Tour de France 2013 – Refreshing Distraction

July 1, 2013

Typing this while I sit in front of the Stage 3 telecast on NBC Sports. Around me are boxes, many boxes. This is the result of moving back into the Tiny Bungalow – our house in Hingham, MA – and the break I’m taking now to watch the Tour de France is ill-advised because I have so much unpacking to do. C’est la vie.

Have you been watching already? The sprint win in Stage 1? The breakaway that stayed away to win Stage 2? And right now Stage 3 where cyclists are starting to feel a little pain on a route that includes a bunch of climbs.

I had not selected a winner for this edition – the 100th Tour de France. But I’ll do so here and invite you to do the same. Here’s what I see on the podium and beyond when we get to Paris…

1. Chris Froome – Team Sky

2. Teejay van Garden – BMC Racing

3. Richie Porte – Team Sky

4. Alberto Contador – Saxo – Tinkoff

5. Andy Schleck – Radio Shack – Leopard

6. Cadel Evans – BMC Racing

I included SIX places because I like Cadel and didn’t want to provide just a top five with my belief that he was going to finish so close to the top this year.

What’s your prediction?