So is Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team manager Johan Bruyneel serious with his list of 3 strongest challengers for beating Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France this year?
Jan Ullrich. Alexandre Vinokourov. Ivan Basso.
All are serious contenders, but I think he's trying to mess with the riders' heads over on the T-Mobile bus, especially by choosing two from the same team.
Bruyneel, regarded as being the leading tactical advisor in the Tour, is sending a message to T-Mobile that two of their members — Ullrich (1st in '97) and Vinokourov (3rd in '03)– both have a chance to beat Armstrong. Will this motivate them or split them apart? Who does the team follow?
And what kind of hard feelings does this create for Andreas Kloden, who beat teammate Ullrich in the Tour last year, finishing in second place? Are those three going to be willing to sacrifice themselves for one of the others?
After his gutsy performance in the Giro d'Italia, I like Basso's heart. But can he win the Tour? When he visited Seattle this winter, OLN commentator Bob Roll said Basso is a great rider, but he's too nice to win the Tour.
Time will tell. The Tour starts Saturday. This guide tells where to follow it.
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