Betting on the Tour?

[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.

'nuff said.

[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?

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... 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.

I am only curious about how the Australians fare.

Much more exciting things going on in sport in the next few weeks -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! (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... 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.