Tour chaos? if Cadel's knee doesn't improve?

confusedfan

According to CN, Evans has had to take a week off of training and cancel a scouting trip of some of the Alps stages because of tendinitis in his knee - still planning to ride the Dauphine but team manager Sargeant says they have no idea what his form will be.

so, who would be left as a Tour favourite if this doesn't improve and he can't ride the Tour? Or is that when ASO recants and gives Astana an invite?

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Bro Deal

He was always going to come in second, so things continue as normal.

Cunego's chances look better all the time.

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Crankyfeet

I'm not sure how much that Evans story is disinfo from his camp...

Bro... you should have got some betting action on Cunego before the Amstel Gold... He was at like 17-1 in the TDF or something. It was a good call. I don't know what his current odds are.

Post edit - I see on Unibet he is now fourth favorite at 10-1 behind Evans (13-4), Menchov (7-1), and Valverde (8-1).

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hawkeye87

I'm suprised Menchov would still be a favorite given how hard he is competing in the Giro.

Honestly, how realistic is it for a rider, even a doped one, to do well in the TdF after doing well in the Giro. I know Pantani managed with wins but he was a legend.

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thunder

nope, I think the ASO are indifferent as Evans as a/the patron/personality.

He has about as much charisma as your average wheaties packet. There is some truth to the rumour, that unlike placing him on the front of the wheaties packet a la Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky and Tiger, they are contemplating cloning his dna and adding him as fibre to the cereal.

So it does not matter. It will be a new winner. As long as it is not some majorly doped up Spaniard who cares. No doubt they will be doped, but lets hope it aint the dope.

Powerful Pete

Yup, new winner. ASO would like Astana to just go away and they will ensure that this happens.

And for the record, I do not believe that Valverde has a GT win in him. Always at least one jour sans. I would be more optimistic about Menchov or Cunego...

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Eldrack

It is possible, especially with dope. Racing a GT rips your body to pieces, so you need recovery. The 4 weeks between the Giro and the Tour is enough I think, but only if you've tailored your entire season around these two races. Being in peak form for both is a tricky business.

thoughtforfood

I have to agree completely. New winner and Valverde just doesn't appear to have it in him. Remember last years Valverde hype?

I think Cunego has to be given serious chances. Menchov too because, while he is riding hard, he is not peaking yet it does not appear. His ability would suggest that if he were completely on form, he wouldn't be getting dropped like yesterday. He is every bit as good as DiLuca IMO, and were he in top shape, would be vying for the win.

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earth_dweller

I think Valverde has scaled back his preparation tremendously after OP hit, and it shows in his results.

Powerful Pete

I think you hit it on the head. Must have been the trade off for UCI not to go after him. No wins for a while...

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Anticyclone

Does anyone know why Cunego has decided to concentrate on the Tour rather than the Giro this year?

I have read that Menchov's main aim this year is the Tour. If this is true and he wasnt on peak form in the Giro then the peak he should hit in the Tour will make him a formidable opponent.

RdBiker

Maybe he saw he had a chance for a win after Armstrong, Basso, Ullrich and Vino are out of cycling? I saw a glimpse of an article on Pro Cycling magazine about Cunego (10 pages atleast) but couldn't afford at that time to buy the magazine to read to story. There was atleast something about him changing coaches and going from a SRM power meter to a heart rate monitor. Maybe his new coach trains him specifically for the Tour.

Edit: he also won the best young rider jersey in 2006

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whiteboytrash

Cunego dropped his Italian witch doctor who also trained Ullrich for a bit. He is much happier as he felt he was losing his attacking flair by constantly watching his watts v heart rate v km's v cadence.... he said it just go silly. He could never do anything without consulting his science manual. Anyway he dropped his doc and the SRM & went back to straight HR and feels all the better for it.... he is riding the Tour only as there is less TT miles than the Giro... he feels he has a better shot at winning.... unlike Menchov Cuengo can't ride the Giro for training as they all want him to win and there would be to much pressure & the Italians would feel offense if an Italian was using the Giro just for training..... he's in with a shot but I think Shleck of the Andy kind is a better bet...