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Le Tour de France
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| jacknic |
Posted on 23-06-2008 16:58
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If you ignore the testimonies stating he doped, then yes, there is no proof against Contador.
Well, atleast not enough evidence to convict him has been presented. Innocent until proven guilty also applies in the world of cycling imo.
(Oh and let's not turn this thread into another doping discussion. However interesting and relevant it is, it is a bit off topic here ) |
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| matt493 |
Posted on 23-06-2008 17:01
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I dissagree. ASO is in charge so doping is very on-topic.
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| issoisso |
Posted on 23-06-2008 17:06
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I've said it before, Valverde will surprise a lot of people because he finally stopped doing the Vuelta the year before.
However, he may have peaked way to soon, always decays in the third week of any 3-week race and I don't think he'll win at all.
I think people are underestimating Menchov and Sastre, and severely overrating Schleck. If he's still in the top ten after 2 consecutive mountain stages, I'll eat my hat.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| jacknic |
Posted on 23-06-2008 17:25
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Those are my worries about Valverde and Fränk as well. Andy is more likely to perform well if last years Giro is any indication. He looks in good shape after Suisse.
Abouth Menchov and Sastre: Again I think you are dead on. They are not just proven stable riders in the GTs, but they each have very strong teams to help them to good results. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 02:21
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| zkkyby |
Posted on 23-06-2008 21:47
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Sorry, but I don't think this will be a fast tour, allowing men who may struggle over three weeks, get it a bit easier: Valverde and Schleck. If Evans is the favourite, everyone will be looking at him to control the race, but he lacks that grand tour winner pinasche.
The more I think about it, the more a see a Linus Gerdemann or Thomas Voeckler scenario. Except this time, they hold on. Soler? Pereiro? Astarloza? Someone who won't win it by attacking with the other GC favourites.
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| lagetcher |
Posted on 23-06-2008 22:19
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I think Soler could do very well if he doesn't go for the KOM classification again. I'd like to see him go for the overall, but he's probably starting the tour with the objective of the Mountain's jersey. I also agree that people underate Sastre, because he is so strong over a three week race and will have great support |
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| LK |
Posted on 24-06-2008 01:39
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Prediction time
The first hard stages will be dominated by Valverde with Evans, Sastre and Menchov lurking just behind. Howerver, Valverde's form will fade later on and he will be passed by Evans on the harder mountain stages, and by Menchov on the TT. Sastre will be fourth.
Euskaltel is bringing a very strong squad and may even manage to end up with three riders among the top ten. Zubeldia will be pretty invisible, but he will still grab the fifth place in front of his more aggressive team mate Sanchez who might win a stage or two.
The seventh place will be grabbed by Kirchen with Cunego as number eight and Andy Schleck as number nine.
At tenth place we will find yet another euskaltel rider: Mikel Astarloza.
with a whole team to help him, Hushovd will have a good chance to win the green jersy, however I think he`s "only" gonna be second behind Freire. There are ofcorse a lot of other strong sprinters who have a chance to win this, like McEwen, Steegmans etc.
It`s really hard to predict the outcome of the KOM competition... completely depends on who`s trying. If Soler wants to win it again i think he will, but he`s maybe gonna focus more on the GC...
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| ruben |
Posted on 24-06-2008 09:01
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After a few days of rest, Thomas Dekker suddenly feels good again, and is even confident of riding a good tour, albeit he is not sure if he can ride a good classification this way.
Miracles still happen.  |
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| Smitho |
Posted on 24-06-2008 10:21
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I think hamair zubeldia will win it why not. He has strong team everybody is going to be looking at sanchez (who doesnt look like he is on form) and valverde and evans will let him go i think. Also he can ride a good time trial and he can still in the top 5 in all the mountain stages very consistant and never has an off day so im going to stick my neck out and say zubeldia. Look at his performance in the dauphine
ZUBI 4 LE TOUR!!!! |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 24-06-2008 11:12
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jacknic wrote:
SportingNonsense wrote:
Is Ricco even riding the tour?
He is not  ops:
Well then. Put Devolder in the wild card group then. Nice time trialist and showed him self on the climbs in tour de Suisse. He lost a lot on the last mountain TT, but I doubt he went all out.
In fact, I just read that he will surprisingly ride the Tour despite what we have known so far. He has been seen riding a lot in the mountains (Dolo .. something, can't spell it), and he doesn't deny it. He just says that he has no comments, but that the squad will be announced soon = yes, Ricco will ride the Tour. |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-06-2008 11:18
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Now people gonna say..he is not gonna win!
Ofcorse not..but this is great that he is in..makes TdF even better.
One point more..cyclist are terrible when they try hide race and future plan..almost childish. Same with doping dening...club changes. Contador vacation.
Got to edit..Armstrong was best with it.
Edited by Guido Mukk on 24-06-2008 11:19
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| Smitho |
Posted on 24-06-2008 11:29
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Guido Mukk you are obcessed with doping its getting a bit boring its people like you who are wrecking cycling races are you always say he was probably on drugs.
1. You dont have proof
2. Cycling is probably cleaner that it has been in the last 10-15 years
3. You just say riders you dont like are on drugs. e.g contador
So please go off the whole doping conversation i have seen loads f them and i didnt sign up on here that long ago its boring now to be honest. |
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| jacknic |
Posted on 24-06-2008 12:19
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In fact, I just read that he will surprisingly ride the Tour despite what we have known so far. He has been seen riding a lot in the mountains (Dolo .. something, can't spell it), and he doesn't deny it. He just says that he has no comments, but that the squad will be announced soon = yes, Ricco will ride the Tour.
That is so wierd. I read just yesterday that Ricco, Simoni and Piepoli wouldn't do the tour. All smoke and mirrors in Riccos case. It will be interesting to se how a top Giro rider will fare in the Tour. Most likely he will bomb as is typical for Giro riders. |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-06-2008 12:31
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Smitho wrote:
Guido Mukk you are obcessed with doping its getting a bit boring its people like you who are wrecking cycling races are you always say he was probably on drugs.
1. You dont have proof
2. Cycling is probably cleaner that it has been in the last 10-15 years
3. You just say riders you dont like are on drugs. e.g contador
So please go off the whole doping conversation i have seen loads f them and i didnt sign up on here that long ago its boring now to be honest.
No I am not..you cant blame me for that.
You dont have to worrie about people like me..
All I am saying cyclist are worst athlets in the sport. Once again (counting doping out)..they cant hide a plans for season calendar..future team names. if they trying to do..they look childish.
Examples..Contador looking a team..
Ricco dont ride TdF (belive me there is hugh possiblility that he will be there)
Contador didnt know that Astana will get Giro invatation
Bruyneel life |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 24-06-2008 13:58
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Tour de France Champion
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Guido Mukk wrote:
Examples..Contador looking a team..
Ricco dont ride TdF (belive me there is hugh possiblility that he will be there)
Contador didnt know that Astana will get Giro invatation
Bruyneel life
touché
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| helGn |
Posted on 24-06-2008 14:40
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i think sastre and menchov will have a good tour. i hope euskatel will do good and get top5 spot.
for the sprinters hushovd has the whole team working just for him, freire doesnt, thats why i think hushovd will win the green jersey. steegmans could do good aswell if he get the team working for him like they did for boonen. i remember hulsman and one other dude in ...2006? chasing down breakaways day after day it was really awesome to watch |
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| Karl_rab |
Posted on 24-06-2008 14:48
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no hope for euskatel, they realise this and will go for vuelta.
Menchov will have a good tour
Friere has problems going into the tour so im going for sprinters like boonen 
I hope the schlecks do well
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| mrlol |
Posted on 24-06-2008 14:49
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eeh, Booen isnt in the tour, you know that? he was caugth on cocaine |
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| Karl_rab |
Posted on 24-06-2008 14:53
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mrlol wrote:
eeh, Booen isnt in the tour, you know that? he was caugth on cocaine
haha i totally forgot about that
shame really that Booen isnt in the tour, probably means BOONEN will win
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| helGn |
Posted on 24-06-2008 15:10
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lol i laughed so hard that the dude sitting next to me asked wtf i was doing |
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