More please.

>I LEAVE FRIDAY TO WATCH ALL THIS IN PERSON. IF I CAN GET INTERNET ACCESS I'LL PUT IN SOME LIVE RACE REPORTS, NOT FOR ANY INSIGHT THAT I MAY HAVE, JUST TO RUB IT WHILE YOU ALL ARE BACK AT YOUR DESKS <

I'm already here:::::::::::::::::::::::in Brussels and tomorrow going down to Namur. A couple of reports already sent to Dan too. The beer here is fabulous, as are the locals. :^°

clm

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http://ironclm.typepad.com/ironclms_tri_world/

I of course meant "rub it in" rather than merely "rub it" - I'll leave that to Tibbs.

Actual:

1. Lance

2. Jan

3. Tyler

Wish:

1. Lance

2. George "dreamy" Hincapie

3. Alessandro "dreamier" Petacchi

clm

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http://ironclm.typepad.com/ironclms_tri_world/

Actual:

1. Lance
2. Jan @ 4:20
3. Tyler @ 5:10

Dream:

1. Lance
2. Tyler
3. Leipheimer

Sorry everybody, but the 60K TT is going to knock out all the climbing specialists: Mayo, Heras, etc., but this year's route really favors Levi Leipheimer, who historically gets stronger over the three weeks of a major tour - though I doubt he has enough to make the podium.

McGee did well at the Giro, but really, that was a very weak field.

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Jim Manton / ERO Sports

1 - Lance -He has to be the favorite after winning 5. Also, last year he dodged a bullet and knows it. Everyone is talking about him failing. He likes to be the underdog, and he is again. His life is actually more stable now than last year. His health is better than last year. His focus is better than last year. He has the strongest most experienced team around him. That is crucial to the tour and why Mayo won't be there, or even podium.

2 - Tyler Hamilton - best combination of climbing and time trialing next to Armstrong. He has the same explosive power on the climbs that Lance does and he learned from the best. He also has the strongest team around to support him and only him.

3 - Ullrich. He still does not have the explosive climbing and can't keep up with the real climbers. His is the Poulidor of this generation. He doesn't have the entire team focused to help him win. Zabel wants his green jersey back, Guerini still wants stages wins. I think Vino being out actually helps his chances as it's one last guy on his team to compete with.

4 or 5 - Mayo - he's improved, but he is still young. Doesn't have the team to get him to Paris and prevent attacks on the flats. Let alone he will be making up time after the TTT. If Postal wanted to blow the race apart on one of the rolling or windy stages, it would happen.

4 or 5 - Roberto Heras - He also learned from Lance, is a superb climber, one of the few who can really hurt Lance in the mountains, but can't time trial well enough to stick with Lance and Ullrich and Hamilton. However, you won't see him losing time in the TTT as any team directed by Manolo Saiz will be exceptional there.

1. Ullrich

2. Hamilton

3. Armstrong

Hamilton will spend some time in the Yellow jersey, as long as he does not crash. Ullrich will pass Hamilton and Armstrong in the final ITT to win it. Armstrong will beat Hamilton in the last ITT, but it will not be enough to make up for the ground he loses in the mountains. Mayo will crumble late in the race but still finish top 5.

1. Lance
2. Lance his shadow
3. Axel Merckx :-)

i will be there saturday in Liége so to the slowtwitch users i buy you a Leffe (belgium beer for real men) if you find me!


[url]http://www.ironfrankman.tk

Podium girls (the extremly hot type, 2 each)

Hinault

Leblanc

In the famous words of Liggett "this tour will not be for the nervous". Predictions are tough and the picks I have above are the only guarantees

 
When you get to Namur,
go to "Place du Vieux Marche" and order
an Orval, a Rochefort, and a Chimay for me... sob.
(I spent way to much time there...)

1. Ditka

2. Tyler

3. Lance

4. Mini Ditka

While "Mini Ditka" should do well in the climbs, regular-sized Ditka will blow the field away in the 60K time trial

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No sidewindin bushwackin, hornswaglin, cracker croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter!

1. Bob Roll!!!!!! After he takes a dump somewhere alongthe route.

2. Greg Lemond.

3. Bernard Hinault.