I start off the investment season this year as I do every year with my selections for the Tour de France. This year's tour is really one for the Mountain goats with 8 stages in the mountains. Basically the odds on favorite for the race is Velasco, a dude who has been in great form coming into the race. He is also on the Astana team along with Armstrong. Basically I will fade Velasco in all the head to head matchups with the belief that he has peaked too soon for this race. Also look for Lance to dominate the second to last stage of the race (Stage 20 July 25) when the race ends up on top of Mont Ventoux made very famous in the late 60's when a dude actually dropped dead on the climb. Anyways, next to L'Alpe-D'Huez, and maybe actually more prestiguous in Europe, it is the most famous mountain finish and certainly one that Lance Armstrong has been looking to win his whole career. He has had 2 chances, and 1 time he gave it away to Marco Pantani while he was on his way to a overall victory. If Lance and Velasco are out of the picture for the overall, this is as close to a lock as there will be for the Tour. If either Velasco or Lance is fighting for the victory, look for Lance to swallow it up and be a good soldier for the team. Remember this is a team sport, and investments should be made with all of that in mind. Speaking of teams and their effect on individual odds, Cadel Evans will be my choice to win it all. He is world class, and he finished 2nd last year just 58 seconds behind Sastre. He is currently priced at +1050 partly due to his team (Silence-Lotto), which is traditionally a sprinters team. Evans is a climber and this year's tour along with last year's close 2nd will propel him to cash in the money for me, which is all I really care about.
I am also adding the nathan's hot dog eatting contest this year and taking the under 60.5 dogs for the winner. Remember the contest is now 10 miniutes in length, and I have been hearing rumors that Chestnut isn't in as great a shape as in previous years, so I might also place some dough on the Japanese dude who is every all you can eat buffet owner's nightmare.
For all my selections, I will be updating the spreadsheet, so you can share my pain this year. I mean pain as in my effing arms will get tired from all the cash that they will have to carry.
For real though, if there are any bicycling dudes out there, share your thoughts on the upcoming tour. There seems to be about 10 different dudes who could win it this years, along with some interesting matchups for the sprinters and king of the mountains competition.
I am also adding the nathan's hot dog eatting contest this year and taking the under 60.5 dogs for the winner. Remember the contest is now 10 miniutes in length, and I have been hearing rumors that Chestnut isn't in as great a shape as in previous years, so I might also place some dough on the Japanese dude who is every all you can eat buffet owner's nightmare.
For all my selections, I will be updating the spreadsheet, so you can share my pain this year. I mean pain as in my effing arms will get tired from all the cash that they will have to carry.
For real though, if there are any bicycling dudes out there, share your thoughts on the upcoming tour. There seems to be about 10 different dudes who could win it this years, along with some interesting matchups for the sprinters and king of the mountains competition.