The White Jersey

patch70

Okay - maybe not quite as exciting as the battle for yellow. But - We now have Karpets leading Popovych by 1 second (as of end stage 9). Valverde thrid, Contador 4th and someone for the future, Luis Leon Sanchez in 13th. Gilbert 10th.

Is Karpets going to do it again? Can Popo beat him? Is Valverde going for a stage or for a good overall time?

Virenque

Popo definetly not, because he must help Lance. I think Valverde and Karpets are the biggest contenders.

Eldrack

Unfortunately their both on the same team......... and I think Karpets is the team captain isn't he? That makes me think he will win.

Virenque

I don`t know their tactics, but there are 3 GC riders: Mancebo, Valverde and Karpets. Mancebo is the leader, but..

patch70

Agree about Popo. Am very interested to see how Valverde approaches the tour. Am guessing he'll try for a stage win rather than overall.

ed073

I reckon Popo can do it. Failing him, Valverde or Sinkewitz.

gntlmn

After the last stage, it's pretty clear Riis and Bruyneel are waging a war of attrition, trying to put the greatest hurt on each other's teams. They each need every guy. CSC already lost Zabriskie. While he wasn't a GC contender, he would certainly have helped along the way.

I'm agreeing with you. This Tour is turning into a particularly bitter battle for the one wearing the yellow jersey. The attacks are relentless, and each team member is required for GC contenders. It appears Karpets has the best chance of getting the white jersey this year because he's the only prominent young rider who is also team leader. Popo's final gc standing will fall short of his efforts, much of which will be spent helping to get Lance into Paris in yellow.

Dead Star

Philippe Gilbert!!

limerickman

I think Karpets is the man for the White Jersey again this year.

spockroyaltea

after today's stage, it looks like Valverde has more than enough in him to grab the white.

patch70

Absolutely. What a ride from a young guy.

Dead Star

Philippe Gilbert!!!!!!!!!!

patch70

Hmm, looks like he may just struggle now. Great rider though!

gntlmn

Yeah, I'd agree Valverde has the juice to make it into the white on GC. The problem is that he has to provide support to the team leader, Mancebo. Whether they'll let him go for it is an open question. I don't know if they want him to spend his reserves on the white jersey if it might weaken Mancebo's chances.