The Green Jersey, or maillot vert, is a jersey awarded to the most consistent rider throughout the 3 weeks of the Tour de France, but in reality it is seen as the sprinters jersey. Not since 1995, when Laurent Jalabert took the competition, has the jersey not been worn by a pure sprinter come Paris. Here we took a look at the fast men to beat in the Green Jersey competition this year.
3 - Oscar Freire (4/1) - Last years winner is a sprinter in the classic Zabel mode. Just like the 6 time jersey winner, Freire may bob up for the odd stage win, but his strength lies in consistently finishing in the top 10 on the flat stages. He also has the ability to get over the odd mountain or too to pick up valuable points on the medium-to-high mountain stages. He has a chance of going back-to-back.
2 - Allan Davis (n/a) - 'Alby' as this Aussie is affectionately known will only get a start in the race if his high profile teammate Tom Boonen remains persona non grata at the Tour - pending a judges decision. If he gets a start, I think he is a massive threat for the points jersey. He has been in great form this season since he kicked things off with a win in the Tour Down Under, a race made for the sprinters. Hopefully Alby gets a guernsy. If he does - watch out!
1 - Mark Cavendish (5/4 fav) - Quite simply, the fastest man on a bike. Came of age last year at the Tour when he blasted his way to four stage wins before retiring to save himself for the Olympics. He added another four stages to his name in this years Giro before pulling out before the start of Stage 14 to save himself for the Tour. The 'Manx' man simply has not match at all on the peleton and barring bad luck he should win every stage that finishes in a bunch sprint. If he makes it to Paris - he will be wearing Green.
Best Outsider - Tyler Farrar (35/1) - The young American has burst onto the scene in 2009 winning a sprint finish in Tirreno-Adriatico. He backed that up with a couple of second place finishes at the Giro. If his Garmin team devotes itself to setting him up for a sprint rather than the extremely unlikely GC goals of Christian Van de Velde young Tyler could surprise.
Odds courtesy of Betfair (always gamble responsibly).
Stay tuned for a preview of the polka-dot-jersey competition.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Schleck Takes Luxembourg Title
In an ominous warning for his rivals, Andy Schleck took his first national title on Sunday with victory in the Men's Road Race. This means Schleck will wear his national colours in the peleton at this years Tour de France.
Other riders who will wear their national colours during the race after winning titles on Sunday include Fillipo Pozzato (Italy) and Kurt Asle Arvesen (Norway).
Other riders who will wear their national colours during the race after winning titles on Sunday include Fillipo Pozzato (Italy) and Kurt Asle Arvesen (Norway).
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Preview - Yellow Jersey
The maillot jaune, the golden fleece, the yellow jersey. The most famous prize in all of cycling. In 2008 Carlos Sastre rode himself into history with a glorious solo ride up L'Alpe d'Huez to take it. In 2007 it was Alberto Contador who danced his way to a Tour victory with an impeccable display of climbing. And between 1999 and 2005 the jersey was owned by one man. Lance Armstrong recorded a record seven consecutive victories in the race, and he returns this year to go for an eighth.
But just who will be wearing the yellow jersey on the final podium in Paris in 2009? Let's take a look at The Falcon's top 5 riders for 2009:
5 - Cadel Evans (11/1) - Everyone's favourite Aussie returns to the Tour after blowing his golden chance at victory in 2008. He is probably at the same level as last year but a couple of his competitors have improved, and a couple more have returned after absences in 2008. He'll be high up in both the time trials and the mountain stages...but he won't win.
4 - Lance Armstrong (13/2) - One of the top 5 athletes of all time returns, and I can only slot him in for 4th! The fact is he is 37 these days, and was already the oldest winner since the war when victorious in 2005. Lance was left behind by his younger, faster rivals in the Giro. He is good enough to finish top 5 and it wouldn't take a miracle (which he has produced before) to see him winning. At his career best - he wins again, but I think he is a long way short of that and a podium spot would be a fine effort for the veteran.
3 - Denis Menchov (16/1) - An old Falcon favourite who always flys under the radar. A two time winner of the Vuleta, and backed that up by winning the Giro this year. He can hang with the best in the mountains and is usually a better time trialler than the better climbers. Previously regarded as a follower he found the courage to attack on a couple of stages here last year. Super consistent and is sure to be in the finish on all the big stages, especially with Rabobank teammate Robert Gesink to assist him in the mountains.
2 - Alberto Contador (5/4 fav) - The new golden boy of world cycling who has taken over the Armstrong mantle as the premier 3-week Stage rider. In 2008 he added the Giro (after being hauled back from a beach holiday with his girlfriend) and the Vuleta to his palmiers to go with his 2007 Tour win. This makes him one of only 5 riders in cycling history to have won all three Grand Tours. Not even Lance can match that. He can climb, he can time trial, he has the best team. Hell...he'll probably win. But then again, remember what happened to the favourite last year.
1 - Andy Schleck (8/1) - This may be a matter of heart over head as I tipped the Luxembourgian to win the 2009 edition as soon as the 2008 running of the Tour finished - so I can't jump off the bandwagon now! Andy burst onto the stage as a future star with a memorable performance in last years Tour. He was bolting on L'Alpe, but could not be unleashed as his teammate Carlos Sastre was riding to overall victory up the road. Even though he finished only 12th in the overall standings it was a performance good enough to have the experts taking notice. Since then he has finished an excellent 5th at the Beijing Olympics in the road race, and early in 2009 he took out his first major classic with victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege. His climbing is majestic, and his time-trialling ability will be serviceable enough in an edition of the race that only contains 55km of that discipline. He has the same team that rode Sastre to victory last year. HE CAN WIN! (I hope)
Best Outsider - Linus Gerdermann (300/1)
Gerdermann is on the comeback trail from injury after bursting onto the scene when taking the stage, and the yellow jersey, in the race to Le-Grand Bornard in the 2007 edition of the Tour. The route once again stops at Le-Grand Bornard this year and Gerdermann could suprise a few people with a high GC finish. He showed he was in decent form this year with a top 10 finish in the shorter stage race Tirreno-Adriatico.
Prices courtesy of Betfair. (Always gamble responsibly)
Stay tuned for a preview of the green jersey competition.
But just who will be wearing the yellow jersey on the final podium in Paris in 2009? Let's take a look at The Falcon's top 5 riders for 2009:
5 - Cadel Evans (11/1) - Everyone's favourite Aussie returns to the Tour after blowing his golden chance at victory in 2008. He is probably at the same level as last year but a couple of his competitors have improved, and a couple more have returned after absences in 2008. He'll be high up in both the time trials and the mountain stages...but he won't win.
4 - Lance Armstrong (13/2) - One of the top 5 athletes of all time returns, and I can only slot him in for 4th! The fact is he is 37 these days, and was already the oldest winner since the war when victorious in 2005. Lance was left behind by his younger, faster rivals in the Giro. He is good enough to finish top 5 and it wouldn't take a miracle (which he has produced before) to see him winning. At his career best - he wins again, but I think he is a long way short of that and a podium spot would be a fine effort for the veteran.
3 - Denis Menchov (16/1) - An old Falcon favourite who always flys under the radar. A two time winner of the Vuleta, and backed that up by winning the Giro this year. He can hang with the best in the mountains and is usually a better time trialler than the better climbers. Previously regarded as a follower he found the courage to attack on a couple of stages here last year. Super consistent and is sure to be in the finish on all the big stages, especially with Rabobank teammate Robert Gesink to assist him in the mountains.
2 - Alberto Contador (5/4 fav) - The new golden boy of world cycling who has taken over the Armstrong mantle as the premier 3-week Stage rider. In 2008 he added the Giro (after being hauled back from a beach holiday with his girlfriend) and the Vuleta to his palmiers to go with his 2007 Tour win. This makes him one of only 5 riders in cycling history to have won all three Grand Tours. Not even Lance can match that. He can climb, he can time trial, he has the best team. Hell...he'll probably win. But then again, remember what happened to the favourite last year.
1 - Andy Schleck (8/1) - This may be a matter of heart over head as I tipped the Luxembourgian to win the 2009 edition as soon as the 2008 running of the Tour finished - so I can't jump off the bandwagon now! Andy burst onto the stage as a future star with a memorable performance in last years Tour. He was bolting on L'Alpe, but could not be unleashed as his teammate Carlos Sastre was riding to overall victory up the road. Even though he finished only 12th in the overall standings it was a performance good enough to have the experts taking notice. Since then he has finished an excellent 5th at the Beijing Olympics in the road race, and early in 2009 he took out his first major classic with victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege. His climbing is majestic, and his time-trialling ability will be serviceable enough in an edition of the race that only contains 55km of that discipline. He has the same team that rode Sastre to victory last year. HE CAN WIN! (I hope)
Best Outsider - Linus Gerdermann (300/1)
Gerdermann is on the comeback trail from injury after bursting onto the scene when taking the stage, and the yellow jersey, in the race to Le-Grand Bornard in the 2007 edition of the Tour. The route once again stops at Le-Grand Bornard this year and Gerdermann could suprise a few people with a high GC finish. He showed he was in decent form this year with a top 10 finish in the shorter stage race Tirreno-Adriatico.
Prices courtesy of Betfair. (Always gamble responsibly)
Stay tuned for a preview of the green jersey competition.
Welcome!
Hello cycling fans! After a successful and well received debut on the blogosphere ,with day-to-day coverage of the 2008 Tour de France and Beijing Olympics, The Falcon is back again to cover the greatest annual sporting event on the planet. The 2009 edition of Le Tour is sure to be one of the most anticipated in years as none other than his Lanceness returns for a crack at an 8th title. He joins former winners, Oscar Pereiro, Carlos Sastre, and hot favourite Alberto Contador for the usual three week rollick around France. Oh, and a little known Aussie by the name of Cadel Evans will be joining them (presumably his mangy dog will be making the trip as well).
Stay tuned for previews, coverage of every stage, and the type of controversial insight you won't find anywhere else. And new this year - live stage updates as they race!
Stay tuned for previews, coverage of every stage, and the type of controversial insight you won't find anywhere else. And new this year - live stage updates as they race!
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