So how will Lance do this year in the TdF?

He will win, but by a much smaller margin than in years past. His team is coming together well, but there are strong individuals with equally strong team. Watch out for Tyler Hamilton and Jan Ullrich-- this will be the best tour in 5 years.

So did he split with his wife or what?

They have reconciled.

I say Lance will be untouchable, once again. He's going to push for a proper legacy, and will have the team to carry him through.

I'm not much into cycling, but I sure love to follow the tour.

LA's main comp could very well come from Gilberto Simoni, who won the Giro d'Italia this year.

He'll be behind till they hit the mountains, then he'll just dominate as usual

ditto

Lance will beat Simoni, Ulrich, and Hamilton by at least 5 minutes. I predict an 8 minute win, but only if his team is kicking ass tough an holds together, especially in the mountains where Lance needs to not be on his own every climb.

Love the ESPN commercial where he's powering the generator for the entire building

I am a runner, I have mountain biked a few times in the last few years while training for triathlons. However, even being a runner I'd have to say that Lance Armstrong is my favorite pro athlete. As much as a I love Geb and El G and Lagat and everyone else, I have more respect for Lance than any of them. Anyone else the same?

Don't forget about Joseba Beloki. He was second last year and has been riding pretty well so far this year. Does Ullrich have a team yet?

Aren't Hamilton and Lance on the same team? How does that work if they're both vying for the win? Also, if he wins this tour, do you think he'll go for six to cement his legacy?

What was everyone talking about him splitting up with his wife and reconciling? I love the guy, it would be sad if he was a crappy husband. What are the details?

Lance and Tyler are now on different teams, it has been so for two years...

As far as the "crappy" husband thing goes, driven athletes often have problems at home. This guy has three kids and probably only spends 100 days a year at home. The rest of the time is training and racing. There are additional demands on his time beyond that with sponsers, his $$$ fight against cancer, etc. This can strain the strongest relationship. I am glad to hear that he and his wife have reconciled.

Just remember that cyclists are lazier than runners. If you think we are lazy, they take it to the extreme. Getting up from the couch to take a shit is too much time on their feet. I have a buddy who won't even drive a couple of days before a race because his stick shift migh drain some of he mojo from his legs... What I am getting at is that bikers are very sensitive to their legs, mucgh more scientific in their training and with Lance just so much more driven, the guy weighs his food for god sake, imagine trying to live with that! Kristen is a saint!

tyler hamilton moved to csc-tiscali, so no they are not on the same team. Simoni totally dominated the giro so if he can maintain that form he could give lance a pretty good race, if only he could time trial. And there were rumors that lance cheated on his wife.

football player wrote:

Does Ullrich have a team yet?

He's riding for Bianchi, and is slowly getting into shape. He looked decent, but not great, in the Tour de Suisse, so it will be interesting to see if he can put up any challenge to Lance.

I also say that Lance wins by 5 minutes, because there isn't anyone else that looks particularly good this year. Simoni is the logical choice to be Lance's nearest rival, but I think he may have peaked for the Giro.

Predictions:

1. Lance

2. Beloki 5:15

3. Simoni 5:50

4. Ulrich 6:10 (will have a bad day in the Pyrenees and lose 5 min).

My money is on Lance to win. Lance used to be (and probably still is) a very decent runner. And like WEBB, he was a swimmer first. Ulrich won't come close to the podium.

of course, you always have to defend your title......Miguel Indurain did the same after he won his 5th. Going into his 6th, he hadn't been as committed with training, he was sick i think, whatever. But anyways, he always said that the yellow jersey (mayo journ?) should be properly won from the previous winner. That's what i heard, i'm sure there's evidence for it

I missed where he was picked up. Haven't been really on top of the cycling lately. If Ullrich can stay slim and get in some good training, he is the guy with the most talent and ability to challenge Lance. However, I don't think he believes he can beat Lance. My money is on Beloki to repeat his runner up finish from last year. Hamilton will hang around, but I don't think he is quite there yet.