TDF 2013

redzerredzer

I have heard that the 2012 TDF course really suited Wiggins and his strengths.
Sky have looked at this years course and decided it is better for Froome.

Which other riders might this years tour suit?
Who do you think will win and why?

velo.2010

Look at the results of the recent Tour of Oman! The likely candidates for the overall Tour win were all there bar Andy Schleck. Nibali wants to go for the Giro but will probably still end up at the Tour. Valverde too, is another possibility though will more likely target stage wins.

Got a strange feeling about Froome. He might just do it. His time trialing superiority over other pure climbers his greatest strength IMO. Contador, while still impressive and a real force, isn't the same guy as 4 or 5 years ago. He is grinding his way to victories more and more these days. His tactical brain and Riis's experience are his strengths that might see him to victory. Rodrigeuz will win stages but I can't see him winning the overall. Keep an eye out for the young French climbers this year. Plenty of them! The route might be just too tough for them, though.

One key point of course is Wiggens. If something goes wrong at the Giro, what happens next? If he's fit and up for it then he'll surely have a go at the Tour. Will we see a split Sky Team..... guys riding for Froome and guys riding for Wiggens. Or will Wiggens play ball and support Froome no matter? What ever the case, it should be a cracker if the Tour of Oman was anything to go by.

happytramp

Fully depends on what the next few months bring. Froome could be good but if Andy Schleck and Contador can hit peak form for July then they will make life hell for Froome, Wiggan's, Nibali, Evan's in the high mountains.

billyhead

The money for me would be on Contador although Froome has a strong team behind him

treborm

I fancy Evans had a really bad year last year, thiscould be his last real chance to win it again if he hits the form he had in 2011 he will be hard to beat, he will stay close in the high mountains and make up time in the time trials. Pierre Rolland also for a high placing.

Beasty

velo.2010 wrote: »

One key point of course is Wiggens. If something goes wrong at the Giro, what happens next? If he's fit and up for it then he'll surely have a go at the Tour. Will we see a split Sky Team..... guys riding for Froome and guys riding for Wiggens. Or will Wiggens play ball and support Froome no matter? What ever the case, it should be a cracker if the Tour of Oman was anything to go by.

Not a cat in hell's chance of a split in the Sky team. They will probably try and leave their options open as long as possible though, and it may not be until part way through the race that they decide which rider to put the full force of the team behind

MPFG

I am calling it

Contador
Evans
Froome

boege

Are Sky really serious about Wiggens focusing on the Giro and not defending his TdF title, or is this a ruse to take the pressure off him?

On predictions:
Contador: Will be the bookies favourite.

Froome: Has a lot of learning still to go but as others have said he is well supported.

Evans: Hard to see him avoiding the usual 'one bad day'.

Nibali: Dont think his team have enough depth. Hence he will go for Giro.

Andy Schleck: Who?

A shootout between Contador and Sky seems most likely.

Brian?

Contador, no shadow of a doubt for me.

corny

Sky does have a decent team for Froome but.....

Theoretically SBT could send a team of Kreuziger, Hernandez, Sorensen, Roche, Rodgers, Zaugg, Paulinho and Hernandez to support Contador. Obviously they won't send all of them but its fair to say he won't lack support to take a grip in the mountains.

I don't like Schleck (who does) but i hope he turns up in good form. Minus his brother he's an obvious threat.

Saxo have the best team and the best rider so Contador for the win.

redzerredzer

Joaquin Rodriguez is very exciting to watch so Im hoping he can do well.
Is the route suited enough for him to be in the mix?