Tour De France 2007 GC Contenders - Ready to stand up and make a prediction NOW?

Yep Cunego has confirmed his absence from the Tour.

I'm going for Levi this year.

 i am going with Alexandre Vinkourov (Astana), just like i have the past few years (last year he didn't race)   I'll be back with my top 5...

Maybe Ron can run a contest if anyone gets the top 5 or whatever number right, he gives away a hat or something...

I predict that the tour will suck as much as it did last year.  

RSPDiver - 2007-06-23 4:16 AM Aren't we still waiting on final results from last year? It's hard to say who will have the least withdrawl effects from comming off the magic sauce for this year's TdF (since the riders are likely to be closely screened), but I'd like to see Disco do well and George take another jersey while ultimately supporting Levi.

Actually there is ruling that the riders have to sign a disclaimer about riding clean prior to this years Tour which includes and agreement to provide a DNA sample in order for them to close the Operation Puerto Affair from last year.  

I think we are only a few weeks away from hearing who Tour 2006 but Pereiro will be named the winner if Flandis looses. Although he as at least one more appeal option available to him at the moment so it might be this time next year once all thats happened!

Personally I think Valverde is on great form, but with my heart Id love to see both Michael Rogers and Cadel Evans on the podium in Paris with Vino rounding out the Top 3. Levi in a Top 5 spot would be nice too

It's hard to make any predictions at this point because who knows which riders will be branded before the Tour!?!  But, just for the fun of it, here goes:

1. Sastre - CSC
2. Vinokourov - Astana
3. Pereiro - Caisse d'Epargne

I have stated this in another thread, but here goes:

GC - Cadel Evans

Sprinters - Robbie McEwan

I just don't know how one team will support attempts at both Green and Yellow jerseys...

After the last couple of years they have at least had practice at it!!! Im not sure if you can do both well though....

my thinking is that Cadel did so well last year with little ot no support,  this year they'd have to be thinking about giving him a bit more support. 

but even if they don't he did so well last year with all the names that are out this year I'm thinking this is his year!

His support last year was meant to be that American cyclist that the team took on from Saunier Duval (David someone? Im having a  mental blank - shock horror how embarrassing) but he crashed out so... assuming his support guys stay safe it should be much better for him with 1-2 supports

Ok so here are my predictions for GC and jersey winners......

Yellow-Vino (if he doesn't lauch some idiotic suicide attack in the mountains)

2nd-Valverde (if he can stay upright and uninjured)

3rd-Leipheimer (Disco has a strong team and Levi can TT)

Green-Thor Hushovld (Lotto will be focused on GC and leave McEwen to freelance)

Polka Dot-Skelator....er...Rasmussen (does he have any other goal at all during the year?)

Darkhorse candidates on GC are Schlek (the older one), Mick Rodgers, Cadel Evans, and Andreas Kloden (if Vino self destructs).

Repeat post from Brett's original thread...but I'm sticking with it.

Is there a Chinese Team entered?! I heard it's just a warmup for the Olympics, anyway, where China will secure glorious victory for the host country.    AHEM.

Team:  CSC or Astana

Overall:  Kloden (followed by Vino, Valverde, Menchov, and Sastre, not necessarily in that order)

Points:  McEwen

Stage Victories:  Hushovd

KOM:  Rasmussen or Pereiro

Dark Horse(s):  Frank Schleck, Levi Leipheimer

Seriously? Kloden is on Astana.... with Alexandre Vinokourov team.... backed by Kazahkstan buisinessmen... the team is an incredibly strong one with riders like Eddie Mazzoleni, Paolo Salvodelli and Andrey Kashechkin.

They may have just lost Matthias Kessler due to a high testosterone reading but its still one of the strongest teams in the peloton, and they have had practice riding tours now, especially after winning the Vuelta last year! 

Astana is a HUGE team... in fact their biggest issue may be that Kloden and Vinokourov both want the yellow jersey so we could see a melt down like T-Mobile a couple of years back - you really cant have more than one person going for the GC in a team,  because they need the support of the rest of their team in their goal to be effective... (imho) especially with Disco going back to the Lance strategy this year...

Anyway thats my .02. Im wondering whether Kloden was enticed to Astana with some sort of knowledge about Vino retiring in the next year or so leaving him the chance to be a true GC contender on his own if he rides for the team now.... (this has no basis in knowledge of any kind!)

here are my top 5  4

1. Vino
2. Evens
3. Valverde
4. Levi
5. i have no i dea

Valverde
Vino
Leipheimer
Sastre

Okay I'll bite:

(I acknowledege I am a total hack when it comes to this, so take my predictions with a grain of salt.

I'm gonna try process of elimination. Vino is too aggressive to win without someone to babysit him. I don't think anyone on Astana can do that. Supposedly Kloden and Vino have a pact that K will ride for V this year and vice versa in 2008. We'll see how that goes. I think it'll take more than Kloden to carry Vino all the way.

Cadel: Needs a strong team. I don't think Cadel is enough of a leader to command obedience from everyone.

Denis Menchov: A little young, but strong. needs a solid team. Already some races this year, unlikely to be in top form.

Sastre: Team has the firepower to propel him. Looks like Sastre has been building for tour. If team can hold together for him he has a shot.

Michael Rogers: T-mobile is a mess. Look for attempts at the prologue maybe a stage win, will gradually fade toward the end

Oscar Pereiro: Gifted rider, unfortunately he seems too fragile to stay in top form long enough. look for a mishap, sore knee or an owie to set him back. Definite contender for podium.

Alejandro Valverde: A definite contender, A monster rider. I question if he'll be in top form considering his recent races. Not sure if his team can keep him out of trouble.

Levi Leipheimer: Disco is designed to support a single rider. But, I suspect Disco isn't looking for a tour win this year. Look for stage grabs and rider development and showcasing.

Andreas Kloden: Not if vino is racing.

This year is going to be a tough pick I guess I have to lean toward Sastre. I didn't think I'd say that!

For the other guys:

I predict disappointment from McKewen and Boonen. Robbie's getting old and has no lead man anymore. Boonen is enjoying living in Monaco a little too much. Hushvold this year.

KOM: Can skeletor do it again? I say no, I predict upset for KOM: anybody's guess.

Here's a tough one: Any bets on best young rider? I have no idea.