someone already started this, but with it being a week away, any takers on the winner.

If someone more intelligent than wants to make this a poll, much thanks.

Since I threw it out here, I'll go first. Mild upset; Richie.

[PQJ]

Although I believe it highly unlikely, Contador emerges victorious in his swan song.

[guido]

I vote for Contador too. Man has class.

[Black Dog]

I will bet a spanish steak that Contador wins.

[cadence90]

I would like Aru, but don't think he will. Today was nice though.

http://images2.gazzettaobjects.it/methode_image/2017/06/25/Ciclismo/Foto%20Ciclismo%20-%20Trattate/podioIta-U202073401470ZgE-U2001237887613tjB-620x349@Gazzetta-Web_articolo.jpg?v=201706251943

Bardet is a strong contender this year, I think.

It would be cool if Voeckler were to find a way to win on July 14 in his swan song.


Why is this thread "OT"? :confused:
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[adub]

Dumoulin for the GC

[cadence90]

Dumoulin for the GC

That would be quite the feat indeed, to win with bib #2301. :D

[regularguy412]

Know this place is more of the Classics and some of the other grand eventsplace, but I like the Tour too. Apologies if someone already started this, but with it being a week away, any takers on the winner.

If someone more intelligent than wants to make this a poll, much thanks.

Since I threw it out here, I'll go first. Mild upset; Richie.

I'll 2nd the Porte pick. He's been steadily coming good.

And ,, there's something to be said for the best time trialing as a team, year in and year out.

My dark horse pick ---- Fuglsang, but Astana will have to have the horses to support him.

Mike in AR:beer:

[ultraman6970]

So far remember he is not even in the rosterS? my fav as well tho :)

I will cheer for Porte and Contador...

Dumoulin for the GC

[cadence90]

So far remember he is not even in the rosterS? my fav as well tho :)
Save a spot for him on your couch, because that's the only place TD will be "in the Tour" this year.

[adub]

Save a spot for him on your couch, because that's the only place TD will be "in the Tour" this year.

I'm not up to speed on the roster. Haha!

[cadence90]

I'm not up to speed on the roster. Haha!
:)

Besides, fear not...if your heart is really set on cheering for a Dumoulin, Sam "No Relation" Dumoulin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Dumoulin) is on the start list, for AG2R La Mondiale!
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[Hank Scorpio]

With Porte being the BMC gc hopeful GVA might be on a short leash but I hope they let him collect at least one stage. After the classics season he has had he deserves it.

[soulspinner]

So far remember he is not even in the rosterS? my fav as well tho :)

I will cheer for Porte and Contador...

Me too. Anyone but Froomester:beer:

[Llewellyn]

As an Aussie I'm going for Porte and I think he might actually be in with a decent crack at GC. But to be quite honest as long as it's anyone apart from Froome I don't mind who wins.

[sw3759]

for sure this isn't OT !
count me in as rooting Alberto..
and if I have to watch Froome pedal while sitting on the top tube again I may have to gouge my eyes out..they need to pixelate that..:rolleyes:

[NPcycling]

Porte.

[Macadamia]

Really can't doubt Froome, even after his mediocre Dauphine. Hopefully Porte, Contador, and the French riders make it interesting while Nairo sits on Froome's wheel.

[adub]

People love to hate a winner!

[Mark McM]

People love to hate a winner!

America loves to root for the underdog. But if the underdog starts to win regularly, they aren't the underdog anymore. So we need a new underdog to root for.

This is kind of like how Americans hate political Insiders, so they vote the political Outsider into office. But once these Outsider candidates take office, they become the new Insiders. So we need a new political Outsider to replace them with.

[MattTuck]

Historically speaking, it would be unlikely for Froome to win based on his age. Small sample size, and all that -- every year is different, depends on the the competition, etc...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697933610&stc=1&d=1485442287

[FlashUNC]

The chart should be more "Who found a blood doping program too late in life?"

[Pelican]

Surprised no one's called Nairo for the overall. He's my pick to end Froome's reign. Can't really get excited for Contador or Porte, though surely they're contenders for the podium.

[jlwdm]

for sure this isn't OT !
count me in as rooting Alberto..
and if I have to watch Froome pedal while sitting on the top tube again I may have to gouge my eyes out..they need to pixelate that..:rolleyes:

That downhill with Froome sitting on the top tube was unbelievably great!

Jeff

[Cicli]

Alberto.

I am really going for either the fat guy running in a speedo or the guy in a gorilla suit. :hello:

[regularguy412]

Surprised no one's called Nairo for the overall. He's my pick to end Froome's reign. Can't really get excited for Contador or Porte, though surely they're contenders for the podium.

I'd really like to like Quintana, but I've hitched my wagon to him too many times only to be left high and dry. Seems like Movistar always manages to shoot itself in the foot. I just hope that Movistar, Sky, BMC and Trek keep it interesting.

Mike in AR:beer:

[oldpotatoe]

Porte
Quintana
Froomie

[pbarry]

Taylor.

[oldpotatoe]

Taylor.

Just saw him in the shop..great kid, so easy going..it seems like he is really enjoying this adventure(pro bike racing) he is on..I think Connie has a lot to do with that(Davis too..but he was pretty intense). He needs to ride a bigger bike tho...:)

[pbarry]

Right? His mom rode a bigger bike than he does.. .:beer:

[pjbaz]

Surprised no one's called Nairo for the overall. He's my pick to end Froome's reign. Can't really get excited for Contador or Porte, though surely they're contenders for the podium.

I could see this happening, and really I'll cheer anyone except Contador. :banana:

[ejanastacio]

Curious to see how Esteban Chaves does this year

[djg21]

The chart should be more "Who found a blood doping program too late in life?"

Contador has a problem now. Say it ain’t so.

http://www.velonews.com/2017/06/news/andre-cardoso-out-of-tour-due-to-failed-anti-doping-test_441632

[Frankwurst]

The 2017 Tour de France begins on July 1. Here are the full odds to win from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. :beer:

Odds To Win Tour De France
RIDER ODDS
Chris Froome 5-6
Richie Porte 7-2
Nairo Quintana 8-1
Alberto Contador 9-1
Romain Bardet 15-1
Alejandro Valverde 15-1
Adam Yates 25-1
Johan Esteban Chaves 25-1
Fabio Aru 40-1
Simon Yates 40-1
Vincenzo Nibali 50-1
Tom Dumoulin 60-1
Ilnur Zakarin 60-1
Thibaut Pinot 80-1
Rafal Majka 100-1
Louis Meintjes 100-1
Miguel Angel Lopez 100-1
Bauke Mollema 125-1
Julian Alaphilippe 125-1
Jakob Fuglsang 150-1
Daniel Martin 150-1

[rustychisel]

Zubeldia still on the start list! That's astounding. He must be gunning for the Jens, Stuey etc longevity prize.

[pbarry]

Cardoso has a problem now. Say it ain’t so.

http://www.velonews.com/2017/06/news/andre-cardoso-out-of-tour-due-to-failed-anti-doping-test_441632

Fixed it for you in bold above. AC will be at the starting line. No horse in the race except TP.

[djg21]

Fixed it for you in bold above. AC will be at the starting line. No horse in the race except TP.

Does Trek-Segafredo lose a rider or does Cardosa get replaced? Wasn’t Cardosa supposed to be a key support rider for Contador in the mountains?

[PNW]

Does Trek-Segafredo lose a rider or does Cardosa get replaced? Wasn’t Cardosa supposed to be a key support rider for Contador in the mountains?

Zubeldia will replace Cardosa.

[72gmc]

I may pay attention this year, just because it's Alberto's last stand.