Author Topic: Tour de France. Place your bets. (Read 5858 times)

Ionit · « **on:** July 08, 2004, 12:35:58 pm »

Has anyone been following the tour. It's been exciting watching since this could be Lance’s 6 time winning in a row.
Although The American postal service team is ultra fast (average speed for team time trial was 53.7 k/h.)
I want to see Tyler Hamilton, Iban Mayo or Jan Ulrich pressure Lance for the title.
My bets are on Jan this year.

Matno · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2004, 01:12:42 pm »

I definitely think we'll see some serious pressure toward the end of this one. However, I'm not sure any of it will come from Mayo after he got held back the other day.

I still think Lance will pull it off (barring some unforeseen accident, which is always a possibility). He's got a team that is just too good, and he ain't half bad himself. I really think all of the hype about him not being as fast as in previous years is just that - hype. He's too good a tactician to really let people know how good he is. If he hadn't gotten dehydrated/sick last year, he would have dominated just like in previous years. I think he's still got plenty of it in him.

jimbo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2004, 01:57:10 pm »

"chances favor the prepared mind" or in this case the prepared team.

Mayo's disasterous stage could have been minimized with better team work.

Lance's only weakness is his over confidence in his preparation itself. Details like forgeting to eat or drink nearly cost him the tour a couple times. I always felt it was team director whose is suppose to check on Lance about these things, but perhaps in the past Lance felt it was covered. Lets hope they've got it covered after the lapse again last year.

Oh yeah, Phonak and Tyler Hamilton are impressive so far. Jan is known to do better duing the later part of the tour so everything is still a toss up.

Dennis · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2004, 02:49:53 am »

Watching the Postal Team and Lance is like watching the Ferrari Formula 1 team with Michael.
best driver (rider), best car (bike-maybe, not nearly as important in cycling), best team, best strategist and tactician, best preparation.
Mayo is basically out of the overall.
My bets:
1. Lance
2. Tyler (unless he falls off)
3. Jan
in that order.
we'll see what happens. its enjoyable to watch Lance try for six (I am also enjoying watching Michael Schumacher win almost every race), although I am sick of Sheryl Crow acting like they've been "in love" for a long time.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

Matno · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2004, 11:39:01 pm »

Anyone else having trouble accessing Tour-related websites? I can only get VeloNews right now. Cyclingnews, and even Roadbikereview haven't been available for 2 days now. Several other good sites as well. Kind of annoying.

Dennis · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2004, 01:29:44 am »

Matno.
another good site (which is up) is http://www.olntv.com.
they have short articles after every stage from Roll, Liggett, Sherwen, and Carmichael.
enjoy the tour!!
[smiley=groucho.gif]

Ionit · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2004, 04:01:20 am »

Defiantly OLN online is the best resource. It has allot of video footage to.
I Hope Ulich, Armtong, and tyler are executing some kind of strategy right now.
That crash on stage eight was miserable I wonder why Lance put himself so far back in the peleton to get held up in that way.
I have to admit he is still in a good position for the mountain stage.
Things are about to get more definite now.

Carbon_Angus · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2004, 10:09:08 am »

I have to giggle when the announcers say that this 205 KM stage is for sprinters.

The next couple of weeks of riding will tell the tale.

I

those Podium girls, too!

[smiley=beer.gif]

jimbo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2004, 10:32:01 am »

Quote

I those Podium girls, too!
[smiley=beer.gif]

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=distractions_jul04

jimbo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2004, 10:44:02 am »

Quote

Watching the Postal Team and Lance is like watching the Ferrari Formula 1 team with Michael.

best driver (rider), best car (bike-maybe, not nearly as important in cycling),

[smiley=groucho.gif]

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2341

Sprucey · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2004, 12:40:18 am »

www.letour.fr

for live coverage of the tour

Sprucey

RoentgenRanger · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2004, 03:23:28 am »

What I want to know is what LeMond's problem is...http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/news/articles/6571.0.html

Why's he always badmouthing Lance?? Jealousy bug perhaps?

Anyhow the Tour starts tomorrow...we'll see how Voekler hangs...

numbnuts · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2004, 09:05:04 am »

maybe LeMond has a point [smiley=disbelief.gif]

RoentgenRanger · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2004, 04:16:03 am »

Anybody have any evidence?? [smiley=blankstare.gif]

Maybe LeMond was doping...

I'd be curious to see if Trek sends a couple of thugs to explain to Greg that their TDF winner works for the same parent company as Greg's [smiley=laughing.gif]

numbnuts · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:24:11 am »

I am not trying to beat on Lance, although he should'nt be surprised or too upset that most of Europe is ! But cycling has not proven itself to be a particularly drug free sport over the years, and it would'nt surprise me if LeMond or other past greats did stuff they weren't supposed to, maybe he is relating his personal experiences to Lance. As for evidence, just because an individual hasn't been caught does not mean he is innocent. I guess I'm a little cynical after watching events unfold with track & field, Balco, Millar, Festina etc.

Still, Lance is a hero and I hope he wins again!

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Author Topic: Tour de France. Place your bets. (Read 5858 times)

jimbo

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