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Will LANCE ARMSTRONG Win The 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE?

g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
edited July 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
Will LANCE ARMSTRONG Win The 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE?

As much as I love Lance I think it's unlikely, a top 10 finish yes and top 5 maybe. Some factors going against him:

1. His age 37
2. His layoff of 3 years
3. His Astana Team is NOT exclusively working to make him the GC contender with Contador on this team. He won the tour 2 years ago and wants to be champion this year.
4. Contador has a better chance to win than Lance

If it was EVER possible he could win maybe these factors could help:

1. Heart of a 7 time Tour Champion in a row
2. Best coach and team on the Tour
3. Best equipment and technology

Crazier things have happened in sports and I wouldn't put it past Lance to take the Tour title. Anybody remember when Buster Douglas beat *Iron* Mike Tyson?

Anyhow I'll be rooting for Lance, what do you think?

Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • vedder_soupvedder_soup Posts: 5,861
    i will be rooting for Evans, then armstrong 8-)
    2003 - Sydney x3,
    2006 - Reading Festival,
    2007 - Katowice, London, Nijmegen, Rock Werchter,
    2008 - MSG x2, Hartford, Mansfield x2, Beacon Theater,
    2009 - Melbourne, Sydney,
    2010 - I watched it go to fire!
    2011 - EV Brisbane x3, Newcastle, Sydney x3,
    2012 - Manchester x 2, Amsterdam x2, Prague, Berlin x2, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen,
    2014 - Sydney, EV Sydney x3

    I wave to all my Friends... Yeah!
  • biji55biji55 Posts: 5
    No chance, I think this year Contador is more motivated to win.
    After Armstrong's media blackout at the Giro I think most of the french and italians want him to loose anyways.

    I hope one of the Cervelo guys can pull it out, I want them to stick it to saxo bank.
    Ideas are like kids, yours are always the best.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    this tour is definitely for the climbers ... TT are short - so, not a lot of time can be made up for the moderate-ok climbers (see Evans) ... also the team TT is back (which they should never have dropped), they also instituted a no limit time loss ... so, potentially you could lose the race there ...

    in any case - early odds are on contador ... apparently, he's just been magnificent this season ... there could be some drama on that team tho between egos and funding ...

    it's a 3-week race so anything goes but i can't wait till the second to last stage up the ventoux ... race may end up being decided on that day ... guys will break large ...
  • RiverrunnerRiverrunner Posts: 2,419
    I have no idea who will win. I have never been a Lance fan, but not a Lance hater either. But whatever happens, I think it will be very interesting for many different reasons including the possible conflict on Astana on who will be team leader. I am glad the TTT is back. That is one of the best stages IMO.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • _Crazy_Mary__Crazy_Mary_ Posts: 1,299
    I have never cared about cycling at all. Then, on Father's Day weekend, my town had a big bike race and Lance was here. All I heard for the week leading up to that Sunday was "Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong!" And I kept thinking, I can't wait for this weekend to be over so we can move on with our lives, enough with Lance Armstrong! Then, on the day of the race, I had a perfect view of the course and Lance was wearing yellow (my favorite color) and the crowd was so excited and then I was so excited! Oh my God, I cannot describe how awesome that was or how IN LOVE with Lance Armstrong I became. Wow. The only reason I was at the race was because I was waiting tables and the restaurant where I work was right there. It was great! :)
    I really screwed that up. I really Schruted it.
  • RiverrunnerRiverrunner Posts: 2,419
    _Crazy_Mary_ wrote:
    I have never cared about cycling at all. Then, on Father's Day weekend, my town had a big bike race and Lance was here. All I heard for the week leading up to that Sunday was "Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong!" And I kept thinking, I can't wait for this weekend to be over so we can move on with our lives, enough with Lance Armstrong! Then, on the day of the race, I had a perfect view of the course and Lance was wearing yellow (my favorite color) and the crowd was so excited and then I was so excited! Oh my God, I cannot describe how awesome that was or how IN LOVE with Lance Armstrong I became. Wow. The only reason I was at the race was because I was waiting tables and the restaurant where I work was right there. It was great! :)

    What race was that?
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • _Crazy_Mary__Crazy_Mary_ Posts: 1,299
    Riverrunner wrote:

    What race was that?

    It's called the Nevada City Classic. We're just this tiny little town in Northern California and when Lance flew in & out on the day of the race, 50,000 people came to see him.
    I really screwed that up. I really Schruted it.
  • RiverrunnerRiverrunner Posts: 2,419
    _Crazy_Mary_ wrote:
    Riverrunner wrote:

    What race was that?

    It's called the Nevada City Classic. We're just this tiny little town in Northern California and when Lance flew in & out on the day of the race, 50,000 people came to see him.

    Oh yeah, I vaguely remember that. Cool.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,721
    nop..sorry.. 8-)
    "...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
    "..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
    “..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    In his prime Lance would have finished this TT atleast in the top 3 but the 3 and a half year layoff shows.

    July 4th Standings

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    Lance still in the top 10 after todays racing.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    Lance's Astana Team Dominates Opening Stage

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    My parents are going to Paris to see the end of 'Le Tour'... my Dad talks to me about it for hours but I still couldn't tell you anything about it this year :?

    Maybe next year I'll get back into watching it again :)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    Nice strategy by Lance today to stay with the pack and fight the crosswinds. He now has moved in to 3rd place overall with Contador in 4th. The TTT is tomorrow and The Astana team is strong and there's nothing more interesting to watch than the unisence of the 9 man TTT.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • RiverrunnerRiverrunner Posts: 2,419
    Great stage today! More interesting than the usual flat stage. I think Lance kind of lucked out, but I guess it also means that maybe he was just paying more attention than the other race leaders.

    The George Hincapie (Columbia-HTC) post stage interview was interesting too. He said they broke away because they were pissed that the sprinter's teams weren't working to catch the breakaway so they just left. Lance was either lucky enough or astute enough to see that and took off with them.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    July 6--Phil Leggett's Daily Report
    It was only a small time gain, but by the end of stage 4 tomorrow, it may be enough to put Lane Armstrong into the yellow jersey of the Tour de France. And wouldn’t that be something!

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    lance will be in yellow by tomorrow ...

    as much as i love the drama of the TDF ... cycling lacks the basic principles of sport in my opinion - which is integrity and teamwork ... forget about the doping - how is it that alberto contador has no clue who the team rides for in this race? ... you can't win the TDF without support and to enter the most prestigious race constantly glancing over your shoulder is not good ...
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    polaris_x wrote:
    lance will be in yellow by tomorrow ...

    as much as i love the drama of the TDF ... cycling lacks the basic principles of sport in my opinion - which is integrity and teamwork ... forget about the doping - how is it that alberto contador has no clue who the team rides for in this race? ... you can't win the TDF without support and to enter the most prestigious race constantly glancing over your shoulder is not good ...

    Integrity in all sports including horse racing will ALWAYS be in question in my opinion. As far as teamwork there's plenty in TDF as you will see in tomorrows TTT. I just think Contador was out to lunch maybe from the heat. I gather Lance used a bit of his experience to make a tactical move today to move up in the standings.

    You'll see tomorrow the essence of teamwork in the return of the 9 man Team Time Trials. The battle with the wind and keeping the slipstream tight with just inches apart from each wheel.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    g under p wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    lance will be in yellow by tomorrow ...

    as much as i love the drama of the TDF ... cycling lacks the basic principles of sport in my opinion - which is integrity and teamwork ... forget about the doping - how is it that alberto contador has no clue who the team rides for in this race? ... you can't win the TDF without support and to enter the most prestigious race constantly glancing over your shoulder is not good ...

    Integrity in all sports including horse racing will ALWAYS be in question in my opinion. As far as teamwork there's plenty in TDF as you will see in tomorrows TTT. I just think Contador was out to lunch maybe from the heat. I gather Lance used a bit of his experience to make a tactical move today to move up in the standings.

    You'll see tomorrow the essence of teamwork in the return of the 9 man Team Time Trials. The battle with the wind and keeping the slipstream tight with just inches apart from each wheel.

    Peace

    i'm not talking about contador and all the GC contenders asleep at the wheel ... i'm talking about the fact contador may or may not be the team leader on Astana ...
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    polaris_x wrote:
    g under p wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    lance will be in yellow by tomorrow ...

    as much as i love the drama of the TDF ... cycling lacks the basic principles of sport in my opinion - which is integrity and teamwork ... forget about the doping - how is it that alberto contador has no clue who the team rides for in this race? ... you can't win the TDF without support and to enter the most prestigious race constantly glancing over your shoulder is not good ...

    Integrity in all sports including horse racing will ALWAYS be in question in my opinion. As far as teamwork there's plenty in TDF as you will see in tomorrows TTT. I just think Contador was out to lunch maybe from the heat. I gather Lance used a bit of his experience to make a tactical move today to move up in the standings.

    You'll see tomorrow the essence of teamwork in the return of the 9 man Team Time Trials. The battle with the wind and keeping the slipstream tight with just inches apart from each wheel.

    Peace



    i'm not talking about contador and all the GC contenders asleep at the wheel ... i'm talking about the fact contador may or may not be the team leader on Astana ...

    I understand because at some point it needs to be known who is the GC for team Astana. That's the huge difference between this team and US Postal/Discovery the riders ALL worked to get and keep Lance in the Yellow jersey. It will be defined soon and I hope it's Lance.

    If he could possibly win this TDF 2009 it will go down as one of the biggest surprises in sports history.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    g under p wrote:
    I understand because at some point it needs to be known who is the GC for team Astana. That's the huge difference between this team and US Postal/Discovery the riders ALL worked to get and keep Lance in the Yellow jersey. It will be defined soon and I hope it's Lance.

    If he could possibly win this TDF 2009 it will go down as one of the biggest surprises in sports history.

    Peace

    well ... i think they are gonna play it by ear and see but my only point is that it's not really fair to Contador ... it's why Sastre left his old team ...

    anyways - some damage done today on the GC contenders ...
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    polaris_x wrote:
    g under p wrote:
    I understand because at some point it needs to be known who is the GC for team Astana. That's the huge difference between this team and US Postal/Discovery the riders ALL worked to get and keep Lance in the Yellow jersey. It will be defined soon and I hope it's Lance.

    If he could possibly win this TDF 2009 it will go down as one of the biggest surprises in sports history.

    Peace

    well ... i think they are gonna play it by ear and see but my only point is that it's not really fair to Contador ... it's why Sastre left his old team ...

    anyways - some damage done today on the GC contenders ...

    One cannot say the TDF doesn't come down to 100th of a second anymore. Great team rides today with Lance in second followed by Contador. This might be a first with 2 contending for the GC from the same team. This will be a very interesting Tour of course with Lance being a factor.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    g under p wrote:
    One cannot say the TDF doesn't come down to 100th of a second anymore. Great team rides today with Lance in second followed by Contador. This might be a first with 2 contending for the GC from the same team. This will be a very interesting Tour of course with Lance being a factor.

    Peace

    I might be dating myself but this is like the old Hinault and Lemond days on La Vie Clare ... and I think recently we've seen this with Astana the year Contador won ... at the time Vinikourov was the team leader in the race ...
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    comments from lance's facebook:


    Well, what can I say? The team was simply awesome today. Consistent, fluid, mistake-free. We love this event (TTT) and are stoked to win.

    I thought the course was tough but proved to be 2x. Ouch. Popo and Klodi were on fire.

    And they might need to repair the pavement on the sections where Alberto was pulling. All in all, great day.
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    From Phil Liggett July 7, Stage 4 Montpellier was some awesome riding from all the riders.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • vedder_soupvedder_soup Posts: 5,861
    the lotto team will again be Evans downfall.... he is in the best shape of his career and 3 mons off the lead now due to others in his team. might be able to gain some time in the hills, but the others will not let him get too far away :?
    2003 - Sydney x3,
    2006 - Reading Festival,
    2007 - Katowice, London, Nijmegen, Rock Werchter,
    2008 - MSG x2, Hartford, Mansfield x2, Beacon Theater,
    2009 - Melbourne, Sydney,
    2010 - I watched it go to fire!
    2011 - EV Brisbane x3, Newcastle, Sydney x3,
    2012 - Manchester x 2, Amsterdam x2, Prague, Berlin x2, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen,
    2014 - Sydney, EV Sydney x3

    I wave to all my Friends... Yeah!
  • DonJonDonJon Posts: 5,089
    Nope but they are in a great position the team itself. Throw up a bitta confusion for the other teams........

    they are STILL and WILL ride for Contador.

    Even Leipheimer was playing it up last night saying they could be riding for 'him' (as in Levi).

    All a big decoy to take a bitta pressure/focus off Cont
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me.
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    vedder_soup wrote:
    the lotto team will again be Evans downfall.... he is in the best shape of his career and 3 mons off the lead now due to others in his team. might be able to gain some time in the hills, but the others will not let him get too far away :?

    this year's tour favours the climber's ... although evans is more than capable - he's not a guy that's gonna break too many people ... it'll take all his strength to hang on ... but you're right - on those key mountain stages - he'll be trying to hang on to the lead groups and if he cracks - he won't have anyone to bring him back ...
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    Lots of crashes today but not much in the overall standings pertaining to Lance.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • dcfaithfuldcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    At least if he wins, for the sake of people that wear them, maybe those bracelets will become cool again :roll:
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
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    9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
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    9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
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