Tour de France 2011

[E.J.]

It is one of the few cycling events that I actually Tivo.....

I am hoping that Leipheimer or Horner from Radioshack can make some noise.

In the end, it will be interesting to see how Cantador feels after winning the Giro(tired) or of A. Schleck can get to the top of the podium? Can Cadel Evans finally win?

http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_horscourseTDF.html

P.S. I am sure Alberto can find some beef that can help him recover and be peaking at this years TdF.....

[Remo]

I am with you E.J, could give a crap about cycling but I do like the TdF

[jesseboston81]

I'm sick of hearing about Contador, he should be suspended and not even riding in the Tour IMHO. I'm backing Andy Schleck all the way--he was robbed by a doping Contador last year and he deserves the win. I'm very excited for the Pyrenees this year, with Galibier making two appearances and l'Alpe d'Huez!

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by E.J.

It is one of the few cycling events that I actually Tivo.....

I am hoping that Leipheimer or Horner from Radioshack can make some noise.

In the end, it will be interesting to see how Cantador feels after winning the Giro(tired) or of A. Schleck can get to the top of the podium? Can Cadel Evans finally win?

http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_horscourseTDF.html

P.S. I am sure Alberto can find some beef that can help him recover and be peaking at this years TdF.....

You're not mentioning Robert Gesink, he's a dangerous outsider. I bet he will win the white jersey and finishes in the top 3

[NCRadioMan]

Shouldn't it be called Tour de Doping.

[tsolomon]

I'm pulling for Chris Horner to be the best American finisher in this year's tour. I really would like Andy Schleck to beat Contador, but 3 weeks of racing will determine the winner. Looking forward to the TTT on Sunday to see how the Teams with the GC contendors will shake out.

[Don Fernando]

No, Armstrong isn't competing anymore

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

No, Armstrong isn't competing anymore

Contador is still there and so are the majority of top professional racers. Everyone dopes one way or another.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by Noodles

Contador is still there and so are the majority of top professional racers. Everyone dopes one way or another.

It depends on what you call dope. I think most riders are clean nowadays, with all the tests. But then again, they are on a special diet to preform better, isn't that doping too?

And what if they all take it, if they all use doping it isn't cheating anymore right? They still have to train and have to have skills. You can dope me up with the best stuff in the world, it would still take me 3 days to climb the Alpe 'd Huez.

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

It depends on what you call dope. I think most riders are clean nowadays, with all the tests. But then again, they are on a special diet to preform better, isn't that doping too?

And what if they all take it, if they all use doping it isn't cheating anymore right? They still have to train and have to have skills. You can dope me up with the best stuff in the world, it would still take me 3 days to climb the Alpe 'd Huez.

You can say the same thing about Armstrong. Majority of the pro were doping at that time. He is just better than everyone else. Access to better resources, a great supporting cast and that "attitude" that everyone hates about him, contributed to all those wins.

[tsolomon]

The taking of performance enhancing drugs is still a problem in most professional sports including baseball, football and track, but cycling seems to get the most notoriety about it.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by Noodles

You can say the same thing about Armstrong. Majority of the pro were doping at that time. He is just better than everyone else. Access to better resources, a great supporting cast and that "attitude" that everyone hates about him, contributed to all those wins.

hey, I am an Armstrong fan, I was just joking around as he's the most suspected but never caught cyclist ever.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

I think most riders are clean nowadays, with all the tests.

But you called the rider that has tested more than any rider in the history of the sport and never officially tested positive, a doper?


I would prefer that this thread not turn into a dopers forum.... I think everyone could probably agree that every athlete in the sport has pushed the limits of what is "legal"....

When they are caught going over the edge, there is a price to pay.... (or you have the Spanish Cycling Federation declare you eligible, getting you another GT and then wait for the CAS to call you a doper.... )

[area51]

Love the TdF, could care less about any other cycling event...Are their other cycling events?

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by area51

Love the TdF, could care less about any other cycling event...Are their other cycling events?

Lots.

Grand Tours
Giro d'Italia
Vuelta a Espana

I personally liked Giro better than TdF.

Classics
Paris Roubaix
Milan San Remo
Tour of Flanders
Liege Bastone Liege
Giro de Lombardia

Stateside
Tour of California
Philly Classic

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by E.J.

It is one of the few cycling events that I actually Tivo.....

I am hoping that Leipheimer or Horner from Radioshack can make some noise.

In the end, it will be interesting to see how Cantador feels after winning the Giro(tired) or of A. Schleck can get to the top of the podium? Can Cadel Evans finally win?

http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_horscourseTDF.html

P.S. I am sure Alberto can find some beef that can help him recover and be peaking at this years TdF.....

There is very little chance an American will podium.

Cadel specifically aligned his training so he will peak for the tour. He will be good for a top 5 finish. Not sure how strong his team is. But, I still can't see keeping up with Contador and the Schlecks in the mountains. He is just not built that way.

It will be a Contador and Andy Schleck battle. Has Contador recovered enough to compete? How has Andy improved in his time trialing? We will know next week.

[Don Fernando]

the amounts found in his blood were too low to have any effect. But then again, he was involved with Dr. Fuentes before, he has a sketchy past and I don't like him. He's not a fair sporter, the way he stole the tour from Schleck last year was weak and unfair, he could only beat Rasmussen because Rasmussen was taken out of competition. Contador isn't that great.

[Noodles]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

the amounts found in his blood were too low to have any effect. But then again, he was involved with Dr. Fuentes before, he has a sketchy past and I don't like him. He's not a fair sporter, the way he stole the tour from Schleck last year was weak and unfair, he could only beat Rasmussen because Rasmussen was taken out of competition. Contador isn't that great.

Agree with the Rasmussen. That was too bad for him.

BUT, saying Contador ain't that 'great' is a little bit of a stretch. When the hills gets steeper, he gets better. He is one of my favorite climbers.

Not going to discuss if he doped or not. It's the Spanish Cycling Federation's decision not to suspend him that is a shame. Landis must be wishing he was born in Mayorga, Spain instead of Lancaster, PA.

[E.J.]

Well, Cantador has his work cut out for him now....

He is probably pretty lucky that the TTT is so short, or he could be out of the race day 2.....

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by E.J.

Well, Cantador has his work cut out for him now....

He is probably pretty lucky that the TTT is so short, or he could be out of the race day 2.....

Saxo has a pretty strong TTT team, top 3 for sure.