2009 Tour de France Stage 1. 15km TT Saturday 4th July Monaco > Monaco - Page 2

Correct

Direction of the race is what they alternate... One year clockwise, next anticlockwise. So, next year, clockwise. And in order to hit the Alps before the Pyrenees, they'll have to make little loop through the Massif Central or they'll hit the Pyrenees first, or they'll make big transfer from south to north... Anyway, it's going to be very interesting route.

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They usually alternated the order. In 1997 and 1998 they visited Pyrenees before Alpes. My guess is that Pyrennes will be before Alpes this time as well.

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maybe a couple of early stages in italy before the alps, then the transitional stages between alps and pyrynese, and a couple of stages through the massif central and the final tt to finish.
so my guess, alps, pyrinese, massif central at the end

The beauty of that course would be lost at cycling speeds anyway.

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Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
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They've got the tunnel. That's cool. I don't see why they did not continue to the south end of the harbor and back to the starting grid. They could have had the entire circuit except for the part where they turn around the casino.

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I know this is going to sound totally geekish and retarded, but I have raced that course hundreds of times on Gran Turismo 4, and it is just wicked cool nall the way around. The chicane following the tunnel is still one I don't get right.

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Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
-- Albert Einstein

The key to the chicane is turning hard left, then right... then veering right... then left....

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Actually, I have never tried that...seriously, and it would set up better for the 2nd half. The problem is that I always try to treat it like a slalom, and it just doesn't work because in the second half, the wall pushes further to the right...DAMN, THANKS CRANKY!

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Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
-- Albert Einstein

I think Bruylandts can win this one. It suits him.

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I just have a hunch that this thread could be huge come the first stage next year.

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Can we get this stickied?

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Pick any Two.

Already showing odds for GC at Ladbrokes...

Alberto Contador 3/1
Carlos Sastre 6/1
Ivan Basso 6/1
Alejandro Valverde 9/1
Andreas Kloden 9/1
Andy Schleck 9/1
Cadel Evans 9/1
Denis Menchov 16/1
Levi Leipheimer 20/1
Bernhard Kohl 25/1
Christian Vandevelde 25/1
Damiano Cunego 25/1
Kim Kirchen 25/1
Michael Rogers 40/1
Samuel Sanchez 40/1
Frank Schleck 50/1
Oscar Pereiro 50/1
Roman Kreuziger 50/1
Haimar Zubeldia 100/1
Tadej Valjavec 100/1
Vladimir Efimkin 100/1

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Kohl's only 26 yrs old. Was the big surprise this year for me (if one ignores his team mate Schumacher). I'd have a tinkle on him for a podium spot as an outsider if they're quoting him at 25/1 for the win. Who knows what quantum leap he can make by next year's event?

Looking forward to seeing Basso back in there... even if it's just a link back to the past.

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Frank Schleck at 50-1? I suppose the bookies are thinking he will third out of the CSC GC guys behind Andy Schleck and Sastre.


Kloden will be 34 by the time they start in Monaco - surely his price is too small? Kreuziger may well be good value as he will be 23 instead of 22. Surely a good bet for a podium unless he is aimed at the Giro? Would have Leipheimer at longer odds myself - he has gone backwards this year and will be 35 next. Assuming no change of team then he will probably pay second or third fiddle to Contador and/or Kloden.