Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)

[Silver Fox]

Chaps, this could be useful, the ITV 4 TdeF schedule.
http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/tour-de-france-2012-itv4-live-schedule/

 

[ColinJ]

Exactly.

Okay, how about Sanchez beating Evans and Menchov in the stage 20 TT of the 2007 Vuelta then?

He says himself that he isn't a TT specialist but he is clearly pretty handy.

 

[Noodley]

Has winning the TdF now become less important than winning SPOTY? Who gives a flying f*ck about SPOTY?

 

[beastie]

Has winning the TdF now become less important than winning SPOTY? Who gives a flying f*ck about SPOTY?

This^^^^^^^

 

[ColinJ]

Has winning the TdF now become less important than winning SPOTY? Who gives a flying f*ck about SPOTY?

I've never like popularity contests either. Sport is about winning, not about being popular!

 

[dragon72]

Enough about SPOTY.
Can we please get back to the kisses of death?

 

[yello]

Cycling News has a piece on the top 5 green jersey contenders....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/2012-tour-de-france-top-five-points-classification-contenders

Cavendish, Goss, Rojas, Greipel, Sagan

It notes that Boonen and Hushvold will not be riding this tour... and I didn't know that! Shows you how much attention I pay! Now, having admitted that I know nothing, I have to say that I feel the winner could easily come from outside those 5 names.

Cavendish - sure, would never bet against him
Sagan - on current form, unquestionably
Rojas - yes, I would agree, if he stays focused
Goss - maybe, I'm sure he wants it and has a point to prove
Greipel - in the mix for a couple of sprint wins definitely, but green?

I reckon there's a case to be made for others - time for me to look at the team sheets and educate myself.

 

[smutchin]

I was wondering about Rojas while picking my fantasy TdF team yesterday. He's been a bit quiet so far this year, hasn't he? I also wondered about Feillu, but I'm not convinced he's really good enough. Anyone fancy Kittel's chances?

I have a feeling the green jersey will be closely fought with several contenders in it right until the end. I think Sagan will get it though.

d.

 

[yello]

The more I read about Goss the more I think he could well be in the mix. Perhaps this year is too soon for him and GreenEdge though?

 

[Nuncio]

I also wondered about Feillu, but I'm not convinced he's really good enough.
d.

And he hasn't been selected. (I'm assuming he's still with Vacansoleil)

 

[smutchin]

Yes, that would make it a bit more difficult for him to win anything.

d.

 

[Tomba]

I like Sanchez-dunno why.

Pity he can't TT

I agree, Sanchez for yellow

 

[smutchin]

Starting line-ups all confirmed:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-start-list-2

 

[raindog]

I see Voeckler made it then - hope the knee holds out.
No Gadret for AG, but he did the Giro of course - maybe he'll be at the Vuelta.

I've got a funny feeling Nibali is going to hit form and surprise everyone.

 

[yello]

A report on Cycling News suggesting what some of us here thought; Cavendish is not aiming for green. His priorities are elsewhere this year.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-not-eyeing-tour-de-france-green-jersey

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out though. If he wins a couple of sprints, places in a few more than maybe he'll find himself thinking about it.