Alberto Contador
On the paper, "El Pistolero" is the ultimate favourite. He already showed at the Tour de Suisse that he is in top form. It is almost impossible to beat him. Almost.
+ Best climber; really good time trialer
O Average Team
- Vinokourov won the Dauphiné and probably wants some freedom
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Andy Schleck
Though he only finished 10th in Switzerland, he is probably the only one who is able to beat Contador. With the strongest team at his back, he have perfect support.
+ Good climber; strong team
O Average at cobblestones
- Weak at time trials; his brother Fränk does not seems to be in shape and can not support him well
Lance Armstrong
The former dominator of the Tour de France is getting old, but still a strong rider. After a podium 2009, he showed that he is still competitive. All cycling fans ask themself the same question: Is it really possible that Lance Armstrong wins the Tour de France an eigth time?
+ Huge experience from former wins; a strong team with strong supporter like Paulinho or Popovych; the best cobbler from all the favourites
- Unfortunately not as strong as Schleck or Contador at the mountains; lost much of his former TT strength
Samuel Sánchez
After his 2nd place at the Vuelta 2009, Sánchez is counted to the best stage racers in the whole world. Until now, he was not able to show a really good result at the Tour, but we have to look at him...
+ Strong climber; good abilities at long time trials
- Weak team; weak on cobblestones; maybe form problems, he was not really convincing at the Dauphiné
Denis Menchov
2 times winner of the Vuelta, already on the podium at the Tour de France 2008 - is there more to say?
+ Strong climber; good time trialer; Gesink will be a strong helper
- Problems on the cobbles; not the only leader from Rabobank (Freire)
Christian Vande Velde
Normally only a favourite for a Top10, but after his great Dauphiné, he might be a secret favourite...
+ Hes in a great shape; Hesjedal and Danielson are strong helper; strong time trialer
- Compared with Menchov or Contador, he has problems on the mountains; Very weak on cobblestones; not only leader from Garmin (Farrar); might lose time on hilly stages (only 73 hill)
Fränk Schleck
A strong climber with some problems against the clock. Usually he works together with his brother, but after showing form problems at the Tour de Suisse, he might be to weak to support his young brother...
+ Strong climber
- bad performances at time trials; he might have form problems; must help his brother
Roman Kreuziger
After an 8th in Switzerland and the double at the national championships, it is clear that Kreuziger is in shape and should be able to finish in the Top10, ifä not better...
+ Nice shape; good time trialer; motivated due to his new jersey
- Compared to the big favourites, he have problems on mountains; weak team for the mountains and not the only leader (Bennati/Chicchi); weak on cobblestones
Levi Leipheimer
After a great Giro and a 5th in Switzerland, he is of course a favourite. But with the Giro in his legs, he might be tired and he have to work for Lance.
+ Strong time trialer
- Already ride the Giro; poor at the cobbles; only Co-Leader from RadioShack
Alexandre Vinokourov
The kazakh had a great early season, winning Milano-San Remo, and showed old strength at the Tour de Suisse, beating Sánchez, Vande Velde and Paulinho! Unfortunately he is in the same team as Contador...
+ Still a good time trialer; good form
O Average cobbler
- Can not keep up with the really good climbers; He probably have to help Contador
Bradley Wiggins
The big surprise from the last year, where he finished 4th and only 37 seconds behind Armstrong! But only with average results 2010 with an average Giro where he finished 17th...
+ One of the best time trialers; strong on cobblestones;
O Only Löfkvist as helper
- Poor mountain abilities compared to the top favourites; already rode the Giro and might have form problems
Robert Gesink
One of the biggest dutch stage racer talents since a long time, but without any good result this year. And after a weak Dauphiné (20th), he will have to help Menchov.
+ Good climber
- Poor shape; Have to help Menchov; Weak time trialer; poor on cobblestones
Jurgen Van den Broeck
After a 15th in Switzerland, he might have some shape problems, but supported by Peraud, he should make it in the Top10.
+ Decent climber
O Average at the cobbles
- Only an average time trialer; not the only leader from Lotto (Gilbert, Roelandts)
Tony Martin
OK, maybe I am counting him to the favourites because I am a German as well, but after a great Tour de Suisse where he defeated rider like Andy Schleck or Armstrong, he might be able to show a good result in the Tour as well.
+ Except Cancellara the best time trialer; Great shape
- Still to weak at the climbs; really poor at the cobbles; his team works for Cavendish.
Andreas Klöden
His best times are over, but he wants to show his new jersey and showed at the Tour de Suisse that he is still a rider for a Top10.
+ Strong against the clock
- Weak cobbler; lost his forme strength at mountain stages; only the third leader from RadioShack.
Boasson Hagen dominated the norsk championships, seems that Thor is not the best norwegian rider anymore.
But after his dominant victories in Switzerland, I am sure that his shape is alright.
19 seconds faster than Millar! 11'09" Good job Tony!
