With its stellar field and plenty of intriguing sub-plots, the Tour Down Under, which begins Sunday in Adelaide, Australia, has increased anticipation this year.
How will Lance Armstrong and Team RadioShack debut? How is Stuart O'Grady faring? What will Team Astana have to offer this season? How's George Hincapie and BMC coming along?
Will the Tour Down Under mark the beginning of the build-up to a Tour de France first: four U.S.-based teams — BMC, Garmin-Transitions, HTC-Columbia, RadioShack — in the field?
So, with the new season upon us, what better time than now to list 10 things that would be cool to see in the 2010 season?
1. Christian Vande Velde on the Tour de France podium. Never bad mouths anyone. No overt bravado. Nice guy who works hard, endures pain, doesn't whine. Paid a lot of dues for a long time. The 'cat just just keeps riding his bike.
2. Jens Voigt winning a Classic or grabbing a stage on a long breakaway in an important stage race. Is any more deserving for one last time in the spotlight before they retire?
3. George Hincapie riding agressively.
4. Michael Ball understanding actions speak louder than words.
5. A U.S. woman emerging as a global star. Mix the moxie of Missy Giove (minus the drug charges), the tough-as-nails-but-sweet personality of Alison Dunlap and the determination of Kristin Armstrong. OK, we'll say it . . . throw in a little clevage. Ride like hell. A star is born. Erica Allar, women's cycling needs you.
6. Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner remaining injury-free. These guys are getting too much like Tyler Hamilton, respectively riding at their best only after overcoming another crash, another cracked sternum, another set of fracutured ribs. Stay on your bikes, dammit.
7. Tyler Farrar and Mark Cavendish in the mix at the end of stages, both with strong lead-out trains and both getting their share of wins. Seems to me, Cavo could use a little "humble pie."
8. Lance Armstrong winning a Classic or a Tour de France mountain stage. Like him or not, he's a great showman. Pantani, Ullrich are long gone now, but wouldn't it be classic to see Contador, Andy Schleck, maybe Basso and Armstrong together on a final climb and LA using the look one more time?
9. David Zabriskie getting serious just once and winning the world ITT title.
10. UCI, WADA, USADA, ASO all understanding it's really not about them.
Tour de France Archive (1997-2009)
Tour de France Postcards (1997-2009)
Comments
Actually, her name is spelled Erica Allar.
(This correction has been brought to you by Google image search.)
Correction made. I think she just got prettier.
Number 10 is the big winner!! Without riders & races they would have no job.
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