The 2011 Tour de France is now less than a week away and as always The Falcon will be there to expertly guide you through every grueling kilometer of the epic race. This year’s edition marks the 100th anniversary of the first inclusion of the Alps in the races parcours, and to celebrate the riders will face an epic last week of adversity in the Alpine passes. Again race director, Christian Prudhomme, has included a mythical mountain finish in the final days of the race. This time it is L’Alpe d’Huez. Let’s hope the stage is not a massive fizzer as the final stages to Mount Vonteux and the Tourmalet have been in the last two editions.
With the race kicking off from the Passage de Gois’ on Saturday night there is just enough time to preview the major jersey competitions this year, starting with the Yellow Jersey.
1.Alberto Contador – Let’s face it – barring an unmitigated disaster Alberto Contador will win his 4th Tour de France. No one that saw his imperious performance at the Giro d’Italia could think otherwise. He won in Italy with ease, and that made it 6 victories from his last 6 starts in three week races. At the start of this season he looked to be mentally suffering from his clenbutoral affair, but the Giro showed he is back to his best. If he stays on his bike – he wins. Simple.
2.Andy Schleck – The charming Luxembourger as always lines up as the peoples favourite. But alas I fear he is set for a third consecutive runner up finish to his Spanish rival. Schleck has saved himself this season, riding a light program in anticipation of putting it all on the line this July. However, for mine, he still suffers from the shadow of his selfish brother. Frank, will often rope Andy into helping him achieve his own goals even though Andy is a far superior rider. Andy may need to first overcome the awe of his brother before he can achieve ultimate glory in Paris.
3.Samuel Sanchez – Great name. Great rider. The2008 Olympic Champion is a superb all round rider who at his best can match it with the big names in the Peloton, in both the mountains and the race against the clock. He has reached the podium in the Vuelta Espana in the past, and is always super competitive. To be honest, Contador and Schleck are so far ahead of their rivals that third is an absolute lottery, but if everything goes right for Sanchez I think he can be the third wheel on the podium this year.
Outsider – Jerome Coppel – It is rare a complete bolter wins the tour (Oscar Peririo was the last to do so in 2006 after a getting into a massive break on a flat stage, and the win only came after the winner tested positive), and with two dominant riders in Contador and Schleck it is hard to see it happening this year. Still Coppel is the latest great French hope, and given he will be riding on a French wildcard team he may just be given his head. Anyway, it is always good for the French to start the race with something to dream about.
In closing, the 2011 edition, like that in 2010, looks like a race in two. Let’s hope it provides a bit more excitement than past races. The Tour has gone downhill a little since the epic centenary edition in 2003, and Lances first retirement. In trying to keep the result in doubt until the last moment Prudohmme has in fact created races that have been decided a long way from home. Let’s hope this year he gets his long awaited wish with the race decided on the death on the mighty Alpe!
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