[Closed] Le Tour de France 2018 (Spoilers inevitable)

Tommy V has retired

Froome?

will he have sorted out his AAF debacle or will he turn up against the organisers wishes?

is Quintana not racing ? I was hoping for him to come back and give some competition along with the rest of Movistar, how about Landa ?

Other than Froome though, it's hard to see anyone else... But you never know.

I'm hoping Bernal goes to the Tour and destroys a few stages before giving his own chance next year.

Is Richie Porte riding this year?

It wont be G - I don't think he is quite good enough

It wont be G – I don’t think he is quite good enough

Was discussing that with a mate on Sat and agree 100%. When it comes to the big stuff he's just not quite there. He's right in the mix, but when it goes pop, so does he... he may only drop 10, 12, 15s.... but 3-4 times in a week that's race over.

Forgot about Porte... You'd assume he's going to be strong for sure.

Quintana or Landa. Or Porte.

Bernal for white, if he rides.

Is there a chance the inevitable posts from two people arguing about doping and not the race be removed?

The giro thread died because of this.

Riders I’ll be watching closely  - Porte and Romain Bardet.

Are we running a fantasy TDF this year? I cant remember which website was used for last years.

loonbaggery

sounds crashtastic !

Yates – Not sure either of them has it in them, sadly.

No reason to be sad, they were in white jersey competitions just last year remember

At least 1 stage neutralised if Froome races due to an incedent with spectators

It seen much early form from Porte with some early illness

Looking forward to it, I'll get the daily threads going as well unless anyone else wants to step up.

Froome for me, assuming he rides. If not, Landa. Quintana on the podium with Tom D, G and Bernal's performance will entirely be based on if Froome rides. Not sure on Porte, he'll almost always have a a bad day or a crash so I won't be backing him at all.

Bardet might be a good outside bet, Froome if he's there. Lots of talk about Egan Bernal at Sky but he's only young and if Froome has recovered enough from his Giro exploits Bernal will be one of his mountain Sherpa. I don't gamble but out of interest I've just had a look at the odds. Lots of sites have Porte as 2/1 favourite and even less if Froome isn't there. I can't take to Porte though, might be me but comes across as a bit of a moaner, reminds me of Cadel Evans. Must be an Aussie thing!!.

Froome shouldn’t ride till his AAF is cleared, if he does it’s hard to see past him.

Otherwise Porte, Bardet or Quintana - if they are riding.

robbo1234biking

Are we running a fantasy TDF this year? I cant remember which website was used for last years.

I'll sort one out on Velogames when entries open.

I think Yates is worth watching. Can't see G doing any for the reasons above,  Porte is in the same boat for me. Landa will be strong. Watched the prologue of the Dauphine so far but as highlights aren;t on till 10pm, I haven;t yet seen Monday's stage so haven;t seen how Jungels et al are looking

Froome has every right to ride. The AFF should not be in the public domain. Morally some would say he shouldn't but he's sounding pretty confident its going to explained. Listen to the Bepsoke podcast there's an interview on it and I know i'll get hammered for this but listen to the Lance Armstrong The Move podcast. I'm working my way thru them and there is some good insight into it. ( insert raised eyebrows emoji here).

I can’t take to Porte though, might be me but comes across as a bit of a moaner, reminds me of Cadel Evans. Must be an Aussie thing!!.

I know, feel the same although thats probably not fair on Porte

It’s funny isn’t it. I never took to Cadel but I think Porte seems a nice guy!

Sorry, can't edit the above to put teamslug comments into quote.

Can't see beyond Froome for the win but heart would love to see G get one GT win. Nibali I hope to see animating things.

Surely Bardet has it in him after runner up and a third place in the last couple of years? Nibali doesn't have a Giro in his legs, and just for giggles Dan Martin for the outside bet and a couple of hilly stages

But it's hard to see past Froome and his stupid sticky out elbows though.

Has Porte raced this year, other than Tour Down Under? Still injured?

Geraint is clearly going well if we're to use the Dauphine prologue as a benchmark. Can he go 3 weeks without crashing though?

Very few sitting this one out, so it should be a good one. Quite a big list of potential winners.

And given the magnitude of what is at stake, I think it would be disappointing if Froome didn't ride.

Let the battle commence.

I'd like to think that 65Km stage will throw an interesting tactical wrinkle into the mx, but I suspect it'll be snuffed out with team tactics OR total carnage - nothing in between.

It’s funny isn’t it. I never took to Cadel but I think Porte seems a nice guy!

Having met him once, and a know a few other who did and rode with him back in Tassie, nice guy, genuine (which means he does tend to say what he thinks at times - which can come across as a whinge) and really good.

He missed a couple of things with illness and has swapped his warm up events around to do Tour de Suisse this year, I'd say he was the only one matching Froome on the hills until the crash last year and be interesting to see how he goes.

Also Froome hitting a full field TdF after the Giro rather than a smaller field vuelta espana after a tour.

Froome's AAF? He shouldn't be riding - if anything for the sake of the sport.

Petacchi & Ulissi were banned for having similar readings. It rather looks like it's one rule for one & another for the rest currently.

Not good for the sport..

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/petacchi-banned-for-salbutamol-positive-96336

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/diego-ulissi-banned-nine-months-doping-152990

People actually still back Quintana to win the tour?

Has he ever actually put anything into Froome on any stage? All I ever see is him struggling to hold ground with Froome, never mind actually beat him over the race.

I just hope it's a bit more exciting than the last few years with Sky controlling everything and nobody able to take the race to them.

If it's anyone then I hope it's Bardet.

I like the look of the short punchy stage - these have produced some great racing in other tours recently. Not so sure about the grid "gimmick".

Froome for win I think though I'm keen to see how Nibali goes in the Dolphin this week. Ritchie was on great form until that horrible crash with Dan but I'm not sure he can challenge Froome, There are plenty of contenders for stage wins though (Movistar have a shedload), so there ought to be some good racing irrespective of the GC.

What’s up with Cav currently? Sadly I can’t see him adding to his TDF wins..

What’s up with Cav currently

I'd imagine his 45 crashes recently have seriously affected him, both mentally and physically from a training/recovery and strength perspective.

If Froome doesnt ride I would be looking at Bardet or Nibbles for the win.

Can we please have another thread for the doping nonsense? I got fed up with the tit for tat "my opinion is more valid than yours garbage" on the Giro thread.

Anyway, I think Bardet will go well this year and if Geraint can stop crashing he might just do something. I also think Adam Yates and/or Chavez might be in the mix too. If it's half as good as the Giro was then we're in for a treat 🙂

will he have sorted out his AAF debacle or will he turn up against the organisers wishes?

I can't see him having it all cleared up.

He will turn up. Whether ASO have the balls and/or lawyers to stop him riding is another thing.

As someone else said, there will be an ugly scene with a spectator if he rides. The blame for this will sit with whoever leaked the story.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2ePVIhF7aPxV0puMkw5ZEVxTk0

Doping nonsense???

Rather hard to avoid when the leading GC rider of his generation is under investigation! I hope he's clean but the current situation makes Froome's attendance unpalatable to me & many others. Others have been banned for similar transgressions - why is Froome allowed to continue unabashed? It's just not right.

Stick your head in the sand if you like but it's not going away any time soon. The nonsense would be in pretending it doesn't exist...

He will turn up. Whether ASO have the balls and/or lawyers to stop him riding is another thing.

They don't need lawyers, just the balls as it's their event.

Stick your head in the sand if you like but it’s not going away any time soon. The nonsense would be in pretending it doesn’t exist…

More the say it once and leave it for another thread for those who want to debate it until they convince the world they are right, Leave this one for the racing. We all know it is there, it's been discussed a lot.

"We all know it is there, it’s been discussed a lot."

So, why are some pretending it's not? Other rider's have been banned for the same offence.

It stinks, like a full festival cess pit on a hot summer day.

Not good for the sport. Not good at all!

But, I will say no more on it...for now.

I'd like to see Sastre win again, a break in Stage 17 up the Alp' would be fantastic..

This year however I'm not going to bother with it much. If Froomidge is riding I see no point in televising a farce. If Prudhome has any French Stoicism left in him he'll not invite Froomidge along until the Paperwork is complete and he's been cleared.

Right thats out of the way then.

Good to see the Tour stay in France for a change and no ridiculous starts in other countries, it's a Tour of France not a Tour of every other country that pays us Big Money to come to.

Bardet, I'm absolutely a big fan of Bardet. I'm really hoping for a Frenchman to win the Tour and of all of them, he's my pick and has the talent to do so. In fact any AG2r rider up there in the top 20 is a massive achievement considering the talent pool and budgets they've got. Solid squad too, all my favourite riders seem to be on the rosta thats been released, hoping for Gallopin/Naesen/Dillier to charge up the Pyrenees towing Bardet. That stage 17 Flashy posted the link to will be a decisive one, this is where Bardet could make it all come together. If ever there was someone who fights for position and until they fall off it's him.

Dan McLay, now he's in EF-Drapac I'm hoping he's got some support for a few long breaks and a Sprint win in him. Another favourite of mine Dan, in sort of a similar way I feel for Dan Martin, who I hope will win a lumpy stage. He's been training well by all accounts and the arrival of his new baby could temper those impulses he sometimes has, yet in a bumpy stage with a couple of good Dommies around him he could actually be a top ten choice and stage winner.... Uran... hmmmmm.... unless he's rekindled the win at all costs mentality he'll be always chasing the "favourites" around without punting off the front. Vanmarke on the other hand I think has a free card to head off on the lumpy Northern stages, sincerely hope he has the opportunity because he's a complex character and broke free from the Belgian Mafia to punt at the Tour.... Here's hoping he makes one stick.

Can't see anyone in BMC doing much TBH, I think Porte has had his day one too many times. Always up for a stage win, and sure he'll get one but in the top ten only IMO. GvA might have a punt, but I think the Tour is too long for him and he'll fade quickly. T-J will be out within the first week, if not the first 3 days.

Sagan, have to put him on a podium somewhere don't we. Of all the people to watch it'll be him and OSS knocking them out and gurning to the end of each stage. A win for Sags? Nah, he's too talented a stage racer for any political gamesmanship. OSS is one of the most underrated Domestiques out there, consistently pulling off the front they guy needs more than a medal to take home, he needs a well deserved Win.

Aru? No, as much as I love the guy I think he's probably got one stage win in him and no chance for a top ten. He'll animate a climb like no other when he starts gurning and all I ask is that we get the opportunity to see him on the cameras more. Kristoff.... Hmmmm... sprint stage win? Yes, one. He's a brute and I think has just about settled into the squad and built confidence back in himself.

DeGhent - yes please, more punts off the front to be caught with 20k to go. Don't care if you have a script these days to follow, what I like is that you continue to chase the road down on your own.. please don't stop, one day it'll stick and you will still be one of my all time heroes whether it comes off or not. Has Greipel got a Sprint win in him these days? or is he there to tow the lads around again?? I'd like one more chiselled jaw emblazoned in film please.

Is this FINNNNNNNNALLLLLYYYYYYY the year KRUIJSWIJK wins something...??? damn if he's been up and down like a yo-yo since 2011 when he came on to climb like a daemon and become another hope of mine, sadly he's faltering too early IMO and ought to ride out of his skin to actually win something, anything, any stage will do.

Sky, yeah ... nope... the only real hope is that KWIAT moves to another team 5 mins before the start of the race. Thomas doesn't have the skills to make it stick, he's not a stage winner on long stage races he's a week long/one day classics specialist and thats where he should concentrate his skills. Poels is wasted at Sky, I'd like him to move to Movistar sharpish.

The Mov Bouys... Thats a Squad coming prepared. Look at their roster, jammed with talent and quality. I personally can't stand Quintana and the way he rides, for me he lacks seasoned quality. He comes out twice a year and dribbles, big deal. Quinty for the Win? possibly yes, but it'll be dull as dish water watching the favourites take 2-3 seconds out of each other all the way around.

The only guarantee, or certainty, is Wanty will be on the Front in Every God Damn Break there is and slammed on the TV screens FOREVER! It still astounds me why the TV production team bother following them, artistic camera work will need to be strong to make any boring break/moving advert interesting.

I hope France turns out a varied pallet of colours. It's a stunning array of visual delights and the people who put so much effort at the roadside make this thing Tick IMO. More dancing girls in fields of clover rotating in wheels the size of dairy sheds, more dangling bikes off bailing twine tossing around in the breeze, more sheltering families under trees in the rain, more Dutchmen blu-tac'd to every twist and turn mountain climb swaying from lager induced breakfasts and BBQ'd animals strung high on sticks.

IMO.

Glad to hear it Mr L.

I'll be first in but I reckon Primoz Roglic has a good chance of a podium at least. Climbs well and can TT with the best of them.

Porte. Undercooked so will lose time early and recover.

Thomas won't crash but will lose 12 minutes on a high mountain stage in week 3.

Dan Martin will  get 5th. Stage win (hopefully).

Nibali will be flying and will be the closest challenger to Froome.

Landa, Quintana and Valverde too busy trying to gain leader status to focus on winning the thing.

Bardet will challenge but lose time (less than normal) in the TTs. Hopefully AG2R will light up the racing again like last year.

Pantano and of course De Gendt to win epic breakaway stages.

Sagan for Green of course.

Kittel will get 4 or 5 stages.

Froome to win and be handed his yellow jersey by an angry badger on a partially deserted Champs as Parisiens slope off, cursing. Can't see him calling the bingo numbers out....

Not good for the sport. Not good at all!

I think if you'd have suggested to Armstrong and Hamilton and Riijs and all the others that 15 years after they were jacking themselves with all sorts of shit, that folk would be getting their knickers twisted because it looks like someone might have taken too much asthma medication, they would have laughed their heads off.

Sure it's not 100% clean and I doubt any sport will ever be. But is it in a better place than it was? Undoubtedly.

The rules say Froome can ride  so that's pretty much the start middle and end of that discussion.

Where’s Warren Barguil this year? He fell out with his team at the Vuelta but his polka dot heroics were the best thing about last year’s Tour.

I've started a Froome/Drugs/TDF thread. Please take the drug stuff there. Everyone is set in their views. Nobody is going to change position. You are just being really offensive trolls taking the some of the fun out of this place.

Re formula one start

Seems fine, it ticks the annual 'Prudhomme thinking outside the box' box and it's a bit of fluff that imlach and Boardman can chew over at their hot desk. Be interesting if they mark out the starting positions as well. Interesting and a little bit sad and awkward

I'm looking forward to it, not necessarily for the racing, but cos nothing epitomises summer for me more than le tour and the itv coverage. So much so I hate it when it finishes as we re into August and autumn round the corner. I'm a laugh at parties

I don't think Froome should attend, whether the AAF is in the public domain or not.

As mentioned though, if he does it'll be the standard Sky borefest an Froome will be in yellow come Paris.  I think there are other riders that are as good as Froome, I just don't think anyone has the same team support (both riders and ground staff) which is what makes the difference.  Bardet (who I'd love to see win) just doesn't have the team around him and I think he's forever destined to be a second place man.

Yup. Totally agree. Unless and until the UCI judge on this, can we move on...