Leipheimer beats up on some local amateurs.

[hulkgogan]

LMAO what exactly is Linda McCartney gear?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'd be willing to bet all the money in the world not ONE SINGLE RIDER is upset that Mellow Johnny team showed up. I bet they are all f'n stoked to be racing against them.

Yes.That's exactly why Lance and Levi should enter a few Cat 5 races as well.

As to Pascal and his fashion shop. Nothing wrong with looking good, no?

 

[180mmCrank]

I play basketball in a local league, and if Michael Jordan and Shaq showed up and started a team I wouldn't be the least bit upset, just freaking thrilled to be playing against them.

Yes - but if they turned up every week it wouldn't work would it. That's why there are different levels of competition - and why there are rules about it.

But what the heck ... it seems like everyone at the Gila had fun. Who needs rules!

 

[Anonymous]

what is the problem.. they are riders, lance especially on the way back to racing fitness.. from what i can gather its an american classic they want to be part of, its great for the race for a publicity point of view, its great for the riders in it who may never have a chance in there life to race competiatively against the likes of armstrong and levi..

what the hell is the problem..

or is it just that levi is taking it seriously.. wouldnt it be so much better if he sandbagged, took the ****, treated it as a training run and discredited the whole thing..

imagine if the race had invited levi and lance and they turned it down, everyone would be on there back for that..

some people round here just like moaning and bashing for the sake of it i think..

 

[nobrakes]

I like what Horner says: "And it's a pro race. That's all that needs to be said. Lance is a pro, Levi is a pro, and I'm a pro; It's a pro race. If you don't want to race with pros, stay ameteur."

The man's a genius.

 

[vv777vv]

as an athlete, if you go to a race and you're fit, you go there with an aim to win, regardless if it's a pro tour event or a cat 5 local race.

and with SRAM picking up the race that's dying, i don't see sending 3 guys from the team they sponsor to the race a problem especially when they're not taking any prize money and help make some publicity for the race.

when Chris Horner says - "stay amatuer if you dont want to race with the pros". i think he's just being polite, i think one should just stay home and ride with local clubs in the weekends instead of racing if they're afraid to race with someone better.

anyway, there are just too many whiners, maybe watching other sports is better for some of you here, cycling is not for you.

 

[jaylew]

But what the heck ... it seems like everyone at the Gila had fun. Who needs rules!

You do know the reason they were able to ride is because of the rules?

 

[jaylew]

what is the problem.. they are riders, lance especially on the way back to racing fitness.. from what i can gather its an american classic they want to be part of, its great for the race for a publicity point of view, its great for the riders in it who may never have a chance in there life to race competiatively against the likes of armstrong and levi..

what the hell is the problem..

or is it just that levi is taking it seriously.. wouldnt it be so much better if he sandbagged, took the ****, treated it as a training run and discredited the whole thing..

imagine if the race had invited levi and lance and they turned it down, everyone would be on there back for that..

some people round here just like moaning and bashing for the sake of it i think..

I think your post nailed it. Turns out they're also putting the prize money they win back in the purse.

 

[BikeCentric]

as an athlete, if you go to a race and you're fit, you go there with an aim to win, regardless if it's a pro tour event or a cat 5 local race.

and with SRAM picking up the race that's dying, i don't see sending 3 guys from the team they sponsor to the race a problem especially when they're not taking any prize money and help make some publicity for the race.

i like the reply by Chris Hoener in the interview they did with CN when he was asked about this - "stay amatuer if you dont want to race with the pros". i think he's just being polite, i think one should just stay home and ride with local clubs in the weekends instead of racing if they're afraid to race with someone better.

anyway, there are just too many whiners, maybe watching other sports is better for some of you here, cycling is not for you.

I think you're missing the point. Personally I would like to see LA, Levi, and Horner racing at Romandie. I would like to see their level of fitness relative to the quality of riders they are going to face at the Giro and the Tour. There isn't one single rider at Gila besides those 3 (and probably not Horner for that matter) who is going to be at the Giro OR the Tour. And this is what people are pointing out: it's kind of stupid for 3 of the strongest bike racers in the world to prepare for the 2 biggest bike races in the world against competition that is not at that level.

So what's the deal, is Horner "afraid" to race against the best riders in the world at Romandie? Kind of a stupid comment to make when he's beating up on Cat 1's with day jobs, but whatever, Horner has always been brash.

 

[benpounder]

So what's the deal, is Horner "afraid" to race against the best riders in the world at Romandie? Kind of a stupid comment to make when he's beating up on Cat 1's with day jobs

And football would be better if they did not keep scores. /snark

Having competed at fairly high levels, and having friends at top levels, I know that any race is so much better when the top talent is present. Losing to joe schmo by 1 second is nothing compared to losing to Tommy Moe by 10.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Odd though, not doing the Tour of Romandie and chosing this "event", I mean.
After all, it really is just a high quality training race for the Grand Tour hopefuls, whether Giro or Tour.
Plenty of light to medium climbing, but no real monster.
Plus, very inportantly, it had a Team TT.
Clearly this would have been of major benefit, as this is the opener for the Giro.

It should have been the ideal preparatory race for someone planning to get race fit by next weekend.
Lets face it, if he can't stand the pace, this weekend, he should have no chance of being competitive, by next Saturday.

Instead, Astana send a decidedly "B" team.

Makes me wonder what is more important preparation than riding your bike in competition.

 

[Anonymous]

Instead, Astana send a decidedly "B" team.

Makes me wonder what is more important preparation than riding your bike in competition.

ok.. another way of looking at it.. is it really fair, to take one of the astana riders off of the squad for a relatively prestigious race, and say to em, sorry, lance wants your spot cos we want to use the race as training and prep..

lance isnt the only one at astana you know..!

I know if i was down to ride a race that might further my career by being in, and was told, sorry your spots being given to someone who wants to use it as a training ride, id very quickly be telling them where to stick it..

maybe thats why im not a pro bike rider..

Plus, very inportantly, it had a Team TT.
Clearly this would have been of major benefit, as this is the opener for the Giro.

im not sure they needed to send lance and levi all the over just to practice a TTT.. ive got a pretty good idea theyve done on before and are pretty good at em...

 

[vv777vv]

i'm sure there're reasons why the team (especially Johan Bruyneel) send/allow them to race Gila instead of Romandie as a prep race, we shall see if it's a right move in 1 month's time.

if a team on vacation last year was called up last minute and they won the Giro with no prep, i don't see racing Gila as a prep race any worse than that. Of course Contador will not be riding but with the riders Astana will be sending, I think a podium spot is not a problem at all.


It never fail to amuse me when there're always so many who think they know cycling more than those pro riders, managers & teams

 

[BigBoat]

Its not bad for say, Ben Jaques Maynes to race these dudes and come close... But the unique and formulative Astana medical "program" ensures nobody has a chance in hell at winning the thing.

Somebody already told me Lance, Levi, and Horner are dragging the field most of the way so the overall pace is also higher because of them. This could lead to some guys DNFing.

Having JUST ONE really strong aggressive guy in the field can tear it apart and cause more than the usual amount of DNFs.

 

[180mmCrank]

It never fail to amuse me when there're always so many who think they know cycling more than those pro riders, managers & teams

Of course it's amusing - and that's why we have forums...

And I will be shouting at the TV (from my arm chair) with the best of them in May and July..."Allez, Allez, Allez..." and if they could some how hear my words of encouragement and wisdom how much faster would they go... one day my genius will be discovered and I will sitting in the team car strategising with the best of them (and no doubt being slagged off in forums like these) - oh the irony!

It gives me an idea maybe we should start Team Manager Idol...or the Team Manager Apprentice

 

[benpounder]

But the unique and formulative Astana medical "program" ensures nobody has a chance in hell at winning the thing.

Got it!

So any time Astana does not win means the other riders and teams are just better dopers.

Allan Davis (Tour down Under) and Quick Step: doper
Luis-Leon Sanchez (Paris-Nice) and Caisse d'Epargne: dopers
Michele Scarponi (Tirreno-Adriatico) and Serramenti Diquigiovanni: dopers
Jens Voigt (CritInternational) and Team Saxo Bank: dopers
Ivan Basso (GdTrentino) and Liquigas: dopers
Roman Kreuziger (ToRomandie) and Liquigas: dopers

7734, might as well throw in the classics

Mark Cavendish (Milan SanRemo) and Team Columbia - Highroad: dopers
Stijn Devolder (Ronde von Vlaanderenl) and Quick Step: dopers
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Gent-Wevelgem) and Columbia-Highroad: dopers
Tom Boonen (Paris-Roubaix) and Quick Step: dopers
Serguei Ivanov (Amstel Gold) and Team Katusha: dopers
Davide Rebellin (Fleche Wallonne) and Serramenti Diquigiovanni: dopers
Andy Schleck (Leiege-Bastogne-Liege) and Saxo Bank: dopers

All races where the alleged Astana doping regime did not win. But by your [strike]hate[/strike] logic, the only way Astana did not win was because the other teams/riders are merely better dopers.

What a wonderful way to view cycling!

note to others: the list includes Basso and Rebellin, the former implicated and suspended because of Operation Puerto, the later testing positive. Doping is real, and is a real concern. But BigBoat and a few others have an attitude and agenda which is not aligned with cleaning up our beloved sport - nay, all they want to do is destroy select monuments.

 

[mr. tibbs]

ok.. another way of looking at it.. is it really fair, to take one of the astana riders off of the squad for a relatively prestigious race, and say to em, sorry, lance wants your spot cos we want to use the race as training and prep..

lance isnt the only one at astana you know..!

I know if i was down to ride a race that might further my career by being in, and was told, sorry your spots being given to someone who wants to use it as a training ride, id very quickly be telling them where to stick it..

maybe thats why im not a pro bike rider..



im not sure they needed to send lance and levi all the over just to practice a TTT.. ive got a pretty good idea theyve done on before and are pretty good at em...

I wonder what those BMC guys are saying right about now...

 

[vv777vv]

Got it!

So any time Astana does not win means the other riders and teams are just better dopers.

Allan Davis (Tour down Under) and Quick Step: doper
Luis-Leon Sanchez (Paris-Nice) and Caisse d'Epargne: dopers
Michele Scarponi (Tirreno-Adriatico) and Serramenti Diquigiovanni: dopers
Jens Voigt (CritInternational) and Team Saxo Bank: dopers
Ivan Basso (GdTrentino) and Liquigas: dopers
Roman Kreuziger (ToRomandie) and Liquigas: dopers

7734, might as well throw in the classics

Mark Cavendish (Milan SanRemo) and Team Columbia - Highroad: dopers
Stijn Devolder (Ronde von Vlaanderenl) and Quick Step: dopers
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Gent-Wevelgem) and Columbia-Highroad: dopers
Tom Boonen (Paris-Roubaix) and Quick Step: dopers
Serguei Ivanov (Amstel Gold) and Team Katusha: dopers
Davide Rebellin (Fleche Wallonne) and Serramenti Diquigiovanni: dopers
Andy Schleck (Leiege-Bastogne-Liege) and Saxo Bank: dopers

All races where the alleged Astana doping regime did not win. But by your [strike]hate[/strike] logic, the only way Astana did not win was because the other teams/riders are merely better dopers.

What a wonderful way to view cycling!

note to others: the list includes Basso and Rebellin, the former implicated and suspended because of Operation Puerto, the later testing positive. Doping is real, and is a real concern. But BigBoat and a few others have an attitude and agenda which is not aligned with cleaning up our beloved sport - nay, all they want to do is destroy select monuments.

you made my day!! lol

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

But BigBoat and a few others have an attitude and agenda which is not aligned with cleaning up our beloved sport - nay, all they want to do is destroy select monuments.

Or perhaps they just want to provoke others and see how much they can get away with?

Susan

 

[davestoller]

Odd though, not doing the Tour of Romandie and chosing this "event", I mean.
After all, it really is just a high quality training race for the Grand Tour hopefuls, whether Giro or Tour.
Plenty of light to medium climbing, but no real monster.
Plus, very inportantly, it had a Team TT.
Clearly this would have been of major benefit, as this is the opener for the Giro.

It should have been the ideal preparatory race for someone planning to get race fit by next weekend.
Lets face it, if he can't stand the pace, this weekend, he should have no chance of being competitive, by next Saturday.

Instead, Astana send a decidedly "B" team.

Makes me wonder what is more important preparation than riding your bike in competition.

I think this has been answered a million times in different places.

Lance has ALWAYS wanted to do this race-Gila. Which is one reason the company he holds part ownership in SRAM, saved the race, right?
One of the reasons HIS U23 team did it, right? another spotlight for his team and Phinney, right?


He almost did it his last year of riding '05 while trying to train for the Tour and stay in the US and be near his family.

THis year, HE said that Romandie would be too hard too close to the Giro, especially his first race back from a broken collarbone. WHat is so hard to accept?

Why would he want to go out and do the TT and TTT etc half out of shape?

His options were Gila or train in the mountains.

I realize you dont approve of his racing plans but no worries, next year he will own the team and so there will be no messing around like this year with the crap he has had to deal with: you can ride, you cant ride you can ride.
How many times has this already happened?
TdU
Gila
threats not to allow TdF

Anyone see a pattern?

 

[Blorpht]

I like what Horner says: "And it's a pro race. That's all that needs to be said. Lance is a pro, Levi is a pro, and I'm a pro; It's a pro race. If you don't want to race with pros, stay ameteur."

The man's a genius.

Exactly. It was a pro race.

 

[crashaustin]

How long does this game have to go on.

Maybe some of you didn't notice but this race was going to be canceled only 2 months ago with no main sponsor. Sram stepped in and keep this classic American stage race alive,there are only a few left. Suddenly 3 of America's top pro racers are in the race, also sponsored by Sram and The Gila is back on the map with the results being broadcast worldwide. Do you think this would have happened by sprinkling magic pixie dust around Silver City? Lance, Levi and Horner brought much needed attention to this dying classic and they showed up to race. It would have been a disservice to all the other professionals by not giving it there all. America cycling is struggling to survive and Lance is giving it a much needed boost, as no one else can.

You're right , what a bunch of arrogant jerks, who do they think they are by caring enough to get off there high horses and do what they can to help. Phil Z from Flying V really seemed upset by racing with Lance and Levi, oh except for that part where he said it was his greatest win because he beat Lance and Levi in a sprint.

Funny how the people most upset about this is not the continental pro's ,who said it was a opportunity of a lifetime, but the average joe's who will never get the chance.

 

[aermet]

Not only do I agree with bigboat's original assessment of Levi, I think Hincapie tops Levi in the self centered I shoulda coulda won Paris Roubaix TDF and whatever else category. The one point I don't agree with is Horner not being a "responder". He's actually not in the "inner circle" with LA and some of the others even though he's on the team. It's natural talent.

 

[BikeCentric]

Funny how the people most upset about this is not the continental pro's ,who said it was a opportunity of a lifetime, but the average joe's who will never get the chance.

Funny how it always comes back to elitism with the rabid defenders of Armstrong's every move.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I personally don't think they should have raced it, or gone for the win. But at least they didn't take any prize money, that was cool.