Betting on the Tour?

[endurancerider]

Anyone want to bet on a winner?
I've had a tough time deciding for myself--but after today, Contador.

[mtkitchn]

Contador sure looked good.
I think Andy Schleck might be a contender...
But I can't count Lance out! Old age and treachery...

It's gonna be a great tour!

[malkin]

Andy is so cute, I could never bet against him!

[jobob]

Whee!

I got up late this morning and I just finished watching about five hours of tour coverage I had recorded from early this morning on Versus (thank gawd for DVRs and being able to zip past commercials - oh lookie, it's Bob again ... :rolleyes:)

That was a fascinating time trial, it seemed to depend nearly as much on bike handling skills as on raw speed. I was wondering if we would even possibly lose a contender in a crash today, yikes.

Heh, I didn't dare check my computer before I finished watching it, I wanted the outcome to be a surprise. :cool:

I don't have anyone in particular I'm rooting for, yet, but I'd love to see Evans do well, and Andy Shleck, and Sastre, and Menchov, and especially Vandevelde (back injury recoverers unite!!), and Levi & Lance (hey, what the heck), but I do think Contador might be head and shoulders above them all. Which is very cool IMHO.

[Tri Girl]

In heart, I'd love to see ol' George win (but that's not going to happen), so I have to put my money on Lance. How can I bet against Lance? :)

Really, no matter who wins, I just LOVE TDF time of the year. :):):)

[Kelly728]

I like Cavendish.. But what do I know??
He isn't too hard on the eyes either.

[Eden]

I like Cavendish.. But what do I know??
He isn't too hard on the eyes either.

For the overall? Sprinters in general (unless you are Eddy, the cannibal, Merckx) and Cav definitely doesn't have the climbing ability to make it over the mountains without losing massive amounts of time. He'll have to work hard to just not get time cut. Also, most overall contenders these days don't want to mix it up in the sprints for fear of being crashed out.

Barring accident or incident, I'd put my money on Contador. He's got the climbing legs and a great team to back him up. The only fear I have is that the team may have too many chiefs and not enough indians.... unless the team gets 100% behind him, he will struggle.

[papaver]

I put my money on Contador, but i'm hoping for Cancellara. I'm conviced he can do it, but I'm not sure he thinks the same. :D

It is not a climbers tour, so...

[Reesha]

If I had to pick someone it would be Cancellara. I'd love to see him win.

Plus, he looks like a long lost member of my Dad's side of the family :D

http://kennettron.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/fabian_cancellara__gallery__334x400.jpg
http://lesoftparade.com/boards/images/smilies/thinlove.gif

[Kelly728]

For the overall? Sprinters in general (unless you are Eddy, the cannibal, Merckx)



Thats why I said what do I know, because I really have no clue!

[Flur]

I'm rooting for Cavendish to win the green jersey, and for Vandevelde to win the overall. I know CVV is a bit of a dark horse, but I think he can do it.

[AnnieBikes]

I am for Levi! But, I think that Lance can pull it off. I actually hope he does!;)

[Trek420]

MONTPELLIER TEAM TIME TRIAL CONTEST

Team Time Trial Contest: State the time Team Astana will stop the clock in the Team Time Trial at the Tour de France Tuesday WITHOUT going over the team’s actual time. [Example: For a winning time of 29.40.04 a guess of 29.40.05 would be too high, but a winning time could be 29.40.01 if no one else was closer] Be specific in your guess: use decimals!!

Email guess to : astanacycling@gmail.com One entry per emailaddress.

Email subject line must contain the words “TdF TTT Contest” or it will not be opened.

The prize is a complete set of rider cards autographed by the entire 2009 Tour de France squad.

In case of tie, time stamp of earliest correct answer will prevail.

Contest closes at 9AM GMT +1 on July 7 or whenever 200 entries have been received.

The value of the prize is 20 Euro.

No purchase required.

Contestants must be 21 years of age.

The winners of the prize awarded will be notified by e-mail within 10 days after selection. The prize will be sent to the contestant with postage paid for by Team Astana.

More info here:

http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/special_features/tdftttconteststg4.html

[emily_in_nc]

I would love to see Lance win #8.

[Trek420]

I dunno. I think the sport neeeeeeeds a new generation of heroes, especially here where most non-cyclists and non-TdF fans think Lance IS the be all and end all of cycling.

We like to see our heroes leave on top "yeah, he had another Tour in him". I don't think see him bonk in the Alps or dropped, I think he'll do well. he could even win. I'm not saying he's over the hill, but the sport needs to go on and have new heroes. People act like cycling stopped when Lance left, it went on, other riders won.

Let the Tour continue without Lance, and let Lance live on without the Tour.

[Eden]

Honestly I really hope that Lance helps Contador (or Levi for that matter) to win or at least make a great bid for a win, in a really obvious way and is really obviously happy to do it. It would be nice to see a graceful passing on of the torch - unlike the feud that erupted between Hinault and Lemond or a frustrated, desperate bid to hold onto glory, like Lemond before he retired. So far I haven't seen any sign of this though....

I was a little disappointed (though not entirely surprised) when Lance came out of retirement. I had thought here was finally someone who stepped out at the right time. I hope he can surprise me and make good on the idea that he came back to spread the word about Livestrong and not to be the uber competitive cyclist he used to be.

[newbiechick]

I'd have to bet on Contador ... although I'd really love to see Andy Schleck take the GC. Most of all I LOVE seeing Fabian in the yellow right now. Don't know why, but I'm crazy about that guy! :)

[katluvr]

I am just so excited it is on. 3 weeks of something to watch (and occassionaly watch while spinning away on my trainer).
I just hope it is excited and maybe there will be a real surprise on who wins!
:)

[Reesha]

hahaha do you imagine you're racing along with them? It was after watching Stage 2 that I decided to ride 30 something miles yesterday. :D

[tulip]

I enjoyed watching the first two stages at a friend's house. This will be my biggest test of no TV--if I can handle not having a TV during the Tour, I know I will be fine. Hopefully I can find video coverage on the internet. Live would be even better.

I must say, though, that Versus really is putting on a heavy Lance show. I would rather watch Eurosport and have a more balanced coverage.

No bets on winners. I'm just enjoying it.

[Possegal]

Lots of online options here. http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/

[jobob]

I must say, though, that Versus really is putting on a heavy Lance show. I would rather watch Eurosport and have a more balanced coverage. Goodness, you have that right! Eh, they have to try to draw in as big an audience as they can, and they have sponsors to appease. Ergo the All Lance All The Time slant.

The coverage looks very nice in high def, though. :)

[Hub]

We hung the new 60" plasma just in time to watch the Tour in HD-

Team Astana . . . preferably a boy from Plano Texas-

[Zen]

Less lance, more Linus (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=com.google:en-US:official&hs=eUB&ei=-RxSSvOxFozflAeTyOjMBQ&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=linus+gerdemann&spell=1)!
He's just so pretty :o:D

[Reesha]

:eek: That Mark Cavendish!!!! http://lesoftparade.com/boards/images/smilies/thinlove.gif

[Pedal Wench]

Goodness, you have that right! Eh, they have to try to draw in as big an audience as they can, and they have sponsors to appease. Ergo the All Lance All The Time slant.

The coverage looks very nice in high def, though. :)

It was always my understanding that Versus just gets the feed given to them from the French coverage. If it's all Lance all the time, blame the French cameramen.

[Reesha]

I haven't noticed an excessive discussion of Lance. They spend a lot of time talking to the other hopefuls. I mean, they occasionally point him out-- but it's a point of interest as much as anyone else, but especially since he's a veteran winner of the Tour de France. Of course I'm interested to see the kind of strategy he uses. I didn't think the coverage was Lance heavy at all so far. Time will tell though I think!

[tulip]

It was always my understanding that Versus just gets the feed given to them from the French coverage. If it's all Lance all the time, blame the French cameramen.

No, the images are not all Lance all the time, but the commentary is. Like yesterday, there was a big crash, but VS was busy with a Lancemercial. They eventually put up a split screen but the audio was still the Lance bit.

In fact, the images show lots of riders that I would like to know about, and not just the leaders. I would like to believe that Phil and Paul would like to cover it more evenly, but VS requires them to focus on Lance. But I have no idea.

Their lead-in graphics tend to be of Lance, too.

[Flur]

I've noticed that Versus has an icon of a "blue jersey" that looks like the Astana jersey, and, if I understand it right, that icon tells us where Lance is at all times. They pointed it out today when the large group split from the peloton. Seems a bit much, to me.

[ttaylor508]

I've noticed that Versus has an icon of a "blue jersey" that looks like the Astana jersey, and, if I understand it right, that icon tells us where Lance is at all times. They pointed it out today when the large group split from the peloton. Seems a bit much, to me.

I believe that icon is for the Leading team, not Lance in particular. Right now Astana is the leading team. If another team takes the lead from them their jersey would be displayed.

[Flur]

I believe that icon is for the Leading team, not Lance in particular. Right now Astana is the leading team. If another team takes the lead from them their jersey would be displayed.

The announcers actually said that we could see, with the blue jersey icon, that Lance was in the lead group.

[DDH]

I think that most media programs report what they think the majority of the audience wants to hear.
I for one am amazed by all of them, but haven't really picked a favorite to win. I think Cavendish is amazing with his sprinting ability but Lance still amazes me.
I don't know why he came back or if he'll win, but that he is able to still do as well as he is, just absolutely amazes me.

[denda]

I think it will be Contador.

[jobob]

I believe that icon is for the Leading team, not Lance in particular. Right now Astana is the leading team. If another team takes the lead from them their jersey would be displayed.

Nope, the commentators specifically mentioned it is to indicate where Lance is.

(Plus if you think about it, at any given moment not all the members of a team are going to be in the same location...)

Yep, Versus has icons along the bottom of the screen indicating the location in the peleton of the yellow jersey wearer, the green jersey wearer, the polka dot jersey wearer, the white jersey wearer ... and Lance. :rolleyes:

'nuff said. :D

[jobob]

In fact, the images show lots of riders that I would like to know about, and not just the leaders. I would like to believe that Phil and Paul would like to cover it more evenly, but VS requires them to focus on Lance. But I have no idea.

Makes sense to me.

[Reesha]

Well, he's kind of a Tour establishment by now ain't he? :D

Regardless of whether he's pointed out, I still look for him. Of course I'm rooting for him. I'm rooting for them all, whether they've one an entire tour, a single stage or none at all. It's just so dang exciting!

[papaver]

I saw the race yesterday and I think that because of the competition within astana, no Astana rider will win the tour.

Bruyneel always claims that Contador is number one in the team, but then no-one waits for him in the final break away... :eek: That is not good for the moral within the team. A very very stupid move if you ask me.

Sure lance can end in the top 3, but he won't win.

[crazycanuck]

I'm not watching the tour but with lance in, it reminds me of the williams sisters in women's tennis. Why not just hand him the trophy & call it a day. Same with Wimbledon-just give the stupid trophy to Serena or Venus and call it a day. :rolleyes:

I am only curious about how the Australians fare.

Much more exciting things going on in sport in the next few weeks :D-The Ashes but more importantly the Bledisloe Cup :)

[kenyonchris]

I haven't noticed an excessive discussion of Lance. They spend a lot of time talking to the other hopefuls. I mean, they occasionally point him out-- but it's a point of interest as much as anyone else, but especially since he's a veteran winner of the Tour de France. Of course I'm interested to see the kind of strategy he uses. I didn't think the coverage was Lance heavy at all so far. Time will tell though I think!

Yeah, I agree...I have not noticed it over-Lanced at all. They do little blurbs and stuff about him, but they do that with all the favored riders. I saw him in that breakaway yesterday before the commentators even remarked that he was there!
He is a great rider, there is no doubting that. But great strategist as well, yesterday proved that. If there is some focus on him, well, for Heaven's sake, there is a reason. Again, hello! Stage 3.

[katluvr]

yesterday's stage was great....quite exciting near the end for a flat stage. Lance and Fabian (can't spell his last name, sorry!) were just plain ole smart. They are experience enough to wathc and they jump on that break away when it happened. Not sure why Contador didn't...either he was pinned in (not a good place to be) or didnt' see it happen. It is not just talent that is needed to win...lots of strategy...Lance has always been a master tactician. I wonder how Team Columbia/HCT will do in teh team time trail today...the sure used a LOT of energy yesterday.
I just love the Tour! :D (Ok, back to work now!)

[Reesha]

I saw the race yesterday and I think that because of the competition within astana, no Astana rider will win the tour.

Bruyneel always claims that Contador is number one in the team, but then no-one waits for him in the final break away... :eek: That is not good for the moral within the team. A very very stupid move if you ask me.

Sure lance can end in the top 3, but he won't win.


Yeah that's definitely something I'm curious to see.

Columbia-HTC has a few favored riders, don't they? Michael Rogers and Tony Martin?

This is going to be an interesting TTT though-- hopefully not too many crazy crashes!

[papaver]

Yeah that's definitely something I'm curious to see.

Columbia-HTC has a few favored riders, don't they? Michael Rogers and Tony Martin?

This is going to be an interesting TTT though-- hopefully not too many crazy crashes!

too late, menchov has crashed and practically a whole team has crashed. (bouygues telecom)

[Reesha]

Also, are you talking about yesterday's breakaway? I'm not sure there was enough time for most teams to think about waiting up for teammates. A lot of times were split and a lot of favorites were left in the dust...

Personally I would really loooove to see Astana work as a well-oiled machine much in the way Columbia-HTC is. There's a reason they're on top!

[tulip]

I am proud to say that I don't need a TV!! I was able to watch today's stage on my computer (thanks Posse). Not in high def, but that's okay by me. I mean, if you've never seen high def, you don't know what you're missing, right? And frankly, bike racers in high def while racing probably isn't the most flattering way to see them anyways (I picture snotrockets and the like.)

Man, it's good to work from home!

[Possegal]

I have to know Tulip - did you watch one with French announcers? My brother in law tries all the time to watch an Italian feed, after several years of taking Italian. :) When I'm at home, I've been known to have Versus on my TV and a muted feed on my computer.

[tulip]

I have to know Tulip - did you watch one with French announcers? My brother in law tries all the time to watch an Italian feed, after several years of taking Italian. :) When I'm at home, I've been known to have Versus on my TV and a muted feed on my computer.

Today I watched the Versus live feed. It's free if you don't mind rough images. Otherwise, you have to pay (and I am c-h-e-a-p!). I tried Eurosport UK and Eurosport France but I got a message that said I cannot watch from my country. I did find an Italian feed, and a Russian one, but my Italian is rudimentary at best and my Russian is non-existent.

I'll try again tomorrow. I'd love to watch with the French commentary, although I do like Phil and Paul alot. I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes.

[Possegal]

I think this is the link that I ended up with a French feed. Give it a shot tomorrow. :)
http://www.channelsurfing.net/

[Reesha]

Don't forget Phil and Paul Bingo!

http://bikehugger.com/2009/07/tour-de-france-2009-phil-and-p.html

[katluvr]

Cool! I make print outs so I can play as I watch!
:D

[babynoahsmom]

I am betting on Lance. Anyone who can lay off that long and do that good has got to win. Plus, you have to LOVE someone that the French hate! If he wins they will probably declare a day of national mourning! LOL

[Dogmama]

Anybody else notice that Bob Roll is saying "Tour Deh Frahnce" these days?

[papaver]

I am betting on Lance. Anyone who can lay off that long and do that good has got to win. Plus, you have to LOVE someone that the French hate! If he wins they will probably declare a day of national mourning! LOL

Hm.

[Dogmama]

In heart, I'd love to see ol' George win (but that's not going to happen), so I have to put my money on Lance. How can I bet against Lance? :)

Really, no matter who wins, I just LOVE TDF time of the year. :):):)

Gorgeous George - sigh. He looked so big compared to the other tiny cyclists yesterday. Isn't he like 6'2"?

[tulip]

I am betting on Lance. Anyone who can lay off that long and do that good has got to win. Plus, you have to LOVE someone that the French hate! If he wins they will probably declare a day of national mourning! LOL

Really, French bashing is soooo Turn-Of-The-Century. If you must, however, just keep in mind that some of us might actually be French...

[Reesha]

Yeah, French hate really irks me too. I don't understand it. :confused:

But I think there are a lot of French folks that are grateful to Lance for at least making the Tour exciting.

[Possegal]

My experience when I was at the tour in '04 is that the French people don't hate him. In fact it seemed like many liked him, and at least all respected what he had accomplished. Don't confuse the French people with the media and the tour organizers.

Phil even commented during the tour yesterday when you heard the tremendously loud screams for Lance when Astana came to the line, how well liked he actually is by the French people.

[Reesha]

He's a walking, living, still racing legend in their race-- I'd scramble to meet him and salute him as well :o

[papaver]

Knowing that Lance has passed my front door many many times... I don't live too far from Eddy Merckx's house where he stays quite often. I often see pro cyclists train here.

[Possegal]

Knowing that Lance has passed my front door many many times... I don't live too far from Eddy Merckx's house where he stays quite often. I often see pro cyclists train here.

Well he nearly bumped my shoulder last year and I was struck speechless like some highschool girl. :)

[Reesha]

I am envious!!! When I finally get back to Belgium I will have to make it coincide with Gent-Wevelgem or somesuch :D

I will have to bring a bike with me when I go!!!

[papaver]

Well he nearly bumped my shoulder last year and I was struck speechless like some highschool girl. :)

:D :D:D

[endurancerider]

ooooh, another great cycling day! Nice job Voeckler! And very nice Cancellara. Love to see you in yellow!

[SadieKate]

Spoilers go here. :)

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=32205&highlight=voeckler