Worlds RR picks

I really dunno on this one. I think that Bettini has a chance, although he will be a marked man. What about Pippo Pozzato? Hhhhhmmmmmmm.....

Has Valverde been training? :o

Powerful Pete said:

I really dunno on this one. I think that Bettini has a chance, although he will be a marked man. What about Pippo Pozzato? Hhhhhmmmmmmm.....

Has Valverde been training? :o

well the CAS just said he can ride!!!

Bettini, Valverde or Friere.

How tough is the course? I know that Boonen says he can't get over the hills. Are the tough enough to eliminate Friere?

Freire all the way

Powerful Pete said:

I really dunno on this one. I think that Bettini has a chance, although he will be a marked man. What about Pippo Pozzato? Hhhhhmmmmmmm.....

Has Valverde been training? :o

Hey Pete:

Do you thinkl the Italians will decide on an organized leadout train at the end or will they be trying to shove their water bottles into each others spokes?

One word... o.k., 2 words Big George 😄

Crankyfeet said:

Hey Pete: Do you thinkl the Italians will decide on an organized leadout train at the end or will they be trying to shove their water bottles into each others spokes?

Dunno. The fact that Di Luca is out is good for the organisation of the team for the race... one less captain. The fact that we tend to take so many captains worries me. I doubt/hope that the Italian riders will not ride against one another, but team loyalties are stronger than the national jersey.

Powerful Pete said:

Dunno. The fact that Di Luca is out is good for the organisation of the team for the race... one less captain. The fact that we tend to take so many captains worries me. I doubt/hope that the Italian riders will not ride against one another, but team loyalties are stronger than the national jersey.

Friere for his fourth title is my tip, purely because the team seems to be behind him. Yes they have Valv (Piti) but he's been unsettled by recent events and is more a joker in the pack. His team orders are that he has to lead out Friere in the sprint if it comes down to that. I think the Italians can only hold it together so many years and they rode well as a group last year for Bettini and so chances are they'll be a mess of egos this year. As a Scot I should be tipping David Millar but without a strong team his chances suffer. I'd love to see Zabel win, but equally think it would be a great way to end a dismal season if one of the UCI's much herladed new, clean generation could pull off the big one - but who fits that bill? Schumaker?

Yes, I have to agree that Freire now looks like the man to beat.

The course might just be tough enough to detonate the race and deny the Freire's and Zabel's their possible victory-though they remain likely winners if they go the distance. The extra kilometers and the long drags might defeat him but I wonder if Jens and the strong Germans could tow Ciolek round for a surprise win.

I'll take an outsider: T. Dekker......

Longshot......... I don't even know if he is racing and I would hate to see it........ Chris Horner.
Me bad...He's not scheduled to ride.

Jason McCartney??????

The obvious money is Fiere or Bettini.

Of course if Li Fuyi of China takes his ride seriously I can't see him being beat. He left his team mates at home so he can ride without attracting attention to himself. He should be able to drop Bettini and others in the climbs and if it comes down to a 500 meter sprint he will wear the Rainbow stripes next year.

Linus

Klodifan said:

Linus

What I would love to see is someone like Svein Tuft, Adam Hansen or Jens Voight. Jens probably has the best shot. However, it seems clear that Bettini and Freire are the real favorites.

I was hoping for pouring rain and 10 degrees celsius to break up things a little and have it come down to the real tough guys, but looks like 15 and no rain. My favorite rides were the really epic ones where I got off my bike barely able to speak, and in danger of going to the hospital with hypothermia.

I'd love to see Freire win the world title - his fourth.
That would be a superb achievement.

Hard one to call though.
I would have backed DiLuca - he's very single minded when it comes to objectives and if he says the RR was an objective then I'd back him.

One of the Schleck bros could feature.
And watch out for Valverde.

But my heads says, Freire.

Millar. Because he had a [censored] day at the time trial so deserves a good performance in the RR.

Klodifan said:

Linus

As far as I know Linus won't start...

Samuel Sanchez?

I'll say Freire.