I thought I might put my non-existent reputation on the line, since I did OK last year.
This year I'm mixing logic with sentiment, but since my "logic" is based on simple ignorance, it won't really matter anyway.
GC
1- Cadel; the course suits him with good TTs and steep climbs, and he's been there before. And he's always been a fave, partly for the same reasons some in the peleton don't like him (i.e. he'd rather be seen with a book, a glass of wine and classical music rather than an Wii and a beer.) And despite all the talk about Wiggo's form, at the end of the Criterium the margin was just the same as last year, the vast majority of the deficit was in one section of the TT, and Cadel was attacking uphill at times (apparently he was also struggling at other times, but since I didn't see them I'll ignore them! )
2- Wiggins: He has been screaming all year, but in my other sport the amazing Brit Olympic success seems to be largely based on peaking (which IMHO shows that Poms can do it without the aids some claim they use) and Sky aren't peaking, so he has to collapse. There's some more logic than that too, but not much more.
3- Sammy: Good at everything, including descents, and perhaps less concerned about the following Olympics than some. And dammit, he deserved to be on the podium in 2010.
Green Jersey
1- The mind says that the hills in some stages make it a Sagan/Goss/Cav/battle; the heart's vote gives the battle to OGE.
Polka dots
1- Rolland or Mouncoots; apparently it will be his last year and Millar says Mouncoots didn't dope when many others were, so I hope he gets to out in a blaze of glory.
Stages:
Being patriotic - Goss will win at least 1. The Gorilla will take another, Sagan some, Cav of course. I always hope the French can get one or two; Voeckler will get one, and Chavanel will be in there with a chance. Hoogerland deserves one. Frank will get one. HH and SG and MA as well, of course. Can I add another 150 names here?
BMC as a team worry me slightly v Sky, but then again they should be all for Cadel almost all of the time. And without the worry about Andy attacking uphill, CE can plan attacks on BW. And even before the interview with Mr Jayco came out, it seemed that if OGE wanted to cement the home market appeal, they'd be willing to help Cadel go for GC just like Samu helps AC, and just as AC did for his countryman in the Vuelta. If Cadel is going for a repeat, an Aussie-based team would consider helping him if they can just for the publicity.
So what does everyone else think?
PTP TdF
- Strawburger
- Posts: 1729
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:19 pm
- Location: Dulwich Hill, Sydney
Re: PTP TdF
Postby Strawburger » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:30 am
Moncoutie shouldn't be racing the TdF. Last year was his last. He almost retired from cycling altogether after the press bashing he received after stage 13 (Hushovd won but he chased down fellow countryman Roy) but did well in the Vuelta which he will be defending his KOM jersey. The bleeding carrots should be up there in the top 3.
n=10 (2013 & 2004 roads,2010 track,2x 2009 foldups,1990 hybrid,1992 trainer,2007 rental,1970's step through,1980's zeus)
-
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:01 pm
Re: PTP TdF
Postby The_Eggman » Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:29 pm
Yellow:
Evans - proven entity & his sole aim this year has been to repeak for this
Wiggins - he's looked great as has the Sky train. My question is can he maitain the form over 3 weeks.
Hesjedal - probably too tough to contend after the Giro, but will be full of confidence
Green:
Sagan - Cav won't make it back to Paris. Olympics looms too large.
Spots:
Schleck - too much ITT to be a credible threat. Might well drop time in week one to free him up to chase KOM
Evans - proven entity & his sole aim this year has been to repeak for this
Wiggins - he's looked great as has the Sky train. My question is can he maitain the form over 3 weeks.
Hesjedal - probably too tough to contend after the Giro, but will be full of confidence
Green:
Sagan - Cav won't make it back to Paris. Olympics looms too large.
Spots:
Schleck - too much ITT to be a credible threat. Might well drop time in week one to free him up to chase KOM
-
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:58 pm
Re: PTP TdF
Postby jcjordan » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:39 pm
Yellow
Evans - Wiggo will faulter on the climbs in the third week
Green
Sagan - but it will be a fight between him and Goss. I don't think Cav will be there in the third week, which is a pity because one green jersey is worth 100 gold medals in the Olympic Road Race.
Spots
Matt Lloyd
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
Evans - Wiggo will faulter on the climbs in the third week
Green
Sagan - but it will be a fight between him and Goss. I don't think Cav will be there in the third week, which is a pity because one green jersey is worth 100 gold medals in the Olympic Road Race.
Spots
Matt Lloyd
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
James
Veni, Vidi, Vespa -- I Came, I Saw, I Rode Home
Veni, Vidi, Vespa -- I Came, I Saw, I Rode Home
Return to “International and National Tours and Events”
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.