Possible Astana Squad for the tour

I was just looking at their roster and came to the realization that there is no way they are going to loose. Especially if they put a squad like this together
Alberto Contador
Lance Armstrong
Levi Leipheimer
Andreas Klöden
Janez Brajkovič
Haimar Zubeldia
José Luis Rubiera
Yaroslav Popovych
Chris Horner
Alberto Contador
Lance Armstrong
Levi Leipheimer
Andreas Klöden
Janez Brajkovič
Haimar Zubeldia
José Luis Rubiera
Yaroslav Popovych
Chris Horner
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You'd think so, but stranger things have happened. They seem to have their fair share of
heavy hitters.
Dennis Noward
Probably Bazayev and Iglinsky.
the team is too equal in ability too...bound to lead to conflict
You'd have thought that would be the team. Just hope there isn't any in house fighting and we get a good race
I am hoping for in house fighting! The best fighting is always in house! Look at Simoni and Cunego or LeMond and Hinault! C'mon!
It's an excellent point. It's not the usual preperation race for most of them. Usually it would be a big rest / training after this weeks classics until the Dauphine.
I doubt Brajkovic will be in the Tour line up (in fact has he ridden the TdF yet?) and similarly I could see Horner missing out too.
As SSquirrel say's, I would've thought there'd be a Kazak or two in the team , plus I'm sure they'll be looking for a rider or two who can take on the diesel role for flat stages.
Would be nice to see them field that line-up and the whole lot implode as Levi, Janez, Berti and Klodi all decide they want to go for GC
I've seen nothing first hand and the rumour mill is churning, but the fact that Astana might be having problems with this bio passport announcement.
Kloden is being muted, possibly more.
Anybody come across anything tangible?
No way will that happen, everyone will know their role.
Why not? Saxo Bank will be strong and focussed on one man. I would prefer to have the likes of Voigt and Cancellara helping me to the likes of Kloeden.
Evans will be outnumbered, but Silence should form an alliance with Saxo Bank.
Also Nibali will have a strong team behind him and will stir it up.
This won't be the cakewalk people fear. Lepheimer is overrated, Kloeden's fragile and Armstrong is too damn old and crocked.
That said, Bertie is still the man to beat. Question is: will he be treated like Lemond at La Vie Claire 85 or 86? or worse Roche a la Giro 87.
:roll: not another one...
I reckon Armstrong wil blow up on the Giro - he looks to be carrying far too much weight to get over those Alps in one piece. Leipheimer will win the early timetrial and have his few days in yellow before Bertie rides an epic Ventoux.
Contador is still the number one man though and my major favourite.