(le) Tour time again

[sb_jim]

Good pre-race analysis, Bob. I don't agree with your Tyler Hamilton pick. He fell off his bike again last week during a race descent. Riding hurt is admirable but I don't think it can win. He falls down too much to ever be 100%

I think Lance can do it one last time with Ullrich as his toughest competitor. The Italians are too wasted from the Giro. The Aussies are sprinting well but not GC contenders. The Spanish are good but it's hard to say which one will have the best tour.

[BigMactuary,]

Originally Posted by Bob the Dog

Bob thought she left him. Or at least got tired of him being in France half the year.

i heard that too. but i also heard he cheated on her

[Bob the Dog]

Originally Posted by sb_jim

Good pre-race analysis, Bob. I don't agree with your Tyler Hamilton pick. He fell off his bike again last week during a race descent. Riding hurt is admirable but I don't think it can win. He falls down too much to ever be 100%

I think Lance can do it one last time with Ullrich as his toughest competitor. The Italians are too wasted from the Giro. The Aussies are sprinting well but not GC contenders. The Spanish are good but it's hard to say which one will have the best tour.

Ty fell, but wasn't injured. Ty needs to control his aggression going downhill a tad.

Ullrich won the Tour de Suisse by a mere 1 second, the field was not laced with TdF GC contenders. Bob doesn't think he has the team to win, and needs a lot of outside help. Too many good GC hopefulls for other teams to want to help him. l'Alpe TT will also punish the big guy mercilessly.

True, Aussies are sprinters for the most part. O'Grady and McGee have become better all around riders, but shouldn't challenge GC. (O'Grady could be top 20 tho) If either of these boys is close in points to Alessandro "don't make me ride in the mountains" Petacchi after 10 days, the Green will be well within their reach.

[Bob the Dog]

World Time Trial Champ David Millar (Cofidis) confesses to doping (EPO).

Wondering if Cofidis will get pulled from the Tour before it starts, and if they will be replaced.

[Elisha]

Mr Dog,
How much do these professional cyclists make, such that it would be worth it to them to take the chance to dope? It seems like so many of them get caught nowadays.

[Bob the Dog]

Money is one of those things Bob doesn't dig much into. With Lance's win last year the Posties split somewhere in the neighborhood of a half million euros for that race. Bob still believes most of the money comes from sponsors, but doping isn't all about money - it's about winning and being the best (even if it's tainted). The money is secondary, at best.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

It's a nice way to earn a living, though. Look at us, in cubicles, talking about Le Tour. 'course, we'll be doing this for the next 20 years.

[Bob the Dog]

Just think, in a few years Lance could replace Bob Roll on OLN's "Tour Day France" coverage. Or not.

[Stickboy]

Lance’s Dauphine performance may have been by design, just to keep others off guard. Will he win 6? It’s going to be tough.

Ulrich – started slow (as usual) but has really come on in the last couple of weeks.

Tyler – if he can stay upright, will be a challenger.

Heras – is strong enough to be a contender, but is his team?

Mayo – looks good to challenge, but don’t think he has the final kick to win the overall.

Beloki – has he even finished a race this year?

Should make for an interesting Tour.

Millar admits to EPO use. Since Cofidis is a French squad, doubt if Le Tour will pull the plug (like they did for Kelme based on the allegations of one disgruntled employee). The Corporate big wigs already suspended racing for Cofidis while they “investigated” the drug use on the team. This will probably end their sponsorship all together.

[egg]

Wasn't Festina a French squad when they had the scandal a few years ago? I thought they booted them.