Official Tour de France and Phil and Paul Quote thread

[JoshP]

Wohoo, it is that time of the year again. Time for the neon peeing superhuman (or superdoped) heads of state of cycling to duke it out for three weeks across the pond.

Regardless of all the crap going on in regards to cycling, I am still pumped about the Tour this year. The course looks great, and with no returning champs and no "clearly dominant favorite" (although there are definitely a few frontrunners) it should be wide open and exciting.

Anyways, lets get the ball rolling. Who do you think will win, what do you predict will happen, and what are your favorite lines from Bobke, Phil, and Paul?

Personally, I like David Millar for the prologue. On his home turf (awfully damn close anyway), and a chance for redemption after his little doping scandal, hard for me to go against him. As for the overall, I really expect Vino to be wearing yellow into Paris, but think Cadel Evans might just give him a run for his money.

"I tell you I keep coming back so as to witness one of the finest sporting events in the world."
Phil Liggett

[L7]

I can hardly wait until that chest of pain is opened wide.

[freshies]

good call on the Brit winning on his home turf, and Vino to take the overall. One or two of those Italian boys might end up on the podium too. Would love to see Cadel up there but don't think he has the overall skillz to do it. Would also like to Levi on the podium, we will see how strong Disco is this year. Can't wait!

[Long Duck Dong]

For me, I just don't see Cadel in the top 3. We've been hearing so much about his promise for so long, and I just don't see him with podium ability in the TdF. I also think that Vino is too much of a gambler and mixer-upper to be a real #1 threat. So much talent, but just too unpredictable. I'm going with the steady and quiet Andreas Klodden to win this year. Hes always had the TT ability, and this year there are 2 looong individual TTs that will cater to his abilities. Hes also a superb climber, and this year he finally has the best overall team in the tour, which he has never had despite several top 5 finishes (and a few top 3 too). I think it's his year. I'd love to see Levi do well, and think a top 5 finish for him, while unlikely, would be a very nice achievement for him. Watch for a rested Valverde to come back strong, and also a scary Deni Menchov, with guys like Dekker, Boogerd and Rasmussen supporting him.

Oh, and my pick for tomorrow is Fabian Cancellara, although Millar is definitely a sexy pick.

And now, let these surgeons of cycling navigate the rugged French countryside over roads made for animals.

[maniloff]

Anybody know if it's on satellite radio? I don't see it on XM or Sirius's websites.

[Long Duck Dong]

Anybody know if it's on satellite radio? I don't see it on XM or Sirius's websites.

I'd suggest knocking out the drive in one 30 hour push.

[Bluebird]

Stoked to follow the race this year. My only request is not to spoil it for us poor saps who have to work all day. NO results in thread titles and please mark any thread with "spoiler" if you are going to post results.

[Long Duck Dong]

I think thats fair. Lets keep TdF discussion just in this thread, and ask that those who want to wait to watch the taped results not read this thread until they do.

[JoshP]

Amen to that Bluebird. It never fails; if something cool happens, some jackass at work will come around spraying about what they heard on CNN.com. Olympics, TDF, pretty much any sporting event that you are forced to watch taped, it'll be ruined for you.

Man, I was so pissed off when the Men's curling final in Turino was ruined for me .

[maniloff]

I'd suggest knocking out the drive in one 30 hour push.

Sounds good. You do have it on TV at your place, right? So I'll be there in time for the Tuesday afternoon showing. Then the Tuesday evening, then ...

[Bluebird]

Or just title the days thread "Spoiler: TDF Stage 1" and discuss the days happenings in that thread. I have to admint I am not a fan of a 10 page thread discussing lengthy sporting events, ie NHL Playoff thread.

Obviously do whatever works, just don't spoil the results!!

[Long Duck Dong]

Sounds good. You do have it on TV at your place, right? So I'll be there in time for the Tuesday afternoon showing. Then the Tuesday evening, then ...

We don't have a TV, but our apartment building has a couple common TVs that I will be reserving every day. Really nice TVs and leather chairs and all that jazz. I don't get the impression that they will be too busy at 9:30 am. And I don't have a job or anything, so it sounds like I am all set for a while.