Tour de France 2007 Favorites
Without Ivan Basso, Jan Ulrich, and Lance Armstrong, it is easy to pick the favorites in this year’s Tour de France. Even with Floyd Landis, and this may not happen, clearly Alexandre Vinokourov is on top.
Vinokourov’s experience and power in the mountains are his assets. I remember the 2004 Tour that he went toe to toe with Ulrich and Armstrong. This is the moment for him to get the coveted jersey.
Who’s behind Vinokourov? Alejandro Valverde flashes into my mind when he beat Armtrong in one of the Alps. He has been a perennial contenter, probably won last year if he could had turned luck into his side. He needs it this year, a luck that he will stay healthy by avoiding crashes.
The Discovery Channel team was confused last year of who was there leader. Levi Leipheimer is now back with the Discovery Channel and he will be ready to battle. With the teamwork and tactics of Discovery, we might see another American winning the tour.