Online Now 2162

MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The largest and most active MSU Spartans board on the web

On this Board 1697
Record: 12118 (3/18/2012)

Online now 2166
Record: 10351 (3/11/2012)

Boards ▾

MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The largest and most active MSU Spartans board on the web

The Press Box

The place to ask questions to SpartanTailgate's recruiting experts

Duffy Daugherty Forum

"The Duff" is dedicated to Michigan State football recruiting discussion

Jack Breslin Forum

"The Bres" is dedicated to Michigan State basketball recruiting discussion

Wells Hall Off Topic Board

This is your pulpit to preach to the masses about everything from politics to religion

Marketplace & Ticket Exchange

The place to buy, trade or sell Michigan State tickets

Fantasy Sports Forum

For fantasy football and other fantasy sports discussion

Test/Feedback Forum

Reply

Le Tour de France - 2012

  • have to admit for all the things that go on thru the summer and OT season... this has to be my favourite.....

    Prolouge is today.... 1st proper stage tomorrow..

    I have high hopes for Bradley Wiggins to become the 1st Brit to win the tour... having won Paris-Nice, tour de romandie and the Dauphine already this year.....

    now is the time......

    sarcyspice

  • I pick the guy who's doping.

    signature image signature image

    Next question.

    Cuba Gooding Jr ●

  • sarcyspice said...

    have to admit for all the things that go on thru the summer and OT season... this has to be my favourite.....

    Prolouge is today.... 1st proper stage tomorrow..

    I have high hopes for Bradley Wiggins to become the 1st Brit to win the tour... having won Paris-Nice, tour de romandie and the Dauphine already this year.....

    now is the time......

    The time trial that Wiggins did in the Dauphine was pretty amazing...Cadel will definitely have his hands full trying to defend.

    I'm excited to watch Sagan duke it out with Cavendish.

    tRCMB - Visit at your own risk of being disgusted.

    Gob_Bluth ●

  • Cuba Gooding Jr said...

    I pick the guy who's doping.

    I lol'd

    I honestly think they're all microdosing, and I hate that part of the sport, but damn I love watching the tour.

    RasTrent

  • Torn between the tour and Wimbledon. Choosing Wimbledon right now.

    MSUgoat ●

  • Cuba Gooding Jr said...

    I pick the guy who's doping.

    Not everyone can win you know...

    OverreactingDan

  • I hate this course just because of how unbalanced it is. I would be shocked if someone not named Evans or Wiggins wins the GC. Also as a Rabo fan, let me rant about the unbalanced GT selection for them. They have 3 guys who have done something in a GT. Let's send all 3 to the TDF so they can finish 6-20th and call it good. Ugh.

    This post was edited by sprtnbrn on 6/30/2012 at 6:14 PM

    sprtnbrn

  • Amazing ride by Peter Sagan today. You rarely see a sprinter win a stage with an uphill finish.

    tRCMB - Visit at your own risk of being disgusted.

    Gob_Bluth ●

  • Well that was an epic bit of wheel sucking there for Sagan.

    MadMaxim

  • Gob_Bluth said...

    Amazing ride by Peter Sagan today. You rarely see a sprinter win a stage with an uphill finish.

    Impressive to stay at the front, I would have liked him to put in a little pull there though. Was his first at the tour so I guess he gets a pass.

    MadMaxim

  • MadMaxim said...

    Impressive to stay at the front, I would have liked him to put in a little pull there though. Was his first at the tour so I guess he gets a pass.

    I thought it was a savvy move. He's certainly not obligated to help Cancellara out.

    tRCMB - Visit at your own risk of being disgusted.

    Gob_Bluth ●

  • Gob_Bluth said...

    Amazing ride by Peter Sagan today. You rarely see a sprinter win a stage with an uphill finish.

    Sagan isn't your average sprinter though. He reminds me of a very young Boonen. I do have to wonder what Liquigas will do next year. Basso got dusted in the Giro and they're losing Nibali to Astana. In theory they should build a sprint/classics team around Sagan but I'm not quite sure the Italians in charge of them would be crazy about the idea.

    sprtnbrn

  • sprtnbrn said...

    Sagan isn't your average sprinter though. He reminds me of a very young Boonen. I do have to wonder what Liquigas will do next year. Basso got dusted in the Giro and they're losing Nibali to Astana. In theory they should build a sprint/classics team around Sagan but I'm not quite sure the Italians in charge of them would be crazy about the idea.

    If he keeps winning stages at this clip, will the Italians be able to refuse him? Only Sky has anybody on this level, and Sagan is only 22. Wouldn't be surprising at all to see him wearing green in Paris this year.

    tRCMB - Visit at your own risk of being disgusted.

    Gob_Bluth ●

  • Sucks andy schleck and contador aren't in it this year. I didn't figure it out until I reazlized their names hadn't been mentioned. Who are the favorites now, wiggins, Evans, a Chilean, anyone else? Does tommy danielson have a chane to make the podium this year? I dont think Leipeimers fully healed since his broken leg, can't think of any other us riders with a chance.

    ramblingloser

  • ramblingloser said...

    Sucks andy schleck and contador aren't in it this year. I didn't figure it out until I reazlized their names hadn't been mentioned. Who are the favorites now, wiggins, Evans, a Chilean, anyone else? Does tommy danielson have a chane to make the podium this year? I dont think Leipeimers fully healed since his broken leg, can't think of any other us riders with a chance.

    Contador can fuck right off forever. Schleck broke his pelvis very recently, so he's out.

    The big favorite has to be Bradley Wiggins (UK). He's had a great season so far. The commentators have been talking up Chris Horner as a GC contender, but I'm not buying that at all. One to watch for the future is Tejay Van Garderen. He's an American, and is in the white jersey right now. Great rider with a lot of promise.

    tRCMB - Visit at your own risk of being disgusted.

    Gob_Bluth ●

  • Gob_Bluth said...

    Contador can fuck right off forever. Schleck broke his pelvis very recently, so he's out.

    The big favorite has to be Bradley Wiggins (UK). He's had a great season so far. The commentators have been talking up Chris Horner as a GC contender, but I'm not buying that at all. One to watch for the future is Tejay Van Garderen. He's an American, and is in the white jersey right now. Great rider with a lot of promise.

    Oh yeah I forgot about van garderen, every time I hear his name I automatically think he's from Europe. Ivan basso still good right? I hate contador, but I liked watching him and schleck battle. Schleck made te tour last year wish he wasnt hurt. Can Sagan climb at all? Dudes on a tear this year.

    ramblingloser

  • ramblingloser said...

    Sucks andy schleck and contador aren't in it this year. I didn't figure it out until I reazlized their names hadn't been mentioned. Who are the favorites now, wiggins, Evans, a Chilean, anyone else? Does tommy danielson have a chane to make the podium this year? I dont think Leipeimers fully healed since his broken leg, can't think of any other us riders with a chance.

    Schleck had no chance when this course was announced. Last year there were 4 legitimate mountain top finishes and just 42.5 KM of ITTing. This year there's 101.4 KM's of ITTing and 3 mountain top finishes (including Belles Filles). Wiggins and Evans were both near even money a week ago to win GC. No one else was better than 5-1. Other favorites are Samuel Sanchez, Vincenzo Nibali (until he makes a suicidal attack from 50 KM out and loses 5 minutes), Denis Menchov, JVDB, and the Rabotrio (until they do what Rabobank does). Sagan's more of a climbing sprinter. He won't finish in the top 30. Basso peaked for the Giro and failed miserably (zero Italians made the podium in their race).

    This post was edited by sprtnbrn on 7/2/2012 at 6:21 AM

    sprtnbrn

  • sprtnbrn said...

    Schleck had no chance when this course was announced. Last year there were 4 legitimate mountain top finishes and just 42.5 KM of ITTing. This year there's 101.4 KM's of ITTing and 3 mountain top finishes (including Belles Filles). Wiggins and Evans were both near even money a week ago to win GC. No one else was better than 5-1. Other favorites are Samuel Sanchez, Vincenzo Nibali (until he makes a suicidal attack from 50 KM out and loses 5 minutes), Denis Menchov, JVDB, and the Rabotrio (until they do what Rabobank does). Sagan's more of a climbing sprinter. He won't finish in the top 30. Basso peaked for the Giro and failed miserably (zero Italians made the podium in their race).

    I do think too much is being made of the way the course sets up poorly for climbers. The second TT does hurt but there are a few monster mountain stages and I think that in races that have more climbing riders are playing it safe and waiting to attack later knowing that there are more chances. I did think this year would be more wide open, but until he falls apart in the mountains Wiggins seems like a lock to win.

    Today's finish will be interesting to see what sprinter is fastest. The last few years it has been Cav and a few other challengers, now there are a handful that look to be able to beat him, plus his team will not have a big lead-out train as they will be more concerned with helping Wiggo on the hills. These flat stages are going to be intense and packed with teams trying to get sprinters to the line and some trying to freelance.

    MadMaxim

  • MadMaxim said...

    I do think too much is being made of the way the course sets up poorly for climbers. The second TT does hurt but there are a few monster mountain stages and I think that in races that have more climbing riders are playing it safe and waiting to attack later knowing that there are more chances. I did think this year would be more wide open, but until he falls apart in the mountains Wiggins seems like a lock to win.

    Today's finish will be interesting to see what sprinter is fastest. The last few years it has been Cav and a few other challengers, now there are a handful that look to be able to beat him, plus his team will not have a big lead-out train as they will be more concerned with helping Wiggo on the hills. These flat stages are going to be intense and packed with teams trying to get sprinters to the line and some trying to freelance.

    Don't overlook Cadel yet. If Rabo, Liqui, and Euskaltel have their way and explode this race on the mountains (a huge if obviously given the teams involved), Cadel might be able to gain the 3 or 4 minutes he needs on Wiggins. I kind of feel the same way about Cav. He's looked off for some reason at times this year. Everyone knows about Sagan (and deservedly so) but Kittel and Greipel are having amazing years as well. I don't know why but I think Kittel's going to get a win today.

    sprtnbrn

  • sprtnbrn said...

    Don't overlook Cadel yet. If Rabo, Liqui, and Euskaltel have their way and explode this race on the mountains (a huge if obviously given the teams involved), Cadel might be able to gain the 3 or 4 minutes he needs on Wiggins. I kind of feel the same way about Cav. He's looked off for some reason at times this year. Everyone knows about Sagan (and deservedly so) but Kittel and Greipel are having amazing years as well. I don't know why but I think Kittel's going to get a win today.

    I don't think Cadel would even need that much, on a long TT he my not beat Wiggo but he should keep it close.

    And Petacchi, Goss, Renshaw, Farrar.. I have become a big fan of the intermediate sprint, there may not be any great breakaways like Thor a few years ago but it is nice to add an actual field sprint in these long tedious stages.

    MadMaxim

  • well the theory regarding Cav is that this year he is concentrating more on the Olympic road race than the green jersey.. so we shall see how it plays out, and some of the finishes are uphill which isn't really a "cav-type" sprint.....

    I think Sky this year have a lot of protection around wiggins... Rogers, Frome ect... so they will keep him close and hope that he does the job in the ITT next monday...

    Actually the fact that he didn't win the prolouge probably helps as sky don't have to defend the yellow for the 1st week.....

    sarcyspice

  • So Cav is still pretty good?

    sprtnbrn

  • sprtnbrn said...

    So Cav is still pretty good?

    For those "As the Toto Turns" readers; "Greipel is a fine sprinter...for me to poop on!.

    It was interesting to see Hincappe driving the bunch with Cadel 2nd wheel with 5k to go.

    MadMaxim

  • Bob Sakimano said...

    this Tour is Cadel Evan's to lose, I think - with or without Andy Schleck, I think Evans would still be the favorite as far as the course goes - some longer time trials benefit him tremendously...

    to me, the interesting aspects of this year's tour will be how many more stage wins will Cavendish get (got his 25th today), is Sagan able to keep up his unbelievable spring/early summer (looks good so far), will Big George try to get a stage win at some point (would love to see that or see BMC be his domestique for one day)..

    solid American contingent, though, with Leipheimer, Farar, Vandergarden, Hincapie, et al.. all of those guys have to potential to have their moment this year... not out of the question that we could see Levi on the podium in Paris.....

    "BIG GEORGE HINCAPPIE!"

    Love to see Levi on the podium. Seems like a decent guy that's had bad luck and apparently doesn't do PEDs

    judsforehead

  • judsforehead said...

    "BIG GEORGE HINCAPPIE!"

    Love to see Levi on the podium. Seems like a decent guy that's had bad luck and apparently doesn't do PEDs

    wink_msu

    Former Gerolsteiner manager levels doping charge against Leipheimer

    Former Gerolsteiner manager Hans-Michael Holczer says blood tests showed that American Levi Leipheimer doped during the 2005 Tour de

    velonews.competitor.com

    MadMaxim

Michigan State
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports