Tour Podium Predictions

sonny73

Out of interest what are your predictions for the top 3 in the GC for the Tour? Obviously many of us have picked a GC winner for the PTP but I was curious as to your 1,2,3's.

rick_chasey

Andy, Contador, Frank.

Cleat Eastwood

Boonen, Voight, Cav.....well he ^^^ started it.

inkyfingers

Contador
Evans
Frank Scleck

pb21

1 Evans
2 Contador
3 F Schleck

Before the start of the tour I would have said

1 Contador
2 Evans
3 A Schleck

Gazzaputt

1.Wiggins
2.Evans
3. F. Shleck

RichN95.

1. A Schleck
2. Evans
3. Contador

tomb8555

Contador

And 2 of:
A Schleck
Evans
Basso

Also:
Wiggins (I think his attitude is way better this year - a bit of a wildcard but perhaps good for top 5-10)


Whilst I don't believe Contador is clean, I would quite like the spectacle of him winning Giro/Tour/Vuelta in the same year.

domhopson

1. Contador
2. Evans
3. F Schlek

Ben6899

1. Contador (he looks to have recovered from the Giro well)
2. Evans (astonishing rider, but not quite at Contador's level. Because he's clean?)
3. Could be one of a few - Schleck(s), Wiggins...

Basso would have been on my podium, but his preparation was marred by injury and he hasn't looked all that good so far. Early days though.

cogidubnus

Bases on my PTP:

1. Wiggins
2. Evans
3. A Schleck

I think Bertie will get sick of the boos and won't put his heart into it, and if A Schleck is loosing time to Wiggins on a steep incline he's got serious issues with his form imo

sonny73

Yep same for me, my original prediction and preferred outcome.

1. Wiggins
2. Evans
3. A Schleck

Though if that doesn’t come off for Wiggins I can see Cadel winning it and I would personally be pleased to see that over an AS or AC win.

milton50

I think this Tour is going to be hard to predict and quite changeable with people having good days followed by bad days. But if I had to say now, I'd go with:

1. Contador
2. Evans
3. A. Schleck/Gesink/Wiggins

Monty Zoncolan

1. Andy Schleck
2. Contador
3. Evans

afx237vi

Contador
Schleck A
Gesink

Evans is going well, but he's cursed with bad luck and something bad is bound to happen sooner or later.

Cumulonimbus

Before the tour

A Schleck
Contador
Sanchez

Would swop Evans in for Sanchez now though. Concerned about Andy's performance yesterday.

Salsiccia

Based on what we've seen so far:

Contador
Evans
Schleck, A

TheStone

Andy
Bertie
VdB

cal_stewart

after yesterday would say that cuddles and wiggo look good as wiggo is not the best at that type of finish and did alot better than usual. Think wiggo will climb as well as cuddles. its down to how well bertie and andy do for me. and its not looking good

cogidubnus

I think the time trial is going to be crucial this year. If brad and Cuddles stick in there with the pure climbers it could get very interesting

cal_stewart

think the battle between cuddles and brad will be close

tim_wand

GTC for Tour come Paris

1 , Berty
2. Andy Schleck
3. Poison Dwarf (Sorry Evans)

Gree n Cav
White Geraint Thomas
Polka Dot Berty

Then come christmas something Iffy in Bertys Turkey and its All Andy Schleck's

patchy

1. Andy Schleck
2. Contador
3. Evans

4. Wiggins
5. Gesink

Green: Cav, by the skin of his teeth from Gilbert
White: Gesink
Polka: Schleck

I think Andy's quite happy with the firepower under the bonnet and will come into form as we hit the mountains.

Contador's a bit too ragged, knackered from the Giro and wasting too much energy this week, but he'll drag it through on sheer talent (or cow juice). E

Evans is in amazing form - too hot, I think, and he'll be fading come the Alps.

Wiggins will grind through, lose a fair bit in the mountains and take back time in the final TT;

Gesink is nearly there but not mentally hard enough yet. 2012 will be his year for the podium.

Where's the other Schleck? I think he'll have to bury himself in a couple of mountain stages for Andy - which he will - and will drop out of the top five. He'll still be top ten though. Although, if Andy doesn't HTFU and drop Frank, he'll open the door to Contador winning and come in bridesmaid again. But I think he will discover his ruthless streak this year.

MaxwellBygraves

I genuinely think Wiggins has a great shot at podium.

I can see the time trial being decisive. If Wiggins can limit his losses in the mountains (which I think is quite possible as he is as light as he's ever been and in good form) then he can take a lot of time back in the time trial, especially from the likes of Basso, VdB, both Shlecks, Gesink and Sanchez.

Also an interesting first week as both Contador and A Shleck appear to be a bit below par - of course too early to write them off.

Cumulonimbus

Not sure if it is relevant here but John Gadret is certainly feeling the effects of the Giro. Must have gone deeper than Contador did but it shows the challenge ahead of Alberto.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hard-re ... ohn-gadret

sonny73

Cumulonimbus wrote:

Not sure if it is relevant here but John Gadret is certainly feeling the effects of the Giro. Must have gone deeper than Contador did but it shows the challenge ahead of Alberto.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hard-re ... ohn-gadret

It was a swine of a course eh, can't say Im surprised, but Contador seems to be made of stronger stuff for now. But yes I agree I think Contador may come unstuck.

greeny12

I had Andy Schleck down to win it in PTP but I now think his brother is the better shot out of the two of them. If he straps that Camelbak on he could even do OK in the TT!

So:

1 F Schleck
2 C Evans
3 B Wiggins

OK the last one is a bit more heart than head.

Of the others, Bertie would have to be some sort of Superman to keep his mind on the job amid the boos (and don't forget the crowd get a LOT closer in the mountains) and his limbs fresh after the Giro.

A Schleck and Basso don't *seem* to have the form, Gesink possibly compromised by the crash. And the RadioShack old guard good for top ten, no more.

Either way it's gripping stuff so far - not something you normally associate with the Tour's first week...

Abdoujaparov

Think some people are getting a bit carried away with what we've seen so far.

Just cos Evans can sprint on a short hill doesn't mean he can handle the high mountains or a TT. In fact, maybe his form so far is a negative indicator? Not many people are top notch climbers and puncheurs at the same time.

My picks to do well over all haven't changed:

Contador
A Schleck
Gesink

Reckon A Schleck has a good chance of beating Contador though.

rick_chasey

Abdoujaparov wrote:

Think some people are getting a bit carried away with what we've seen so far.

Just cos Evans can sprint on a short hill doesn't mean he can handle the high mountains or a TT. In fact, maybe his form so far is a negative indicator? Not many people are top notch climbers and puncheurs at the same time.

My picks to do well over all haven't changed:

Contador
A Schleck
Gesink

Reckon A Schleck has a good chance of beating Contador though.

Gesink, even after his crash?