2010 TDF: most GC guys ever to have a legitimate shot?

donrhummy
donrhummy Posts: 2,329
edited July 2010 in Pro race
When was the last time we had this many guys with a legitimate (or outside) shot at GC/podium?

Alberto Contador
Cadel Evans
Carlos Sastre (probably an outside shot at best, but he has won before)
Dennis Menchov (probably outside shot, but he did win a Giro)
Lance Armstrong
Andy Schleck
Bradley Wiggins (possibly outside shot, but he was 4th and his team is WELL organized)

Outside Shot
Christian Vande Velde
Roman Kreuziger
Ivan Basso
Frank Schleck
Levi Leipheimer


Outside-Outside Shot
Christophe Le Mevel
Michael Rogers
Andreas Kloden
Robert Gesink

It's going to be an exciting TDF!

(Updated to include Levi, Kloden and Gesink, remove Nibali)

Comments

  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    I put Contador and Andy Schleck at the top.

    Then a big bucket with Basso / Armstrong / Evans / Levi / Kreuziger / Sastre / Wiggins / Menchov
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    iainf72 wrote:
    I put Contador and Andy Schleck at the top.

    Then a big bucket with Basso / Armstrong / Evans / Levi / Kreuziger / Sastre / Wiggins / Menchov

    Agreed. (And yes, you're right, I forgot Levi!) But still, when was the last time a TDF featured this many legitimate chances?
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    I fear this Tour is going to take place under an enormous cloud.

    But the Tour is in maximum hype cycle at the moment where it's going to be epic. Hell, I ever saw one of the magazines reckoned the 09 Tour was brilliant.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,169
    You could add Gesink to your list too.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    RichN95 wrote:
    You could add Gesink to your list too.
    I thought about that and I will but only as an outside-outside. I just don't think he could really win the TDF right now.
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    iainf72 wrote:
    I fear this Tour is going to take place under an enormous cloud.

    If Lance is top 3-4 among GC guys with a legit shot at winning halfway through, then yes. If Lance is out of it, then no, I don't think there will be much of the muck following it.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,169
    donrhummy wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    You could add Gesink to your list too.
    I thought about that and I will but only as an outside-outside. I just don't think he could really win the TDF right now.

    Agreed, he can't win it, but he's at least as good as Le Mevel, who I was taking as the minimum entry level for your list.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Snorebens
    Snorebens Posts: 759
    No Nibs
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    donrhummy wrote:
    When was the last time we had this many guys with a legitimate (or outside) shot at GC/podium?

    NO SHOT

    Cincenzo Nibali

    It's Vincenzo - and he's not riding.
  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    Vino could be a podium chance too.
  • Cheesyman99
    Cheesyman99 Posts: 60
    Outside-Outside-Outside chance

    Cancelarra
    Zabriskie (Vaughters mentioned he could do a Wiggins)
    EBH
  • timoid.
    timoid. Posts: 3,133
    Agreed Bertie and the younger Shleck are a class above, but Gesink is going to have a real go. I reckon he'll podium.

    After that there is Iain's big bucket of top quality also rans.
    It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    clanton wrote:
    Vino could be a podium chance too.

    +1
    cartoon.jpg
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,827
    Cheesyman99 wrote:
    Outside-Outside-Outside chance

    Cancelarra
    Zabriskie (Vaughters mentioned he could do a Wiggins)
    EBH

    I assume you mean no chance?
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Cheesyman99 wrote:
    Outside-Outside-Outside chance

    Cancelarra
    Zabriskie (Vaughters mentioned he could do a Wiggins)
    EBH
    Only if a tornado rips across the plains of northern France and sucks 160 riders into the vortex, scattering them like broken timber across the landscape.
  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    iainf72 wrote:
    I fear this Tour is going to take place under an enormous cloud.

    But the Tour is in maximum hype cycle at the moment where it's going to be epic. Hell, I ever saw one of the magazines reckoned the 09 Tour was brilliant.

    Looking at the long range weather forecast for France looks like they'll be plenty of sunny day without a cloud in the sky :wink:

    Pro cycling wouldn't be without a rumourville starting before the start of Le Tour. My bet it'll be another unfounded allegation as usual.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,136
    You mean like Puerto?
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Several riders are under federal investigation. This is cloudy enough for me!

    There are signs that sport is cleaner but I can't help worrying we leap onto any clue that things are cleaner and proof. For example a rider cracks and it's a sign he is clean, the average speed is slower and the sport is healthier.

    Here's hoping we can focus on the race...
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Kléber wrote:

    Here's hoping we can focus on the race...

    Why? You know the scandal will be better :wink:
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • Cheesyman99
    Cheesyman99 Posts: 60
    All those tips and no one mentioned 4th and 5th place. Sanchez and Van den Broucke
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    or Ryder Hesjedal!
    The most painful climb in Northern Ireland http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs200.snc1/6776_124247198694_548863694_2335754_8016178_n.jpg

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