The Official Tour de France 2008 Thread

Ruben · 16th June 2008, 16:00

The route
Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres.

These 21 stages have the following profiles:

10 flat stages,
5 mountain stages,
4 medium mountain stages,
2 individual time-trial stages.

Distinctive aspects of the race
4 mountain finishes,
2 rest days,
82 kilometres of individual time-trials,
19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed.

10 new stop-over towns
Auray, Aigurande, Brioude, Prato Nevoso (Italy), Cuneo (Italy), Jausiers, Embrun, Roanne, Cérilly, Étampes.

Ruben · 16th June 2008, 16:05

The teams

AG2R La Mondiale
Agritubel
Barloworld
Bouygues Telecom
Caisse d'Épargne
Cofidis,
Crédit Agricole
Euskaltel - Euskadi
Française des Jeux
Gerolsteiner
High Road
Lampre
Liquigas
Quick Step
Rabobank
Saunier Duval
Silence - Lotto
Slipstream Chipotle
Team CSC
Team Milram

Swerny · 17th June 2008, 16:50

this race has become a complete sham with all the doping.

It really is a shame.

KeyserSoze · 17th June 2008, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS MSP

this race has become a complete sham with all the doping.

It really is a shame.

Totally agree, used to take more of an interest in it before all of the doping stuff.

vanthaman · 17th June 2008, 19:44

i used to watch this every year, my dad is a big cycling fan. but since he left home ive not watched much at all.

always used to cheer for Pantani (RIP), i think my dad won some cycling magazines fantasy tour de france too a couple of years ago

francobaresi · 17th June 2008, 21:25

I used to love watching this when I was growing up, back in the days of Delgado, Indurain and Lemond.

Anyone remember the beast that was Djamolidine Abdoujaparov?

Completely lost interest in recent years though unfortunately

Ruben · 17th June 2008, 22:15

I see my thread is full of haters!

Must say the doping disgusts me as well, but the Tour is still fun, and always will be IMO.

bazalini · 17th June 2008, 22:21

What's the craic this year.

Have lost all knowledge of my cycling after Rasmusson last year. Had to wiki it to see who won.

Yep Cadel Evans for me.

Any good young talent coming up

bazalini · 17th June 2008, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by francobaresi

I used to love watching this when I was growing up, back in the days of Delgado, Indurain and Lemond.

Same era as you Franco. You'll also remember that Australian Phil Anderson and the Belgium Eric Vanderaerden.

Btw reading into Contador - his team has not being invited to teh Tour de France this year due to doping alligations. So last years winner and the winner of the Giro will not be in attendence.

Looks like the French are coming down hard on the doping - which is good

bazalini · 17th June 2008, 22:32

BTW betting on the event

Cadel Evans ................3/2 Bet
Alejandro Valverde .......4/1 Bet
Denis Menchov ............9/2 Bet
Carlos Sastre ..............9/1 Bet
Andy Schleck ..............10/1 Bet
Damiano Cunego ..........12/1 Bet
Haimar Zubeldia ...........17/1 Bet
Fränck Schleck ............35/1 Bet
Stijn Devolder .............35/1 Bet
Samuel Sanchez ...........40/1 Bet
Yaroslav Popovych ........45/1 Bet
Mauricio Soler ..............45/1 Bet
Thomas Dekker ............45/1 Bet
Michael Rogers ............50/1 Bet
Christophe Moreau .......50/1 Bet
Oscar Pereiro ..............50/1 Bet
Kim Kirchen .................75/1 Bet
Mikel Astarloza ............100/1 Bet
Cyril Dessel .................100/1 Bet
Juan Jose Cobo Acebo ...100/1 Bet
Jose Marchante ...........150/1 Bet
Tom Danielson .............200/1 Bet
Marzio Bruseghin ..........200/1 Bet
Maxime Monfort ...........200/1

VidaRed · 17th June 2008, 22:45

i watch this every year.

id bet on denis menchov on winning it this year.

Rams · 17th June 2008, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyzer Soze

Totally agree, used to take more of an interest in it before all of the doping stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS MSP

this race has become a complete sham with all the doping.

It really is a shame.

When was this, before Tom Simpson?

Somebody even dares to mention Delgado. Don't make me laugh.

Rams · 17th June 2008, 23:36

Anyway...

It’s really difficult to predict this year, most of the big names aren't riding. Somehow I can't see Evans winning a tour de france. Same goes for Menchov or Valverde.
Cunego skipped the tour of Italy for this year’s Tour, he could 1 to watch out for. And there's no team pursuit and a short first time trial, that could suit him.
However, I predict a surprise winner.. Andy Sleck. The most talented rider in the Tour this year.

KeyserSoze · 17th June 2008, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams

When was this, before Tom Simpson?

Somebody even dares to mention Delgado. Don't make me laugh.

I dont quite follow. Are you insinuating that people are pretending they were following the tour longer than thay have been doing. Or saying the doping has been going on since the days of Simpson. If the second yeah, it was obvious it could have been going on but the coverage of it in recent years and Landis testing positive after winning etc is what did it for me. That may be because im only a casual follower, thats all.

Rams · 17th June 2008, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyzer Soze

I dont quite follow. Are you insinuating that people are pretending they were following the tour longer than thay have been doing. Or saying the doping has been going on since the days of Simpson. If the second yeah, it was obvious it could have been going on but the coverage of it in recent years and Landis testing positive after winning etc is what did it for me. That may be because im only a casual follower, thats all.

Former Tour winners to be caught and banned using dope:
Merxx
Hinault
Delgado
Zoetemelk

...Need I continue?

KeyserSoze · 17th June 2008, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams

...Need I continue?

Continue if you want. I was born in 1985 so hardly know the details of Delgado, the only reason i know about Tom Simpson is because he died on the tour and his story.

They were my individual reasons for going off it, did not expect anyone else or more serious followers of the tour to go along with them.

Rams · 18th June 2008, 00:00

Im just defending my argument...

Forgot all about Mark Cavendish. First Brit to win the green jersey? Definitly going to win some stages.

Ruben · 18th June 2008, 14:39

Would be fun if Cavendish was able to fight for the the green. I`m a Noggie so obviously hoping for Hushovd. With Boonen out, McEwen and Hushovd will be favourites I guess.

I agree with you Bazalini, it`s good that they are cracking down on it. Other races could learn something from it and up their ante as well. Astana for example were allowed to ride in the Giro, a bit of a shame IMO. The doping has always been there as Rams says, but it needs to be worked on all the time and cycling as a sport needs to try harder because many are losing interest.

bazalini · 18th June 2008, 15:35

Crazy that Astana was invited onto Giro and then end up winning. Not what the sport wanted.

And Rams you forgot our own Stephen Roche - who has been surrounded by alligations since the 90's

SiYuan · 18th June 2008, 17:14

How many juiced up contestants will there be this time?

Rams · 1st July 2008, 20:08

Right...

Starts Saturday. Nice finish to the 1st stage..

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/LIVE/u...par_etape.html

A bump just about long and steep enough to make things interesting.

Ruben · 1st July 2008, 20:48

Interesting with no prologue, should make for an extra interesting first stage.

bazalini · 1st July 2008, 22:35

Rams knows his cycling - who you going with Ramsy??

Rams · 2nd July 2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazalini

Rams knows his cycling - who you going with Ramsy??

Id certainly have a flutter on Andy Sleck (the younger 1!) for a podium finish.
There's a young guy called Roman Kreuziger who just won the Tour of Switzerland, he'd be worth a little bet.
If you want to play it safe then I would choose between Evans, Valverde or Conego. Sastre or Menchov wouldn't be bad bets either.

It's really open this year so I don't think anybody is sure what will happen.
12/1 Cunego has probably the best odds.

Maroon Lucifer · 4th July 2008, 01:38

I took my girlfriends bike to work on Tuesday. After 300 meters I was knackered and my legs were shaking. True story.

Mad · 5th July 2008, 10:58

I think this is Valverde's year, winning the Dauphine and the Spanish Championship in the lead up to the tour suggests his form is pretty good. His 3-week race credentials are overly impressive but I don't know -- gut feeling.

Hope one of Andy Schleck and Ricco wins it though, that'd be fantastic

Wibble · 5th July 2008, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazalini

Cadel Evans for me.

The Aussie press are going nuts about his chances.

Ruben · 6th July 2008, 10:24

Good race yesterday, and Valverede looked strong.

It was a great first stage I thought. Makes it a bit different with out the prologue and the little climb at the end resulted in some seconds dropped for a lot of racers already.

Ruben · 6th July 2008, 10:25

Ohh, and if Nadal wins today then Spain must have had one of the best weeks of sport they`ve ever had.

Ruben · 6th July 2008, 16:45

Well done Thor.

Rams · 8th July 2008, 22:10

Good start to the tour for Evans.

Mad · 8th July 2008, 23:37

I couldn't help but chuckle at the BBC Cycling page's headline: 'Millar moves into tour contention'

16th June 2008, 16:00	#1 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	The Official Tour de France 2008 Thread The route Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres. These 21 stages have the following profiles: 10 flat stages, 5 mountain stages, 4 medium mountain stages, 2 individual time-trial stages. Distinctive aspects of the race 4 mountain finishes, 2 rest days, 82 kilometres of individual time-trials, 19 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed. 10 new stop-over towns Auray, Aigurande, Brioude, Prato Nevoso (Italy), Cuneo (Italy), Jausiers, Embrun, Roanne, Cérilly, Étampes.

16th June 2008, 16:05	#2 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	The teams AG2R La Mondiale Agritubel Barloworld Bouygues Telecom Caisse d'Épargne Cofidis, Crédit Agricole Euskaltel - Euskadi Française des Jeux Gerolsteiner High Road Lampre Liquigas Quick Step Rabobank Saunier Duval Silence - Lotto Slipstream Chipotle Team CSC Team Milram

17th June 2008, 16:50	#3 (permalink)
Swerny Poster originally known MS MSP Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,638	this race has become a complete sham with all the doping. It really is a shame.

17th June 2008, 19:44	#5 (permalink)
vanthaman Winner of the RedCafe Mickey Mouse Cup 2006 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: in front of laptop Posts: 12,101	i used to watch this every year, my dad is a big cycling fan. but since he left home ive not watched much at all. always used to cheer for Pantani (RIP), i think my dad won some cycling magazines fantasy tour de france too a couple of years ago

17th June 2008, 21:25	#6 (permalink)
francobaresi Sleep inducing poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,699	I used to love watching this when I was growing up, back in the days of Delgado, Indurain and Lemond. Anyone remember the beast that was Djamolidine Abdoujaparov? Completely lost interest in recent years though unfortunately

17th June 2008, 22:15	#7 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	I see my thread is full of haters! Must say the doping disgusts me as well, but the Tour is still fun, and always will be IMO.

17th June 2008, 22:21	#8 (permalink)
bazalini Join Date: May 2000 Location: President of The Bring Back "Charlie Devils, Neil Thomson & Clayton Blackmore" Fan Clubs Posts: 15,539	What's the craic this year. Have lost all knowledge of my cycling after Rasmusson last year. Had to wiki it to see who won. Yep Cadel Evans for me. Any good young talent coming up

17th June 2008, 22:32	#10 (permalink)
bazalini Join Date: May 2000 Location: President of The Bring Back "Charlie Devils, Neil Thomson & Clayton Blackmore" Fan Clubs Posts: 15,539	BTW betting on the event Cadel Evans ................3/2 Bet Alejandro Valverde .......4/1 Bet Denis Menchov ............9/2 Bet Carlos Sastre ..............9/1 Bet Andy Schleck ..............10/1 Bet Damiano Cunego ..........12/1 Bet Haimar Zubeldia ...........17/1 Bet Fränck Schleck ............35/1 Bet Stijn Devolder .............35/1 Bet Samuel Sanchez ...........40/1 Bet Yaroslav Popovych ........45/1 Bet Mauricio Soler ..............45/1 Bet Thomas Dekker ............45/1 Bet Michael Rogers ............50/1 Bet Christophe Moreau .......50/1 Bet Oscar Pereiro ..............50/1 Bet Kim Kirchen .................75/1 Bet Mikel Astarloza ............100/1 Bet Cyril Dessel .................100/1 Bet Juan Jose Cobo Acebo ...100/1 Bet Jose Marchante ...........150/1 Bet Tom Danielson .............200/1 Bet Marzio Bruseghin ..........200/1 Bet Maxime Monfort ...........200/1

17th June 2008, 22:45	#11 (permalink)
VidaRed First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,747	i watch this every year. id bet on denis menchov on winning it this year.

17th June 2008, 23:36	#13 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,649	Anyway... It’s really difficult to predict this year, most of the big names aren't riding. Somehow I can't see Evans winning a tour de france. Same goes for Menchov or Valverde. Cunego skipped the tour of Italy for this year’s Tour, he could 1 to watch out for. And there's no team pursuit and a short first time trial, that could suit him. However, I predict a surprise winner.. Andy Sleck. The most talented rider in the Tour this year.

18th June 2008, 00:00	#17 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,649	Im just defending my argument... Forgot all about Mark Cavendish. First Brit to win the green jersey? Definitly going to win some stages.

18th June 2008, 14:39	#18 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	Would be fun if Cavendish was able to fight for the the green. I`m a Noggie so obviously hoping for Hushovd. With Boonen out, McEwen and Hushovd will be favourites I guess. I agree with you Bazalini, it`s good that they are cracking down on it. Other races could learn something from it and up their ante as well. Astana for example were allowed to ride in the Giro, a bit of a shame IMO. The doping has always been there as Rams says, but it needs to be worked on all the time and cycling as a sport needs to try harder because many are losing interest.

18th June 2008, 15:35	#19 (permalink)
bazalini Join Date: May 2000 Location: President of The Bring Back "Charlie Devils, Neil Thomson & Clayton Blackmore" Fan Clubs Posts: 15,539	Crazy that Astana was invited onto Giro and then end up winning. Not what the sport wanted. And Rams you forgot our own Stephen Roche - who has been surrounded by alligations since the 90's

18th June 2008, 17:14	#20 (permalink)
SiYuan Cafe Grandmaster 2008 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Where Crouch is a Midget. Posts: 6,437	How many juiced up contestants will there be this time?

1st July 2008, 20:08	#21 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,649	Right... Starts Saturday. Nice finish to the 1st stage.. http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/LIVE/u...par_etape.html A bump just about long and steep enough to make things interesting.

1st July 2008, 20:48	#22 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	Interesting with no prologue, should make for an extra interesting first stage.

1st July 2008, 22:35	#23 (permalink)
bazalini Join Date: May 2000 Location: President of The Bring Back "Charlie Devils, Neil Thomson & Clayton Blackmore" Fan Clubs Posts: 15,539	Rams knows his cycling - who you going with Ramsy??

4th July 2008, 01:38	#25 (permalink)
Maroon Lucifer Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." Posts: 2,124	I took my girlfriends bike to work on Tuesday. After 300 meters I was knackered and my legs were shaking. True story.

5th July 2008, 10:58	#26 (permalink)
Mad Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Location, Location. Posts: 967	I think this is Valverde's year, winning the Dauphine and the Spanish Championship in the lead up to the tour suggests his form is pretty good. His 3-week race credentials are overly impressive but I don't know -- gut feeling. Hope one of Andy Schleck and Ricco wins it though, that'd be fantastic

6th July 2008, 10:24	#28 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	Good race yesterday, and Valverede looked strong. It was a great first stage I thought. Makes it a bit different with out the prologue and the little climb at the end resulted in some seconds dropped for a lot of racers already.

6th July 2008, 10:25	#29 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	Ohh, and if Nadal wins today then Spain must have had one of the best weeks of sport they`ve ever had.

6th July 2008, 16:45	#30 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,085	Well done Thor.

8th July 2008, 22:10	#31 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 26,649	Good start to the tour for Evans.

8th July 2008, 23:37	#32 (permalink)
Mad Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Location, Location. Posts: 967	I couldn't help but chuckle at the BBC Cycling page's headline: 'Millar moves into tour contention'