I’ll be writing about the Tour as often as possible over the next few weeks. I apologize in advance if you’re not a cycling fan, but I can’t help myself.
I knew you’d understand.
Anyway, this first installment is based around the premise that I’m a fan and I have rooting interests in the race. There are riders, teams and nations that I pull for, so I’ve naturally got interests in who does well in certain competitions. This post will lay bare my rooting interests in the race. Anything that follows can be digested with this post in mind.
On with the show.
Ivan Basso
While I don’t think he’ll win this year’s Tour, Basso is my overwhelming sentimental favorite in the race. After proving he’s fully returned from his suspension by winning last year’s Giro in dramatic fashion, Basso has fully dedicated this year to the Tour. Looking at it objectively, I’d say a third place finish in this Tour would be a real triumph for Basso. On paper he’s at a disadvantage to both Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador in the mountains and lags behind the Spaniard in terms of time trialing skills, so to imagine him beating both of those guys to take the race is a long shot. That said… it’s not an impossible ask. On his good days he can still climb with pretty much anyone and with Schleck still shaky in the time trial and Contador recovering from a sadistic Giro, there’s a chance that Basso could come through with the biggest victory of his career.
I can guarantee there would be much rejoicing if that were the case.
Mark Cavendish
I want Mark Cavendish to win every sprint ever. That is all.
Lev Leipheimer
If Basso can’t come through and make it onto the podium, I’d be most happy to see Levi Leipheimer take the third step. With his recent performance in the Tour de Susse in mind it appears that Levi has finally return to the same kind of form that saw him win major victories in the 2008 and 2009. He can’t climb with either Schleck or Contador, but when he’s on he can beat them both against the clock and he compares favorably against any of the other podium contendors
Thomas Voeckler
If Voeckler wins stage #1 (which passes near his home town,) taking the Tour’s 1st yellow jersey I can just stop watching for the rest of the Tour. My race will be complete. He’s one of the most consistently exciting riders in the peloton and a result like this would put the exclamation point on what’s been a phenomenal year.
Fabian Cancellara
I’ve said it before, if I were to be reborn as a pro bike racer, I’d want to be just like Cancellara. He wins the coolest races with incredible style and he doesn’t have to look a 60 kilo mountain goat to do it.
Tejay van Garderen
He’s young, inexperienced and super talented. I don’t know what to expect from Tejay in this tour, but it will be fun as hell to watch.
IS IT JULY YET?
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