Leipheimer Looks Strong in Dauphine Prologue
Levi Leipheimer looked strong in the opening time trial of the Dauphine Libere. He finished 2nd behind Bradley Wiggins. Leipheimer was the fastest finisher of the riders that are considered to be contenders in this year’s Tour de France. The Dauphine is considered an indicator of which riders are peaking just in time for the Tour de France. Miguel Indurain won both the Dauphine and the Tour de France in 1995 and 1996. Lance Armstrong won them both in 2002 and 2003. Last year Levi Leipheimer won the Dauphine but looked weak in certain stages of the Tour de France. Since then Leipheimer has joined Team Discovery which has a better suited team for supporting Leipheimer in the Tour. As has been proved many times, the Tour de France is won in time trials and mountain stages. Levi proved today that he is in fine shape to time trial. We already know he is a good climber. Barring any accidents, Leipheimer is my pick to win the Dauphine Libere and the Tour de France this year. That would make nine straight years of American dominance in the Tour.
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