Tour de France 2009 [Archive] - Draft Countdown Forums

eaglesalltheway

06-29-2009, 02:36 PM

Me too. I'm not sure what to expect from Lance Armstrong, though I certainly am not expecting him to do what he had done in his 7 wins. Who knows with this guy though. I just hope we don't have any major doping problems, as have been the case recently. This will help tide me over for Training camp and the pre-season, plus I enjoy riding events, so I also am pumped about this. Its on Versus again, right?

Tha Wootster

06-29-2009, 02:42 PM

I don't know about american TV but it will be on a specialized channel here in canada or you could always find a stream to watch it on the net.

eaglesalltheway

06-29-2009, 02:44 PM

Its usually on Versus, so it'll probably be on there again.

NBA

06-29-2009, 03:24 PM

I saw wired to win at the IMAX in the Franklin institute while i was up in philly, that **** was badass check it out if you like tour de france

UKfan

06-29-2009, 03:26 PM

Go on Cavendish!

CashmoneyDrew

06-29-2009, 03:52 PM

Its usually on Versus, so it'll probably be on there again.

It will be on Vs.

awfullyquiet

06-29-2009, 03:56 PM

Oh man I forgot my man andy schleck. stud.

he is a babe.

that said. idk what the hell is gonna happen... i think contador will probably win, cav will probably win 3-4 stages in the first week... i think this year though he'll probably win the green jersey...

the only reason why lance is good is because he's shaped so well. his TT is second to none...

tjsunstein

06-29-2009, 04:01 PM

Obviously, I'm rooting for Lance.

awfullyquiet

06-29-2009, 04:06 PM

Obviously, I'm rooting for Lance.

WHY?

i find no reason to.

root for vandervelde if anyone... i'm personally still in love with garmin-slipstream-chipotle if only for the fact that they're legit.

Tha Wootster

06-29-2009, 04:36 PM

he is a babe.

that said. idk what the hell is gonna happen... i think contador will probably win, cav will probably win 3-4 stages in the first week... i think this year though he'll probably win the green jersey...

the only reason why lance is good is because he's shaped so well. his TT is second to none...

Cavendish will win the green jersey this year.

awfullyquiet

06-29-2009, 05:44 PM

Cavendish will win the green jersey this year.

because there's no one else remotely as good as him in the sprint category this year? it really depends on how much they ask of him in defense of kirchin if any... or are they just going to pin him as the hopes for team overall time.

awfullyquiet

06-30-2009, 07:53 PM

How could I forget Sastre too. Or Denny Menchov.

Menchov has a better chance, but Sastre has a team basically looking to put him on the podium, whereas, Saxo has some top talent with intercompeting for the top spot... it'll be an interesting few days to see who's got the guts... especially after you pwned the giro.

Caddy

06-30-2009, 07:56 PM

This year it is all about Cadel Evans. He is back to avenge last years narrow loss.

awfullyquiet

06-30-2009, 08:28 PM

This year it is all about Cadel Evans. He is back to avenge last years narrow loss.

Just because you come in second last year doesn't make you a winnah.

Sniper

06-30-2009, 08:29 PM

Odds of Lance winning? I mean, his track record's pretty solid (:D), but how do you expect him to fare?

awfullyquiet

06-30-2009, 08:34 PM

Odds of Lance winning? I mean, his track record's pretty solid (:D), but how do you expect him to fare?

top 10, astana is gonna try to push contador... i think.
if lance plays fair, and helps contador. contador will win. if lance wants to win i don't think either will. lance will do what the schlecks did on CSC last year on alpe d'huez...

eaglesalltheway

06-30-2009, 08:49 PM

top 10, astana is gonna try to push contador... i think.
if lance plays fair, and helps contador. contador will win. if lance wants to win i don't think either will. lance will do what the schlecks did on CSC last year on alpe d'huez...

Really, top ten? I mean it wouldn't surprise me, and I don't really know how he has trained (probably as hard as anyone else) and what type of shape his body is still in, but I'm thinking top 20 for sure, but top 10 overall is quite an accomplishment for someone who has been out as long as he has at his age. (Age isn't as much of a factor in cycling, i know, but still) For whatever reason I expect him in the 13-17 Range by the time Paris rolls around. I have one of those wierd feelings.

awfullyquiet

06-30-2009, 09:15 PM

Really, top ten? I mean it wouldn't surprise me, and I don't really know how he has trained (probably as hard as anyone else) and what type of shape his body is still in, but I'm thinking top 20 for sure, but top 10 overall is quite an accomplishment for someone who has been out as long as he has at his age. (Age isn't as much of a factor in cycling, i know, but still) For whatever reason I expect him in the 13-17 Range by the time Paris rolls around. I have one of those wierd feelings.

yah, i mean, i can as easily see him being top 10 as top 30...
i mean, his form isn't bad by any stretch, it really will be an interesting story line driven tour.

Sniper

07-03-2009, 09:28 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/news/story?id=4304237

PARIS -- France's sports minister says Lance Armstrong will be "particularly monitored" in anti-doping checks at the Tour de France this year.

Roselyne Bachelot, speaking in an interview on French cable TV on Friday, sent the warning to the seven-time Tour winner who has come out of retirement to race again in cycling's showcase.

"The [doping] controls will be multiplied, and I tell Lance Armstrong that he will be particularly, particularly, particularly monitored," Bachelot told i-Tele.

The American has denied having taken banned substances during his cycling career.

The head of France's anti-doping agency, which is working with cycling's governing body UCI on doping checks for the race, has said Armstrong will be treated like any other rider regarding drug testing.

The International Cycling Union, responding to the damage done to the sport by continual drug and cheating scandals, is planning more than 500 doping checks at this year's Tour.

"There needs to be a really very, very active fight against doping," Bachelot said. "The organizers know how much a positive doping test could have harmful effects."

The three-week race starts Saturday in Monaco.

This is a change, uh, how?

Addict

07-03-2009, 10:54 AM

I'm sick and tired of Armstrong. I hope he fails hard.

Sniper

07-03-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm sick and tired of Armstrong. I hope he fails hard.

Haters gonna hate.

awfullyquiet

07-03-2009, 10:59 AM

I'm sick and tired of Armstrong. I hope he fails hard.

I'm just anti-astana.

I'd also like to kick stefan schumacher in the ass for being a ******.

Addict

07-03-2009, 11:07 AM

Haters gonna hate.

oh I loved watching Armstrong do his thing a few years ago. But I enjoyed seeing the new generation get some attention, and Armstrong takes everything away from him. What about Contador, who is also on Astana?

Also I think he's getting way too much attention, not taking anything away from his Tour victories.

Addict

07-03-2009, 11:08 AM

I'm just anti-astana.

I'd also like to kick stefan schumacher in the ass for being a ******.

he was doped up too, right? I know that Kohl and Ricco both were.

wicket

07-03-2009, 11:09 AM

oh I loved watching Armstrong do his thing a few years ago. But I enjoyed seeing the new generation get some attention, and Armstrong takes everything away from him. What about Contador, who is also on Astana?

Also I think he's getting way too much attention, not taking anything away from his Tour victories.

quoted for truth

awfullyquiet

07-03-2009, 11:18 AM

he was doped up too, right? I know that Kohl and Ricco both were.

most of gerolsteiner was.

lance = brett

Tha Wootster

07-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Mark Cavendish.

Be prepared.

awfullyquiet

07-03-2009, 11:27 AM

L0AiN8vrn9Y

Addict

07-03-2009, 11:35 AM

Mark Cavendish.

Be prepared.

yeah he's probably gonna win a few stages. Has no chance to win the overall rankings though.

that said, I'm not sure he'll be AS successful, simply because IMO Columbia isn't quite as strong as it used to be.

awfullyquiet

07-03-2009, 11:39 AM

yeah he's probably gonna win a few stages. Has no chance to win the overall rankings though.

that said, I'm not sure he'll be AS successful, simply because IMO Columbia isn't quite as strong as it used to be.

no kidding, but, the green jersey i think is still gonna be in his reach... i don't think hushovd is going in a position to run for it again on Cervelo.

Addict

07-03-2009, 11:58 AM

no kidding, but, the green jersey i think is still gonna be in his reach... i don't think hushovd is going in a position to run for it again on Cervelo.

Hushovd is always to be accounted for, and don't forget Freire and Boonen (who by the way is allowed to start)

awfullyquiet

07-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Hushovd is always to be accounted for, and don't forget Freire and Boonen (who by the way is allowed to start)

that's right. Boonen is back. uh oh.

eaglesalltheway

07-03-2009, 01:28 PM

most of gerolsteiner was.

lance = brett

Is it common for people who are fans of both football and cycling to think that, because when I hear he was coming back, thats exactly what I thought too.

Tha Wootster

07-04-2009, 11:31 AM

Kreuziger is soooo good.

awfullyquiet

07-05-2009, 09:31 AM

who didn't see cancellara winning the prologue.
but then, who saw sastre coming in second?

the TdF is exciting.

edit: lol@zabriskie's bike.

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0702/pg2_zabriskie_300.jpg

cap'n america.

Tha Wootster

07-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Mark Cavendish. Witness.

:D

Tha Wootster

07-06-2009, 11:00 AM

Team Columbia is raping this stage.

Addict

07-07-2009, 12:34 PM

Cavendish is just dominating out there.

And damn Lance Armstrong... arrogant piece of work still got it.

awfullyquiet

07-07-2009, 12:34 PM

Cavendish is just dominating out there.

And damn Lance Armstrong... arrogant piece of work still got it.

haven't actually hit the mountains yet.

we'll see then. but yes. damn lance. wtf.
Cav is just stronger, more burst than hushovd, boonan, or friere and it shows.

Tha Wootster

07-07-2009, 12:38 PM

Cavendish team is just awesome seriously.

Addict

07-07-2009, 12:40 PM

Cavendish team is just awesome seriously.

yeah they win an insane amount of victories the past two seasons.

but I'm pretty impressed by Armstrong, even though not dragging Contador along for the ride was a dick move.

Tha Wootster

07-07-2009, 12:42 PM

Cadel Evans lost a lot of time today.

Addict

07-07-2009, 12:43 PM

Cadel Evans lost a lot of time today.

I'm glad. He nearly killed the tour last year.

tjsunstein

07-07-2009, 01:10 PM

Lance is within one second of the yellow jersey!

Sniper

07-07-2009, 01:12 PM

Lance is within one second of the yellow jersey!

What a beast.

Addict

07-07-2009, 01:16 PM

on a different note, I'm quite impressed with the non-Pro Tour Skil-Shimano team. Anyone else notice them.

awfullyquiet

07-09-2009, 11:38 AM

more bashing of lance.

"The Tour was a bit of a joke this year. I've got nothing against Sastre ... or Christian Vande Velde," he was quoted as saying shortly after the race last year. "Christian's a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on!"

douche.

that said, tomorrow comes the real challenge... this is where the tour is won and lost... and since a minute separates the top from the bottom of the GC contenders... we'll see how lance's climbing ability and astana's star personalities hold up... i need to get home. whistler was the best mountain biking of my life.

nobodyinparticular

07-09-2009, 12:50 PM

awfullyquiet

07-09-2009, 07:05 PM

Lance killed in the mountain stages during his run. A couple years off may have changed that, but the fact that he's so close to the lead shows that he's got some ability left in him.

flats are not mountains.

a few HCs and we'll see who's team is gonna propel their GC competitor to the front... i don't think contador will go that easily.

eaglesalltheway

07-09-2009, 11:39 PM

flats are not mountains.

a few HCs and we'll see who's team is gonna propel their GC competitor to the front... i don't think contador will go that easily.

Agreed, considering he is in 3rd. This may be like a few years back when Jan Ullrich and his one teammate (can't remember who it was) were both contending and it seemed like neither were going to back down. It hurt them in the end. I could see a similar thing happen here, as contador has been a favorite for a while, and Armstrong isn't just going to give up and assume the role as his guard unless he is out of it for sure. Tomorrow may be an indicator of how Armstong really is doing, though with only two major climbs, it may not be a huge factor. I have off tomorrow and instead of sleeping in, I'm waking up to catch the stage.

Tha Wootster

07-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Man Astana is boring but they are so strong. they are just dominating this stage.

sweetness34

07-10-2009, 11:46 AM

Lance killed in the mountain stages during his run. A couple years off may have changed that, but the fact that he's so close to the lead shows that he's got some ability left in him.

Lance also has an incredible amount of mental and physical toughness. He won't go down without a fight. His body may be worn down but he has an uncanny ability to raise his cycling level when he needs to.

Tha Wootster

07-15-2009, 10:24 AM

Cavendish again. beast.

awfullyquiet

07-15-2009, 10:32 AM

Man Astana is boring but they are so strong. they are just dominating this stage.

Was that the Tourmelet?

If so i was sitting, watching that... and was like. seriously. no one's attacking? what kinda ******** is this. **** you stupid peleton. have you no balls? this is not the Grande Boucle, this is the ************* TdF.

but then again, if you didn't notice. Jens Voigt is... also a beast.

"Jens was a math prodigy in elementary school, putting “Attack!” in every blank space on all his tests. It would be the wrong answer for everybody else, but Jens is able to solve any problem by attacking."

Tha Wootster

07-15-2009, 10:36 AM

it was arcalis.

awfullyquiet

07-15-2009, 10:38 AM

it was arcalis.

astana boned that too?

hella lame. i haven't been able to watch anything. i've been in a work-void of like xmillion hours of interviews.

Tha Wootster

07-15-2009, 10:44 AM

astana boned that too?

hella lame. i haven't been able to watch anything. i've been in a work-void of like xmillion hours of interviews.

at least they did until about 1.5 km from the end. Contador attacked it.

wicket

07-23-2009, 04:56 PM

well the time trial pretty much finished it. Contador pretty much showed he is miles ahead of everyone, also I do not know why everyone is picking on contador for being a bad teammate, tbh it is lance armstrong who's pulled the jerk moves so far

awfullyquiet

07-23-2009, 06:52 PM

really, the tour is contadors to lose.

ventoux will pretty much seal the deal (dur)

trekindude

07-24-2009, 07:49 AM

Wednesday was the best day of the Tour so far. Awesome all the way through. Who reckons Wiggins can pull those 11 seconds on Lance and claim a podium spot?

wicket

07-24-2009, 07:57 AM

Wednesday was the best day of the Tour so far. Awesome all the way through. Who reckons Wiggins can pull those 11 seconds on Lance and claim a podium spot?

the ventoux is to steep, i think wiggins should worry more about kloden then about overtaking armstrong, it sort of depends on who wants to do stuff that day