Tour de France 2011

[TopDeck113]

What for me is the greatest annual sporting spectacular starts in three weeks time.

I'll give you my predictions for the four classifications in due course, but for fans of British cycling it is worth noting that Bradley Wiggins today won the Critérium du Dauphiné - a good guide to form prior to the Grand Depart in the Vendée. 

[hipkiss92]

Really looking forward to it this year, the Vendee is one of the most picturesque Departs in France, and the fourth stage passes down the road from where I holidayed in Dinan last year.
My predictions:
1. Schleck
2. Contador
3. Kreuziger
4. Samuel Sanchez
5. Wiggins

Green Jersey - Cavendish
Polka Dot Jersey - Schleck
White Jersey - Kreuziger

[Dave Cooper please]

The new Green Jersey rules will hopefully see Cavendish deservedly win that.
Overall, can't look past Contador, Wiggins has a chance but I don't think Sky have the domestiques to help him.
Agree that a Schleck will win the polka dot.

[lovejoy]

How's the green jersey rules changed Dave?

I for one hope the winner is clean and untarnished. i am disappointed Cantador's case is not being heard until after July. Further opportunity for cycling to be dragged through the mud.

[TopDeck113]

How's the green jersey rules changed Dave?.

They've dispensed with most of the intermediate sprints and will instead give a lot more points for one sprint out on the road and at the finish. 

This is a rare example of the French actually doing something that could be of benefit to a Brit: the consensus amongst the organisers is that Cav's haul of fifteen stage wins in three Tours should have been rewarded with at least one Green Jersey victory and want the emphasis of the competition to be about who is the fastest sprinter, not who can squirrel away points here and there at the intermediates.

[lovejoy]

How's the green jersey rules changed Dave?.

They've dispensed with most of the intermediate sprints and will instead give a lot more points for one sprint out on the road and at the finish. 

This is a rare example of the French actually doing something that could be of benefit to a Brit: the consensus amongst the organisers is that Cav's haul of fifteen stage wins in three Tours should have been rewarded with at least one Green Jersey victory and want the emphasis of the competition to be about who is the fastest sprinter, not who can squirrel away points here and there at the intermediates.

Cheers. He's still susceptible to the likes of Hushovd on the undulating stages I think.

[hipkiss92]

I for one hope the winner is clean and untarnished. i am disappointed Cantador's case is not being heard until after July. Further opportunity for cycling to be dragged through the mud.

Obviously any form of suspected doping is unfortunate, but considering the amount found in his system was 40 times below the WADA level required, and even further below the level required for it to have any beneficial effect, I think Contador would have been cleared if the hearing was before the Tour.

[N'Rexy]

Hipkiss. You don't get off for being below a certain level. A positive is a positive. He should be banned as it looks like he was micro-dosing TM Floyd Landis.

Anyway Bert Cont to win. Basso 2nd. Schlek (A) 3rd.

Wiggins top 10.

Cavendish marked to death so no green.

[Dave Cooper please]

They tried marking Cavendish to death last year, he won five stages.

[N'Rexy]

Dave, very true. His lead out isnt as strong this year though and whilst I still think he'll win a good number of stages I cant see him winning the Green.

He is far and away the best sprinter out there though. That is not in question. And he is a massive loud mouth which I think is great. Dont mind a big gob on a big talent.

[Dave Cooper please]

Who are HTC missing from last year? They were easily the best lead-out ream then.
I haven't looked at the teams yet.

Someone as gobby as Cav would normally be very annoying, but when you can back it up with fifteen le Tour stage wins you are allowed to be gobby!

[lovejoy]

Just looked through the teams and it looks like no Sastres (former winner) and Menchov (podium last year) who both race for Geox TMC. The Tour, in their wisdom have used a wild card for Saur-Sojasun (Jimmy Caspar).

[N'Rexy]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/8592360/Tour-de-France-2011-Mark-Cavendish-says-peloton-more-nervous-following-accidents-while-eyeing-green-jersey.html

Greipel is the main loss to the lead out.

BTW look out or Philippe Gilbert in stages 1,4,7. He could win them all as they are similar to one day classic stages of which he is the king.

[TopDeck113]

Goody, goody.  Here we go.

Predictions for the podium in Paris:

Yellow:  Andy Schleck
Green:  Cav   
King of the Mountains:  David Moncoutie
Young rider: Rein Taaramae

[spk]

excuse my ignorance but how english lads are in it this year?