I think that Lance really wants to win a stage in this year’s Tour. He is definitely the favorite for Saturday’s TT, and he will give it everything he has. He probably is more than 75% likely to win that stage, IMHO.
If, however, he does not win on Saturday, wouldn’t it be an incredible ending if Lance mixed it up with the sprinters on the Champs on Sunday? Imagine Lance trying for a final victory, and in a sprint finish at that, in the very last stage of his TdF career. I wouldn’t put it past Lance and Discovery to do this if Saturday does not work out. I think that would be the coolest possible way to top off his career.
Lance would never steal the glory from the sprinters in the final stage… that’s a total dick move. He knows that, everyone knows that. When your in yellow, you sit in and cruise to the line.
When was the last time the Yellow Jersey won on the Champs?
Dave in VA
Well, Lemond in '89. But he wasn’t wearing yellow at the time and it was an ITT, so no bunch sprint. Before that, Hinault did it a couple times and Merckx did it in 4 out 5 of his wins.
The win on the Champs is the most glamourous stage win. So many want it and many can be in with a chance. As such it becomes a bit of a mad house toward the end onwards. If Lance wants to really win it, then in a sense he needs to put his yellow jersey at risk cuz there is more than the normal probability of a crash bringing him down.
During an interview a couple of days ago when asked about the possibility of going for a final stage win, the man himself mentioned the unliklihood due to this very reason. The three sprinters are definitely eyeing very closely on this. My money’s on Robbie. No big revellation I guess. -
The TT is going to be interesting because of it’s length and undulating terrain. It will suit of course Lance but also Basso who has the combo of time trial and climbing stamina and possibly Rasmussen whose not usually a pure TT guy. Jan had better get his shit together, if he doesn’t want to lose the podium place to a small Chicken.
Chicken’s head is big enough winning the Polka Dot, I really prefer not to see him climb on the podium twice at the champs. If his head get’s too big his little body may not be able to support the weight and he may topple over and squash a kissing girl or sumpthin. Maybe that one with the big funny nose and silicon looking boobies who won the Ms TdF contest.
And Jan needs to redeem some of that ‘most talented rider’ syndrom that’s been following him around.
For those who have not been to the Champs, the finish is on a gradual incline. A relatively lightweight pocket rocket like McEwen has to be highly favoured over a big man like Hoshovd. If Boonen was still here, my money would be on McEwen. Its really his stage to lose especially with the wicked leadouts he gets from fast Freddy R.
Even though there are no mountains to climb, I believe the pace they set on the Champs Crit combined with that longish slope rouind and round is killing and soon sets apart the men from the boys.
The “chicken” could rip your legs off on a bike. Show some respect. You don’t hang with Lance and company at the front of the GC without some serious fricking talent.
“The “chicken” could rip your legs off on a bike. Show some respect.”
No doubt he could.
And undoubtedly he could also rip people’s heads off with all that big talk too. Little fellar syndrome, like a mini Mr Bean with nervous darting eyes? (I was actually rootin for him until I saw them interviews)
C’mon Jan, cream that Chicken into chicken soup. And c’mon Levi, Cadel and Floyd, go ahead and dilute that soup a little further. Yeee-har!
Anyway as fans we’re all gonna have our sentimentalities right? Let’s just sit back and watch these next two unfold. See you again once Chicken has had some of his feathers plucked.
