If you were picking a "dream team", which of these riders would you take? Can't really have both.
Here's my thinking. Valverde -
Having a stellar year with wins in L-B-L and Fleche Wallone,
Stage wins at Romandie and Vasco (where he won points classicifications in both),
Good showing at Dauphine (3 top 10's, plus top 10 in all classifications).
Showed he can beat the best last year on Courchavel
Weakness is ITT, but he's improved (9th in Dauhpine ITT and 7th in Prologue). He's apparently done a lot of work on his position.
Popovych -
Very strong Tour de Georgia (3rd overall, 3 podiums, 2nd in points)
Stage win at Castilla y Leon
8th in Dauphine ITT
Will "probably" lead Discovery
The problem is that Popovych is a better TT'er, but there is a chance that Azevedo or Hincapie could end up leadind Discovery, whereas Valverde will be the sole captain at Caisse d'Epargne.
valverde because he attacks and he's led his team before. i know popovych has been working his butt off for lance and i for one am keen to see if he can attack in this tour. its one thing to set tempo in the mountains but its another to make the race winning attack. having said the popo is a better time triallist and just might be as good in the hills so it gets back to who you like, so its alejandro for me
I would definitely take Valverde. Nothing against Popo who I imagine will turn into a star, but thus far Valverde has shown he is one of the best climbers in the world in one day races, the Vuelta and the Tour. His TT is a big improvement and he can handle long days in the saddle. I expect him to win the Tour one day. I haven't yet seen Popo climb or TT in the top ranks, although he will probably get there in a year or two.
