Well it is that time of year again - one of my favourites. Tour de France time. Three grueling weeks of cycling covering some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in the world. This race is the heartbeat of pro-cycling and the holy grail for all pro-cyclists.
For me, Le Tour is three weeks of excitement, relief from the cold Australian winter and long, late nights resulting in very tired eyes! The tour is a kaleidoscope of colour, a visual splendor and leaves me in awe of what these riders can do. The physical torture and mental challenges are more than what the average person can begin to imagine.
I have been lucky enough to see Le Tour on two occasions in 2005. Firstly a fast finishing stage near St. Etienne and the final stage in Paris on the magnificent Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
This year's tour is of course an exciting one for an Aussie chic like me. Firstly watching fellow Aussie and last year's yellow jersey winner Cadel Evans defend his title and secondly seeing history in motion as Australia's first Pro-Tour Team Orica Green Edge rides their inaugrial Tour de France.
This will also be the first Tour de France since my favourite Aussie sprinter Robbie McEwen, has retired. Trying to pick another favourite sprinter is going to be tough. I have always had a soft spot for Andre Greipel, (Lotto-Belisol), then there is of course Aussie sprinters Matt Goss (Orica Green Edge) and Mark Renshaw (Rabobank) as well as new gun Slovakian sprinter Peter Sagan (Liquigas) and then of course Mark Cavendish (Team Sky), although not a favourite of mine undeniably the fastest man on the planet over the past few years.
The race for the green jersey will be tight and will also be impacted by the big question; whether Mark Cavendish (2011 green jersey winner and current world champion) will choose to finish the race or pull out as the big mountains hit to save himself for the Olympic road race which is only a week after the end of the tour. No doubt we are in for a fantastic contest, no matter what.
As for the 'big one', the yellow jersey for overall honours it appears to be a battle between the two favourites Australia's Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Brit Bradley Wiggins (Sky Racing). With no Alberto Contodor (SaxoBank) or Andy Schlek (RadioShack) it could very well come down to a showdown between the two.
Other riders to consider though will be 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin), Andy's brother Frank Schlek (RadioShack), Team Liquigas leader Vincenzo Nibali and Robert Gesink (Rabobank).
For what it is worth, (which frankly is nothing but anyhow), here are my predictions:
Green Jersey
Heart says: Greipel
Head says: Sagan (and a little bit of heart - liking this guy more and more each day)
Patriotic hope: Matty Goss
Yellow Jersey
Heart says: Evans
Head says: Evans
Patriotic hope: Evans
Yes, I think Cadel is again in the right headspace and form to win. Let's hope!
Who's your pick?
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