Tour de France

IanH
IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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edited June 2016 in Sports #1

Well, the Criterium du Dauphine is over and Chris Froome won it again. In the past, this has led to him winning the biggest of the Grand Tours.

So it's time to place your bets.

I'm going to get in early and go for someone who avoided the Dauphine and, as is the (sad) custom of today the Giro, as preparation for LeTour.

I'm going for Nairo Quintana.

I believe that no Columbian has won the Tour before (although several stages have been won by them). He isn't the greatest of time triallers, but I'm going to chose him anyway.

Any more takers?

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Comments

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #2

    No change from last year for me; Chris Froome again. Before anyone else nabs him!

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #3

    Not sure who will win, but let's just hope for a good "clean" contest and also hope the spectators behave themselves so that we don't see any repeats of last year's disgraceful scenes! Wink

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #4

    I'm with you Moulesy, nothing spoils a good sports contest more than spectators who don't know how to behave

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #5

    Well, both my top tips have gone, (Froome and Quintana), so I will go with someone different, and hope for a French victory! Romain Bardet. Came second in Dauphine. Looking forward to it starting, great Summer of Sport again!Happy

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited June 2016 #6

    The course might suit Contador who will be hoping to make a mark this year after all the doping controversy. He is a good climber and the time trials might be a good length for his style.

    I have never been Contador's greatest fan, but I think he could do well.----- A podium place perhaps.

    K 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #7

    Very pleased that you have gone for a French rider, TtDA. It's been 30 years now since a Frenchman won it (the great Bernard Hinault)......Pierre Rolland anyone?

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #8

    Would be lovely to see a Frenchman win it. Rolland is pretty good as well! I haven't checked team lists yet, need to do some homework. Wondering if Olympics will mean a few riders either don't start, or pack in at some point.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #9

    To be chosen for this, the worlds biggest, most prestigious and most supported sporting event in the world, and then pack up without a major injury, would be an insult to the event, to their fellow riders and to the spectators.

    The olympics is a non-event in comparison.

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
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    edited June 2016 #10

    I'm hoping to see Marcel Kittel back in action this year. 

    Any other CT people off to watch the race? We're in the Camargue, birdwatching at the moment, but we've a campsite booked in Bedoin, for the Ventoux stage. Then we've booked a site in Grand Bornand, through the Club, to catch the later stage there. 

    I don't cycle anymore, I became a disaster waiting to happen, but Hubby has his Pinarello packed and ready to tackle a col or 2.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #11

    So, tbe voting so far is:

    Ian - Nairo Quintana

    Goldie - Chris Froome

    TtDa - Romain Bardet

    Kennine - Alberto Contador

    Pliers - Marcel Kittel

    Any more takers?

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #12

    May I suggest to the undecided....

    Warren Barguil - a French rider, not yet tested in Le Tour, but some have him as a possible successor to Hinault.

    Tejay van Garderen - an American with mixed success but always worth a punt.

    Vincenzo Nibali - the Italian who won two years ago and still has a great chance of winning again.

    Andrew Talanski - another American with high hopes for the future.

    Thibaut Pinot - a young French rider with great form and another possible 'return to glory' hope for France.

    Joachim Rodriguez - the Spanish rider may be past his best, but don't write him off.

    Personally, I would go for Warren Barguil if I hadn't already chosen. Laughing

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited June 2016 #13

    I would have favoured Quintana, but can't see it going beyond Nairo, Frome or Contador.

    As those three are taken I will have to go with Fabio Aru even though I don't like Astana. He will have had a right good kicking from Vinakurov after the Dauphine.

    One for the future, Estoban Chaves, I will back him for the white jersey.

    First time in ten years not getting out to see it.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited June 2016 #14

    Ian, where can I find a list of each team's riders? I've tried Le Tour web site but can't find the composition of each team.

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited June 2016 #15

    The teams don't usually declare their final team line ups until after the Dauphine and Tour of Switzerland, I presume they must have a deadline. 

    But you can guess who most of the team leaders will be (Astana and BMC might find it a little challenging)

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #16

    Ian, where can I find a list of each team's riders? I've tried Le Tour web site but can't find the composition of each team.

    Write your comments here...Nellie, check out cyclingstage.com

    names teams and riders on thereHappy

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited June 2016 #17

    I think that is just a general (and by no means complete) team roster and not a confirmed TdF entry list. The teams are right, but not the final rider list. The final team line ups will appear in the next couple of weeks.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #18

    You are probably right run rig, but gives a taste of who is likely to be competing.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #19

    Ian, where can I find a list of each team's riders? I've tried Le Tour web site but can't find the composition of each team.

    Final selections are not made yet, Nellie.

    You can get a list of the full team rosters from web sites such as the one above, or wait for the final selection about a week before the start. Or live dangerously.......Wink

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited June 2016 #20

    Ian, where can I find a list of each team's riders? I've tried Le Tour web site but can't find the composition of each team.

    Write your comments here...Nellie, check out cyclingstage.com

    names teams and riders on thereHappy

    Thanks tda, have done, but I think I'll keep my powder dry till the full teams are posted.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #21

    Ian - Nairo Quintana

    Goldie - Chris Froome

    TtDa - Romain Bardet

    Kennine - Alberto Contador

    Pliers - Marcel Kittel

    Runrig - Fabio Aru

    Any more takers?

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited June 2016 #22

     

    Thanks tda, have done, but I think I'll keep my powder dry till the full teams are posted.

    nab Warren Barguil while you can

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #23

     

    Thanks tda, have done, but I think I'll keep my powder dry till the full teams are posted.

    nab Warren Barguil while you can

    He's leadind the Tour de Suisse at the moment.....

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #24

    Ian - Nairo Quintana

    Goldie - Chris Froome

    TtDa - Romain Bardet

    Kennine - Alberto Contador

    Pliers - Marcel Kittel

    Runrig - Fabio Aru

    Any more takers?

    Richie Porte (BMC) or Geraint Thomas as back up if Froomie falls off

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #25

    I'll put you down for Richie Porte then, Steve.

    (Geraint Thomas has as much chance of winning as me Wink)

     

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #26

    "if Froomie falls off"

    No, not this year. I hope!

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,033 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #27

    Anyone know if Peter Sagan is likely to be riding? I like Peter Sagan, such a character. Somewhere on YouTube is a weird video of him and his girlfriend re-enacting the Olivia Newton John/ John Travolta "One a That I a Want" song! Crazy!

  • HughR
    HughR Forum Participant Posts: 67
    edited June 2016 #28

    How about Tejay van Garderen, I haven't checked that he,s riding tho.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #29

    Been watching Tejay in the tour de Suisse - doesn't seem to finish very well

    Ian, Geraint did some super riding supporting Froome last year, even came back after he went over a barrier!

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #30

    Take that back, just watched Tejay win a stage in grand style at Solden ( watching a day behind as no time to watch live)

    there are so many variables to consider and all sorts of things to way lay even the most determined rider

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2016 #31

    Been watching Tejay in the tour de Suisse - doesn't seem to finish very well

    Ian, Geraint did some super riding supporting Froome last year, even came back after he went over a barrier!

    GT is one of those people who has a high reputation (largely within UK newspaper reporing - by people that for 49 weeks in the year have no interest in cycling) that is simply not based on facts or achievements, His record in three week tours is appalling.

    Do you want to swap from Porte to Thomas!

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