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The 2010 Cycling Thread!
- Thread starter MattS
- Start date
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Hours of bad racing (to watch) followed by 5 minutes of excitement by Andy! Nice job there at the end.
Hours of bad racing (to watch) followed by 5 minutes of excitement by Andy! Nice job there at the end.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
The King is Dead long live the King
Despite their efforts to blame it on the crash Lance did not have it today. He had plenty of teammates to pace him to the front and he was there before the second to last climb and just constantly went backwards. Unfortunately Horner and Brajovik had to do babysitting duties with him, though it looks like they let Horner go off on the final climb.
If this was Contador's worst day then this is his to lose so I wonder if Schleck had gone sooner would he have picked up more time? Really surprised that Vino played the good teammate. Ryder Hedyradal, Sammy Sanchez and Jurgen Van Broeck surprised today. I hope Rabobank gives Geesink the ticket to fly on Tuesday but I am guessing he will stay with Menchov.
The King is Dead long live the King
Despite their efforts to blame it on the crash Lance did not have it today. He had plenty of teammates to pace him to the front and he was there before the second to last climb and just constantly went backwards. Unfortunately Horner and Brajovik had to do babysitting duties with him, though it looks like they let Horner go off on the final climb.
If this was Contador's worst day then this is his to lose so I wonder if Schleck had gone sooner would he have picked up more time? Really surprised that Vino played the good teammate. Ryder Hedyradal, Sammy Sanchez and Jurgen Van Broeck surprised today. I hope Rabobank gives Geesink the ticket to fly on Tuesday but I am guessing he will stay with Menchov.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Wow, it was hot...
We were absolutely melting while sitting still in the shade - have no idea how those guys are able to do it. If you had the slightest crack today, it's easy to see why it turned into a catastrophe.
Other than that - had a blast. Next year, definitely a big mountain!
Wow, it was hot...
We were absolutely melting while sitting still in the shade - have no idea how those guys are able to do it. If you had the slightest crack today, it's easy to see why it turned into a catastrophe.
Other than that - had a blast. Next year, definitely a big mountain!
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
I wonder if any of the main GC guys will attempt anything on Tues. The last climb is still pretty far from the finish...they might be content to just let a group stay away and save their legs for another day.
Your team had a really good day today...four guys in the main group!
I wonder if any of the main GC guys will attempt anything on Tues. The last climb is still pretty far from the finish...they might be content to just let a group stay away and save their legs for another day.
Your team had a really good day today...four guys in the main group!
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
I was very surprised to see Contador not be able to respond to Schleck.
Contador's team dragged his butt up the mountains all day long and Navarro did a yeoman's work for him tearing the peloton to pieces on the final climb.
I'm shocked Contador didn't have anything left when he was sitting third or fourth wheel for most of the race and riding comfortably.
Kudos to Schleck. He certainly doesn't have the team built for the mountains like Astana does, but he showed he didn't need it today and he can fly solo.
I'll be interested to see what happens on Monday and when they head to the Pyrnees with Andy not having his brother with him.
Round one goes to Schleck. But still a lot of racing left and after his TERRIBLE prologue, he's going to need to make more time on Contador.
It will also be interesting how Radioshack rides now. Obviously there is a lot of talent on that team and will they start unleashing Lance, Popovych or Branjkovic to go for stage wins?
Kloden clearly isn't in the form he was in last year but can still be a valuable domestique for Levi, as can Horner.
Levi has a shot at a podium finish if they can get him within range for the time trial to make up ground on the poor time trialists.
Nice to see Nicholas Roche continue to improve his climbing ability. Yes he still got dropped but he's still turning into a solid cyclist.
I was very surprised to see Contador not be able to respond to Schleck.
Contador's team dragged his butt up the mountains all day long and Navarro did a yeoman's work for him tearing the peloton to pieces on the final climb.
I'm shocked Contador didn't have anything left when he was sitting third or fourth wheel for most of the race and riding comfortably.
Kudos to Schleck. He certainly doesn't have the team built for the mountains like Astana does, but he showed he didn't need it today and he can fly solo.
I'll be interested to see what happens on Monday and when they head to the Pyrnees with Andy not having his brother with him.
Round one goes to Schleck. But still a lot of racing left and after his TERRIBLE prologue, he's going to need to make more time on Contador.
It will also be interesting how Radioshack rides now. Obviously there is a lot of talent on that team and will they start unleashing Lance, Popovych or Branjkovic to go for stage wins?
Kloden clearly isn't in the form he was in last year but can still be a valuable domestique for Levi, as can Horner.
Levi has a shot at a podium finish if they can get him within range for the time trial to make up ground on the poor time trialists.
Nice to see Nicholas Roche continue to improve his climbing ability. Yes he still got dropped but he's still turning into a solid cyclist.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Remember that A. Schleck's best mountain domestique is watching Le Tour from a couch in Luxembourg right now. And Fuglesang and C.A. Sorensen are not bad domestiques, though obviously they didn't have it today. I've also seen speculation that NOT having Frank is a benefit to Andy as he won't be worried about trying to get Frank on the podium too.
Levi could have a shot at the podium if he weren't the world's most boring cyclist. I just can't see him sticking with AC, AS or even SS, VDB, or the leader of Liqui.
I too am looking forward to a second golden generation of Irish cyclists with Martin and Roche. The first obviously being Kelly and Roche.
Finally I saw this on the net and pray that this is exactly what the RS bus sounded like after the stage...(note: Language not safe for work) Lance and Johan post stage 8
P.S. Wonder if any teams have any plans for "blood-bag Monday?"
Remember that A. Schleck's best mountain domestique is watching Le Tour from a couch in Luxembourg right now. And Fuglesang and C.A. Sorensen are not bad domestiques, though obviously they didn't have it today. I've also seen speculation that NOT having Frank is a benefit to Andy as he won't be worried about trying to get Frank on the podium too.
Levi could have a shot at the podium if he weren't the world's most boring cyclist. I just can't see him sticking with AC, AS or even SS, VDB, or the leader of Liqui.
I too am looking forward to a second golden generation of Irish cyclists with Martin and Roche. The first obviously being Kelly and Roche.
Finally I saw this on the net and pray that this is exactly what the RS bus sounded like after the stage...(note: Language not safe for work) Lance and Johan post stage 8
P.S. Wonder if any teams have any plans for "blood-bag Monday?"
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Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
The thing I am most interested in is how good of a teammate is LA going to be now. I wonder if he is really going to work for Levi or not. I guess it really comes down to if his ego will let him.
The thing I am most interested in is how good of a teammate is LA going to be now. I wonder if he is really going to work for Levi or not. I guess it really comes down to if his ego will let him.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
It will come down to if Levi can wheel-suck with AC and AS and how well he does in the TT. Remember, Levi is the best wheel-sucker in the peloton!
It will come down to if Levi can wheel-suck with AC and AS and how well he does in the TT. Remember, Levi is the best wheel-sucker in the peloton!
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Which of the following do you think is most likely to happen
1. Lance Armstrong loyal domestique to Levi Leipheimer
2. Dramatic attack to win a stage and get back into the overall mix, not win but finish in the Top 10
3. Abandon
I'm thinking 2 or 3 I just don't see Lance working for somebody else in the TDF.
Which of the following do you think is most likely to happen
1. Lance Armstrong loyal domestique to Levi Leipheimer
2. Dramatic attack to win a stage and get back into the overall mix, not win but finish in the Top 10
3. Abandon
I'm thinking 2 or 3 I just don't see Lance working for somebody else in the TDF.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Of those 3, 3 is the only option I see. The reason I started disliking LA was my perception of his attitude as a teammate. I can't see him "slaving" for LL nor do I see the peloton giving him the freedom for a stage. Remember CE last year? He was out of it and was never given the freedom.
And yes, LL is the best wheel sucker in the business, but I think he peaked for ToC. Plus sucking wheels is one thing, sticking to them when AS and AC punch it, I'm not sure I see it happening. He could even stay with Mick Rogers at ToC. Moreover, I expect that none of these guys, the real leaders, are really at their peak yet, the Pyrenees are still a week away, thats where the real race is.
Of those 3, 3 is the only option I see. The reason I started disliking LA was my perception of his attitude as a teammate. I can't see him "slaving" for LL nor do I see the peloton giving him the freedom for a stage. Remember CE last year? He was out of it and was never given the freedom.
And yes, LL is the best wheel sucker in the business, but I think he peaked for ToC. Plus sucking wheels is one thing, sticking to them when AS and AC punch it, I'm not sure I see it happening. He could even stay with Mick Rogers at ToC. Moreover, I expect that none of these guys, the real leaders, are really at their peak yet, the Pyrenees are still a week away, thats where the real race is.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
By not really at their peak you mean they haven't taken their blood bag yet, right?
By not really at their peak you mean they haven't taken their blood bag yet, right?
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
That would be tomorrow! But from a training perspective, I meant that they mean to be at their best not today, but next week in the Pyrenees. So they'd only be at like 95% today.
That would be tomorrow! But from a training perspective, I meant that they mean to be at their best not today, but next week in the Pyrenees. So they'd only be at like 95% today.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Lance will not abandon without a broken bone. He will work with Levi until an opportunity to win a stage presents itself. At that point Levi will be discarded.
Levi is what he is. At best a 5th-10th place finisher. Certainly worth supporting, but not at the cost of winning a stage. If I'm Radio Shack, Kloden or Brajkovic (or both) get sent up the road. This allows Lance and Levi to wheel suck, and if they get pulled back Lance can try a counter attack if he gets fit in the last week.
Lance will not abandon without a broken bone. He will work with Levi until an opportunity to win a stage presents itself. At that point Levi will be discarded.
Levi is what he is. At best a 5th-10th place finisher. Certainly worth supporting, but not at the cost of winning a stage. If I'm Radio Shack, Kloden or Brajkovic (or both) get sent up the road. This allows Lance and Levi to wheel suck, and if they get pulled back Lance can try a counter attack if he gets fit in the last week.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
This is what I see happening as well.
I would bet that Lance is probably in pretty good form right now, but just crashed today at the completely wrong time, so he was cooked by the time the climb started after working to get back with the group.
He's not going to get back in contention at this point, but I would guess he'll target a stage win if possible and "help" Levi as much as possible until then.
Check out his crash...they were moving along pretty good, surprised he wasn't more hurt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBftK8okyA
This is what I see happening as well.
I would bet that Lance is probably in pretty good form right now, but just crashed today at the completely wrong time, so he was cooked by the time the climb started after working to get back with the group.
He's not going to get back in contention at this point, but I would guess he'll target a stage win if possible and "help" Levi as much as possible until then.
Check out his crash...they were moving along pretty good, surprised he wasn't more hurt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBftK8okyA
rufus
rock and roller
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
#2. He plays at helping Levi, but if he gets a chance for a stage win, he's going.
"get that little bald f%^cker in here."
Anyone see the look on Navarro's face when his teammate grabbed a bottle from someone on the side of the road, dumped half of it over himself, and then reached out and dumped the rest over Navarro's head and shoulders?
Just a look of sheer relief and gratitude.
Five of my guys in the top 13 on the day.
#2. He plays at helping Levi, but if he gets a chance for a stage win, he's going.
"get that little bald f%^cker in here."
Anyone see the look on Navarro's face when his teammate grabbed a bottle from someone on the side of the road, dumped half of it over himself, and then reached out and dumped the rest over Navarro's head and shoulders?
Just a look of sheer relief and gratitude.
Five of my guys in the top 13 on the day.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
A few more of those Lance and videos (again Language not safe for work)
Lance and Levi after stage 7
Lance and Levi After Stage 8
Yeah, I saw Navarro and the rest of Astana and their water antics, it was great...I really feel like you deserved more points for J. Rodriquez but I guess a 13th place finish isn't worth that much. Still he is my darkhorse pick for the Vuelta.
#2. He plays at helping Levi, but if he gets a chance for a stage win, he's going.
"get that little bald f%^cker in here."
Anyone see the look on Navarro's face when his teammate grabbed a bottle from someone on the side of the road, dumped half of it over himself, and then reached out and dumped the rest over Navarro's head and shoulders?
Just a look of sheer relief and gratitude.
Five of my guys in the top 13 on the day.
A few more of those Lance and videos (again Language not safe for work)
Lance and Levi after stage 7
Lance and Levi After Stage 8
Yeah, I saw Navarro and the rest of Astana and their water antics, it was great...I really feel like you deserved more points for J. Rodriquez but I guess a 13th place finish isn't worth that much. Still he is my darkhorse pick for the Vuelta.
Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!
Now some fun on the Madelaine! Vino attacked, then Saxo destroyed the field including Evans. Finally Astana went to the front and only 3 or 4 could respond. Then Schleck attacked only Conti able to respond. Finally Samu bridged up. Vino is still up the road. So are LL Sanchez and Cunego...Starting to get interesting.
Now some fun on the Madelaine! Vino attacked, then Saxo destroyed the field including Evans. Finally Astana went to the front and only 3 or 4 could respond. Then Schleck attacked only Conti able to respond. Finally Samu bridged up. Vino is still up the road. So are LL Sanchez and Cunego...Starting to get interesting.