Tour De France

Well its that time of year again guys,

The tour starts tomorrow,

Who will win ?

NOT ARMSTRONG

The sprints will be won by our Mark Cavendish,

I also think his team Columbia will win the team event,

No idea about the mountain men ,

Or time trails,

Whats your views and predictions ?

Don't rule out Armstrong - he's a sensational athlete and competitor - but the smart money is all on Contador. Armstrong has said he will ride for Contador if he represents the team's best chance of a win, but I'm not sure I believe it (shades of Bernard Hinault/Greg LeMond in 1986?). We will see. Evans will bottle it again - his best chance was last year and he didn't take it. Sastre's tactics last year were spot on but I can't see him winning it again. Menchov always get mentioned and never produces the goods, no reason why this year will be different.

Cav will win stages but does he have the consistency to take the green jersey? He will be a marked man in the bunch sprints so will need his team to be strong. He can do it - if he stays out of trouble and can get over the mountains - but it won't be easy.

Wouldn't suprise me if Contador took King of the Mountains as well as yellow. Maybe Andy Schleck will challenge for it - I fancy him for a big stage win in the mountains but not the GC.

No doubt there will be positive drugs tests again - sad but at least they are getting caught.

BTW if you want to know what sports commentary is all about, listen to Phil Liggett on the ITV4 coverage, especially the mountain stages. Best in the business.

Cav will have to also start going for mid stage sprints as well if he wants the green jersey. though I'm sure I read an article saying this year the goal is to finish and a few stage wins.

I believe more than likely it will be Contador but will be interesting in the later stages if Armstrong's in with a chance  will he follow team orders or go for it himself.

BTW if you want to know what sports commentary is all about, listen to Phil Liggett on the ITV4 coverage, especially the mountain stages. Best in the business.[/quote]

Fully agree,

Its a pity ITV4 can not show more than the limited highlights they are allowed,

Eurosport is crap,

I turn the sound down and admire the scenery most of the time.

Cavendish: "If I reach Paris and I win as much as I can along the way, maybe the green jersey comes then. But I won't be disappointed if I don't have it."

I see Tom Boonen has just been cleared to ride by a court of arbitration despite his fondness for cocaine - could be a challenger for green.

Quoted from grimsby pete

BTW if you want to know what sports commentary is all about, listen to Phil Liggett on the ITV4 coverage, especially the mountain stages. Best in the business.

Fully agree,

Its a pity ITV4 can not show more than the limited highlights they are allowed,

Eurosport is crap,

I turn the sound down and admire the scenery most of the time.[/quote]

Is Phil Liggett the guy who used to do it when it was on channel 4? the Channel 4 coverage was great from what I remember, I've not got the attention span to watch a whole live race but used to enjoy the half hour daily show on channel 4.

I think so didn't ITV just nick the whole channel 4 crew

Is Phil Liggett the guy who used to do it when it was on channel 4? the Channel 4 coverage was great from what I remember, I've not got the attention span to watch a whole live race but used to enjoy the half hour daily show on channel 4.

[/quote]

Yes thats right,

ITV4 now have a 1 hour  highlights programme,

Which is good if you are at work during the day,

I am retired so on some days I like to watch the race live,

The mountain stages are the ones I find I am viewing if I am in,

I also like to see the sprint finishes now we have Cavendish in the race.

Just off on a slight tangent, .....does everyone know the Tour of Britain is starting in scunny this year? got some big teams in it this year apparently....i live there so i'll be going along to it....

Wiggins 3rd today,

Cavendish to win tomorrow Sunday,

Come on you brits,