no predictions?

On the eve of the big race, and I haven't seen many predictions as I do
for all the other races! Is this some sort of etiquette?

Anyway...my top 3:


1. Vino
2. Jan
3. Lance

I don't think Lance will abandon if things don't go right. I think if
he's down 2 or 3 minutes by the last contre la montre that he'll still
think he can pull one out. Sense of drama in him.


Andre

1. Armstrong
2. Basso
3. Vino or Leipheimer
4. Leipheimer if he isn't 3rd, Vino if he is...
5. Ulllrich

But then, what do I know?

Andre wrote:
On the eve of the big race, and I haven't seen many predictions as I do
for all the other races! Is this some sort of etiquette?

Anyway...my top 3:

1. Vino
2. Jan
3. Lance

I don't think Lance will abandon if things don't go right. I think if
he's down 2 or 3 minutes by the last contre la montre that he'll still
think he can pull one out. Sense of drama in him.

I tend to agree. Unless he completely blows and loses 10 minutes
on a stage, which I think is unlikely (though you never know, the
recovery goes at near-Master ages). If that doesn't happen, he'll
be at least close, and if he's close his egomania will make him think
damnit I can win this thing. I don't mean egomania in a bad sense -
that's where the competitiveness comes from.

With the relative lack of ITT miles and mountain top finishes I
wonder if this Tour will be closer than usual. Maybe somebody
will get in a break and scare the hell out of everyone before
finally getting reeled in, Kivilev-style.

1. Basso
2. LANCE
3. Jan
4. Vino

I don't think Lance will abandon if things don't go right. I think if
he's down 2 or 3 minutes by the last contre la montre that he'll still
think he can pull one out. Sense of drama in him.

When they are doing the champagne run on the Champs Elysees, Lance would
have entered his first golf tournament in Texas.

1. LANCE
2. Vino
3. Basso
4. Ullrich
5. LEVI ;-)

Callistus Valerius wrote:
I don't think Lance will abandon if things don't go right. I think if
he's down 2 or 3 minutes by the last contre la montre that he'll
still think he can pull one out. Sense of drama in him.

When they are doing the champagne run on the Champs Elysees, Lance
would have entered his first golf tournament in Texas.


I've got money on

Basso 7/1
Botero 33/1
Valverde 50/1


Jan

OK, I'm submitting my predictions AFTER having seen the results of the
1st Stage ITT. So, while my prognostications might be tainted, here are
my picks:

1) Armstrong

LA could still lose: He could blow up in the Mountains, or he could
crash. Maybe his form is too good for the 1st week, and he has peaked
too soon. But it doesn't seem likely

2) Leipheimer

He has a tendency to crash, but if he stays clear, he could pull off
a surprise.

3) Landis

He has shown steady improvement, and solid form. It could be an
All-USA podium

4) Vinokourov
A very talented rider, but I'm not sure that the team dynamics
of T-Mobile will give him much support.

5) Basso

He'll be helped by being on such a strong team. However, I think
that he'll blow up on a stage, just not sure which one.

6) Julich

7) Rogers

8) Valverde

9) Menchov

10) Zubeldia

Klodens will finish in the top 20, but Ullrich will drop out.

On 2 Jul 2005 15:33:03 -0700, "Gunsberg"
wrote:

OK, I'm submitting my predictions AFTER having seen the results of the
1st Stage ITT. So, while my prognostications might be tainted, here are
my picks:

1) Armstrong

LA could still lose: He could blow up in the Mountains, or he could
crash. Maybe his form is too good for the 1st week, and he has peaked
too soon. But it doesn't seem likely

No, barring any accidents he can't lose.


2) Leipheimer

He has a tendency to crash, but if he stays clear, he could pull off
a surprise.

top ten at best


3) Landis

He has shown steady improvement, and solid form. It could be an
All-USA podium

He'll collapse like he did in the Vuelta and in the Dauphine


4) Vinokourov
A very talented rider, but I'm not sure that the team dynamics
of T-Mobile will give him much support.

Top 3


5) Basso

He'll be helped by being on such a strong team. However, I think
that he'll blow up on a stage, just not sure which one.

Top 3

6) Julich

Top 20

7) Rogers
8) Valverde
9) Menchov
10) Zubeldia

We won't see them much I think

Klodens will finish in the top 20, but Ullrich will drop out.

No that's not gong to happen, Ullrich is just too strong of a rider,
he'll be in the Top 5.

1. Armstrong
2. Karpets
3. Basso
4. Heras
5. Vinokuorov
6. Popovych
7. Beloki
8. Menchov
9. Mancebo
10. Landis


"Keith" wrote in message
...
On 2 Jul 2005 15:33:03 -0700, "Gunsberg"
wrote:

OK, I'm submitting my predictions AFTER having seen the results of the
1st Stage ITT. So, while my prognostications might be tainted, here are
my picks:

1) Armstrong

LA could still lose: He could blow up in the Mountains, or he could
crash. Maybe his form is too good for the 1st week, and he has peaked
too soon. But it doesn't seem likely

No, barring any accidents he can't lose.


2) Leipheimer

He has a tendency to crash, but if he stays clear, he could pull off
a surprise.

top ten at best


3) Landis

He has shown steady improvement, and solid form. It could be an
All-USA podium

He'll collapse like he did in the Vuelta and in the Dauphine


4) Vinokourov
A very talented rider, but I'm not sure that the team dynamics
of T-Mobile will give him much support.

Top 3


5) Basso

He'll be helped by being on such a strong team. However, I think
that he'll blow up on a stage, just not sure which one.

Top 3

6) Julich

Top 20

7) Rogers
8) Valverde
9) Menchov
10) Zubeldia

We won't see them much I think

Klodens will finish in the top 20, but Ullrich will drop out.

No that's not gong to happen, Ullrich is just too strong of a rider,
he'll be in the Top 5.