Opinions on the Tour de France? Lance Armstrong is 2nd betting choice!

[Dante]

Quick update. Well pretty much as expected, Contador took advantage of the steep finish and is now the new leader of the Tour De France. Lance showed his age and although I believe He is now in second place, Lance trails Contador by about 1 minute and somewhere around 37 seconds. I will post more when all the final results are in.

:toast:~~:<< I might mention that this was planned by Astana and in no way was Contador acting on his own

so lance is done then kermey? i would guess he is not making up that much time

 

[kermit16]

so lance is done then kermey? i would guess he is not making up that much time

Yes ! Everyone was waiting to see if somehow Lance could stand up to the younger legs. Today We clearly got the answer and right now I'm not at all sure that Lance will even have a spot on the Podium next Sunday in Paris. Contador is 11 years his junior and in his prime ! This guy pretty much swept all the major races this past year. Contador dominates and I really don't see anyone who will be able to beat him in this year's Tour and perhaps for many more to come. Like Armstrong of old, He excels in the Individual time trials and of course the steep mountain climbs. Andy Schleck looked great today also and He looks like the best competition in the future for Contador. Brad Wiggins perhaps also might be a factor in future Tours
Tomorrow is a rest day and then Tuesday will be another Mountain course. However unlike today, Tuesday's stage will not end with a steep finish and therefore I don't think the big guns will be able to make the decisive moves like they did today. Today was the turning point in the Tour and was exactly what team Astana was biding their time for all along. Astana are 1 st, 2 nd. and 4 th and would no doubt have Levi Leipheimer there also if not for the broken wrist suffered in the fall. Lance could sure use his good friend Levi to help him hold a place on the podium. Lance will do fine in the ITT but He might be in some trouble on the final mountain stage next Saturday up Mont Ventoux. Contador will be content to simply stay close to the front of the main Peloton and try to keep his team in complete command as they presently are. Any breakaway that does not have any of the top contenders in it will be allowed to escape unchallenged. That is the strategy that is used in the Tour if you want to be wearing yellow when it counts... In Paris !
:toast: Lance's chances after today = ^<<^

 

[kermit16]

The stage today went pretty much as expected as the Astana team only needed to defend their great position at the top of the main standings. As predicted the main contenders left any breakaways escape as long as none of the main players were involved in the breaks. However there were several breakaways led by the Schleck's that were quickly matched by Contador. One of the breakaways caught Lance off guard but He somehow manage to ride solo back into the lead pack. Therefore there was no change in the standings amongst the favorites.
However tomorrow might just be another story as this will be a extremely tough Mountain stage and I expect some changes in the order at the top
except for Contador who should easily hold onto the Yellow Jersey. The big question is whether Lance can hold onto his 2 nd. place position. I think the younger legs will prevail in these last few days left in the tour. My hat's off for his gutsy performance up to now but let's see what tomorrow brings. Andy Schleck and his brother Frank will be out to cause as much chaos in the lead pack. Bradley Wiggins who is only 9 seconds behind Lance will be looking to move up and I wouldn't be surprised is fellow Astana teammate Andreas Kloden also will try to keep up with Contador. At this stage of the tour, if you can't keep up with your teammates, it's so long, adios, See Ya ! GL !

:toast:~~:<<

 

[HiPockets]

Great coverage by Versus over a monsterous and fascinating stage. The Schleck bros were terrific and they cracked all the best pro riders on the planet but they couldn't crack Contador. Lance was incredible. I have respected him since the early nineties but I never respected him more than for his uphill ride today. I also enjoy every 'Lance'-Versus interview where he lays out honest candid and insightful comments which is such a fresh break from the Nascar/NBA/NFL 'pro-speak' version .09 downhill meaningless garbage. Tomorrow's time trials will seal the deal for this year's Tour.

 

[kermit16]

Today's grueling Mountain stage did as I predicted yesterday. The top standings were shuffled as the Schleck brothers went on the attack and shook all but Contador and Kloden. I will credit Contador for dumping his own teammate Kloden for another of his ignorant moves. With the 4 man breakaway consisting of the Schleck brothers and the 2 Astana teammates Contador and Kloden it looked fantastic for the Astana team. They were in great shape to have first, second and third place at the end of the day with Contador in first and Kloden in second and Lance in 3 rd. However once again Contador decided to disobey the team Managers order and He went on the attack and succeded in dumping his teammate Kloden who was in great position to end the day in 2 nd. place just ahead of Armstrong. What was He thinking ? It was plain to see that soon after He did it, He was looking back and probably feeling pretty stupid because all He did was cause Kloden to be riding solo and losing ground fast. The stepped up pace at the front allowed the Schleck brother to move into 2 nd. and 3 rd. place so now the Astana team is first, fourth and fifth. Team manager was not happy and mentioned his displeasure in post race interview. Lance was questioned also and He simply smiled and said " I'll bite my lip on that one ". There is no question that Contador is the best rider in the Tour but I sure don't think He's the smartest ! I could see his pain when He realized what He had just done so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and just say that He wasn't thinking. He gained no time on either of the Schleck brothers who were his main opponents and the 4 of them had succeded in putting a lot of time on Bradley Wiggins who everyone feared as He is a time trial specialist and tomorrow everyone expects Wiggins to gain some time on the Schlecks and probably everyone in the tour. Armstrong had Wiggins under control in the trailing group and rode a brilliant race as He broke away from Wiggins and put about a full minute between himself and Wiggins in the standings. Now however Lance is under extreme pressure as He trails Andy Schleck by about 1 1/2 minutes for second place and 30 seconds behind Frank Schleck for 3 rd. place. The Schlecks look so strong in the mountains that I really see no way that Lance can gain any time on either of them at the last day of climbing Saturday up Mont Ventoux. Lance's only chance appears to be tomorrow where He usually is far better then the Schlecks in the time trial but 1 1/2 minutes is a lot of time to make up. Kloden, Armstrong and Contador are all good in the time trials but I expect Bradley Wiggins to gain on them all but I'm quite sure today's stage has put his chances of making a podium position very difficult. Today might become a post Tour conversation piece as what might have happened if Contador had simply done his job and fought off all breakaway attempts. I think there was a very real chance of the Astana team taking all 3 podium spots. Although it's still posible.... I seriously doubt it can be done now. It looks like I'm in great shape to cash my Contador ticket however !
GL :toast:

 

[kermit16]

Quick thought about tomorrows Individual Time Trials. Contador's lead is untouchable. Both Lance and Kloden will make some dent in the Schleck's lead in the Standings. I predict that Lance will overtake Frank's 30 second lead for 3 rd. place but will be unable to overtake the 1 1/2 minute lead of Andy Schleck for 2 nd. Lance put almost a minute up on the great time trial specialist Bradley Wiggins and I can't see Bradley being able to make up the difference to get a podium spot on Sunday. Saturday's stage will give the 2 Schleck brothers a chance to shove Lance off the Podium spot. The end is close now !

 

[Boxer22]

Kermit you seem to know a lot about the tour and so on. I follow it but I think you know much more. Is there anyway Lance returns next year but on another team to rival Contador? I would love to see them on different teams at next years Tour if indeed Lance comes back.

 

[Boxer22]

I guess I just found my own answer. RadioShack will be the sponsor of Armstrong's new team.... Also the announcers on versus said that he would be returning to the Tour De France next year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/news/story?id=4349772

 

[zeeman]

Lance also said he'll be better next year. 2010 tour de france should be entertaining.

 

[kermit16]

Kermit you seem to know a lot about the tour and so on. I follow it but I think you know much more. Is there anyway Lance returns next year but on another team to rival Contador? I would love to see them on different teams at next years Tour if indeed Lance comes back.

Yes, it's been 100 % certain that Lance would part ways with Contador next year. I expect that Lance will bring along with him some of the present supporting cast from Astana like levi Leipheimer, Popovych, Team Manager perhaps, Kloden ? However I don't expect that Lance will be able to challenge Contador ! This guy is simply the best as He proved today.

 

[kermit16]

Lance also said he'll be better next year. 2010 tour de france should be entertaining.

He may be better but He will not be nearly good enough !

 

[kermit16]

Wow ! Contador simply put on an amazing clinic today. He beat Cancellara who is simply the best time trial specialist in the world ! He is a 2 time world Champion and Olympic Gold medalist. Perhaps the grueling climbs in the Alps have taken a toll on his legs as He is simply trying to survive and reach Paris. I really was a little disappointed in Lance's performance today as a 16 place finish is very unlike Lance in the Individual Time Trial where for years He dominated. As predicted He moved up to 3 rd in the standings but His lead is very slight over Bradley Wiggins, Kloden and the ever dangerous Frank Schleck. Look for the Schleck brothers to gang up once again try to dislodge Lance from his 3 rd. place podium position. Since Contador has nothing to worry about with his over 4 minute lead, his main job Saturday should be to help Lance or Kloden stay with the lead group and preserve their finish in the final standing. Key word is " Should " do ! Contador seems to ride away into the Sunset to simply showcase his own ability ! OK, We get it ... You are the best ! Saturday is the day to show everyone that you can be a team player. Tomorrow's stage is flat and I don't expect any change in the order at the top as all the big guns will be resting for Saturday's awesome ride up Mont Ventoux. Can Lance hold his podium position ? Tough call as his lead is small and the climb is huge ! He has the heart... Does He have the legs ? Levi would come in handy but that's another chapter. GL

:toast:

 

[Boxer22]

He may be better but He will not be nearly good enough !

I hope everyone has that mindset going into next tour and Lance is around 5/1 again and dont get injured a month prior to the race like he did this year. Lance will return to glory next year.

 

[kermit16]

I hope everyone has that mindset going into next tour and Lance is around 5/1 again and dont get injured a month prior to the race like he did this year. Lance will return to glory next year.

In my first post in this thread I outlined the 3 main obstacles that would prevent him from winning this year's race. The first 2 were that He was not the team number 1 man as Contador was and secondly was his recent accident in which He broke his Collarbone which I figured hampered his conditioning. Those 2 obstacles might be solved for next year. However my 3 rd. obstacle was his age and his 4 years away from the tour and whether He could now keep up with the younger legs. Next year He will be another year older and Contador and Andy Schleck are still getting better every year. I never wager with my heart and so I'll be looking for the best odds on Contador again or perhaps even a flier on Andy. Andy improved a lot in his climbing and time trial but He isn't in Contador's class.. especially in the time trials. gl !

 

[Boxer22]

In my first post in this thread I outlined the 3 main obstacles that would prevent him from winning this year's race. The first 2 were that He was not the team number 1 man as Contador was and secondly was his recent accident in which He broke his Collarbone which I figured hampered his conditioning. Those 2 obstacles might be solved for next year. However my 3 rd. obstacle was his age and his 4 years away from the tour and whether He could now keep up with the younger legs. Next year He will be another year older and Contador and Andy Schleck are still getting better every year. I never wager with my heart and so I'll be looking for the best odds on Contador again or perhaps even a flier on Andy. Andy improved a lot in his climbing and time trial but He isn't in Contador's class.. especially in the time trials. gl !

Do you think there is any chance Hincapie returns by Lance's side next year?

 

[kermit16]

Do you think there is any chance Hincapie returns by Lance's side next year?

Lance and George Hincapie were longtime friends and I would expert George to join Lance. I was a little surprised that they made the announcement of the new team prior to the end of this year's Tour.
Let's hope that Contador doesn't say the heck with Lance in Saturday's key stage and simply peddle for himself since He knows that they will be competitors next year. Timing seems strange but what do I know ! I guess it wasn't any real secret anyway.
:lol:

 

[Boxer22]

Lance and George Hincapie were longtime friends and I would expert George to join Lance. I was a little surprised that they made the announcement of the new team prior to the end of this year's Tour.
Let's hope that Contador doesn't say the heck with Lance in Saturday's key stage and simply peddle for himself since He knows that they will be competitors next year. Timing seems strange but what do I know ! I guess it wasn't any real secret anyway.
:lol:

I am also hoping the Astana team manager who was obviously the team discovery channel manager goes with Lance.

 

[kermit16]

I am also hoping the Astana team manager who was obviously the team discovery channel manager goes with Lance.

It's a done deal ! Johan Bruyneel is part of the new Radio Shack team already from the report I have read. He is the best as far as planning team strategy.

 

[Dante]

Lance and George Hincapie were longtime friends and I would expert George to join Lance. I was a little surprised that they made the announcement of the new team prior to the end of this year's Tour.
Let's hope that Contador doesn't say the heck with Lance in Saturday's key stage and simply peddle for himself since He knows that they will be competitors next year. Timing seems strange but what do I know ! I guess it wasn't any real secret anyway.
:lol:

lance will want a piece of Contador next year it should be good but does he have enough gas in the legs to catch the kid

 

[kermit16]

lance will want a piece of Contador next year it should be good but does he have enough gas in the legs to catch the kid

Perhaps in his prime but not in 2010 ! Lance has had a awesome comeback all things considered but what some people don't realize is Contador is by far the best Cyclist since Lance's days. Contador might just be as good as Lance ever was. I don't think there was ever any competitor in Lance's 7 year run that was in Contador's class. I really don't care for his lack of team play but He has showed everyone this year that He will be a Cyclist to deal with for many more years. Like I said earlier, My $$ will be on him again next year. Never wager with your heart with real Money ! JMHO See Ya soon at the Bash !
GL :toast: