At the Precipice: 5 GC Riders that Must Have a Great 2010 Tour de France

There are many subplots in play for the upcoming Tour de France, including several riders that are under significant pressure to deliver a top result. Below are 5 that come to mind for EP.

Mick Rogers has already had a great 2010 season, with overall stage wins at the Vuelta a Andalucia and an impressive overall title at the Amgen Tour of California, but he has yet to realize his potential at the Tour de France. Over the years the Australian has suffered all manner of set backs at the Tour, including sickness, crashes and poor team support. 2010 will see him enter the Tour in the form of his life, with his confidence at an all time high. With a strong HTC-Columbia team behind him, Rogers must deliver a top result at the 2010 Tour. Muddying the picture for Rogers is the fact that teammate Mark Cavendish is gunning for the green jersey and stage wins, but the fact remains that a top ten performance at the 2010 Tour is imperative if Rogers hopes to be considered a grand tour favorite in future years.

Andy Schleck has had a poor 2010 season, there is just no other way to say it. He hasn’t managed a win yet in 2010 until just this weekend at his national time trial competition, and his form has seemed average at best in the lead up to the Tour. Luckily for the younger Schleck he has age on his side and many years in the future to make good on his grand tour promise. Still, his 2010 season will be looked back on as an unquestioned failure should he fail to finish in the top 5 on the overall or take a stage win in France over the course of the three week stage race.

Brad Wiggins talked a big game at the beginning of the season as he left the Garmin-Transitions team to seek glory as a part of the new British Sky team and then again this week, saying his prep has been "near perfect". Now entrenched as the sole GC leader of the black and blue, Wiggo needs to come good in the 2010 Tour or suffer the wrath of the media and fans alike. After an unbelievable 4th overall in 2009, a podium is a must if Wiggins is to justify the confidence put into him by Sky management.

Cadel Evans has had an excellent 2010 season, in large part because he has managed to stay out of the media spotlight. He has blazed a trail throughout the first half of the 2010 season for his new BMC team, but after falling short at the Giro and with no plan to ride the Vuelta, the 2010 Tour will be Cadel’s last chance at GC glory in the grand tours. The BMC team assembled to support Evans is solid but not overly impressive, and if he is to win the Tour he’ll have to attack in the mountains and impress in the lone time trial. After an abysmal 2009 Tour that saw him finish 30th overall and more than 45 minutes behind winner Contador, 2010 needs to be a year of redemption for Cadel if he is to be considered a team leader in 2011 and beyond. With exception to his average team support, all the other pieces seem to be in place for Evans to shine at the Tour. Now all he needs to do is actually go out and race fearlessly to win, like he has all season.

Alberto Contador is not a name that comes to mind when considering riders that must have an excellent 2010 Tour to validate their seasons, but he should be. The Spaniard is riding for a completely revamped Astana team following the departure of Lance Armstrong and the bulk of the GC team to Radioshack, and Contador has once again staked his entire year on a Tour victory. “El Pistolero” is without a doubt the main favorite for victory, but still he has his share of doubters. In a recent EP poll (still posted in the right bar on this page), Contador losing the Tour garnered 27% of the vote (110 of 407 votes) for the biggest surprise prediction of the 2010 Tour. It seems as though 2010 has more overall contenders than in past years, and if Contador is to win he will most certainly have to earn it. The question remains though: Can Contador resist Armstrong, the Schlecks and the rest? If not, his 2010 season will be remembered as one that was more failure than success.

Connection Discovery: Could Radioshack and BMC Unite at the Tour de France to Thwart Contador?

Radioshack and BMC teaming up at the Tour de France in hopes of beating Alberto Contador. It's a long shot, but shouldn't it still at least be considered a possibility? Lance Armstrong, leader of the Radioshack team, has assembled a Tour squad capable of controlling the race from start to finish if need be. The Texan is on fire in the month of June, looking stronger and stronger as the Tour approaches.

The BMC team meanwhile is far less strong overall than the Radioshack team, but they have two powerhouse riders in George Hincapie and Cadel Evans that could be invaluable to Armstrong as he tries to win his 8th Tour title. Hincapie, a world-renowned cobbles rider and all around strongman, would be invaluable to Armstrong on the early cobbled stages as well as in the medium mountains, while Cadel Evans is a climber among climbers, a super domestique in the making, should he choose that role in this year's Tour.

Conspiracy theories usually do not prove to be true. In most cases, wild ideas disappear in the moment of reality. But you have to admit, to see the above scenario play out sure would be cool. Armstrong already has an amazing team behind him. Were he to add the forces of the BMC team to those of his Radioshack team, he would be very very tough to beat.

So what's in it for Hincapie, Evans and the rest of BMC? More than you would think upon first blush. Hincapie, in many ways, owes his cycling success and especially his marketing appeal to Armstrong. Teammates throughout Armstrong's run of seven Tours, Hincapie learned not only how to deal with the enormous pressure of being expected to win each year, but he also learned how to brand himself from Armstrong. In their time together, Hincapie founded his own cycling clothing manufacturer, launched a designer line of jeans and initiated the Breakaway From Cancer Foundation, a charitable organization that raises money for cancer research . . . not unlike Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation.

Helping Armstrong win the Tour would be one final way that Hincapie could thank Armstrong for all that has transpired over the years. Not that Hincapie didn't do all the above things himself. He has stood on his own two feet as a pro since the outset, but without Armstrong's presence it is doubtful that he would have as many off the bike opportunities as he does today.

For Cadel Evans, perhaps knowing that someone other than Alberto Contador will win the Tour is enough to get him to ride tempo for Armstrong in the most important high mountain stages. The world champion has already had a stellar 2010 season, and winning the Tour overall with the BMC team he has around him seems a long shot at best. If he decides to ride for Armstrong, it is likely that at some point he would have a chance for a stage win along the way. Not a bad consolation prize for a man who has, at best, a 10% chance of winning the Tour overall.

As mentioned above, conspiracy theories usually end up as just that, theories. But the above scenario is one that s just too juicy not to consider. Whether or not Armstrong gets the support of the BMC team may not matter, as the team he has around him for this year's Tour is nothing shot of dominant. If he adds the horsepower of Hincapie, Evans and the rest of the BMC team to his Tour de France try, he would be a shoo-in for the podium and would stand a much better chance of winning the overall title. Just sayin'.

Andre Greipel Left Off HTC Tour Team: Final Nail in the Coffin for Gorrilla?

Andre Greipel has made it no secret that he believes he is every bit as good a sprinter as his teammate Mark Cavendish. The German had the second most wins in 2009 behind Cavendish, and thus far in 2010 he has notched more victories than his English teammate. With the Tour de France only a week away, Greipel found out today what most, including him, thought would happen: He has been left off the Tour team yet again.

Andre Greipel, like many great sprinters, is outspoken, confident and sometimes abrasive. he believes he can beat anyone . . . including Cavendish, and so he us understandably upset at not being able to contest the sprints at the Tour for another year. Instead he'll sit back and watch the Tour and his HTC team, while Cavendish leads the team in the sprints as he hunts for the green jersey. For Greipel meanwhile, 2010 will likely be the last year that he doesn't ride the Tour.

Bob Stapleton and the HTC management are in a tough spot. They have two great sprinters, each with a unique skill set, each capable of being outright team leaders in the world's most prestigious stage races. But at the Tour, you can't go in with two sprint leaders. You have to choose one or the other, and hope your choice proves wise.

Mark Cavendish is young, already hugely accomplished, and completely unwilling to take a back seat to anyone, whether teammate or rival. With the formation of the new British Sky team, HTC management must be careful not to alienate Cavendish lest he jump ship and go ride for Dave Brailsford and team Sky. In fact, no matter what they do, HTC-Columbia could still end up seeing Cavendish choose to transfer to Sky once his contract is up.

Leaving Greipel off the Tour team for 2010 seals the deal for Greipel's departure from the team. He clearly should not have to wait to lead a Pro Tour team at the world's biggest races, and there are plenty of teams that could use his services, Lotto, Milram and Katyusha to name a few. Greipel's contract is up at the end of this season, and it would be no surprise to see the German announce his new destination for 2011 during the Tour.

If Mark Cavendish goes to the Tour, wins a few stages and takes the green jersey, all will be well in HTC's world. If though the Brit crashes out, or comes up empty in his quest for more stage wins, Bob Stapleton and the rest of the HTC crew will be questioned long into the off season for their decision to leave Greipel at home.

This coming July will also probably be the last month that Greipel enjoys without the astronomical pressure that comes with being an undisputed team leader. 2011 will see the German shoulder the full load in the biggest races, and if results don't come it will be interesting to see how he reacts throughout the year.

Father's Day Weekend Cycling Hot Topics and Key Thoughts

It was a busy and eventful weekend for the cycling world, as the Tour de Swiss wrapped up over in Europe, the final chance for the world to see some of the big Tour de France contenders ahead of the start in Rotterdam. National championships too are upon us, as riders will vie for the right to wear their country's colors on their backs over the next calendar year. Some of the juiciest nuggets from this past weekend . . .

Lance Armstrong is ready for the Tour. After a strong second place finish at the Tour de Swiss, the American has the fitness to be at least considered an outside favorite for his eighth yellow jersey. He is calm, fit and riding with a full team behind him, arguably the strongest team at the Tour.

Frank Schleck, we never knew thee. The lanky older brother of phenom brother Andy rolled to the overall Tour de Swiss victory behind the time trial of his life. Schleck is already a very dangerous climber, and with his sudden new found time trialing ability, he'll demand respect as an overall threat come Tour time. If he can come close to duplicating his Swiss performance against the clock in France, he could find himself on the overall podium when the Tour arrives in Paris.

Kim Kirchin had a heart attack?!?!?!!!? Weird. Very weird. The Luxembourg all-arounder collapsed this past week and was brought back from the dead by a team doctor. Supposedly he has stabilized, but obviously he will miss the Tour and his career must be considered in jeopardy. All this is a huge shame for one of the nicest pros riding today. May he heal fast and completely, and be back in the peloton for the world championships.

Ivan Basso will be the undisputed leader of the Liquigas team for the Tour after Vincenzo Nibali was left off the team this week. Basso will have Romain Kreuziger on his team as well, but clearly the Italian will lead the team as he tries the mythical Giro/Tour double. Basso certainly has his work cut out for him, but with only one time trial this year's Tour is definitely suited to Basso's style.

Christian Vande Velde, for the second year in a row, comes into the Tour still healing from injuries. He himself claims that his form is improving by the day, and he'll be riding as a part of one of the strongest teams in the Tour, Garmin-Transitions. Vande Velde has little to lose in this year's Tour, he'll ride with no pressure. Expect him to easily go top ten and be a dark horse to surprise the world with a podium placing . . . providing his form continues to improve.

Floyd Landis competed in this past Sunday's Tour of Nevada City Cycling Classic. He was on the call ups list, and was booed lustily when his name was called. The former Bahati Foundation rider donned an Arrogant Bastard Ale jersey and made the final selection of the day. He fell short of making the podium and finished in fourth place. After the race he coasted to the start finish area and stayed around to speak to the crowd and sign autographs. In my 30+ years of watching bike racing, I have never before seen the 4th place finisher in a pro criterium stay around after the race. It was sad to see Floyd seeming to be in such desperate need of attention. It is hoped that the future will be brighter for the embattled former elite cyclist.

Getting It Done: With the Tour de France Fast Approaching, Lance Armstrong Shows Promising Form

You don't ever doubt Lance Armstrong. You just don't. Despite being one of the older contenders in this year's Tour de France, despite relatively few racing miles thus far in 2010, despite having to endure yet another doping investigation, Armstrong looks primed once again to be front and center at the Tour de France in two weeks time. The 7-time Tour winner has had an eventful June month, using both the Skoda Tour of Luxembourg and now the Tour de Swiss as the final preparation for an assault on an eighth Tour title. And he's looking better and better every day he is on his bike.

Behind solid team support from Andreas Kloden and Levi Leipheimer, Armstrong stayed with the first chase group in today's queen stage at the Tour de Swiss, flashing the climbing prowess that won him seven Tours in a row just a few years ago. Clearly he is not as dominant as he once was, but right now he is as good or better than all of the other Tour contenders racing the Tour de Swiss. That must make the Texan feel great with two weeks yet remaining until the Tour.

As the 2010 cycling season unfolded, it seemed that as we drew closer to the Tour, Armstrong seemed to suffer more set backs. After having to pull out of Milan-San Remo and other early season races, things built to a crescendo at the Amgen Tour of California as Armstrong crashed out of the race, losing valuable racing miles. Yet looking back at it now, it would seem that it had little or no effect on his preparation. He is showing strong form ahead of the Tour, and he and his Radioshack team will head into the Tour as one of the stronger overall teams entered.

If nothing else, Lance Armstrong has shown the world the he knows how to prepare for the world's biggest bike race. He won the Tour seven times in a row not by chance, not by accident, but by exhaustive preparation and dogged determination. And while his path the the 2009 Tour has been a bit unorthodox when compared to past years, Armstrong nevertheless seems to be in about the same place as he always is in mid June: Strong and getting stronger. How strong remains to be seen, but it is sure that Armstrong won't be an also-ran in the hunt for the 2010 Tour title.

Denis Menchov: World's Most Underestimated Grand Tour Threat

Denis Menchov has been around a long time in the sport of professional cycling, in fact more than ten years. And in that time, the Russian powerhouse has become one of the best stage racers in the world. Only problem is, you wouldn't know it because Menchov flies under the radar despite the fact that he has three grand tour overall wins to his credit and two top five finishes at the Tour de France. He is a quiet, humble and sometimes unengaging character, and for all of these reasons and more he is not immediately thought of as a rider capable of beating the best in the world at the biggest bike race in the world, the Tour de France. But he should be.

Menchov has a rare combination of power on the climbs and against the clock in the time trial, and when he prepares specifically for a race he is usually very tough to beat. In last year's Giro d'Italia, "The Silent Storm" fended off attack after attack en route to claiming the overall prize in the Centennial edition of the race, and this year he has his sights set on the Tour. He'll bring a strong team with him to France, as he looks to win the Tour for the first time.

Some may not remember that Menchov won the best young rider classification at the Tour in 2003. It was then that he showed his potential as a grand tour winner, and he made good on that promise beginning in 2005, when he won the overall title at the Vuelta a Espana. He won the Vuelta again in 2007 and then added the Giro last year. All that is left is the Tour, and at the age of 32 Menchov is at the best point in his career to make a run at the yellow jersey, Alberto Contador be damned.

Even if Menchov manages to win the Tour this year, he still probably won't enjoy favorite status in future stage races. Because he is a calm mannered athlete, both the press and cycling fans forget his power. He'll have his work cut out for him this year against Contador and the other top contenders, but his chance is as good as any for victory. As the press talks up the chances of Contador, Andy Schleck, Ivan Basso and even Lance Armstrong, Menchov waits in the background for the perfect moment to strike. At this stage in his career he has learned how to win grand tours, and after showing strong form at the Dauphine Libere, he looks on track for a Tour assault.

Motivation is extremely high for Menchov as well for this year's Tour. He is in a contract year, and rumors have linked him heavily to the Russian Katyusha team. A strong Tour de france ride would likely give him more bargaining leverage as he negotiates what will likely be his most lucrative contract to date. Also, having conquered the Vuelta and Giro, Menchov will be hopiong to match Alberto Contador as the only active rider to have won all three grand tours.

Denis Menchov, like every other rider not named Alberto Contador, will be hard-pressed to ride away with this year's Tour. But if things stay close throughout the first two weeks, don't be surprised to see Menchov in and among the leaders as the final stages unfold. He has the legs, the mind and the experience to win in France at Le Tour, now all that is left is to put his plan in action. The world's most underestimated stage racer, in only about a month's time, could have a new moniker in addition to "The Silent Storm": Cycling Patron.

The Schleck Double Threat: How Frank and Andy Can Conquer the Tour

Andy Schleck has established himself as one of the brightest young stage racing stars of cycling after two runner up results in both the Giro and Tour de France. An excellent climber and ever-improving time trialist, the younger of the two Schlecks seems on the right track for stage racing glory in the near future. Andy's older brother Frank, at 30 years old, is in the absolute prime of his career. He is a classics winner and a Tour de France stage winner. At his age his average time trialing skills probably won't improve, but as a climber he is still a proven commodity. Unfailingly loyal and tactically sound, Frank is always willing to put aside his own chances at victory to support those of his younger brother.

Providing they have a few things go their way in the upcoming Tour de France, the Schleck brothers could turn the race on its head, and in the process put Andy on the top step of the overall podium. Each year of his career Andy has improved his time trialing and so he should be able to limit his losses in the year's Tour. He is riding on a strong team that is more than capable of supporting him, and he'll go into the Tour as the team's number one protected rider.

Leading the squad from the team car will be the always wily Bjarne Riis. The Dane is recognized as one of the top two cycling tacticians in the sport (Johan Bruyneel being the other), and his decisions at key moments during key races have seen his riders ride away with victory time and time again. Riis seems to know just when to alert his riders to attack, and having both Andy and Frank on his Tour team will give Riis all the ammo he needs to put the peloton through fits come Tour time.

At a grand tour, it is extremely hard to control a race once you are the race leader. The prologue offers and 8 kilometer test against the clock, and Alberto Contdor's first chance to take yellow. He'll likely not take the jersey though, and it wont be until stage 8 that we see the first real shuffling in the GC. If Contador takes the jersey during stage 8, it would give Riis and his Saxo team a great chance to put the Spaniard's team into difficulty in the following days. In fact, the 9th stage is brutal despite being after a rest day and whomever holds the yellow jersey heading into the day will find it a tough task indeed to defend, especially against the likes of the two Schlecks.

Andy Schleck is only 25 years old, and still building himself into the best bike rider he can be. Still, his time as a top contender began a year ago and every year from now on he'll be considered one of the top three threats to take yellow. After a tough early season marked by sickness and injury, he and his brother seem ready for the Tour. Operating as one unit split into two bodies, the Schlecks present a daunting challenge to any team looking to control them at the Tour. Whether they can prevail against the likes of Alberto Contador, Denis Menchov, Ivan Basso and the rest is yet to be seen, but like they say two is better than one. The Saxo Schlecks will look to prove that theorem true in a few weeks at the biggest bike race in the world.

Dauphine Libere Lead Changes As Janez Brajkovic Shines

Janez Brajkovic has long been thought of as a strong stage racer with limitless upside. The Slovenian has studied under such cycling luminaries as Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador during his more than five years as a professional, and the lessons he has learned over the years are clearly starting to pay dividends. After a stellar time trial ride at the Dauphine Libere today, Brajkovic sits in first place overall, in the driver's seat heading into the decisive stages of the race.

Brajkovic, in addition to being a consummate professional on the bike, is also well known as a stand up guy off it. He is always available for a photo or autograph signing for his fans, and has also made a reputation as a rider that is approachable for the media as well. To see such a well-mannered guy reaping success is no surprise to those fans that have followed him over the years.

At only 26 years old, Brajkovic's best years are still ahead of him. He has steadily built himself into a strong all-around rider in the first portion of his career, and the time has come for Brajkovic to begin thinking of himself as a protagonist as some of the world's biggest stage races. He may give up the race lead eventually in this year's Dauphine, but either way he'll be able to take big confidence out of his performance at this year's race as he continues to build himself into a stronger and stronger racer.

Two other big names racing the Dauphine, Denis Menchov and Alberto Contador, also look strong ahead of the Tour de France. Although Contador lost his leader's jersey after a so-so time trial, there is clearly nothing to worry about. He is strong now and will be stronger come July, and he'll be very tough to beat for this year's Tour.

Denis Menchov too rode a strong time trial, showing that despite only a few actual racing days thus far in 2010 he is clearly on track for a try at the Tour overall. Menchov tends to get lost in the shuffle due to his quiet demeanor. Make no mistake though, Menchov is a big talent who is capable of great things at the Tour. He knows how to listen to his body and tune for a specific race, and he'll be a big threat as an overall contender come July. Now though, it will be tempo and a gradual building of form for Menchov for the rest of the Dauphine.

Interestingly, Sammy Sanchez has been MIA thus far in the Dauphine, riding anonymously in the middle of the field. He may come to the fore when the big climbs begin in the coming days, but as of yet he has been quiet . . . almost too quiet. Ditto for Chris Horner, who seems a bit off form but should still be in with a good shot at a stage win in the coming days. He'll have to ride to defend Brajkovic's lead, but he still may have a chance to slip away for a stage win if the conditions are right.

Americans Tejay Van Garderen and Andrew Talansky Set to Take Over Pro Cycling in 2011 and Beyond

Tejay Van Garderen and Andrew Talansky. If you don't know those two names yet, learn them. You'll be reading all about them over at least the next ten years in the world of pro cycling. Both very young, motivated and as of now humble, Van Garderen and Talansky are capable of big things at the highest level of the sport. In fact, each has already accomplished some amazing feats in their brief careers.

Van Garderen, riding for the HTC-Columbia team, has blossomed as a part of one of the strongest Pro Tour teams in the world. An American on an American-registered team, Van Garderen benefits from an Internationally diverse roster that nevertheless speaks English as the primary language. Therefore, Van Garderen can easily understand the valuable advice being imparted to him from such cycling veterans as Marco Pinotti, Bernhard Eisel and the rest of the HTC-Columbia team.

Currently racing at the Dauphine Libere, Van Garderen is showing his prowess as a stage racing star of the near future. After an amazing 2nd place finish in the opening prologue, the 21 year old sits in 2nd place overall, with all of the tough mountain stages yet to come. A strong climber and a quick learner, Van Garderen is increasing his cycling acumen ten fold by racing in the Dauphine, where such stars as Alberto Contador and Denis Menchov are riding. To see Van Garderen stay with the best in the world throughout the week is probably unrealistic, but a strong performance for at least one of the mountain stages seems well within the realm of reason.

Unlike Van Garderen, Andrew Talansky is still classified as an elite amateur. After a brief stint riding for the Amore-Vita squad in 2009, Talansky made the tactical decision to move back to the elite amateur level. He received minimal support from the Amore Vita team in 2009, and so he wanted to find himself a part of a team that would help him achieve results in some of the bigger stage races in America. Thus far, his plan to ride for the California Giant Berry Farms team has worked to perfection.

Talansky's first big result of 2010 came at the San Dimas stage race, where he claimed the best young rider classification. It was an occurrence that would become a trend in the coming months. Next, it was on to the SRAM Tour of the Gila, where he took the best young rider classification and an impressive 6th overall. Next up was a stint in Europe, where the Napa, California resident impressed at the Volta Ciclista Provincia Tarragona stage race in Spain. He held the leader's jersey for a time, won a stage, and eventually finished second overall, and now at the halfway point in the season he can look back on what has been a stellar 2010 campaign.

Talansky's time at the elite amateur level will likely be only for the remainder of 2010, if not less time than that. Rumors have linked him to the Garmin-Transitions team, but Talansky himself has said simply that he has offers, and is considering his options. A smart kid for his age, Talansky seems to be able to sense where his best option lies in both racing and business, and so he'll surely make the right choice when deciding who he'll race for in 2011.

Although they both still have a long way to go, the next three years should see both Van Garderen and Talansky gain favorite status at the highest level of the sport. Both can time trial, both can climb, and assuming that both continue to have great teams surrounding them, their potential as cycling stars is unlimited. Much hard work lies ahead for each of them, but as long as they put in the miles on the road, both should be household cycling names no later than 2012.

Philly to Goss and HTC, Dauphine Prologue to Contador as Summer Cycling Heats Up

The Philadelphia International championship was won for the second year in a row by the HTC-Columbia team, as Matt Goss bested young phenom Peter Sagan of the Liquigas team for the win in hot, muggy conditions. Goss, given a chance to ride for himself, made good on his team's confidence edging Sagan, the heavy pre-race favorite. For Sagan meanwhile it's no harm no foul, as the young Slovak has already had his share of big wins thus far in 2010. A huge talent, the Philly race likely saw its first, and last, participation of Sagan in its race as the Slovak will hunt for wins and form in Europe come June 2011.

At the Dauphine Libere, it was Alberto Contador who took top honors at the prologue, an 8 kilometer test against the clock. Contador showed that he is without a doubt the number one favorite for July's Tour de France, and despite his claims that he won't defend the jersey, it would not be a huge surprise to see Contador at least on the podium by the time the event ends.

As the Dauphine unfolds, it will be very interesting to see who ends up the overall winner. The Radioshack team seems well-placed with the two-pronged attack of Chris Horner and Janez Brajkovic at the helm. Brajkovic had the better prologue ride, but with many tough climbs remaining in the race, Horner is still well within striking distance as well. It has been a pleasant surprise to see Horner given leadership duties for the Radioshack squad, and he has enjoyed one of his best years to date. Despite being one of cycling's elder statesmen, Horner remains one of the top 15 climbers in the world. If his form has held since the spring, he'll be a top threat to win the overall at the Dauphine before switching back to the domestique role for the Tour de France.

One other rider that is worth paying attention to at the Dauphine is Denis Menchov. The Russian is prepping for a try at the overall at the Tour, and after a quiet spring he'll be looking to see how good he is going against the competition at the Dauphine. He was 24 seconds slower than Contador in the prologue, but it seems as though his form is trending upward. Just how good he is will be known once the mountains come calling in the coming days.

In what was a great weekend for cycling on both sides of the pond, the first week in June showed us what we have to look forward to in the coming days in the cycling world. The Tour de Swiss is fast approaching, where the other top Tour guns will ride. The countdown to the Tour is on, and to the meat of the cycling season.

Philly 2010: Paired-Down Field Means Clear Podium Path for Liquigas Duo Chicchi and Sagan

As the Philadelphia International Championship approaches this weekend, it looks very likely that the Liquigas team will be the heavy pre-race favorite for the win behind the strong combo of pure sprinter Francesco Chicchi and young all arounder Peter Sagan. Liquigas, alongside HTC-Columbia, will represent the highest level of professional cycling at the event and as in past years the two teams should be able to control a slightly watered-down field throughout the race.

Unlike in past years, Bjarne Riis and his Saxo Bank team won't be on the start line for Philly, and for the first time in recent years, unlike 2009 or 2008, there are only two Pro Tour teams contesting the race. Therefore, the domestic squads should feel more confident than ever that they have a realistic chance of victory come race day.

Liquigas with Chicchi and Sagan must be considered the heavy favorites for victory. If Chicchi can stay with the front of the race until the end he'll be very hard to outgun, while Sagan is clearly one of the strongest sprinters out of a small group in cycling today. With those two cards to play, expect the other teams in the race to look to Liquigas throughout the day to control the race on behalf of their two leaders.

For HTC meanwhile it will likely be the Matti Goss show, as the Australian looks to improve on his runner up placing in the 2007 edition behind then teammate JJ Haedo. Now a part of the HTC-Columbia team, Goss will have a rare opportunity for himself at Philly, and expect the Aussie to take advantage. He'll be hard-pressed to resist the power of Liquigas, but as a crafty veteran capable of surviving the war of attrition, Goss should be there down the stretch.

Several riders from the American domestic circuit should also be in the mix. Charles Dionne of the Fly V team is a rider capable of winning a race like Philly, and after solid rides at the SRAM Tour of the Gila and Tour of California, he should have the climbing form and finishing sprint necessary to contend down the stretch. Dionne's teammate Jonathan Cantwell is another Fly V rider to watch.

Ivan Dominguez and the Borrajo brothers will form a nice three headed monster for the Jamis-Sutter Home team, but whether they can stand up to the Pro Tour teams remains to be seen. Ditto the Kelly Benefit team, who had a strong Amgen Tour of California showing but saw little from their sprinter Alex Candelario. Candelario has been top 5 in Philly in the recent past though, so he shouldn't be counted out. Also, watch for the youngster Ryan Anderson to make an impact by getting into an early break for the King of the Wall classification.

Finally, the United Healthcare team will bring some serious horsepower to Philly, in the form of Rory Sutherland and Brad White. Both riders have strong sprints, but each would likely need to win as a part of a small break in a race like Philly. Expect on the the two to feature in the break of the day, as they try to take it to the line out of a small bunch.

Unfortunately for the Philadelphia International championship, the race is less International than in past years. Many of the top teams in the world are focusing across the pond ahead of the Tour, so Philly becomes expendable. For Liquigas though, that is clearly not the case, and the Italian Pro Tour outfit should end the day Sunday on the top step of the podium, probably with Peter Sagan.

Dauphine Libere 2010: Final Tour de France Tune Up for GC Stars

The Dauphine Libere, alongside the Tour de Swiss, is THE preparation race for Tour de France hopefuls year in and year out. GC stars flock to the mountainous stage race to test their form ahead of the biggest bike race in the world, as each rider puts the final finishing touches on their form ahead of the Tour. And because the Dauphine ends on June 13th, all of the top Tour favorites still have time after the race to make the necessary adjustments learned at the Dauphine in time for a ideal start to their Tour de France.

As usual, the Dauphine will see a host of strong stage racers at the start line come Sunday. Foremost among these riders is of course Alberto Contador, who will be looking to gauge his fitness ahead of another try for the overall in France come July. "El Pistolero" has had an uneventful run up to this year's Tour, and he'll look to stay upright and safe as he build for July. He likely won't factor into the overall classification for the Dauphine, but he'll still enjoy as much or more attention from the press as the other top rider in the Dauphine.

Denis Menchov, 2009 Giro d'Italia champion, will ride the Dauphine as well. The Russian has decided an all out assault on this year's Tour de France, and has had few results thus far in the season. Menchov is a known quantity in stage races, with overall wins at both the Vuelta and Giro, but has always run into trouble at the Tour. He'll use the Dauphine for his final race prep, and he'll have no excuses should he falter come July.

Quick Step's Kevin Seeldrayers, though not at the top of the list of Tour favorites, will still be a dangerous rider come July and he too is at the Dauphine to try his legs ahead of the Tour. Seeldrayers was an impressive 14th overall at last year's Giro, and he'll ride his first Tour as one of Quick Step's protected riders. Unlike Contador and Menchov, Seeldrayers will likely be willing to go deep into the red zone to try to snatch the Dauphine overall win, and then head to the Tour aiming for a top 10 overall finish. This could be the year that the general cycling public realizes Seeldrayers as a future Tour winner.

Sammy Sanchez, seemingly in mid-season hibernation, returns to big time racing at the Dauphine as well, and although he is pinning his hopes on the GC at the Tour, he'll still try for the overall at the Dauphine as well. His Euskaltel-Euskadi team are stacked with climbers, and they'll support the Olympic road gold medalist through thick and thin, first at the Dauphine, and then at the Tour. Sanchez needs some confidence ahead of July, and so a stage win or a top three overall in the Dauphine would not be a surprise.

The Dauphine Libere's tough parcours will, as they do each year, provide the cycling world with a glimpse of what to expect come July's Tour de France. As some of the top Tour favorites battle over the next week at the Dauphine, we the cycling public will see who is on track for the Tour, and who has work to do. Either way, not too much should be put into the race by the top contenders, as they should use the race purely as preparation for their biggest objective only a few weeks away . . . Le Tour.

Valverde Down, Basso Up in a Reversal of Fortune for the Two Cycling Stars

So interesting to see Alejandro Valverde be banned from competition until 2012 as at the same time Ivan Basso completes his comeback to the sport with an amazing overall win at the Giro. Has there ever been a more appropriate example of karma?

As he sat on the sidelines for his involvement in Operacion Puerto, Basso surely must have been keeping tabs on Valverde. The Spaniard positively dominated over the past two seasons, and despite his obvious involvement in the Puerto scandal, he was still permitted to race while Basso served his suspension. Basso, ever humble, returned to the sport with intentions of rebuilding his image, while Valverde continually denied his involvement in the Puerto mess.

As the days unfold though, history will likely remember the two stars very differently. Basso, once caught in the net, freely admitted his involvement in Puerto, and served his suspension without complaint. Upon his return to the sport, he gradually rebuilt himself into the Giro champion he became just days ago. Valverde meanwhile continues to deny any involvement, nose high in the air despite the multiple governing bodies that have found him guilty.

Ivan Basso, with his Giro win last week, has gone a long way toward putting his dark past behind him. He is a new rider, a clean rider, and he remains humble despite his recent successes. Valverde meanwhile persists as an unapologetic doper, too proud in his own ego to finally admit to his wrong doing. There appears to be no end in sight either, as Valverde plans to appeal to the supreme court. Ridiculous.

Perhaps Valverde will have a Floyd Landis moment in the coming months during his ban, where he'll come forward finally with his version of the truth. Until he does though, he'll live in the same pergatory as Alexander Vinokourov and others . . . as a liar with little credibility in the sport. Undoubtedly, he'll return to the sport in 2012, but until he takes responsibility for his actions like a man, he'll be looked at for what he is: a discredited liar.