T-minus 4 days until Le Tour

[BriantheDawg]

This will be my 2nd time to watch this spectacular event. Last year got me hooked even though the race wasn't even that close. The distances these guys cover in mountainous terrain, combined with the absolute beautiful European countryside makes me kind of wonder why I've never paid attention to it before. Maybe HDTV has something to do with it?

Anyways, I've got my tivo set and can't wait for it to start. Anybody that's knowledgeable about cycling - should we expect Alberto Contador to run away with it again or does Lance Armstrong have a chance this year? I know they're not on the same team this year, so I don't know if that helps or hurts him. Since I'm a noob, someone else care to share your thoughts on what to expect? Is this course going to be more difficult than last year? Anybody else stand a chance besides Contador?

 

[Dawg in a pile]

The same douchebags that were posting every day about soccer will be the same douchebags posting about cycling. Here we go again.

 

[RebelBruiser]

is because if an American, especially Armstrong, wins the race, it really pisses off the French, and I enjoy watching the French be pissed off.

Screw those bastards.

 

[MissStFan87]

I like soccer. I don't like cycling. That being said, I won't be hijacking the cycling threads simply because I don't like it.

And to somewhat stay on topic: I agree with Bruiser... pissed off French people make me happy.

 

[BriantheDawg]

definitely rooting on the US of A in the World Cup and can see why folks could like the sport. Like you, I won't/didn't intervene in any of the soccer threads to show my displeasure of the sport. If you don't care for a particular topic, skip over it. It's really not that hard. For those with an open mind and an HDTV, however, you should try out Le Tour. The team strategy, up-hill climbs & the hauling *** down a mountain on a bicycle while 3 cm's next to another guy on a bicycle is some intense ****, especially when it's wet. It's probably not for everyone, but don't knock it till you try it.

 

[seshomoru]

This will be my 2nd time to watch this spectacular event. Last year got me hooked even though the race wasn't even that close. The distances these guys cover in mountainous terrain, combined with the absolute beautiful European countryside makes me kind of wonder why I've never paid attention to it before. Maybe HDTV has something to do with it?

Anyways, I've got my tivo set and can't wait for it to start. Anybody that's knowledgeable about cycling - <span style="font-weight: bold;">should we expect Alberto Contador to run away with it again or does Lance Armstrong have a chance this year?</span> I know they're not on the same team this year, so I don't know if that helps or hurts him. Since I'm a noob, someone else care to share your thoughts on what to expect? Is this course going to be more difficult than last year? Anybody else stand a chance besides Contador?

Probably and yes.

Contador is without a doubt the best grand tour rider in the world right now, and under normal circumstances, I'd think he'd be a shoe in to run away with it. However, Lance finished third last year and wasn't a team leader. This year, he'll have a full support group, and there is a chance he'll take the GC. It's going to take the best climbing of his career to do it, though. He was also over five minutes out of Contador last year. That's a hell of a lot of time to make up on the best rider in the world. Smart money is Alberto.

Other things I'm interested in...

If Andy Schleck has improved enough to seriously threaten Contador. It's going to take some serious improvement in his time trialing, though there's only one to deal with this year.

How many stages will Cavendish win, and can he take the Green jersey this year?

If Van de Velde can step up from top 10 rider to a podium spot. USA! USA!

As for the route, it should be pretty interesting. There is no team time trial, which in fairness to individual competition seems right, but it's such a cool spectacle and I'll miss it. There is only one individual time trial aside from the prologue, and it's on the next to last day. This could be really, really interesting if Lance is within striking distance of Contador.

There are 23 Cat 2 climbs or higher. There were 20 last year. Col de' Tourmalet will be climbed twice. So again... smart money is Contador.

 

[seshomoru]

The same douchebags that were posting every day about soccer will be the same douchebags posting about cycling. Here we go again.

Coach34 will have plenty of threads for you to waste time in.

 

[patdog]

He's too old. If Contador is on top of his form, it's hard to see anyone beating him.

And, yes, the distances and speed these guys travel is hard to imagine. They'll go roughly 3,000 miles in 30 days at an average speed of close to 30 MPH.

 

[seshomoru]

Not sure how official it is, but I think he's gonna get back into triathlons again and race in Kona. That would be interesting. He'll no doubt crush the ride, but his personal best stand alone marathon is roughly what the Kona champs run in the race. Still, the guy is an endurance freak of nature and has a drive that few people have ever had. He might just could do it.