The 2005 Tour de France thread / Go Lance Go! - Page 2

phanan · 07-05-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveC
Poor David Zabriskie...what a way to lose the maillot jaune!! I feel bad for him.

So here's the predictions for the race after 4 stages, I guess:

Yellow Jersey: Lance Armstrong (there's nobody strong enough to challenge him. The only one might have been Ullrich, and he's sucking major amounts of hairy, sweaty ass.)
Green Jersey: Tom Boonen (Stuart O'Grady can't come back fast enough to make up that point deficit, I don't think.)
Polka Dot Jersey: Ivan Basso (I don't mind Basso winning it, although I would like to see Voeckler get it.)
White Jersey: Fabian Cancellara/Tomas Voecklet (this is the only one I can't decide on...)

I agree on Armstrong and Boonen - they are too strong for the yellow and green jerseys.

I think Voeckler is concentrating on the King of the Mountains jersey and has a plan in place. Whether he succeeds or not, who knows, but I hope he does. Basso will be concentrating on GC, so I don't think he'll be too focused on the polka dots...

As for the white jersey, I see Vladmir Karpets repeating. He's too good in the mountains.

DaveC · 07-05-2005, 09:24 PM

I agree. Karpets is v good in the mountains, but Cancellara is miles ahead on the flats. This tour has a lot more flats than last year's did. I think as long as Cancellara can hold in there on the mountains and not concede too much time, that he can burn Karpets on the flats (especially the long gradual downhill of Stage 13), and make it VERY close. Maybe even right down to the Champs-Elysées. Which Cancellara would probably win on in a sprint finish.

phanan · 07-06-2005, 07:42 PM

Cancellara is going to have to attack on one of these flat stages in order to have a chance, because he can't beat the sprinters and he'll lose time in the mountains. If it's close for the white jersey by the final time trial, he'll take it.

phanan · 07-09-2005, 11:40 AM

Lance appeared a little vunerable today. I wonder if that was truly the case, or if it was planned. He had no teammates with him on the final climb, and we're only talking a Category 2.

This is getting interesting...

DaveC · 07-09-2005, 01:06 PM

I don't think he looked vulnerable at all. He chased Vino down twice when he attacked.

I'm sure his teammates are going to be getting an earful tonight though from Johann.

phanan · 07-09-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveC
I don't think he looked vulnerable at all. He chased Vino down twice when he attacked.

I'm sure his teammates are going to be getting an earful tonight though from Johann.

Yes, I meant vulnerable in terms of being isolated, of not having any teammates with him. When he's by himself, there's only so many attacks he can counter.

I think the riders were going so fast up that smaller mountain that it took everyone by surprise. They certainly won't be going as fast on the big ones - maybe that's why his teammates weren't there.

Rono · 07-10-2005, 02:42 AM

Pieter weening

The stage of yesterday was good, Lance did look a little vunerable . Lets see what will happen today

DaveC · 07-10-2005, 08:47 AM

Lance has lost the yellow jersey.

I really don't know what Johann Bruyneel is intending to do with this strategy...I mean, I know Lance couldn't have come close to Rasmussen or even the first chase group (Voigt and Moreau), but he could certainly have made it into the second chase with a little attacking.

PS: Rono, those bananas move at EXACTLY the same tempo as "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" by Bob Dylan.

Rono · 07-10-2005, 09:02 AM

Maybe Lance want to save energy. His team is not in the best shape, voigt is not a real threath ( rasmussen either ) and with Ulrich, Klode and vinokoerov (sp)T-mobil will attack hard in the Alps.

Vorsprung · 07-10-2005, 03:16 PM

Don't forget CSC. Next to Voigt they have three other very capable riders (Basso, Sastre and Julich) in the top 10 and all of them (the 3 others) know how climb up a mountain.

And trust me, Vinokourov will attack....He's probably the most offensive rider in the peloton...which also his greatest weakness...

phanan · 07-10-2005, 06:07 PM

Lance and Discovery definitely took it easy today, which is good because no way does this stage change things. They need to gear up for the big mountains, and I think his team will be just fine.

But, it will be challenging. Both T-Mobile and CSC look very good so far, despite Ullrich crashing today. There is no concern over Voigt - he's just keeping the jersey warm. CSC's main man is Basso, and he'll be one to watch. He seems to be cool, calm, and collected in this tour so far, keeping a low profile, but looking to pounce.

Vino is dangerous, but I think you're right Vorsprung - sometimes being too aggressive is not always the best thing. Should be really cool to watch, though.

What a great ride by Rasmussen today.

phanan · 07-17-2005, 08:39 PM

It's funny that Lance can be so dominating in this race and not even win a stage yet.

DaveC · 07-17-2005, 09:04 PM

I'd like to see him win at least one stage...Tour wins lose a bit of their legitimacy when the rider doesn't even win one stage, IMO.

phanan · 07-17-2005, 09:06 PM

I agree. I think he'll win the time trial at the end.

babyman · 07-23-2005, 02:56 PM

next year ivan basso will win!

phanan · 07-26-2005, 03:53 AM

^I think so too, although if Ullrich can be fit for the Tour on time for once, it would make it very interesting. He looked really good during the last week this year.

Actually, with Armstrong gone now, next year's Tour should be quite suspenseful, which will be nice. What Lance has done is extraordinary, but let's face it - you knew it was over when he passed Ullrich in Stage 1. That won't be the case next time as Basso, Ullrich and Valverde will each have a legitimate shot.

MrsSpringsteen · 07-26-2005, 09:41 AM

Did anyone see the report on ABC News - they've studied Lance's heart and it's actually larger than most human hearts ..I think they said 15 percent larger.

phanan · 07-27-2005, 07:22 PM

I did not know that.

DaveC · 07-27-2005, 08:24 PM

Doesn't surprise me. I bet if you did a check on most of these racers (and especially the climbers) it'd be a similar result.

My prediction for next year; Basso wins. Easily. Ullrich comes in second, again.

phanan · 07-27-2005, 09:03 PM

I think Basso will win too, but watch out for Valverde.

07-05-2005, 09:24 PM	#22
DaveC Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mar-a-lago delenda est Posts: 21,519 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I agree. Karpets is v good in the mountains, but Cancellara is miles ahead on the flats. This tour has a lot more flats than last year's did. I think as long as Cancellara can hold in there on the mountains and not concede too much time, that he can burn Karpets on the flats (especially the long gradual downhill of Stage 13), and make it VERY close. Maybe even right down to the Champs-Elysées. Which Cancellara would probably win on in a sprint finish. __________________

07-27-2005, 09:03 PM	#40
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I think Basso will win too, but watch out for Valverde. __________________

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07-06-2005, 07:42 PM	#23
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Cancellara is going to have to attack on one of these flat stages in order to have a chance, because he can't beat the sprinters and he'll lose time in the mountains. If it's close for the white jersey by the final time trial, he'll take it.

07-09-2005, 11:40 AM	#24
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Lance appeared a little vunerable today. I wonder if that was truly the case, or if it was planned. He had no teammates with him on the final climb, and we're only talking a Category 2. This is getting interesting...

07-09-2005, 01:06 PM	#25
DaveC Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mar-a-lago delenda est Posts: 21,519 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I don't think he looked vulnerable at all. He chased Vino down twice when he attacked. I'm sure his teammates are going to be getting an earful tonight though from Johann.

07-10-2005, 02:42 AM	#27
Rono Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,163 Local Time: 04:57 AM	Pieter weening The stage of yesterday was good, Lance did look a little vunerable . Lets see what will happen today

07-10-2005, 08:47 AM	#28
DaveC Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mar-a-lago delenda est Posts: 21,519 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Lance has lost the yellow jersey. I really don't know what Johann Bruyneel is intending to do with this strategy...I mean, I know Lance couldn't have come close to Rasmussen or even the first chase group (Voigt and Moreau), but he could certainly have made it into the second chase with a little attacking. PS: Rono, those bananas move at EXACTLY the same tempo as "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" by Bob Dylan.

07-10-2005, 09:02 AM	#29
Rono Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,163 Local Time: 04:57 AM	Maybe Lance want to save energy. His team is not in the best shape, voigt is not a real threath ( rasmussen either ) and with Ulrich, Klode and vinokoerov (sp)T-mobil will attack hard in the Alps.

07-10-2005, 03:16 PM	#30
Vorsprung War Child Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 976 Local Time: 04:57 AM	Don't forget CSC. Next to Voigt they have three other very capable riders (Basso, Sastre and Julich) in the top 10 and all of them (the 3 others) know how climb up a mountain. And trust me, Vinokourov will attack....He's probably the most offensive rider in the peloton...which also his greatest weakness...

07-10-2005, 06:07 PM	#31
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Lance and Discovery definitely took it easy today, which is good because no way does this stage change things. They need to gear up for the big mountains, and I think his team will be just fine. But, it will be challenging. Both T-Mobile and CSC look very good so far, despite Ullrich crashing today. There is no concern over Voigt - he's just keeping the jersey warm. CSC's main man is Basso, and he'll be one to watch. He seems to be cool, calm, and collected in this tour so far, keeping a low profile, but looking to pounce. Vino is dangerous, but I think you're right Vorsprung - sometimes being too aggressive is not always the best thing. Should be really cool to watch, though. What a great ride by Rasmussen today.

07-17-2005, 08:39 PM	#32
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	It's funny that Lance can be so dominating in this race and not even win a stage yet.

07-17-2005, 09:04 PM	#33
DaveC Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mar-a-lago delenda est Posts: 21,519 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I'd like to see him win at least one stage...Tour wins lose a bit of their legitimacy when the rider doesn't even win one stage, IMO.

07-17-2005, 09:06 PM	#34
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I agree. I think he'll win the time trial at the end.

07-23-2005, 02:56 PM	#35
babyman Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: On an open cluster called Pleiades Posts: 6,246 Local Time: 05:57 AM	next year ivan basso will win!

07-26-2005, 03:53 AM	#36
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	^I think so too, although if Ullrich can be fit for the Tour on time for once, it would make it very interesting. He looked really good during the last week this year. Actually, with Armstrong gone now, next year's Tour should be quite suspenseful, which will be nice. What Lance has done is extraordinary, but let's face it - you knew it was over when he passed Ullrich in Stage 1. That won't be the case next time as Basso, Ullrich and Valverde will each have a legitimate shot.

07-26-2005, 09:41 AM	#37
MrsSpringsteen Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 27,774 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Did anyone see the report on ABC News - they've studied Lance's heart and it's actually larger than most human hearts ..I think they said 15 percent larger.

07-27-2005, 07:22 PM	#38
phanan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the darkness on the edge of town Posts: 25,657 Local Time: 10:57 PM	I did not know that.

07-27-2005, 08:24 PM	#39
DaveC Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mar-a-lago delenda est Posts: 21,519 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Doesn't surprise me. I bet if you did a check on most of these racers (and especially the climbers) it'd be a similar result. My prediction for next year; Basso wins. Easily. Ullrich comes in second, again.