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Cadel Evans ready to step up to top place
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Mike Tomalaris has gathered together a small echelon of cycling journalists to spin the Tour roulette and see just who comes out as yellow jersey favourite for the 2008 Tour de France.
- 24 Comments | Join the discussion
The Tour de France is here, so now is the time to be bold enough and tip the winners of the world's biggest bike race.
I've also asked some of my cycling journo colleagues to give their selections.
It seems Cadel Evans is the man to beat in 2008.
The Aussie is on the brink of creating a slice of Tour history.
But who are the challengers?
Personally, I can't see an Italian figuring in the top 5 as they tend to concentrate on doing well at the Giro - the national tour of Italy.
Marco Pantani was the last Italian winner in 1998, but let's face it he was a freak of nature.
I've got a feeling Russian riders will rise to the ocassion as will the powerfully balanced combination of CSC.
But you can't go past Cadel - can you? Or can you?
His entire year has revolved around this Tour.
His preparation has been meticulous. He's even taken the extreme measures of employing a personal bodyguard and a chef.
He has studied the course and ridden many parts of it since it was announced last October - ever hill, corner, turn and climb.
At the Dauphine Libere (this month's TdF warm-up) Cadel attacked his rivals - something he's been accused of failing to do on a regular basis in past Tours.
The only thing stopping him is an unforseen disaster.
Let's hope that doesn't happen.
That said - here are the tips for 2008.
MIKE TOMALARIS - RBCC
OVERALL
1. Alejandro Valverde
2. Cadel Evans
3. Denis Menchov
4. Frank Schleck
5. Stijn Devolder
GREEN JERSEY
Baden Cooke
KOM
Stijn Devolder
RUPERT GUINNESS - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
OVERALL
1. Cadel Evans
2. Alejandro Valverde
3. Carlos Sastre
4. Kim Kirchen
5. Damiano Cunego
GREEN JERSEY
Mark Cavendish
KOM
Frank Schleck
ROB ARNOLD - RIDE CYCLING REVIEW
OVERALL
1. Cadel Evans
2. Denis Menchov
3. Andy Schleck
4. Carlos Sastre
5. Alejandro Valverde
GREEN JERSEY
Thor Hushovd
KOM
Andy Schleck
JOHN FLYNN - SBS
OVERALL
1. Cadel Evans
2. Alejandro Valverde
3. Andy Schleck
4. Denis Menchov
5. Damiano Cunego
GREEN JERSEY
Mark Cavendish
KOM
Carlos Sastre
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Comments (24)
Previous 10 |
21 Aug 2008 20:39 AEST
From: Bayside Brisbane
What..........?
Just found this website........its made me chuckle on a dull Thursday night ! 1. Cadel Evans did not come second in the the Tour due to week team blah blah, yes he is a very good stage racer, but he has no heart, is a wheel sucker (thats ok if your weekend warrior on the mickey mouse domestic cycling scene in SE QLD ) and will not stick his neck on the line.....if he is so good why is he not on CSC ? you aussies should be very proud of your best cyclist.....MR Ogrady !
27 Jul 2008 9:49 AEST
From: Yamba
For his part, Silence-Lotto team manager Marc Sergeant said he had "expected better" from Evans.
VeloNews.com reported: "For his part, Silence-Lotto team manager Marc Sergeant said he had "expected better" from Evans." I say, support by team management is a key part of performing well. With comments like the one reported, I wonder about the quality of Cadel's team management. What do you think?
27 Jul 2008 2:06 AEST
From: Lane Cove, NSW
Commentary team needs improving
This otherwise excellent telecast is totally spoilt for me by the commentary, particularly the two Englishmen (the Australian at the beginning is much better). We have excellent pictures - there is absolutely no need for a 'wall of sound' commentary filling every second. The artificial excitement in the voices also grates. But worst of all, the comments (mostly opinions or predictions, not facts) are recycled interminably, every few minutes. The time the sound was lost was a welcome relief!
24 Jul 2008 11:47 AEST
From: Brisbane
Sastre
Great tactics from CSC, though Sastre DOES NOT deserve to win the Tour. Never seen him at the front apart from 10km yesterday. Evans to hopefully smash him in the Time Trial. If Evans loses the Tour it comes down to his team. Some bad choice of riders, unfortunately.
24 Jul 2008 9:12 AEST
From: Roselands
Cadel not very nice
Cadel Don't touch me on youtube.What's that all about? Not very nice!!!! Cadel. Very uprofesional
19 Jul 2008 17:20 AEST
From: Manly
Commentry
On Fri 18/7 the telecast lost commentry and it was great to hear the actual noise of the race. With the camera creqw right next to te riders the sound came in whistles, calls and grunts from the riders and the crowds lining the course. It was like being one of the riders. Commentry is goo dbut not having it left me to absorb the sounds and focus on what it must really be like to be an elite cyclist charging around FRANCE in the TDF. Keep the commentry but give it a rest at times. Brett.
18 Jul 2008 23:42 AEST
From: Bondi Junction
Tour de france is just as awesome without commentary
The commentary disappeared tonight - and SBS apologised! You get this wonderful experience of the sounds, the crowds cheering, the helicopters and the wind the voices of cyclists really terrific. Feel like you are there and can take in the breathtaking scenery
15 Jul 2008 17:16 AEST
From: armadale
KMs not MPH
Great coverage of the Tour and the live transmission each evening Well done SBS....but why oh why do the English commentators keep referring to distance in Miles and not KMs Don't they know that we are a metric country.....and how about last night when we got "six tenths of a mile" what on earth is THAT?
15 Jul 2008 2:12 AEST
From: mildura
Go Cadel!!
Go Cadel!! You bloody ripper Aussie you!!! What a ledge!! Pain? " what pain?" Kick but dude! Ped through all!!! I am so proud of you come what may dude! Just try and you are are winner Mr Evans!! Regards, Adrian Ridley Glad to be an Aussie!
13 Jul 2008 18:06 AEST
From: Whyalla
Is Silence Lotto strong enough
All Aussies want Cadel to win the Tour, but does he have the team strength? Two things need to happen. 1. Silence Lotto must keep up and protect Cadel and keep him fresh in the mountains. 2. Cadel needs to attack. Cadel's team-mates have really been blown away so far but luckily Cadel has been able to keep up so they need to step up in my opinion. And... Cadel can attack, remember 2005? He, at the very least, has to have a go. GO Cadel! Goodluck and i hope your teammates are well rested.
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About this Blog
Stay in touch with the ProTour road cycling season with SBS's cycling blog, featuring race reports, video highlights and blog coverage of every race of 2008, as well as details of SBS's racing coverage
Mike Tomalaris is SBS's cycling presenter, who has covered the Tour de France for 12 years. Mike is a keen cyclist himself, and covers a few hundred kilometres a week in a social weekend bunch ride. For cycling fans around Australia, Mike Tomalaris is cycling.
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