It really is a fantastic event as it only takes 1 fantastic day for a rider to put themselves right in the mix. The thing with Evans is I could see him having a stage where he blows the field away, but I'm not sure Wiggins could do the same unless his whole team drag him along. Going right to the wire this year I think
I thought Evans was blowing a bit towards the finish, but came back strongly. Wiggins however looked reasonably fresh, but we'll see what the mountains take out of them, I think it's a more open race than it has been for years.
I'm ambivalent towards wiggins, I don't like his ego and attitude and whilst yes a Brit in yellow in Paris would be great I actually prefer millar despite his drugs ban has come back a better cyclist and man As a younger man I used to ride and race a lot and still travel over for the spring classics with my father and brothers and I greatly respect the Belgium lads. Wiggins is a bit too cocky for my liking
I hate to say it, but this is probably Wiggins' year. It's him or Evans for me and Wiggins is a better time trialer. I don't think BMC have a better train than Sky, so provided Wiggins sticks with Evans in the mountains and stays safe I fancy him this year. Evans usually leads the other GC contenders at this point in the race and aims to real in any attacks and make up lost time in the ITT. He'll have to attack Wiggins in the mountains in my opinion and I think Sky are well equipped to cope with that. It'll be v interesting. I can see Sky attacking this week to try and put BMC under more pressure in week 3. I think it'll be in vain though and Evans will stick glued to Wiggins wheel. But I think Wiggins will return the favour when Evans and BMC attack in the last week. Mistakes or crashes will probably ruin it though. It's been a dog of year so far.
Agree with WBA2 above. Find it hard to warm to Wiggins and his style of riding which is basically slaughtering the field in the Chronos and then hanging on elsewhere. Much prefer Contador's attacks or the Spring Classics. Very sorry for Froome, should have had the Vuelta last year if it hadn't been for Wiggins and could well be the stronger this year if let free although that puncture has cost him.
If Wiggins win it will be because Eddy "the Norwegian beast" Boasson Hagen drags his arse to the finish line. A more talented and complete driver you'll struggle to find.
At the end of the day it's not just about the three big tours. Even Armstrong managed one Spring Classic and the World Championships in his early pre cancer career. Cavendish and Tommy Simpson won Classics as well.
carefull guys...cadel is a national treasure out here and i'll have to hide my computer.... Only thing i can say for sure is that theres plenty to go yet and its gonna go down to the wire..(cliche' city)... also, its the first event in the olympics so surely its gonna hurt....REALLY hurt?!!
He's a bit marmite northy, imagine him as a whinging Barton-lite type and you'll start to understand I respect the hard men of the Paris-Roubaix or Liege-Bastion-Liege, proper nutters
Certainly he's over-hyped, partly due to his being in the Sky team, so all his publicity is driven by them. I still feel he'll be struggling when they hit the Cat 4 climbs later in the Tour...
Absolutely, Merckx, Maertens, De Vlaeminck, Boonen, Kelly etc were the real thing. As for this year by the end of Thursday's stage we will know more.
Having said all that Wiggins held in well today due to Froomes work rate Nice to see Frank schleck getting back amongst it too
I see Wiggins got rattled at the press conference, called a spade a shovel... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ot...012-Bradley-Wiggins-rant-doping-question.html
I used to ride and race as a lad, but lost confidence after a crash in training, then took up swimming instead. I figured someone would fish me out if I failed, instead of being laid in the middle of the road with half my skin on the Tarmac!!! I had a mate who was a very talented rider - a great bike handler - due to his BMX days as a kid. The best in our club. He tried out in France and I followed him over there for the summer back in the early 90s. The thing that shocked me was the overt use of drugs, even in little evening races where the prize was the equivalent of £100. I couldn't work out why they all wore sunglasses when the light was fading. It was evident as soon as they took them off that they were doped up. It's was no surprise to me then that it was prevalent throughout the sport. Gutted that some of my heros have since admitted to doping, especially the likes of Bjarne Riis.
Anyone watching this on Eurosport? Amazing ride today by voeckler but surely froome a future tour winner. Footballers should watch this and understand the commitment, effort and pain these guys endure
Froome has been stronger all the way, lost over a minute early on due to puncture so he really is a future winner. That said the Sky team have been totally dominant which has helped Wiggins. Fair play to him, he's going to win it now as Saturday's time-trial will be right up his street...
You can see froome itching to leave wiggins and absolutely cane it. Also cav holding back to help wiggins. I can see cav going mental for the Olympic gold. Wiggins has already said he'll support him I'm looking forward to being there to see it
