2020 Tour de France

[DieselnDust]

I wonder who's been able to train at altitude and up them high mountain gradients during the lockdown days.

 

Everything seems so surreal around the UCI's crazy calendar and the 'race bubble' environment. 

 

 

Bernal  has been training at altitude

Carapaz has been training at altitude

Not sure about Nairo

[dsw]

1 Bernal

2 Roglic

3 Pogacar

4 Landa

5 Nairo

[J Wakefield]

more importantly who have you got John?

 

Hahaha, hard to answer really.

 

You cant not bet on Bernal, last years winner and wants it this year but I think there is disruption in the team overall. 3 leaders who 2 wont work for each other I dont believe and 1 who is on the fence. Although I think when told to do a job Geraint will be the domestique needed but are we going to see the 2009 TDF of Lance and Contador come into effect with Bernal and Froome wanting to win? You cant lose 1 key player like that in a GC team. Contador was just that good that's why he did it.

 

Jumbo also going with multiple leaders but who knows. 

 

If I had to guess a top 5 in no order it would be:

 

Bernal 

Pogacar

Roglic 

Thomas

Aru / Pinot 

 

Im looking forward to the Tour and the racing that much I will say and that this year there is no clear rider who we can say will take it.

['Dale]

Think most teams have been able to get to altitude training camps since restrictions were relaxed .. well I know Bora have just done theirs..so I assume that would be the case for many if not most teams.

Sorry, Gen ????

The more refined question would be how many of the GC contenders (with respective individual teammates) had optimal time at altitude, in the mountains and have loaded sufficient base training as preparation time would’ve been curtailed or restricted.

 

That’ll be a big factor in determining who could be looking good in week 3.

 

2020. Intriguing.

Edited July 6, 2020 by 'Dale

[Jakkals.]

Hahaha, hard to answer really.

 

You cant not bet on Bernal, last years winner and wants it this year but I think there is disruption in the team overall. 3 leaders who 2 wont work for each other I dont believe and 1 who is on the fence. Although I think when told to do a job Geraint will be the domestique needed but are we going to see the 2009 TDF of Lance and Contador come into effect with Bernal and Froome wanting to win? You cant lose 1 key player like that in a GC team. Contador was just that good that's why he did it.

 

Jumbo also going with multiple leaders but who knows. 

 

If I had to guess a top 5 in no order it would be:

 

Bernal 

Pogacar

Roglic 

Thomas

Aru / Pinot 

 

Im looking forward to the Tour and the racing that much I will say and that this year there is no clear rider who we can say will take it.

Thats 6.

[Vetplant]

If I had to guess a top 5 in no order it would be:

 

Bernal 

Pogacar

Roglic 

Thomas

Aru / Pinot 

 

Im looking forward to the Tour and the racing that much I will say and that this year there is no clear rider who we can say will take it.

Oi... you can't pick my list.. pick your own.  

[DieselnDust]

anyone seen any news relating to Carapaz riding the TDF and Giro or just Giro still?

[J Wakefield]

anyone seen any news relating to Carapaz riding the TDF and Giro or just Giro still?

 

Still only Giro as far as talk goes and with 13 days between Tour end and Giro I cant see him doing both if his goal is to win, Especially the Giro post Tour. 

['Dale]

So cool to have J. Wakefield in the mix for some insider view and perspectives. 

 

I reckon it's gonna be quite a few months of intrigue, drama and unforeseen scenarios.

2020 has been.... yoh.

[Shebeen]

i can't find it confirmed anywhere, but teams fo 8 right, just as in 2019?

 

if ineos go in with 3 gc guys, here is the PCS current list of their lineup. obviously far from confirmed.

they'd need to cut two. if there's any sort of rift,i naively think Bernal really needs amador there, you know because they're spanglish. it is going to be VERY interesting to see who they take along.

 

 

 BERNAL Egan
.. FROOME Chris
.. KWIATKOWSKI Michał
.. THOMAS Geraint
.. VAN BAARLE Dylan
.. SIVAKOV Pavel
.. AMADOR Andrey
.. CASTROVIEJO Jonathan
.. GEOGHEGAN HART Tao
.. ROWE Luke

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I can't wait for the Tour and I really hope someone lights it up like JA did last year.

 

I want to see someone go for the the win or blow up trying

[Jakkals.]

I want to see someone go for the the win or blow up trying

Evil 

[Vetplant]

I can't wait for the Tour and I really hope someone lights it up like JA did last year.

 

I want to see someone go for the the win or blow up trying

I think we could see something similar to the JA situation of last year where a "non-GC" rider gets a substantial lead somewhere and hangs on for a very long time.

 

Imagine a undiscovered Evenpoel or similar. Would make for thrilling racing!

 

As long as the Slow Burn Ineos victory is eliminated I will be happy. 

[shaper]

Think the race will be a very slow burner.  No one has raced, no one knows their fitness or that of the others, so first week or so the GC contenders will be like shadow boxing with everyone watching each other and all playing whatever cards they have close to their chest.

 

This should make it more fun for the breakaway specialists and stage hunters.  Could be a very upside down leaderboard in the first week.

[Shebeen]

Think the race will be a very slow burner.  No one has raced, no one knows their fitness or that of the others, so first week or so the GC contenders will be like shadow boxing with everyone watching each other and all playing whatever cards they have close to their chest.

 

This should make it more fun for the breakaway specialists and stage hunters.  Could be a very upside down leaderboard in the first week.

it should ber very different for sure, if it gets boring different i will be very very very disappointed

 

I've worked out what the mandula fundacion spanjos plan was. Enter both Yates twins for TdF. Adam goes for the win, but takes a "rest" day every 3 stages riding with Simon's number on.

[Duane_Bosch]

The Les Gets MTB world cup has just been cancelled. That's in September and has FAR less spectators than the tour. I PRAY I'M WRONG. But I don't see the tour going ahead this year.

 

I LOOOOOOVE watching it and seeing the dreamy landscapes of France. In 2010 there was a stage finish at Avoriaz that Andy Schleck won. I was mesmerized. That day sparked my love affair with France and Morzine.

Edited July 7, 2020 by Duane_Bosch