TDF 2006 predictions

[Artie Fufkin]

put vino on a strong team which is well managed and he will win.

Vino goes to Liberty Seguros, which I would not consider a strong team, yet. They were giving Lance a hard time in 2003 when they were Once. I don't this will help Vino get any closer to the podium as he will probably be a co leader with Roberto Heras.

For 2006 TdF, I will go with Jan.

But 2005 isn't over yet, we still have the Vuelta in a month. Can Disco make a clean sweep of the Grand Tours? Tour of Georgia winner Tom Danielson is expected to be there, so we will see if he can finish a 3 week race and also see if he has any TdF potential.

[truth]

Maybe not in 2006, but Tom Danielson riding for Disco could be the real deal.

[Telephil]

Vino goes to Liberty Seguros, which I would not consider a strong team, yet. They were giving Lance a hard time in 2003 when they were Once. I don't this will help Vino get any closer to the podium as he will probably be a co leader with Roberto Heras.

I don't think Liberty Seguros will appoint them co-leaders, not with the way Heras has been riding the last couple years. Vino is definitely the stronger rider. As for me, I think it's Basso and Ullrich next year neck and neck, with Basso pulling it out.

[AfroMullet]

levi, Levi, LEVI!
'merica!

danielson Danielson DANIELSON!!!!

'merica x2

edit: beat me to it

[atomicboy]

Vino goes to Liberty Seguros, which I would not consider a strong team, yet. They were giving Lance a hard time in 2003 when they were Once. I don't this will help Vino get any closer to the podium as he will probably be a co leader with Roberto Heras.

Vino is the man for the Tour next year for Liberty. There will be no co-captains

Liberty Seguros Wurth

Heras for Giro 2006, a transitional new Tour leader for two years while Contador matures, the focus at Liberty Seguros is to develop their young riders while keeping the sponsor happy. Manolo Saiz pulls no punches in this interview….

What has happened to Roberto Heras?

I have absolutely no doubt that Roberto has come into this Tour well prepared and highly motivated. However it seems to me he is better on his second effort in the Grand Tours. Last year he also did badly in the Tour yet went on to win the Vuelta a España. On the other hand, already I have spoken with him and next year it is possible that he will ride the Giro d'Italia instead of the Tour.

Does it mean you must look for a new leader for the Tour?

We must look for a rider for the Tour, even though we already have him in the team with Alberto Contador. But he is still very young and it is necessary to him to mature. For the good of our sponsors and of the team we need a leader who can take us through this transition period over the next two years, It is important that we do well in the General Classification of the Tour de France.

We must look for this rider, but whether there is a rider of that quality available in the peloton is a different story.

[atomicboy]

Here is an article from the BBC on 8 riders for next years Tour with odds and a little commentary from Armstrong. A good read.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ng/4702617.stm