TdF

[David Kirk]

So it's just a few short days until the start of the Tour and there seems to be little talk about it. I guess it makes sense with all the crap that has gone down over the past few years it's harder to invest oneself into it.

I was reading the Velonews guide to the Tour and it made me perk up a good bit and look forward to it more. They way they have changed things this year with no prologue and hills right from the start seem to be a good way to break the mold and give it a bit of a fresh look, feel and flow. I also like that the transfers are fewer and shorter giving it more of a true tour of the country as it was originally.

It sure seems like it could be Cadel Evans' race to lose and my worry is his public statement that he is inspired by Indurain and hopes to win the Tour in a similar way as he did so many times. Cool if that's what it takes to win but less than exciting racing.

What thoughts might others have?

dave

[gdw]

I'd rather watch pro wrestling.

[paczki]

I love the TdF. But the big surge of excitement only begins when I start watching. I'm very excited for this year, open ended and all. It's hard to root for any one rider, there are a lot of exciting riders. But I would love to see the Little Prince do well. And Moreau -- of course.

[cmg]

cadel evans while a favorite doesn't seems like the one to win. doesn't lead, not aggressive, doesn't take chances, doesn't seem like he wants it bad enough. He'll win if it falls on his lap.

[mosca]

I'd love to see Cadel win it, but it might be the time for Cunego to step up and fulfill his potential. He can definitely add some fireworks at the very least.

It's definitely harder to get excited about it this year. With all the doping scandals and the lack of a strong American contender it really seems like interest has waned stateside, but I'm curious if this has happened internationally as well. Thoughts?

[Steelhead]

I'm looking forward to the daily highlights, stopping by the area shop(s) that have it on during the day etc...

I will say this, I was watching recorded VS Network coverage of the Tour of Pennsylvania and I thought to myself what a sad day it will be when Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin retire. Watching/listening to race coverage without them stinks.

I say bring back Kirsten Gumm and leave Al Trautwig to pro bass fishing or whatever he does. :D

[Erik.Lazdins]

I'm looking forward to watching the race on Versus daily and am also enthused about the difference in layout with the hills coming earlier. The route and the fact that the contenders and animators are closer together mean that the race could be a real treat to watch.

I hope its a clean tour, without scandals, and that the race is made by the racers rather than the controversies.

Thanks for reading,
Erik

[pdxmech13]

Valverde and his team are more dedicated to the cause and are a much stronger team on paper. They have 5 riders that can all make it to the top 10. I'm really interested in seeing how quickly Sastre's form improves as he is way way off the back at the moment. Heres to a great 3 weeks of total surprises and good drama. :beer:

[dave thompson]

I'm ready. Two teams, both slight to not-so-slight underdogs, to root for; Garmin and Columbia. American sponsors, a good number of American riders and both teams profess to practice dope-free racing. Maybe it is all about "taking back the Tour"!

[Climb01742]

i'm stoked too. the guy i'm most curious to watch is fabian. he's lighter this year, apparently. it'll be fun to watch where he finishes. won't win, for sure, but he could be interesting.

cadel seems like a good guy but valverde rides with more style, IMO.

[danjo]

I'm really excited about it.

I just looked through the stage profiles/summaries again. Already looking forward to Stage 17. That should provide some good drama.

[Kevan]

least that's what it's going to feel like. I've almost lost track of riders' and the teams' names.

France right? July?

[benb]

I'm sure I'll get excited by like Stage 3-4 or so.

I have no one I find exciting to root for at all.

Each new issue of Velonews that fawns over Astana & Contador makes me ignore pro cycling a little more.

First year in quite a few that I have no cable TV way to view any of the race at all.

I'm also on vacation next week so no way I will be sitting on the computer following any stages.. I'll go for a ride instead.. or go sit on the beach.

[girlie]

I'm going to be in bars begging them to put it on the tv!

When I was an undergrad....I would go into a local sports bar and beg for one tv, to the side, in the corner anything, and always watched alone.
Now at that same bar they show it on a projection screen:)

[a100mark]

Dopers Shmopers...whatever. I am watching it whether it's clean or dirty! If it's dirty then it just turns into a soap opera which can be entertaining in itself. Clean or dirty those boys can kick our @ss any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Support the sport you love. Every other sport in america is prob tainted as well, just like every band we listen too or movie we watch. Drugs are out there, some use em for gain, others use them to escape.

Viva la tour..... :banana:

[Volant]

I'm anticipating it, but, my family isn't. They know that when the TdF is going on, I'm either working, watching it, riding, or sleeping. They kind of lose Dad for a month.
I hold a little fun-competition with some friends that we duplicate, as best as possible, approximately a quarter of the race each day. Meaning the first day we'll do a 30 mile ride, the second, a 25-miler etc. until we've covered the 543 miles in similar fashion as the tour; meaning we try to duplicate hilly rides for days in the mountains (ride up Brasstown Bald). We do this for fun. We ride all 'stages' together which inevitably end with a sprint. This year, we have some schedule-work conflicts, so our tour may go a few days longer and we'll have to flip-flop a stage or two. But, we'll get the stages in.
So, I, for one, look forward to the 'Tour' as it's one of the funnest months of riding all year.

[Big Daddy]

Its the freaking TdF!

Watch it!

Be proud that we (U.S. Americans) have 2 teams that signed 2 new international companies in the race!

The clean sport has to start somewhere, and with lines in the sand drawn. Get over your illusions of importance and watch the race. Support the network that brings it to us.

For the last 2 seasons, the racing has been better without 90% of the peloton juiced up. No one, or one team is strong enough to control from day to day.

It will get better!

[don'TreadOnMe]

I want THE PATE to unleash a torrent from the big ring.
Also, the brothers Schleck will wreak havoc upon the unwashed masses.
Let it be known.

I'm soooo looking forward to le Tour.

[rwsaunders]

I'm ready...listening to the cowbells during yesterday's stage of the Tour of PA has me in gear and the Versus commercials have done their job.

[mosca]

I'm going to be in bars begging them to put it on the tv!+1 :beer:

Every year I say I'm getting cable but always end up reverting to plan B!

[Elefantino]

It sure seems like it could be Cadel Evans' race to lose ...
I was thinking similarly until Valverde looked so strong in the Spanish championships. I think he's peaking. And his TT work this year has been spectacular.

So ...

Valverde
Evans
Cunego
Sastre ... will not finish fourth this year.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . to go into the sports bar in Saratoga with the 27 different big screen TV's--that all always have football, baseball, basketball, or hockey on them and ask the manager to put one--just ONE--on the TdF and see how hard he laughs.

BBD

[trocared]

if Bob Roll announced...he's a gas :D

[bironi]

I'm anticipating it, but, my family isn't. They know that when the TdF is going on, I'm either working, watching it, riding, or sleeping. They kind of lose Dad for a month.
I hold a little fun-competition with some friends that we duplicate, as best as possible, approximately a quarter of the race each day. Meaning the first day we'll do a 30 mile ride, the second, a 25-miler etc. until we've covered the 543 miles in similar fashion as the tour; meaning we try to duplicate hilly rides for days in the mountains (ride up Brasstown Bald). We do this for fun. We ride all 'stages' together which inevitably end with a sprint. This year, we have some schedule-work conflicts, so our tour may go a few days longer and we'll have to flip-flop a stage or two. But, we'll get the stages in.
So, I, for one, look forward to the 'Tour' as it's one of the funnest months of riding all year.

That sounds like a blast. Have a good month. :beer:

[girlie]

. . . to go into the sports bar in Saratoga with the 27 different big screen TV's--that all always have football, baseball, basketball, or hockey on them and ask the manager to put one--just ONE--on the TdF and see how hard he laughs.

BBD

At first they laughed but then I told them I was dead serious.
They switched a tv on for me.

[bostondrunk]

Valverde will win

[Elefantino]

. . . to go into the sports bar in Saratoga with the 27 different big screen TV's--that all always have football, baseball, basketball, or hockey on them and ask the manager to put one--just ONE--on the TdF and see how hard he laughs.

BBD
I'm hoping at least one bar somewhere in the state of Iowa has he race on during RAGBRAI week.

[trocared]

I'm hoping at least one bar somewhere in the state of Iowa has he race on during RAGBRAI week.

we will have vs. on here in Iowa...bullriding...cagefighting...no fear Elefantino.

[rwsaunders]

At first they laughed but then I told them I was dead serious.
They switched a tv on for me.

BBDave didn't fill in the fact that he usually has his Cipollini Acqua & Sapone Zebra kit on when he's bar hopping in July. :cool:

[soulspinner]

Cunego surprises, Valverde has one really bad day and finishes second. Cadel third...ya, Im full of it. :p

[Simon Q]

I was thinking similarly until Valverde looked so strong in the Spanish championships. I think he's peaking. And his TT work this year has been spectacular.

So ...

Valverde
Evans
Cunego
Sastre ... will not finish fourth this year.

I think Valverde is peaking now and will have a bad time in the third week in the Alps. I like him and if not Evans then I hope he wins but riders who are out of their skins before the Tour sometimes have trouble in the third week. If he stays on fire then that worries me for other reasons.

[BumbleBeeDave]

BBDave didn't fill in the fact that he usually has his Cipollini Acqua & Sapone Zebra kit on when he's bar hopping in July. :cool:

I only wear the full kit for bar hopping in the WINTER. In the summer I only wear the zebra stripe thong underwear with the clear plastic pants.

There . . . THAT should create a mental image that will haunt your dreams and teach you not to provoke me! :D

BBD

[rwsaunders]

I only wear the full kit for bar hopping in the WINTER. In the summer I only wear the zebra stripe thong underwear with the clear plastic pants.

There . . . THAT should create a mental image that will haunt your dreams and teach you not to provoke me! :D

BBD
I sincerely apologize to the masses for any image of BBDave, which is found to be offensive.

[chuckroast]

I'm looking forward to the tour. This is appointment TV for me in July. I don't care who's in or who isn't. The story lines will develop as the race unfolds.

[michael white]

I think it'll be great, wide-open racing, new stories every day, lots of fun to watch.

[girlie]

BBDave didn't fill in the fact that he usually has his Cipollini Acqua & Sapone Zebra kit on when he's bar hopping in July. :cool:

What that outfit always works for me :confused:
BBD have you experienced Cipollini Aqua failure?

[nicrump]

andy schleck. write it down. remember this post and anjoy a new tour hero.

[93legendti]

Cunego - he was so cool in the '04 Giro.

[BumbleBeeDave]

What that outfit always works for me :confused:
BBD have you experienced Cipollini Aqua failure?

. . . don't ride behind me in the rain! Things get ugly REAL quick! :eek:

BBD

[BumbleBeeDave]

I sincerely apologize to the masses for any image of BBDave, which is found to be offensive.

. . . there are also images of me which are NOT offensive? :p

BBD

[paczki]

What happened to Michael Rogers? He was killing it in the last TdF until that hideous accident.

[rounder]

I will be happy watching the phil, paul and bob show how ever it goes. But i think it would be really great if some rising star emerges about half way through the race and dominates to win.

[I Want Sachs?]

Going out on a limb for Haimar Zubeldia. He was ignored when Iban Mayo was the prince, but if he time trials okay, climbing is his game.

[paczki]

Going out on a limb for Haimar Zubeldia. He was ignored when Iban Mayo was the prince, but if he time trials okay, climbing is his game.

Nice pick!

[Elefantino]

Who will get caught doping?

[TAW]

I picked Evans last year, even though he's not an outstanding climber, he's pretty good all around. I think Valverde will win, get caught doping, and Cadel will be declared the winner ala Oscar Pereiro. ;)

[3chordwonder]

What happened to Michael Rogers? He was killing it in the last TdF until that hideous accident.

+1 what's he up to?

[thinpin]

I know I've said this before here but it's hard to look aggressive and flash against doped up riders. Evans looked to have suffered staying with "Rass and co" last year, never mind being a flash git and attacking them. And to the question "is Evans clean?", well who knows, but I like to think so and a lot of others here in the know think so too.
Any sign of the fantastic drunken spider on a bike ..the Columbian fellow...Solar I think..he made my tour last year ...what an ungainly fellow on a bike and could he climb! I loved wathching him!

[andy mac]

cadel evans while a favorite doesn't seems like the one to win. doesn't lead, not aggressive, doesn't take chances, doesn't seem like he wants it bad enough. He'll win if it falls on his lap.


i love it when people write crap like this.

next time you are out for a ride with the big boys and you are busting arse just to keep up, just cast your mind mind back to what you wrote.

then try and attack, go on a breakaway, dance on them little pedals of yours!!

then try doing it for 3 weeks in a row, with your house payments on the line, with people who don't appreciate what you are doing yelling at you to be more exciting and ride faster.

let us know how the experiment works out for you.


:beer:


"Of the other Australians, Michael Rogers is believed to be a podium possibility. But he is still battling the effects of a virus.

His team said he is yet to be ruled out, but it is widely expected the 28-year-old from Canberra will have to miss the tour, despite his 11th at the Dauphine Libere. The time-trial specialist values the Olympics but Liggett believes he may struggle to be fit for Beijing."

[LesMiner]

This thread has got me pumped! An open field where anything can happen. Everyone has a favorite. The first TdF that had decent TV coverage available in my area was 1991. I hope this one is as exciting for me as that first one. So I went online signed up Charter Communication cable service. Special promotion June 1 to June 30, $39.95 for expanded basic which includes Versus. Also a $50 rebate but you have to retain the service for 30 days. No contract to sign. Tonight the cable guy is suppose to install the service.

I dropped cable 12 years ago because the price was getting too high. Really did not watch it that much to make it worth the money. So the connection is still in the house. It is a lot more now but I will keep it for a month and get the rebate. My wife has expressed an opinion of course. "So you are going to work your normal 10 hour day, commute 1.5 to 2 hours a day, and then sit in front of the TV for 3 hours?". She continues, "So that's it! Is that all you are going to do for a month?". Maybe she will get into it a little more after she watchs it a little. Then again if she gets too interested, dinner might come from the Burger King drive up window!

[IXXI]

My man-crush, Cancellara, on the podium.

[rustychisel]

Michael Rogers has suffered Epstein-Barr syndrome (a viral infection) this year and his recovery was taking so long that last month team High Road announced he would not be part of their TdF squad.

IMO Cadel will never have a better chance of winning, here's hoping.

[bike <3'er]

andy schleck. write it down. remember this post and anjoy a new tour hero.

I'm with you in that I root for the Schleck boys.

Andy only has 4th in LBL this year, Frank did well in Amstel with 2nd, 3rd in LBL and carrys the colors of Luxembourg too.

[majorpat]

Sastre...he's due and maybe he got mean over the winter. Evans follows, the Schlecks know how to attack and Cunego will need support.

You gotta watch it regardless of the clownshow it has been the last couple years, what else is there? Bull riding?

Pat

[maddog17]

like DK said to start the thread, with all that's been happening it is tough for me to get excited about the tour, or for that matter, any race. when i first started watching and riding, i was amazed at how these guys could perform. now theres that little voice in my head saying 'don't believe what you see'. and that's what sucks. why get my hopes up for a rider to win when there is that 50% chance that he cheated. and it makes it tougher to enjoy the race just to enjoy it. i'd still like to see it in person, that's been a dream of mine for a long time, to also be able to ride Alpe DuHuez or Ventoux just to say i did it. i really don't care who wins as long as he's not on drugs. i think it will be interesting to see how ASO runs it without the UCI. me thinks there might be a raid of some sort like there was a number of years back with Festina. i'll still watch, but not with the same enthusiasm as in the past.

[harlond]

Hard to believe we're 55 posts in with no mention (that I saw) of Menchov. Menchov's two Vuelta wins show he benefits from riding a GT as training, and he rode a strong Giro. His team might be a question in the mountains, but he's still gotta be among the top 3-4 favorites.

[thinpin]

-

[mikki]

Its the freaking TdF!

Watch it!

Be proud that we (U.S. Americans) have 2 teams that signed 2 new international companies in the race!

The clean sport has to start somewhere, and with lines in the sand drawn. Get over your illusions of importance and watch the race. Support the network that brings it to us.

For the last 2 seasons, the racing has been better without 90% of the peloton juiced up. No one, or one team is strong enough to control from day to day.

It will get better!

+1
I get up at the crack of dawn and watch it live; then watch the recap very late at night. An looking forward to it even if it seems to be a sprinters tour this year (prefer the mountain stages).

[thinpin]

I'm with you in that I root for the Schleck boys.

Andy only has 4th in LBL this year, Frank did well in Amstel with 2nd, 3rd in LBL and carrys the colors of Luxembourg too.

Agreed, last year Schleck looked Schlack...this year he looks Schlick!