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Good thread J Boy. Was actually just working our what days I am taking off work this year to watch it.

Sagan has yet to prove himself over a grand tour (much like Wiggins) so i am still not sold on him as the green jersey winner.

I'm tipping Griepel to take it in the end as he has a dedicated team that is basically working for him. I think Cav is the best in the world and even if he had 3 blokes riding for him he'd win it but the team is set up for Wiggo and his sweet sideburns this year and i reckon Cav also has an eye on the Olympics.

Been good viewing so far.

I dont follow cycling but whats with all the deal with lance armstrong?

Heard one of the four cyclers who are going to testify against him is riding in the race as we speak!

Heard one of the four cyclers who are going to testify against him is riding in the race as we speak!

who?

Some american in a team whose team jersey is white colored with blue on it.

Le Tour de Carnage this year! so many stacks...

I Follow cycling pretty religiously all year round, and am not surprised at all by the riding of Sagan.. He has won alot of races this year, and he is just a genuine all around beast.. His nickname from his mountain biking days was The Terminator and the wattage he puts out on a bike is astronomical... Soon the team will shift its focus to Nibali/Basso, so he will have to be creative to get stage wins, but should be able to pick up lots of points when it matters..

Also, i disagree on Sagan's performance in grand tours.. he is not going for the overall YET, but in last seasons vuelta he won 3 stages (came 4th in the points ranking), and already has 2 in the Tour this year.. 5 stage wins in what 26 GT stages competed in? That is phenomenal!(for a 22 year old...) On the flat he wont beat the pure sprinters, but give the finish line just a hint of uphill and he will blow past them..

The biggest concern for Gripel, is can he hold on in the mountains? There is every chance on 1 of the mountain stages he finishes outside the cutoff time and has to abandon.. Hell, even Cav last year finished outside the cutoff twice i think it was, but was in a group of 20 so they were allowed to stay in.(a rule i dont like...) Also, the team is not dedicated to him, once they start climbing, he will be left to his own devices, and the team will be focusing on Van den Broeck and getting him a podium finish if not better.

Cadel and Wiggins are getting all the press, but with the amount of time trialling this year, i wouldnt be surprised if a dark horse got over the line.. My dark horse at the moment : Dennis Menchov. He is already a 3 time GT winner, and has focused this season solely on the TDF and is in great form at the moment.

Cancellara is a guy i would love to see win the overall... With all the TT this year he can make up some serious time, but unfortunately, he will fall out the back as soon as we get into the mountains :D

It was disappointing to see Kittel struggle and have to retire in stage 5 due to illnesss.. i was really looking to see how he would go 1 on 1 after his early season form. Just a damn shame :(

honestly would not be surprised after looking at the profiles, if sagan wins both stages on the weekend..

It wont be until wednesday-thursday next week, until we know who the real contenders are, and the pretenders!

So far, the racing has been great.. hopefully once we get into the business end of things, it will get even better :D

Go Cadel!

more than 1 if the rumors are correct

David Zabriskie -Garmin
George Hincapie- BMC
Levi Leipheimer - omega pharma quickstep
Christian Vandevelde- garmin

Jonathon Vaughters, whilst not racing, manages the Garmin Sharp team is also mentioned

skyhook will know. who is the american garmin rider who is testifying against armstrong?

Far out that is as comprehensive as you can get. Have a ball mate.

holy crap. all 4.

i was wrong... sagan can win in the flat out sprint! That crash really tore the peleton to shreds, and with Griepel injured, Sagan was to strong.

I think Green Edge's tactics are wrong.. They are trying to control the peleton for the sprint from to far out, and by the time they get to start the sprint they are shot and Goss is looking to grab another wheel.

Tonights finish is probably tougher than i first thought, it will be a real test for Sagan to be amongst it at the end, but with his mountain bike back ground, i would expect him to be there or there abouts.

It is the perfect stage for guys like Voeckler, Gilbert, Valverde,, ALbasini to have a crack at a stage win.. There are alot of big names (like those above) who have lost signifigant time up until this point, so i would expect to see a hell of a lot of attacking in this stage, as some of these guys attempt to salvage their tours with a Stage Win!

There should be a new wearer of the Yellow Jersey by the end of todays stage i would think.

If all things were equal, Valverde/Voeckler would be my 2 top tips for tonight, but injuries could hold them back, so my tip goes to Gilbert or Sagan.

Wow just watched the highlights from last night full on carnage! Intersting to see how everyone goes today ffirst day of real climbs especially after a bunch hit the deck last night.

Your tipping Sagan on top of a category 1 climb? As I have said before don't really know what I'm talking about but my tip will be Nibali for tonight.