Announcing... the Podium Cafe Tour de France Quick Challenge!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 1, 2008 6:52 PM EDT in Cafe Happy Hour!

I joked recently about TCWriter not being able to throw anything out, but the bottom line is, I have a nice little stash of shwag for distribution... old Italian jerseys, hats, feedbags, etc. Thanks to TC's generosity, and a few other contributions, there are hidden Cycling treasures awaiting distribution. So, to that end... a contest:

[ED] reposted... deadline in four hours. Get your submissions in ASAP! Rules on the flip

Guess the day's stage winner at each of three mountaintop finishes, two time trials, and as a tie-breaker, the final sprint on the Champs-Elysees. Whoever gets the most hits will be given a chance to reach into the schwag bag. The stages are:

Stage 4: Cholet time trial
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d'Huez
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only)

Submission rules: just type them into a comment here in the next 48 hours: i.e. by 8pm Pacific Tuesday. Don't email me; I'm going low-tech here. Do try to make up your answers before you open the comments, to avoid copycatting. If that sounds like an irresistible temptation, remember this: almost everyone who has sent stuff in will be wrong between 80-100% of the time.

Tie-breaker rules: If more than one person holds the top score after stage 20, then we'll ask for tie-breaking guesses as to who wins the final sprint. Everyone who enters should submit their guesses for all six stages. BUT! For the tie breaker, we will ask the potential winners for a final guess the day before. The only reason to submit a guess now is in case you can't be reached on Saturday, July 26. If you're around, you can submit a final answer that day, up until the stage starts on the 27th.

Ready... set... go!

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my bets

Stage 4: Cholet time trial Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam Alejandro VALVERDE
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso Juan Mauricio Soler
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez Denis Menchov
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly Cadel Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) Thor Hushovd

by semprenaroda on Jun 30, 2008 2:19 AM EDT reply actions

Damn... that was quick!

Shouldn’t you be studying?? JK!
I’m waiting to make my choices when I finalize my Tour team tomorrow night. :-)

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions

lol

I think it doesn’t necessary think too much. It is a matter of luck, and follow your instincts …

by semprenaroda on Jun 30, 2008 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, i am studiyng, a little break

i have an exame in two hours…lol
Fourieur and Laplace Transform

by semprenaroda on Jun 30, 2008 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Side note... how did the test go?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I already had passed, it was only to improve the note

but I think that not much worth the effort!

by semprenaroda on Jun 30, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Stage 4 Clement if he’s not riding Hoste
Stage 10 Menchov
Stage 15 Valverde
Stage 17 Cobo
Stage 20 Grabsch
Stage 21 Hushocd

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 3:32 AM EDT reply actions

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Valverde
Stage 15: Valvede
Stage 17: Valverde
Stage 20: Evans

by William H on Jun 30, 2008 5:43 AM EDT reply actions

Whoops. Need to read the rules better

Stage 21: Hushovd

by William H on Jun 30, 2008 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Stage 4: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Remy DiGregorio
Stage 15: Frank Schleck
Stage 17: Carlos Sastre
Stage 20: Cadel Evans

Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes." - Jack Burton

by swells on Jun 30, 2008 6:39 AM EDT reply actions

I forgot Paris...

Stage 21: Peirrick Fedrigo

Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes." - Jack Burton

by swells on Jun 30, 2008 6:40 AM EDT up reply actions

There you go!

Stage 4: Cholet time trial: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam: Mauricio Soler
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso: Damiano Cunego
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez: Leonardo Piepoli
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly: Cadel Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only): Fabian ‘Spartacus’ Cancellara (Pissed off, because he only got 2nd to Evans the day before.) ;-)

You can't lose against Italy, we can only fail to win - Johan Cruijff

by DZI on Jun 30, 2008 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

Shot in the dark.

Stage 4: CANCELLARA Fabian
Stage 10: COBO ACEBO Juan Jose
Stage 15: SOLER HERNANDEZ Juan Mauricio
Stage 17: CUNEGO Damiano
Stage 20: EVANS Cadel
Stage 21: HUSHOVD Thor

by brandon... on Jun 30, 2008 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

stage winners...

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Kreuzinger
Stage 15: Valverde
Stage 17: Soler
Stage 20: Evans
Stage 21: Oscarito Freire

by kimchi on Jun 30, 2008 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

My daily pick 5

Stage 4: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Simon Gerrans
Stage 15: Juan Jose Cobo Acebo
Stage 17: Samuel Sanchez
Stage 20: Marcus Burghardt
Stage 21: Mark Cavendish

Bonus Prediction:
The winner of this years tour will not win a stage – this trend will continue through all three Grand Tours – best proof of less doping IMHO

Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland

by natbla on Jun 30, 2008 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

The stages in Tour will have

bonus time? I think i listen “not”.

by semprenaroda on Jun 30, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

stage winners TDF "QC"

stage 4 – F. Cancellara
stage 10 – R. Ricco
stage 15 – D. Menchov
stage 17 – A. Schleck
stage 20 – C. Evans
stage 21 – R. McEwen

Why did they ever disconnect the toll free Barfko Swill Hotline ??? WHY !!!???

by FrankEffinZappa on Jun 30, 2008 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Pickage

Stage 4: Cancellera
Stage 10: Soler
Stage 15: Valverde
Stage 17: Evans
Stage 20: Millar
Stage 21: Evans

by spokejunky on Jun 30, 2008 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Warning: Spoiler!

Stage 4 Cancellara
Stage 10 Sastre
Stage 15 Ricco
Stage 17 Valverde
Stage 20 Menchov

by Jens on Jun 30, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

True!

Tie breaker is for losers ;)

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

And the real answers are:

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Sastre
Stage 15: Trent Lowe (just because I want him to!)
Stage 17: Soler
Stage 20: Siutsou
Stage 21: Hushovd

by cg. on Jun 30, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

lol so hoping Cancellara fails in the first tt :)

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

OK, here goes

4: Cancellara (probably a stupid one to include)
10: Valverde
15: Soler
17: Ricco
20: Andy Schleck
21: Thor!

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

What? You cannot be reached on the 26:th?

I sincerely hope this is a securitymeasure in case of you being comatose after three weeks of nonstop blogging.

by Jens on Jun 30, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

anything is possible by then. Including my youngest son stealing the remote and making it impossible to watch.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Check by the cereal boxes in the pantry.

by swells on Jun 30, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Or in the fridge...

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

Seriously, no way would he ever be that obvious. Frankly, I’d find it patronizing if he did.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I wrote mine down before reading

but then read everyone else’s before posting. Is this done on a last man left standing basis, i.e if Tony doesn’t win stage 4 then the game is just over. Should be interesting

4 Um, Cancellara
10 Dessel
15 Ricco
17 Soler
20 Cadel
21 Robbie Mc

by Monty. on Jun 30, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

oooh!

Cool idea. No for now, but anyone else who wants to start another comp can do so.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I wanted to be different...I really did

But I do think Tony is going to win the stage 4 TT. I’ve included my choices for second place because they will probably actually be the winners.

4: Cancellara (CVV)
10: Ricco (Kirchen)
15: Sastre (Menchov)
16: Samuel Sanchez fulfills his season goals (included for moral victory only)
17: Soler (Sastre)
20: Menchov (Evans)
21: Cav (Freire)

And I think Menchov is going to win the whole thing. I just do….don’t ask why.

by Hons on Jun 30, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Wishful thinking...

Stage 4: Cholet time trial – David Millar
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam – Mauricio Soler
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso – Trent Lowe
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez – Valverde
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly – Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) – Zabel

by PopUp Rolen on Jun 30, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

BASTILLE DAY (not even sure what that means)

I see only a couple of us are going for a homegrown win on Stage 10.

I believe some French guy is going to turn himself inside-out to win this stage.

by swells on Jun 30, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Out the 'ol poop shoot here:

Stage 4 Cancellara
Stage 10 Moreau
Stage 15 Ricco
Stage 17 Soler
Stage 20 Evans
Stage 21 Cavendish

by ursula on Jun 30, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

We differ

by one Frenchman

by Monty. on Jun 30, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Whew

Second tie breaker is “I’m thinking of a number.”

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Should be

where’s the remote

by Monty. on Jun 30, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

OK

that’s better. Winner gets my eternal gratitude. And an old musette.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Monty- you should be really scared

if we are just one Frenchman apart…

by ursula on Jun 30, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

And that my dear....

so did not sound right when read out loud… ha ha ha!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

OK Nikki

Would it sound better if you got to choose the Frenchman

by Monty. on Jun 30, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I've sat here giggling for the last hour wondering if

I could respond with out getting in trouble…
Not sure I can! :-P
Most certainly can’t answer with giggling and smiling!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

ha!

by Jen See on Jul 1, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

my picks

Stage 4: Cholet time trial--Vande Velde
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam-Valverde
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso-Ricco
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez-Cunego
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly-Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only)—Hushovd

by EuroPeloton on Jun 30, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Sign me up, please:

Stage 4: Cholet time trial: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam: Ricardo Ricco
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso: A. Valverde
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez: Andy Schleck
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly: David Millar
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris: Thor Hushovd

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor. - George Carlin

by Ruthann on Jun 30, 2008 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Here ya go!

Stage 4: Cholet time trial – Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam – Alejando Valverde
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso – Andy Schleck
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez – Juan Mauricio Soler
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly – Cadel Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) – Oscar Freire

by Veloki on Jun 30, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

From Bethie

Stage 4 Time Trial: Maxime Monfort
Stage 10: Pau-Hautcam: Christophe Moreau
Stage 15 Embrun-Prato Nevoso: Juan Soler
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez: Valverde
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris: Yaroslav Popovych

Posted first, then read the rest.

60% of the time, it works every time.

by bethie on Jun 30, 2008 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

lol Montfort?

Worst then my pick ;)

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure

you laugh now….

60% of the time, it works every time.

by bethie on Jun 30, 2008 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sure then too..

On a flat 30km tt he can’t do anything? Scored wel in a hilly tt but flat.. I hope so.. Just for everyone how’s coming up with Cancellara!

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope he can is more English I think.. Not sure anyway

Some say the best things in life, are one the inside.

by Frinking on Jun 30, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

This should be amusing

Stage 04: CANCELLARA, Fabian
Stage 10: DI GREGORIO Rémy
Stage 15: KIRCHEN Kim
Stage 17: RICCO Ricardo
Stage 20: VALVERDE Alejandro

Just here for the view

by ZoeRochelle on Jun 30, 2008 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

tiebreaker??

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't think I had to do that til the end

But here goes:

Stage 21: Mark Cavendish

Just here for the view

by ZoeRochelle on Jun 30, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't Resist - Hi, I'm new!

I’ve been lurking for a while. This challenge brought me out of the woods;-)
Stage 4: Fabian Cancellara
Stage 10: Yury TROFIMOV
Stage 15: Andy Schleck
Stage 17: Denis Menchov
Stage 20: H. Zubeldia
Stage 21: Oscar Friere

4estrunr not 4estroo:-/

by 4estru on Jun 30, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

Sucker!

Welcome, of course…

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 30, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

On second thought: 4estru it is.

I kinda like it.

by 4estru on Jun 30, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Contador for all six--sputter! CHOKE!! ....gag..hack, hack...gurgle...groan (faints, collapses, hits head on spittoon, awakens from bad dream, sees it's real, drinks poison, dies gasping out profanity while typing the "h" on Cavendish)

Stage 4: Cholet time trial …Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam …Valverde
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso …Cunego
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez …Ricco
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly …Valverde
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) Cavendish

by Steno on Jun 30, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

Too much time spent actually looking at a course...

Can we please get on with this baby already? ! ? ! ?

Stage 4: Cholet time trial_Christian Vandevelde (I love Tony and he’s so going to smoke ‘em all but here’s to mechanicals and amazment!)
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam_Trent Lowe (Kid can climb)
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso_Kanstantin Siutsou (After 15 stages of support he’s let go to give it a try)
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez_Mauricio Soler (Yeah, did ya see him climb last year?)
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly_Cadel Evans (If he’s good to go, he’s gonna stomp it)

Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only)_Fabian Cancellara (He hasn’t spoiled the fun enough – I so want to put Cav here but I fear he will pull out to prepare for Olympics)

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 30, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

If I get even 2 out of 5

I’ll be quite pleasantly surprised

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Di Gregorio
Stage 15: Ricco
Stage 17: Piepoli
Stage 20: Cancellara
Stage 21: McEwen

by Rothko on Jun 30, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

I'm in....

....like 4estru I’m done lurking and tossing my picks in! Bring on the Tour!

Stage 4: Cholet time trial – CANCELLARA
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam – RICCO
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso – SANCHEZ
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez – VALVERDE
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly – MENCHOV
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) – STEEGMANS

by steph- on Jul 1, 2008 1:49 AM EDT reply actions

Why not?

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Juan Mauricio Soler
Stage 15: Juan Mauricio Soler
Stage 17: Juan Mauricio Soler
Stage 20: Cadel Evans
Stage 21: Erik Zabel

by Colin Emerson on Jul 1, 2008 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

à La Sella

by semprenaroda on Jul 1, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe...

Stage 4: Cholet time trial – Devolder
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam – Kirchen
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso – Cunego
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez – Piepoli
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly – Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) – Pozzato

by aavf on Jul 1, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

OK, I'm in

Stage 4 : Evans
Stage 10: Valverde
Stage 15: Sastre
Stage 17: Ricco
Stage 20: Evans
Stage 21: Cavendish

by The Team Chef on Jul 1, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

My Take

Stage 4: Cholet time trial – Cancellara
Stage 10: Pau-Hautacam – Valverde
Stage 15: Embrun-Prato Nevoso – Frank Schleck
Stage 17: Embrun-Alpe d’Huez – Valverde
Stage 20: Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly – Evans
Stage 21: Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only) – Cavendish

by John.. on Jul 1, 2008 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

what the hey....

stage 04: cancellara
stage 10: samu sanchez
stage 15: cunego
stage 17: valverde
stage 20: evans
stage 21: thor

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Jul 1, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'm in

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Valverde
Stage 15: Ricco
Stage 17: Cunego
Stage 20: Cancellara
Stage 21: Hushovd

by Susie Hartigan on Jul 1, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

My First Post...Just In Time

Stage 4: Cancellara
Stage 10: Monfort
Stage 15: Ricco
Stage 17: Soler
Stage 20: Evans
Stage 21: Hushovd

by kahartz on Jul 1, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

Cholet time trial: Fabian Cancellara
Pau-Hautacam: Amets Txurruka
Embrun-Prato Nevoso: Alejandro Valverde
Embrun-Alpe d’Huez: Juan Mauricio Soler
Saint-Armand-Montrond-Cerilly: Cadel Evans
Etampes-Paris (tie-breaker only): Mark Cavendish

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Jul 1, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions