leviramsey Posted July 1, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted July 1, 2011 ...starts in mere hours and I figure that one of the greatest dozen or so sporting events in the world deserves at least its own thread... So will Schleck (either of them) beat Contador? Or will we finally see Cadel Evans win? What of Bradley Wiggins? I'm really gratified to see one of my favorite few cyclists, Thor Hushovd, join probably my favorite team, Garmin-Slipstram/Chipotle/Transitions/Cervelo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Looking forward to enjoying the whole spectacle. Hope Brad does well; expect Cav to win a couple and it'll be a result, as before, if he wins more. Will enjoy watching the tour as I normally do as it is as Levi suggests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunRickyRun Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Hope Andy Schleck wins it but cannot see anyone beating Contador based on last year's form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Quite how Contador managed to ride this years tour with such a cloud hanging above his head is unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veloman Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Quite how Contador managed to ride this years tour with such a cloud hanging above his head is unbelievable. I cannot imagine why Contador would use Clen - he doesnt need it. It is mainly a fat-burning agent and is not even a 'proper' steroid. Abdujapourov (however you spell it) got caught using it but he would seek to control hie weight; it does also help breathing too. It does have a vetinary use I believe, hence the contaminated meat argument. They said on Eurosport that the French booed him at the signing-on podium; but then he aint French ! NB Bradley Wiggins has been coached by Shane Sutton lately. Although Shane is an Aussie he was based in Brum for sometime and is a keen Villa supporter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted July 2, 2011 Author VT Supporter Share Posted July 2, 2011 Contador's in trouble already, dropping more than a minute to Evans, Horner, Martin, the Schlecks, Vinokourov, Leipheimer, Basso, and Wiggins. That's a lot of good riders that will need to be beaten in the mountains and TT's. Could Contador withdraw early if he's still a minute or two off of multiple GC contenders after the Pyrenees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy_Evergo Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Contador, Sanchez, Hejsdal and a few others lost over minute there. The GC is all shook up already after the first stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 So, as a super casual fan (ie, I look at the results) what is the British interest in this years Tour, and what can we hope for? I assume Cavendish will be in the running for the Green jersey, but is there anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veloman Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Well yes Rev, there are a couple. Bradley Wiggins could get up on GC but he may have put a lot into winning another big French race called the "Dauphine Libere" - summat like that anyway. This is a damn good race to win so we shall just have to see. The other two are Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas (who the TV might refer to as "G" 'cos everyone calls him that) Both excellent riders; team time trial could be interesting tomorrow 'cos Thomas is right up there and with Wiggins,a time trial specialist, in his team ----could be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I cannot imagine why Contador would use Clen - he doesnt need it. It is mainly a fat-burning agent and is not even a 'proper' steroid. Abdujapourov (however you spell it) got caught using it but he would seek to control hie weight; it does also help breathing too. It does have a vetinary use I believe, hence the contaminated meat argument. They said on Eurosport that the French booed him at the signing-on podium; but then he aint French ! Its not the drug itself, its what its hiding. Contador has had a cloud hanging over him since Operacion Puerto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Superb team time trial stage today. Very happy for Millar. Close on being my favourite rider. Sky did well. Cadel did well. cav and HTC did really well. What a shame that Cuntador suffered again. GREAT start to the tour .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted July 3, 2011 Author VT Supporter Share Posted July 3, 2011 Excellent TTT: * Contador is ****... 28 secs behind Hesjedal, 38 behind Cunego, 45 behind Basso, 92 behind Leipheimer/Horner/Kloden, 97 behind Martin, and 98 behind Wiggins, the Schlecks, and Evans... I'm not sure I see Contador (especially with probably the weakest Riis-managed team I've seen) being able to make up those gaps on everyone over the mountains and time trial. * Hushovd in yellow (and the first Garmin Cervelo rider to wear yellow in the Tour) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I don’t think Contador is ****. He can put that amount of time into most of those riders in the mountains/time trials. It will make the tour definitely exciting, and bring Contador out of his shell... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted July 4, 2011 Author VT Supporter Share Posted July 4, 2011 Anyone ever notice that clicking on the Union Flag on Le Tour's official site leads to the "US" site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunRickyRun Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I don’t think Contador is ****. He can put that amount of time into most of those riders in the mountains/time trials. It will make the tour definitely exciting, and bring Contador out of his shell... I agree. In the past he's been able to ride defensively knowing that he can post big gains in the time trials. This year he'll have to attack on the mountains and I think, if he's able to pull it off, will become a much more popular rider because of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Messy Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Contador is still the favourite for good reason. He is only 1' 42" behind he is very capable of pulling this back. Although my money is on Schleck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Anyone ever notice that clicking on the Union Flag on Le Tour's official site leads to the "US" site? Until this year I think it was a US flag. But as we know, the Tour is definitely down on the yanks, and it would look silly if they had an Australian flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted July 5, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm an even more casual fan than The_Rev, in that I don't know anything about the riders or teams and I don't understand the rules - anything where the first man over the line isn't the winner confuses me. But I do like watching it for the scenery (which gives it a distinct advantage over that other sport where I don't understand the rules, cricket). Incidentally, why aren't there any women riders? Serious question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eames Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 If Wiggins or Millar cant win it, I want Andy Schleck and his super aerodynamic nose to take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Incidentally, why aren't there any women riders? Serious question. Used to be a female tour, but didn’t ignite the fans interest. Britain at the moment is pretty strong in the women’s sport with Pooley, Cooke, et al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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