The Tour De France 2009

Alberto Contador will be Astana's team leader in this year's Tour de France, which begins on 4 July.

The announcement means seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong, who returned to racing in January, will be one of the Spaniard's support riders.

"It's hard to find a better stage race rider than Alberto," said team manager Johan Bruyneel of the 2007 Tour winner.

"He has worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader in July."

American Armstrong, 37, who's comeback ended a four-year retirement, will be one of seven Astana riders whose job is to maximise Contador's chances of victory through team strategy.

"I'm very happy with where Lance's form is leading up to the Tour", said Bruyneel.

"I think racing the Giro was a very smart decision and really prepared him for July. He is extremely motivated for the Tour de France."

Armstrong, 37, broke his collarbone in March but took part in the Giro, which he finished in 12th place overall, almost 16 minutes behind winner Denis Menchov of Russia

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 25, 09, 14:57 / #
Well the Le Tour starting on the 4th of July Is anyone else interested in it? I think seanus but is there any others? Do you think lance armstong will win it for the 8th time? or will he be working for his team mates Contador or Leipheimer to win? Anyway let your thoughts known about the tour and who you think to watch out for?

dcchrisThreads: 11 Posts: 687 Joined: Oct 29, 07	Jun 25, 09, 19:47 / #
I will watch it. I can only hope that Armstrong doesn't try to go for the 8th. Hopefully they can run the tour without anybody being busted for doping again. Its gotten pretty bad and they have lost a lot of sponsors as a result. I guess Contador seems to be one of the top contenders at this point.

delphiandomineThreads: 40 Posts: 9,577 Joined: Nov 25, 08	Jun 25, 09, 23:24 / #
Contador has massive doubts still hanging over him from Operation Puerto - something Armstrong hasn't got, although the French and Italians would dearly love to pin something, anything on him. The question is just who is going to pull for Contador if Armstrong is capable of winning the overall - Leipheimer and Popovych are clearly going to help Armstrong, and I wouldn't be surprised if the others also pulled for Armstrong, knowing that they'll benefit far more as a team from an Armstrong victory than a Contador victory. And let's not forget that the directeur sportif just so happens to be Bruyneel - who just coincidentally guided Lance to his first 7 wins. My prediction? Contador to quit the Tour in a huff after realising that Armstrong has the support of the team to win the overall. Armstrong's also well known for notable gestures such as doubling the pay packet of the team (traditionally, the winner gives his winners cheque to the riders in the team rather than himself) - something Contador isn't known to do. Contador's only chance is to hope that Lance isn't capable of winning. But would anyone dare to bet against the Texan...?

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 26, 09, 01:17 / #
delphiandomine: But would anyone dare to bet against the Texan...? It is lances race, The course is build to suit him this year, The only think is contador is a very strong rider for his age, he is capable of winning he won the giro last year with 2 weeks notice and then won the tour of spain. Tom Boonen is also banned from the race for second time could with cocaine, hes a big loss to quick step and the sprinting

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Edited by: plk123 Jun 26, 09, 01:40 / #
not a big armstrong fan but he'll win if he doesn't dope up. http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 26, 09, 11:47 / #
Alberto Contador will be Astana's team leader in this year's Tour de France, which begins on 4 July. The announcement means seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong, who returned to racing in January, will be one of the Spaniard's support riders. "It's hard to find a better stage race rider than Alberto," said team manager Johan Bruyneel of the 2007 Tour winner. "He has worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader in July." American Armstrong, 37, who's comeback ended a four-year retirement, will be one of seven Astana riders whose job is to maximise Contador's chances of victory through team strategy. "I'm very happy with where Lance's form is leading up to the Tour", said Bruyneel. "I think racing the Giro was a very smart decision and really prepared him for July. He is extremely motivated for the Tour de France." Armstrong, 37, broke his collarbone in March but took part in the Giro, which he finished in 12th place overall, almost 16 minutes behind winner Denis Menchov of Russia Taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8119316.stm So i thought this would happen as contador is amazing for his age, but if armstrong gets in the lead and has the yellow and feels good, i think it could turn around easily

delphiandomineThreads: 40 Posts: 9,577 Joined: Nov 25, 08	Jun 27, 09, 01:40 / #
irishdeano: So i thought this would happen as contador is amazing for his age, but if armstrong gets in the lead and has the yellow and feels good, i think it could turn around easily I wouldn't be surprised if this is to placate Contador - but surely Bruyneel isn't going to stick with Contador if Lance blows him away. Contador's not a time trialler - look at the way he was holding on in 2007 against Evans and Leipheimer in the final time trial. Leipheimer didn't ease up either - taking over two minutes out of Contador and 0.51 out of Evans. Looking at the stages, Contador's hope has to be to produce a dominant result in the first set of mountains. But if Lance is in yellow at that point and isn't in any trouble, will Bruyneel really let Lance lose the yellow to Contador, bearing in mind the masses of publicity that Armstrong brings? Knowing Armstrong's ability to fool the media and everyone else - it wouldn't surprise me if he's supposed to be a domestique, then blows away Contador along with everyone else. There'll be no pressure on him as the alleged no.2 - and if everyone is busy trying to attack Contador, they might just not pay attention to the old man. I can't wait :)

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07	Jun 27, 09, 01:44 / #
This is a sport i know nothing about, i couldn't even tell you more than one famous cyclist and thats Lance Armstrong, thats not even because of his cycling. More to do with the fact he won a battle against cancer. As far as i know cycling is full of drugs and isn't really representative of who is the best, more like who can hide their performance enhancing drugs the best :) How many of them get thrown out each year?????

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Edited by: espana Jun 27, 09, 01:49 / #
spanish and italians are the best ones ,the british are crap in this sport . my favorite was Marco Pantani

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07	Jun 27, 09, 01:51 / #
espana: spanish and italians are the best ones ,the british are crap in this sport . what best at the drugs part or the cycling??? why would the British want to get involved in a sport where the dago's fall over themselves to cheat each other and end up getting thrown out anyway :)

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 28, 09, 22:51 / #
espana: apparently it is an irish who won the tour !!! Stephen Roche from dundrum. espana: i think his time is up ........ I dont think so, hes another tour left in the tank yet Stephen roche was good he beat delgado, Stephen roches son also races, Nicolas roche son races hes at ag2r

sausageThreads: 25 Posts: 1,053 Joined: Sep 21, 07	Jun 28, 09, 22:52 / #
espana: apparently it is an irish who won the tour !!! reminds me of a joke... is he still doing the lap of honour?

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Jun 27, 09, 01:55 / #
tornado2007: tornado2007 that why british have the cricket , a sport for gays :)

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07	Jun 27, 09, 01:57 / #
espana: that why british have the cricket , a sport for gays :) lol, for gays, how can you say that when you know nothing about the game??? i reckon you don't play it because its to complicated for you guys to work out :)

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	Jun 27, 09, 02:41 / #
I thought that the Tour de France is about the teams that play and not the individuals - as much about cyclists causing trouble for opponents as it is about those who can get noticed for the main activity - pedalling really quickly. espana: cricket , a sport for gays Cricketers don't wear spandex shorts as part of the game.

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07	Jun 27, 09, 02:48 / #
osiol: Cricketers don't wear spandex shorts as part of the game hahahahahaha, i liked that one :)

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 27, 09, 03:00 / #
The spanish have alot of great cyclists especially for the mountains, Ivan Mayo i always liked him as a climber The british actually have a good sprinter, who will probably get the green jersey as boonen is'nt there The most medals they have won in bejing was from cycling, Chris Hoy is a very good track cyclist

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07	Jun 27, 09, 03:02 / #
irishdeano: The british actually have a good sprinter, who will probably get the green jersey as boonen is'nt there isn't his name, Cavendish or something?? irishdeano: Chris Hoy is a very good track cyclist there is a name i recognise, i watch the Olympics etc

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 27, 09, 09:27 / #
tornado2007: Cavendish Yep thats hom, very good and quite young, Hes from the isle of man. bradley wiggins also isnt the worst tornado2007: tornado2007 Maybe you should watch is this year, if you watch it you will like it for sure, especially the mountain stages oh and crashes :P

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Jun 27, 09, 14:50 / #
irishdeano: The british actually have a good sprinter, you dont win the tour of france , the giro or la vuelta being an springter osiol: thought that the Tour de France is about the teams that play and not the individuals they team can help to win it but also can let you down

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 27, 09, 18:22 / #
espana: you dont win the tour of france , the giro or la vuelta being an springter I do know that im not stupid, You win the green jersey dont try to tell me about cycling,

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Edited by: espana Jun 27, 09, 18:42 / #
irishdeano: The british actually have a good sprinter my point is that it is irrelelvant if the british have good springters they will never win a tour , a vuelta or a giro. this sport is not for them because they have to suffer, it is to hard for them ps : 19 years watching the tour and i can remember a british doing ok :)

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 27, 09, 21:57 / #
espana: my point is that it is irrelelvant if the british have good springters they will never win a tour , a vuelta or a giro. this sport is not for them because they have to suffer, it is to hard for them So you are saying the likes of Mario Cipollini is'nt that good but sorry in my generation he was one of the greatest cyclists, I know sprinters dont do well in the mountains, reason being sprints are usually of a bigger build. It will be someone from Astana that will win the tour de france in less they are fired out of the race

delphiandomineThreads: 40 Posts: 9,577 Joined: Nov 25, 08	Jun 27, 09, 22:18 / #
irishdeano: It will be someone from Astana that will win the tour de france in less they are fired out of the race This is a point - what would happen if Contador gets caught? There's been enough doubts about him in the past, and compared to Armstrong's publishing of his results, he's anything but transparent. If Astana keep it together, then the yellow jersey belongs to Astana. At the minute according to Betfair - Contador, Armstrong, Schleck and Evans are the favourites. Evans showed last year that he has absolutely no heart and doesn't know how to attack, and the old Team CSC aren't strong enough compared to the might of Astana.

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Jun 27, 09, 22:23 / #
delphiandomine: Armstrong's publishing of his results, he's anything but transparent. In all tours Armstrong kept very low profile but when it came to the tour de france he stunned the race every year, i wouldnt be surprised if he done it again, i just wish he didnt retire cause he would have won it every year since his 7th. The actual team Astana have is pretty much the last team armstrong finished his career with in the first place schleck is very good Basso is there this year right?

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Edited by: espana Jun 27, 09, 23:04 / #
my favorite day is lalpe dhuez irishdeano: irishdeano very good thread congratulation. this one is when Lance was a baby , indurain destroyed him :)

irishdeanoThreads: 11 Posts: 480 Joined: Oct 23, 07	Edited by: irishdeano Jun 28, 09, 02:45 / #
espana: my favorite day is lalpe dhuez is great espana: very good thread congratulation Thanks ;) This was a great moment and amazing but it was also the end of a great cyclists career beloki was class but it was a fall at an unbelievable speed and what armstrong does is Brilliant I loved this stage, armstrong fell on the mountain and he also fell on the middle bar after it on the mountain and still armstrong flew up past them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDjqAkLUB0&feature=related

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Jun 28, 09, 10:37 / #
espana: my favorite was Marco Pantani how can you not like one of the best of all time? Miguel Indurain tornado2007: its to complicated how is cricket complected.. oh please..

delphiandomineThreads: 40 Posts: 9,577 Joined: Nov 25, 08	Jun 28, 09, 20:56 / #
irishdeano: In all tours Armstrong kept very low profile but when it came to the tour de france he stunned the race every year, i wouldnt be surprised if he done it again, i just wish he didnt retire cause he would have won it every year since his 7th. That's the scary thing - if he didn't retire, he almost certainly would've done even more. 2006 - Landis - who (I don't believe he doped, something was rotten about the whole thing) was suffering enough at the hands of everyone else, Armstrong would've killed him. 2007 - Contador - again, Armstrong would've murdered him in the mountains, let alone in the time trials. If you think that Leipheimer isn't a world class time trialler, Contador would've lost around 3 minutes at least on the final TT. 2008 - Sastre - again, only won because no-one else could. Neither him nor Evans would've been able to do any damage at all to Armstrong - Evans not knowing the meaning of attack and Sastre not having the team to back him up. I actually believe that Armstrong's motivation for coming back is that he knows the Tour is his to take. Indurain was incredible though, I read a comparison of VO2 max figures of all the legends in the sport, and someone like Armstrong was running at 87.5, but Indurain was at 92 at the peak of his powers. To think that if Indurain was fully equipped with today's sport science...

espanaThreads: 39 Posts: 2,200 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Edited by: espana Jun 28, 09, 22:27 / #
irishdeano: armstrong i think his time is up ........ plk123: how can you not like one of the best of all time? Miguel Indurain he was great but i m not a fan of big , tall ,cyclist like him ullrich or leblanc. i like people like pedro delgado, Pantani, virenque .(the best ones in the mountains) espana: ps : 19 years watching the tour and i can remember a british doing ok :) i was checking one of my heros , Pedro delgado , and it must be 22 years watching the tour because pedro was the guy who made me get into this sport. i was wrong about the british , apparently it is an irish who won the tour !!! Stephen Roche from dundrum. but anyway he is not english :) there was a good scottish once but this one was a silly guy , you will find out by watching the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4NZg6Vx2kQ&feature=related