2010 Vuelta a Murcia 3rd-7th March

[peloton]

Leipheimer cannot ride a GT without a bad day. One bad day means losing hella lot of time.

I would like to see Levi win but I can not see him avoiding that bad day.

Cannot blame that bad day on ballsolo.

He did ok in the Vuelta -08...

 

[thehog]

I think there is a chance that with a more than a year of racing under his belt and all the training, if his condition is not there LA will be ready to admit defeat to age, especially since he has already hinted about this in his tweets. I can see a press conference where they announce LL as their leader, and that LA will work for him.

The problem is that LL is not getting younger either. We'll see how he does in P-N, but this is a normal peak time for him (winning TOC).

We might see no Shacks in the top 5 at the TDF 2010.

and RadioShack will be just like USPS blowing millions for nothing.

 

[BroDeal]

He did ok in the Vuelta -08...

TdF '07

But those were a "long" time ago. The doping controls have changed.

 

[peloton]

TdF '07

But those were a "long" time ago. The doping controls have changed.

yeah, forgot that...

 

[ravens]

Leipheimer cannot ride a GT without a bad day. One bad day means losing hella lot of time.

I would like to see Levi win but I can not see him avoiding that bad day.

Cannot blame that bad day on ballsolo.

I would tend to agree in that I just can't see him winning any GT's at this age. He seems a bit of a paper tiger from the races I've seen (and I admit that is relatively few). Sometimes close, but no cigar.

 

[Ninety5rpm]

and RadioShack will be just like USPS blowing millions for nothing.

Well, that goes for any pro cycling sponsor that spends millions.

Quick, name Contador's team.

How many even here have altered their vacation plans as a result?

 

[Big GMaC]

Well, that goes for any pro cycling sponsor that spends millions.

Quick, name Contador's team.

How many even here have altered their vacation plans as a result?

Actually me and a friend were thinking of riding from London to Western Kazakhstan during two months in the summer. Astana is just too far east.

I mean parts of the country are beautiful

 

[thehog]

TdF '07

But those were a "long" time ago. The doping controls have changed.

....plus Levi can't hang onto back of cars again like he did in that Tour.

 

[theswordsman]

Well, that goes for any pro cycling sponsor that spends millions.

Quick, name Contador's team.

How many even here have altered their vacation plans as a result?

I don't think Kazakhstan is really looking for tourism. It's more about recognition and national pride. They're really working to promote Kazakh cyclists as well. There are thirteen on the squad this year, and the young ones are training together in Nice with personal training plans from Contador's coach. This year they're getting encouragement and a chance to shine - Maxim Iglinsky beat a pretty tough field to win today. Other guys are stepping up to be strong helpers for Contador. And the guys they've hired are stepping up away from stars - this weekend it was Jufre and Gasparotto. I think the sponsors are probably really enjoying themselves, and excited for the start of Paris-Nice.

 

[altark123]

How often are we going to drag out "not bad for his age" when he's just plain ***.

How in God's name is 8th in a TT "plain ***"? Your shtick is getting old man. We get it, you hate Lance, but doesn't mean you have to be dishonest about results. Did he dominate? No. Did he look on the path to winning the TDF? nope. But guess what? It is still pretty good.

 

[altark123]

I would tend to agree in that I just can't see him winning any GT's at this age. He seems a bit of a paper tiger from the races I've seen (and I admit that is relatively few). Sometimes close, but no cigar.

Well way back when, at a time when AC couldn't time trial (amazing how great he got in such a short time) he almost won the TDF in 2007 you know. Finished 3rd behind AC and Cadel.

 

[zapata]

Does every thread have to be about armstrong and contador?

 

[altark123]

Does every thread have to be about armstrong and contador?

I wish, but eventually the usual suspects have to badmouth Lance in some fashion. Which prompts others to respond and the thread descends into LA mode.

 

[Publicus]

Well way back when, at a time when AC couldn't time trial (amazing how great he got in such a short time) he almost won the TDF in 2007 you know. Finished 3rd behind AC and Cadel.

I assume you mean that he wasn't considered one of the best TT'ers in the world and not that he couldn't time trial. His first win as a professional came in an ITT. He's always been able to TT, but he's focused on developing the skill given it's importance in major stage races.

 

[lagartija]

Well way back when, at a time when AC couldn't time trial (amazing how great he got in such a short time) he almost won the TDF in 2007 you know. Finished 3rd behind AC and Cadel.

i know publicus allready covered it , but just exactly when was it that Berto couldnt time trial.........actually i think there was a time Levi couldnt time trial..............

 

[Race Radio]

Well way back when, at a time when AC couldn't time trial (amazing how great he got in such a short time)

When was this? When he was 19 and was Nation U23 TT champion or when he was 22 and he won the TT at Pais Vasco? Or maybe you mean when he was 23 and was National Pro TT champion?

 

[Publicus]

i know publicus allready covered it , but just exactly when was it that Berto couldnt time trial.........actually i think there was a time Levi couldnt time trial..............

Oh I remember that time very well. It was only since 2007 that he's suddenly been good against the clock....

 

[Anonymous]

I wish, but eventually the usual suspects have to badmouth Lance in some fashion. Which prompts others to respond and the thread descends into LA mode.

The 3rd grade "He started it" defense. Why not just Godwin, it has more style.

 

[Winterfold]

Blimey - Rabon completely blitzed that. Tyre meltingly fast. GWF (and kudos to the posters who predicted it).

 

[altark123]

The 3rd grade "He started it" defense. Why not just Godwin, it has more style.

Well no one else really calls Hogg on his lies and omission of fact.

 

[WonderLance]

Ouch if that is a "gut", then some bodybuilders have guts. His "gut" is even with his chest it appears, could simply be extra skin guys, or even more likely, abdominal muscles and the division between his upper abs and lower abd. And I am Lance fan, but have realistic expectations for this year. So, 8th place in a TT at his age in March is pretty good I'd say.

I am a Lance fan like you and have also been paying close attention ot all those loverly muscles, its so sweet that he is back racing so I can get my Lance eye candy. Did you know that he used his superiour positive thinking to battle cancer and win? With an attitude like that he could win the tour this year, if he can beat cancer he can beat anyone!

 

[BroDeal]

Well no one else really calls Hogg on his lies and omission of fact.

Keep up the good work. I'm sure Armstrong will send you a cookie.

 

[hfer07]

this is a bit off the topic, but is Frantisek Rabon's bike legal at all?

If UCI is "enforcing" the 8cm cross section, this one surely has two locations where the rule is broken.....

 

[progressor]

Well no one else really calls Hogg on his lies and omission of fact.

Traditionally I believe you just ask him if it is all going to take place on Sept 5th and the point is made

 

[Winterfold]

this is a bit off the topic, but is Frantisek Rabon's bike legal at all?

If UCI is "enforcing" the 8cm cross section, this one surely has two locations where the rule is broken.....

the head tube must be pushing the regs but it wont account for the time differences today

fantastic position, he looks like he could lose some weight from his upper body, but he doesn't look particularly heavy on his thighs and bum (eg compared to Spartacus) - so I imagine he can lose several kilos and not affect his power so are we going to be seeing a lot lot more from him?

EDIT other than in Cav's leadout train of course