Tour de France

**Pauro 76** · 30/06/2006, 9:02 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ng/5132320.stm

Tour de France starting soon...No Armstrong and no Ullrich either! Ivan Basso the early favourite so. any sign of Mark Scanlon this year?

**Pauro 76** · 30/06/2006, 9:10 AM

To answer my own question, he's in AG2R's squad.... best of luck, hope he pulls off a stage win or two....

http://www.tdfblog.com/2004/06/more_tour_squad.html

**Macy** · 30/06/2006, 9:29 AM

ITV3 have live coverage of the prologue and 1st stage, and then have the highlights 7pm each night on ITV4. Classic combination of Liggett/ Sherwen/ Imlach as well. (both Free to air on Satellite)

TG4 looks like highlights only this year, but I could be wrong.

I had fancied Vinokourov with team backing this year, but still doubts about whether his team will be let race. Ullrich suspended from T-Mobile this morning over the Spanish doping investigation, and Basso apparently implicated too. Turning a bit into 1998 all over again, before a pedal turned.

**Dodge** · 30/06/2006, 9:29 AM

Thats the 2004 squad Pauro. Check the date

http://www.letour.fr/2006/TDF/RIDERS/us/engages.html
Click above for Provisional squads. None of th Irish lads on them. Scanlon's had another poxy year for injuries

**Dodge** · 30/06/2006, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

TG4 looks like highlights only this year, but I could be wrong.

Live when Wimbledon finishes and live streaming on the internet too for all us work shy public servants

I had fancied Vinokourov with team backing this year, but still doubts about whether his team will be let race. Ullrich suspended from T-Mobile this morning over the Spanish doping investigation, and Basso apparently implicated too. Turning a bit into 1998 all over again, before a pedal turned.

Vinokourov's team won case in CAS so they'll definitely be in but Liberty Seguros pulled sponsorship so working on a budget that’s 25% of what it was. If basso rides he should win by 10+ minutes. Small e/w bet on Avezado (best team, can TT ok, brilliant in mountains and now doesn't have to look after Lance)

**Pauro 76** · 30/06/2006, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Thats the 2004 squad Pauro. Check the date

http://www.letour.fr/2006/TDF/RIDERS/us/engages.html
Click above for Provisional squads. None of th Irish lads on them. Scanlon's had another poxy year for injuries

oops... another tour without Scanlon. This years tour seems a bit odd without Armstrong...

**Dodge** · 30/06/2006, 10:31 AM

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...n06/jun30news3

Basso out now too...

**Macy** · 30/06/2006, 11:07 AM

Really makes the race wide open. Interesting the teams pulling people out, without substitutes - normally they deny until found guilty.

**finlma** · 30/06/2006, 11:28 AM

It wouldn't be a Tour De France without all the scandal. Can't believe that Basso and Ulrich are out. I know see Vinikourov, Rasmussen and Avazedo as the main contenders.

Paddy Power have suspended betting anyway - no suprise.

I'm reading Paul Kimmage's Rough Ride at the moment - great read if you've any interest in cycling.

**Dodge** · 30/06/2006, 11:49 AM

Kimmage is a ******. 5 of Vinikourov's team suspended. Ruins any chance he had IMO. Azevado or Floyd Landis for me

**The Stars** · 30/06/2006, 2:08 PM

Sligo man Scanlon was plauged with injuries agian this year and wont be taking part.
He was on standby for some tour a few months back,got called into it but coulnt finish the last 2 stages as he wasnt fit enough as he was only back from injury.
Anyones race this year after the news of Ullrich and Basso.
Fancied Basso to win it aswell.

**Macy** · 30/06/2006, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

5 of Vinikourov's team suspended. Ruins any chance he had IMO.

Sure he did alright last year when he was racing against his own team!Assuming his team make it has a chance now.

Leiphiemer(sp?) may come into the reckoning after winning the Dauphine, as well as Landis. Discovery obviously strengthened by others being weakened...

**Risteard** · 30/06/2006, 6:52 PM

I'm lazy. What happened to Ullrich?
I'm presuming Mario Cippolini is out too or is he still having great starts and then pulling out?

**Seagull** · 30/06/2006, 8:50 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

I'm presuming Mario Cippolini is out too or is he still having great starts and then pulling out?

**Dodge** · 01/07/2006, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Seagull

Be nice...

Cippolini's job was to win the sprint stages at the start of the race. Whn he did that, he was allowed leave the race having won enough prize money for the team and exposure for the sponsors. he was far too big to make it over the mountains so rather than kill himself trying, he put his feet up and watch the madmen do it on TV

Vino's out as his tema hadn't 5 riders. Mancebo gone now. No replacements allowed for any of the banned lot so Telekom down to 7 and a couple down to 8.

**pete** · 02/07/2006, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by finlma

I'm reading Paul Kimmage's Rough Ride at the moment - great read if you've any interest in cycling.

Great read if into sports. No surprise that Kimmage has made a living writing as he has an easy style. Recommended reading to all.

Has cycling finally killed itself? Years of neglect on drugs issues exploding again. I suppose nothing will really be done until sponsors walk away? I'm sure sponsors not happy having their logos plastered all over supected drug cheats?

**Dodge** · 02/07/2006, 12:14 PM

But if cycling has less than a quarter of the people on that list (football rumoured to have over half) why is cycling the only one trying to clean it up?

**CollegeTillIDie** · 02/07/2006, 6:49 PM

Is this not the EPO World Championships?

**Macy** · 03/07/2006, 7:45 AM

As Dodge says, the latest scandal involves far more than cycling. Footballers and athletes make up most of the list.

I don't think cyclings clean, but I honestly don't think it's any more riddled with drugs than any other sport. Most tested, sport people are most cynical about yes (hence all the headlines around this time of the year), but there's nothing that cyclists have been found doing that wouldn't be of "benefit" to other sports, who simply choose not to test for them.

**pete** · 03/07/2006, 1:08 PM

Football has a very poor record in enforcing and punishing drugs offenders. However in cycling i think its probably has been that virtually run by the teams themselves.