2010 Tour de France

[jeffers]

Suprised Bbox and Cofidis didn't do anything to stop the breakaway

Was a nothing stage, peloton was happy to have a day off today.

[GameTipper]

Yeah, very strange. I picked it up at the 80km mark and they were already too far ahead to chase down. Guess this brings up the yearly question of radio information - they leaders would have known the break away contained riders who would not be challenging a lead. The rest today boads well for a good sprint finish tomorrow! Good little run to the end for Paulinho though!

[GameTipper]

Stage 11: Sisteron > Bourg-lès-Valence, 184.5km (flat)

Wow, the racing is heating up as quick as the weather did and the tactics have started to play out for all 4 racing categories. This stage will feature the sprinters mainly unless some poor bugger tries to race away early. Breaks from the pelaton will come from around the 2km mark of each sprint leg and all riders will then fold back into formation once again. This is probably another rest stage for the main General Classification riders, resting weary legs ahead of the High Mountain stages to come. The TV coverage will have little but the French scenery to marvel over today with the occasional cross to the sprints. As if it needs to be mentioned, but Mark Cavendish is the shortest of short favorites here but I'm tipping against him for the stage win! May also tip a couple of riders go down in the mad rush to the front, which is probably the best bet to be made today.


I like the following riders for a Stage 11 win: (Total of 10 Units)
A Petacchi @ $6.50 (5 Units)
T Hushovd @ $19.00 (2 Units)
R McEwen @ $23.00 (2 Units)
Syl Chavanel @ $151.00 (1 Unit)

Other riders to mention:
M Cavendish ($1.80), E Boasson Hagen ($17.00) & G Ciolek ($21.00)
Note: Odds sourced from Sportsbet

[Cosmo]

I have no knowledge of cycling but my friend works in the industry and has given me some good bets that i should follow tonight.

E Boasson Hagen 2.00
G Ciolek 1.73

R McEwen 2.10
T Hushovd 1.67

O Freire 2.75
J J Rojas 1.40

Any opinions from the cycling fans?

[Cosmo]

Also he has told me to get on Alberto Contador to take out the whole thing as he will bolt it in from here. Anyone disagree?

[jeffers]

Well he is $1.53 mate...

I think Schleck looks good, and I've backed him at $9. Having said that, I think Contador is cruising without having done too much so far, and with the Time Trial to come it does look like Contador's to lose very much. Wouldn't be getting too involved at 1.53 though myself, Schleck is dangerous, there's better 1.53 shots around.

[GameTipper]

There is just so much racing to be done, and anything is possible from here on. As I said in my stage post, the tactical racing has really begun now, and I don't think the other GC races have really come to the surface yet either. Yes, Contador is the fav based on what he has (or in some cases, hasn't) done so far and the time trial is going to be where he really pulls some time, but Schleck will be very interesting to see how he tackles the high mountains in the coming stages. The thing about this race that captures the imaginations and hearts of the fans is that it is very unpredictable until the last few stages. Who knows, Schleck may fall and do what his brother did, Contador could completely break down... the unknown is what has us on the edge of our seats, and before this race is out, I'm fairly sure a few of us will even fall off!

[GameTipper]

The TDF is starting to hot up again... been hard to pick winners this tour, but heading back into the mountains should give us a few good tipping opportunities to come - I'll be posting tips for the next section of stages once again.

[jeffers]

Yeah interesting yesterday, looked like Contador had the legs on Schleck but only made 10 seconds in the end.

It's going to be fireworks in the Pyrenees next week

[GameTipper]

Yeah interesting yesterday, looked like Contador had the legs on Schleck but only made 10 seconds in the end.

It's going to be fireworks in the Pyrenees next week

I've seen and heard heaps of reports that Contador has been saving a bit in the tank and may power away if the same scenario of Schlek v Contador happens again. I'm kinda siding with Contador winning now, there would have to be some very very big break aways to catch up and pass the others in the GC. Then there is the team time trial which Contador could very well win by over 1min on just about everyone... Hmmmm