The Dauphine!

[equus123]

For those who follow, who do you want to win? Who do you like? Who's surprising you? What are your thoughts so far?

As much as I want my Discovery boys to take home the yellow jersey, I'm becoming ever scared of Vino. He's always been an incredible fighter who's tough and strong and is not afraid to take risks. Since his team wasn't able to race in last year's Tour because of not meeting the min. req. # of riders, he's back BIG TIME with avengence in this year's Dauphine and seeing yellow at the Tour. ...not to mention the strength of his new team this year! This guys are doing incredible thus far so when they all come together and work for him, I'm going to enjoy watching how it unfolds.

I was surprised with George's and Levi's finishes in today's 40k TT. I thought Levi would have done much better but you never know with that team - there always so damn smart they could be keeping reserves for the mountain stages to follow.

But my bets are starting to point towards Vino for the Dauphine. He's one tough cookie on those two wheels.

[margo49]

Yeah, but I missed the ITT (weekly romantic outing with the SO aka supermarket trip and buy ds#2 new sandals - what's a girl to do?).
I actually don't like the TT's as much as the "real" stages. Will be watching this arvo tho'. Was thinking of all you gals the day before with Dave Z, Levi, and Big George all in the top 10 of the Classement.
I am also a fan (small time) of Cadel Evans who I see on the eurosport site rode really well yesterday. Will pick it up on the review today, I hope

[PinkBike]

i get up at 6 and watch it live, then i usually watch it again when i get home from work at 10:30 p.m.
vino is always a threat, its way too early for me to predict the outcome.
i would love for boonen to get a win. finally this year.
i dont know what happened to alberto contador - earlier this year he looked absolutely awesome, but then he just kinda fizzled.
thor hushovd? he's got a shot. valverde? always. leipheimer? i think he's waiting to peak at the tour.
i've been enjoying watching, because with all the biggies gone (basso, ullrich, hamilton, etc) it's a whole new ballgame. i dont know a lot of these guys yet but seeing contador climb, steegmans lead out, millar and DZ time trial, and so many more it just seems fun to watch.

[equus123]

yeah, I def agree that it's a different kind of sport without the dominating figures and it does tend to be more fun because you really don't know who's going to win these things now!

re: Contador - what DID happen with him?? he was my new favorite guy in the early season with is ridiculous climbing and it's cool to cheer for someone my age. maybe he peaked too early? or perhaps he's in the process of peaking for the Tour or Vuelta? i hope he does because if Levi could have that little mountain goat pace him up the Alps or Pyranese - they're going to be the Armstrong-Heras duo that tore it up.

[margo49]

Oh, yeah; a beautiful historical intro (on Eurpsport) to today's stage (the Infamous Ventou) which finished with a glorious clip of None Other Than the One and Only Reecharrr Veee-renque crossing the finish line at the summit in the TdF...
And all that *before* we've even started!

admin: is there a possibility to put a "polka dot" option in the colours so I can write Richard Virenque in polka dots to reference his polka dot TdF King of the Mountains jersies over the years?

[equus123]

I like him. I don't know why (I really don't "know" him at all) but I like him