2010 Tour de France preview

On the eve of the Tour de France I figured it would be appropriate to discuss it on my blog. This years route is fairly interesting in that it starts in Rotterdam and then proceeds to follow the North Sea which will provide a wind that could cause separations in the peleton. Throughout the first week cobblestones and tight streets in the finish cities could destroy a contenders chance at the overall victory. The end of the first week will be history making as Friday's stage ends with a mountaintop finish in the Jura mountains. The race will clearly be won in either the Alps or the Pyrennnes. Alberto Contador is on the record as saying that the Pyrennes will be the deciding factor in this Tour. Let's hope so as this would provide some last minute heroics. It should be noted the fabled Col du Tourmalet, first climbed a hundred years ago, will be climbed twice in three days. Among this years contenders are Frank and Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador, Christian Vandevelde, Ivan Basso, World Champion Cadel Evans, and Lance Armstrong. Those who could be contenders will be Bradley Wiggins, Michael Rogers, Samuel Sanchez, Robert Gisink, Denis Menchov, and Vladimir Karpets of Katusha. The French will once again hope that somebody comes through with a great showing and is competitive. They haven't won the tour in almost thirty years. Alberto Contador is the clear favorite with his excellent climbing and time trialing skills. I believe Contador will repeat as champion again.