The Tour de France 2008

[atmas]

Starts tomorrow. Last year's winner will not be back to defend: when the Discovery Channel team folded after last year he and his coach and a few riders joined a team from Kazakhstan, Astana. That team had significant drug issues last year, was basically kicked out of the race. A new management and coaching staff (Lance's old coach is there) has not improved the team's reputation...and they weren't invited to compete this year. So, instead the team went to the Tour of Italy...and won. Contador, champion of last year's Tour, won in Italy.

There are 2 American teams competing, but don't hold your breath for an American winner. Cadel Evans, an Aussie, is the favorite after finishing 2nd last year. He had a mid season injury but has been doing well recently.

Alejandro Valverde, 3rd last year, is another favorite. He just won the Dauphine Libere, a week-long tune up often won by riders who go on to win the Tour.

This will be a pretty open race; neither favorite is anything like a prohibitive favorite.

 

[Wrong Element]

I love cycling, but man is it a mess.

 

[BoobsNBrains]

You just wanna see my bicycle again, don't you?

 

[atmas]

You just wanna see my bicycle again, don't you?

People are going to wonder what "my bicycle" is code for.

Show it to me baby, show it. I wanna see it all...

 

[BoobsNBrains]

People are going to wonder what "my bicycle" is code for.

Show it to me baby, show it. I wanna see it all...

For the last time, atmas...I'm NOT gonna sit on your handlebars!

 

[KRCummings]

So how many cheat this year?
I thought boxing was the most crooked sport in the world but cycling is just ridiculous.

 

[atmas]

For the last time, atmas...I'm NOT gonna sit on your handlebars!

Mine's a unicycle, anyway. So we'll have to find a different place for you to sit.

 

[Weird Harold]

So how many cheat this year?
I thought boxing was the most crooked sport in the world but cycling is just ridiculous.

Google Viagra Cycling: It's not banned, but it's probably going to be a big part of the TDF story this year.

 

[mousethatpurred]

Is everything in code for atmas?

 

[thør]

Mine's a unicycle, anyway.

I saw a nice All-Terrain Unicycle at REI today......

 

[Radiohead]

I'll take McEwan for the green, Cadel for the yellow. Dammit, no Rogers. Did Duetch Telekom not get an invite too?

 

[Peregrinator]

My only prediction for this year's Tour is that I won't be watching it and will get all my news from this thread.

 

[iceburg1]

Starts tomorrow. Last year's winner will not be back to defend: when the Discovery Channel team folded after last year he and his coach and a few riders joined a team from Kazakhstan, Astana. That team had significant drug issues last year, was basically kicked out of the race. A new management and coaching staff (Lance's old coach is there) has not improved the team's reputation...and they weren't invited to compete this year. So, instead the team went to the Tour of Italy...and won. Contador, champion of last year's Tour, won in Italy.

There are 2 American teams competing, but don't hold your breath for an American winner. Cadel Evans, an Aussie, is the favorite after finishing 2nd last year. He had a mid season injury but has been doing well recently.

Alejandro Valverde, 3rd last year, is another favorite. He just won the Dauphine Libere, a week-long tune up often won by riders who go on to win the Tour.

This will be a pretty open race; neither favorite is anything like a prohibitive favorite.

Cadel will ace it

but then he will be disqualified for drinking while riding

he is Australian after all

 

[atmas]

Is everything in code for atmas?

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