Le Tour 2008 [R]

[Dead Fingers]

http://www.letour.fr/indexus.htmlhttp://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/img/lacarte.jpg

[Dead Fingers]

Any favorites, teams or individuals I should keep an eye out for?

Team Astana is barred, so no Contador or Leipheimer...correct?

[prk166]

The Republic of Boulder has a team this year, Slipstream-Chipotle.

[Belgian guy]

We have a Belgian with a legit chance at a top ten finish, which hasn't happened in the past decade or so. :D

[Caesar]

We have a Belgian with a legit chance at a top ten finish, which hasn't happened in the past decade or so. :D
Axel would be disappointed by your lack of faith.

[Belgian guy]

Axel would be disappointed by your lack of faith.

Axel's top ten finish was a decade ago. ;)

[Caesar]

Really? I feel old.

Australia has the betting favourite for the first time ever.

[Dead Fingers]

Looking at my "official guide" there will be no prologue time trial for this tour, and no time bonuses.

[Henry Porter]

Boonen is out for coke right?

[soccernutter]

Boonen is out for coke right?

That's what I was wondering. I happen to catch that while I was on vactaion. :eek:

[Dead Fingers]

Looks like it
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jxwWIhZ6kC1VbnHNkea3oWGXJonQD9182AM00

[prk166]

What's the big deal about coke, anyway? If anything Boonen's putting himself at a disadvantage.



http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ih5kJEN92GU6Bqvq2B3ixlYsaOTgD918KIU80

The world cycling governing body suspended the French federation for the rest of the year for a breach of rules.

The International Cycling Union said French officials were disloyal and broke the governing body's rules when they sided with organizers of the Paris-Nice race in March.

The French federation ignored the UCI's warnings it would be punished for going ahead with the Paris-Nice race using French rules and doping controls.

The UCI sanctions made no mention of the three-week Tour de France, cycling's signature event scheduled to start July 5.

UCI president Pat McQuaid said the governing body rejected an option to exclude French riders from world championships races and the Beijing Olympics.

The UCI has been in a long-running power struggle with race organizer Amaury Sports Organization, which also runs the Tour de France.

[Henry Porter]

What's the big deal about coke, anyway? If anything Boonen's putting himself at a disadvantage.



http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ih5kJEN92GU6Bqvq2B3ixlYsaOTgD918KIU80

The world cycling governing body suspended the French federation for the rest of the year for a breach of rules.

The International Cycling Union said French officials were disloyal and broke the governing body's rules when they sided with organizers of the Paris-Nice race in March.

The French federation ignored the UCI's warnings it would be punished for going ahead with the Paris-Nice race using French rules and doping controls.

The UCI sanctions made no mention of the three-week Tour de France, cycling's signature event scheduled to start July 5.

UCI president Pat McQuaid said the governing body rejected an option to exclude French riders from world championships races and the Beijing Olympics.

The UCI has been in a long-running power struggle with race organizer Amaury Sports Organization, which also runs the Tour de France.

It's addictive, illegal and a stimulant.

[Dead Fingers]

Top U.S. racing teams change names as Tour de France nears (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/tourdefrance/2008-06-18-cycnamechanges_N.htm#comment)

Slipstream-Chipotle is now Garmin-Chipotle
Team High Road (former T-Mobile) is now Team Columbia.

[Dead Fingers]

Landis loses his appeal (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/06/30/landis.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)

[Henry Porter]

Anyone know the best way to follow this online (aka during work)?

[Dead Fingers]

Anyone know the best way to follow this online (aka during work)?

Here is one way
http://www.myp2p.eu/index.php?part=sports

Haven't tried this one before. But it looks like a pay site.
http://www.cycling.tv/

[Moishe]

Anyone know the best way to follow this online (aka during work)?

CyclingTv.net or cycling.tv, one of the two.

For this years tour no clear cut favorite has been declared although Cadel Evans could have a strong shot this year. As Belgian Guy said, they have a strong candidate in Stijn Devolder who is given his chance to be the team number one. Garmin Chipotle is a very talented squad but I'm not so sure they have an overall GC contender. Where they will make noise will be in the team tt's and individual tt's. Should be a wide open TDF and hopefully one with some excitement.

As far as Astana is concerned, they got boned just for carrying on a sponsors name. Such is the politique of cycling.

[Dead Fingers]

And remember, in an effort to reduce the temptation to cheat, no prologue this year, no time bonuses and fewer "sprinter stages", no overly long stages and fewer transfers between stages.

[Moishe]

And remember, in an effort to reduce the temptation to cheat, no prologue this year, no time bonuses and fewer "sprinter stages", no overly long stages and fewer transfers between stages.

In other words, they're watering down Le Tour.