Who do you want to win the TDF?

sicrow

Got a sneeky feelng that Cunego's form is really starting to peak at the right time so I'm going for him with second between Valverde and Evans

donrhummy

Why do so many (apparently Lance Armstrong is among them) think Devolder could be a world beater in a grand tour? I could understand if he was 25-26, but the guy's 29. With another two years of solid development, he'd already be beyond the age of most TDF winners. While the oldest winner of the TDF ever was 36 (in 1922), since 1950, I don't think anyone's been older than 33, right?

kmahony

Here's the latest odds from betfair. I had some money on Andy Schleck some time ago, but not so confident now. (He'll win it some time, but maybe not this year)

Personally I'd go nowhere near Evans at that price. Valverde seems to have his "form" back, so not a bad bet.

3.8 Evans
5.6 Valverde
8.2 Menchov
17 A Schleck
17.5 Cunego
19 Sastre
42 Devolder
42 F Schleck
55 Sanchez
55 Soler
75 Gesink
80 Zubeldia
80 Kreuziger
90 Kirchen

blazing_saddles

So apparently, Zubeldia, Kreuziger and Kirchen are less likely to win the Tour than Bobby Gesink......................who isn't due to be riding in Rabo's Tour team. :oops:

Getting the most for your money? I think Frank Schleck's Swiss crash has made him the best value bet. Not that I'm a betting man.

calvjones

Cunego at 17 - 1? I'll have some of that...

ACMadone

kmahony wrote:

Here's the latest odds from betfair. I had some money on Andy Schleck some time ago, but not so confident now. (He'll win it some time, but maybe not this year)

Personally I'd go nowhere near Evans at that price. Valverde seems to have his "form" back, so not a bad bet.

3.8 Evans
5.6 Valverde
8.2 Menchov
17 A Schleck
17.5 Cunego
19 Sastre
42 Devolder
42 F Schleck
55 Sanchez
55 Soler
75 Gesink
80 Zubeldia
80 Kreuziger
90 Kirchen

Andy Schleck will never win Le Tour whilst Contador is around

guv001

Nice point ACMadone but unfortunatley Contador isn't around.

donrhummy

ACMadone wrote:

kmahony wrote:

Here's the latest odds from betfair. I had some money on Andy Schleck some time ago, but not so confident now. (He'll win it some time, but maybe not this year)

Personally I'd go nowhere near Evans at that price. Valverde seems to have his "form" back, so not a bad bet.

3.8 Evans
5.6 Valverde
8.2 Menchov
17 A Schleck
17.5 Cunego
19 Sastre
42 Devolder
42 F Schleck
55 Sanchez
55 Soler
75 Gesink
80 Zubeldia
80 Kreuziger
90 Kirchen

Andy Schleck will never win Le Tour whilst Contador is around

Well...

1. Contador isn't around
2. Remember that the team also matters a lot and while Astana has a strong team, so does CSC. I actually think Schleck and Contador could be big rivals. The same as Merckx/Ocana if Ocana wasn't doomed to injury/bad-luck/dumb-risk-taking when facing Merckx.

Salsiccia

Now it appears he is riding, I want Ricco to win. If only to see if he can do 'gracious' as winner, as he obviously struggles with it when not winning.

If not Ricco, then I at least want the winner to do it with some authority (and a mountain stage win).

RichN95.

[Deleted by me]

RichN95.

I want Evans or Sastre to win as they've been around a while and deserve it (and are the most likely GCs to be clean).

I've never really 'got' Cunego - he got lucky for his Giro win (imo).
Valverde is a drugs scandal wailting to happen (even if he's cleaned up)
Schleck the Younger's time will come. Ricco's too.
Menchov is the dullest rider in cycling.

I'd like to see Hushovd or Bennati finish in Green and Sastre in the polka dots (or Moreau)

rhinsliff

Before he dropped out i though Michael Rodgers had a good dark horse chance but that isnt going to happen. Evans seems like he has the form and is attacking alot more it seems. If not him then im thinking some completely out of left field like Rasmussen or Contador last year. I dont really care as long as they dont spend the whole of the tour having to come up with reason they werent where they said they were or what the relationship is with some nefarious doctor. Probably asking too much there.

Mr Bumble

I reckon that though Cunego and Valverde will light up the race neither will manage the top spot...

I would really like to see a Basque rider win. Sanchez has been keeping very quiet, he can climb, descend like Il Falco and time trial......I hope he will up there

ms_tree

Just come back from hols with 8 Italian stitches in leg and whilst there saw snippet in Gazzetta that Armstrong said Cunego has no chance and Evans will win.
After finished punching paper thought good o! That's put the blight on Evans! :twisted:
I think Cunego could be in with a chance also Menchov.
Ciao!

Ricardo H

going for cunego, might even stick a couple of quid on him.

Would love to see Devolder put in a good performance, but hes a couple of years off a podium place

ACMadone

Ms Tree wrote:

Just come back from hols with 8 Italian stitches in leg and whilst there saw snippet in Gazzetta that Armstrong said Cunego has no chance and Evans will win.
After finished punching paper thought good o! That's put the blight on Evans! :twisted:
I think Cunego could be in with a chance also Menchov.
Ciao!

Well what does Armstrong know? Cunego for me as I've said earlier.

Tom Butcher

If those seen as contenders I'd like Cunego to win - I think Evans is a strong favourite though and I think Cunego will struggle to get on the podium.

takethehighroad

With all that's being said, I genuinely think Evans will crack under the pressure of being favourite. Before, he's only really been 'the guy who follows the favourites' and now he's being thrust into the spotlight.

andyp

I think he's got a weak team too - in a race where there is no patron no-one will want to take responsibility for controlling the race. Evans, as the highest place finisher from last year's Tour will be expected to shoulder a lot of that responsibility yet he has a team that doesn't look up to the task.

Moomaloid

There is a possibility that he'll crack, but i don't think he'll need to control the race until the mountains. If they are clever they will let the other teams hold the jersey till the final third of the race, and then he's got Popovich to back him up. I think its his to lose. I really do hope that Cunego gives it a good thrash though...

PutneyJoe

£10 of my money says Ricco is the man!

donrhummy

Cunego's looking good heading in but I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by Andy Schleck.

afx237vi

Not many people talking about Sastre, which I find surprising. Yeah I know he's the eternal podium, but he's got shedloads of experience and is uber-consistent. Less than 100km of TT plays into his favour, and last year he seemed to come out of his shell and start attacking a bit more.

Plus he's a nice guy and this thread is called who do you want to win.

redddraggon

I wouldn't mind Ricco winning, Evans just seems too boring.

deal

Evans or Ricco just because so many people seem to dislike these guys

donrhummy

I'd be totally happy with a Sastre win but I think Schleck's going to pass him on some of the tougher mountains (assuming he's given free reign and not forced to help Sastre).

kmahony

Update:

3.8 Evans
5.8 Valverde
8.2 Menchov
15.5 Cunego
17.5 A Schleck
19.5 Sastre
38 Ricco
42 Kreuziger
46 Sanchez
46 Soler
55 Devolder
65 F Schleck
75 Zubeldia

I like Ricco, but doubt he's going for the GC this year. Valverde is probably the best bet. Cunego and AScheck will be interesting to watch, but don't think they'll win. Sanchez is a very good price. I'd avoid the rest, although expect Evans to go well, but that price is way too short.