JULY 2007

TOUR DE FRANCE 2007 - PREVIEW & COMMENTARY

The 2007 Tour starts in London. Much ado about nothing? Not at all! It is nice to see the London mayor taking such pride in showcasing his city to the world as the Tour makes its big start in the big city. The Britons who will be racing will be putting out a huge effort as well. The route for the prologue is a traditionally very short time trial. It is however very prestigious to win the prologue and since all have fresh legs, it can be just about anyone in yellow for a day! The route will highlight London's most famous monuments and if the weather isn't typical London rain and grey; then in fact the Prologue could be a great day for London and fans of the race to watch! A very big red carpet has been extended to the Tour, so expect a big show. If you were going to be in London, this is a party to take in.

Key stages Week 1: Chablis-Autun; hilly finish may inspire an attack, but could hurt some contenders if not in position.

Key stages Week 2: Grand Bornand-Tignes; first full mountain stage and just before a rest day; long uphill finish.

Key stages Week 3: Foix -Loudenvieille; 5 cols and almost 200km of route; anticipated 6 hours in the saddle and a big challenge for the leader to fend off some final attacks before the last time trial.

Key stages Week 4: Time trial Cognac-Angouleme; a long course and rolling route will test the best. A leader coming into this stage who can't time trial well is likely to lose the jerssey. Long course favors strong trialers, lots of movement in the top 10 possible.

So, who are the favorites? VeloNews has Levi on its cover. Velo Magazine of France has Alejandro Valverde, Yaroslav Popovych, Alexandre Vinokourov, Andreas Kloden, Cadel Evans among the top contenders.

Here is our WAG (wild ass guess):

Green (sprinter) Jersey: Robbie McEwen is never to be discounted, and Tom Boonen always questionable for injury now and to get all the way to Paris. Or...as last year, can Thor Hushovd hold off McEwen?... And the Jersey Goes to: a new name among sprinters? _______ fill in the blank.

Polka Dot (KOM) Jersey: Michael Rasmussen has his sites set on this again, but Remy DiGregorio of ..... is getting favorable press in France as a future climbing star. Look out for the Schleck brothers as well; either one has the heart. Out of it: Iban Mayo - no staying power...And the jersey goes to: Michael Rasmussen.

White (Best Young Rider) Jersey: You really have to follow the European pro tour to know anything about this. Velo Magazine has 3 French riders featured (of course): John Gadret, Remy DiGregorio, and William Bonnet. Any Schleck; of course but 2 in a row? doubtfully.

Overall Podium:
1st, 2nd, 3rd - in no particular order cuz we see nobody that compelling to win: KLODEN, VINOKOUROV, MENCHOV

Honorable mentions and big results for the following anticipated to round out the top 10: Leipheimer, Pereiro, Moreau, Popovych, Evans, Sastre, Karpets,, or nobody you ever heard of...

Forecast for Potential Post Tour Events:

Floyd Landis found guilty of illegal doping by AAA; he appeals and pushes the process on longer still.

Bjarne Riis loses his sponsorship and what is today Team CSC can't drum up a big enough sponsor. That may be a stretch as they are the number 1 team in the UCI tour now. But, he has certainly offended Tour people with his 'yellow jersey is in a box in the garage, they can come and get it' comment following his admission of doping during his Tour victory in 1996. Admitting to doping and cheating doesn't win points with corporate sponsors either. Some have argued he is a credit to cleaning up cycling...we are not so sure.

Discovery Channel contract ends and ______ steps up to sponsor the team on a 1 year deal with a caveat for full financial withdrawal in case of any proven doping findings!

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