Livestrong will be at Gila

[BikeCentric]

I don't see why anyone is surprised. Sandbaggers are all the same. They are bullies who enjoy beating up on lesser riders.

You are correct Sir:

Three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer captured the opening stage of the Tour of the Gila and hopes to add the overall victory to his palmarès when the race ends on May 3. He will have strong backing from teammates Lance Armstrong and Chris Horner to make the victory possible.

"I hope to win here," Leipheimer said. "When I first got here, I thought we should try to let someone else win. But Lance told me something that made a lot of sense. He said 'you are a winner and you are here to win a race, we will figure the rest out later.'

Armstrong and Horner worked hard to put their star-climber into the overall race lead. The California state 'golden boy' powered up Mount Mogollon's eight-kilometre ascent to the finish line with a commanding lead ahead of the young American talent Peter Stetina (Garmin-Holowesko Partners-Felt) and Chris Baldwin (Rock Racing).

"Lance got to the climb and put the hurt on everyone so all I had to do was make one big attack and I was gone," Leipheimer said. "The other teams will probably try to take the lead away from me but we are going to figure it out as we go."

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

We're all going to go back and forth here, but I'm with you BikeCentric.

Levi needs to enter the Gila to win it AFTER his days racing the Pro Tour in Europe are over.

As far as Lance and Levi making putting the race on the map, I'll say now as I did then, just by showing up to be race stewards or honorary commissioners to sign autographs, give interviews and talk to the news, it would do wonders for the race. Or they could just ride in it I suppose. Racing in it TO WIN is just BS and completely unnecessary.

And the whole "training" thing is BS as well. If they wanted training, they'd be riding the Romandie, or Vuelta Austrias which at least is a UCI Continental 2.1 race.

Hope these bullies finish out of the prizes at the Giro.

 

[Dr. Wattini]

Dudes,
The inclussion of Astana at Gila is a shame. The interpretation of this rule has sent half of the BMC squad home. For some guys these race is a big target and all of a sudden they get screwed by the "big boys" of cycling. What a shame.
If these guys wanted a trainning race, they should have gone to Europe and race. Probably Lance does not want another Showergate incident... or a positive incident and is safer staying in US soil where he is liked by people

 

[SpeedWay]

Probably Lance does not want another Showergate incident... or a positive incident and is safer staying in US soil where he is liked by people

UCI anti-doping control. #25. Been awhile. Thought they forgot about me.
about 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Why is it that Lance is the only person in cycling history that feels the need to let the world know when he's tested? In all the times Mario Cippolini, Erik Zabel or Laurent Jalabert were tested after all of their races and wins, they never said a peep. Actually, this goes beyond cycling into any athletics in any sport. Lance is the only one.

He's got this strange martyr complex view of things, or trying to manipulate the situation in the court of public opinion. Like by letting us know, we'll get the impression that he's being treated unfairly??? Or maybe he thinks there should be less testing? Or by letting everyone know, he's trying to inoculate himself against accusations of doping - more of the "most tested" "never tested positive" nonsense. When anyone who pays close enough attention to cycling knows that testing is anything but infallible, and yields a lot of false negatives.

 

[Baggins27]

I think it's hugely unfair of these guys to go and win this. As many have said, this race is a big event for some and riders would have been hugely looking forward to it.... now it's a huge struggle cos you have Levi and Lance whooping the entire peloton.

Unnecessary and a real PR disaster.

 

[ElChingon]

Do we know if its actually a UCI test when he states? He can say what he wants so who's verifying he's actually on test #24/#25? It could be #2 for all we know or is there some kind of UCI test counter per rider database we can look at

 

[davestoller]

I think it's hugely unfair of these guys to go and win this. As many have said, this race is a big event for some and riders would have been hugely looking forward to it.... now it's a huge struggle cos you have Levi and Lance whooping the entire peloton.

Unnecessary and a real PR disaster.

Its a huge success because Lance's sponsor SRAM saved the race.
Otherwise the race would fail.

 

[davestoller]

If they want training they should be at Romandie.

I think in his first race back, Lance would prefer a slower pace and chiller peloton, not 180 Protour riders go balls to the wall from the jump.

He does have a lot of hardware to get used to riding with--funny since he is Mr Carbon fiber shave milligrams off my stem please and now he has a bunch of junk in his shoulder.

 

[Returnofthewolf]

Oh fer fux sake, better rekanize.

You guys act like Astana is riding against parapalegic 10 year olds. Gimme a break. This is a win/win for everybody involved.

Alot of people on here seem to be underestimating the quality of many riders in the field, and the difficulty of the courses. peas out.

 

[ridley]

As far as Lance and Levi making putting the race on the map, I'll say now as I did then, just by showing up to be race stewards or honorary commissioners to sign autographs, give interviews and talk to the news, it would do wonders for the race. Or they could just ride in it I suppose. Racing in it TO WIN is just BS and completely unnecessary.

You do have a valid point - but is it not beneficial for pro-conti riders to compete and measure against the likes of Levi, Chris and LA to feel what life is really like in the Pro-T circles?

 

[grimpeur]

You guys act like Astana is riding against parapalegic 10 year olds. Gimme a break. This is a win/win for everybody involved.

I'll bet the five BMC riders that got sent home are thinking that right now.

 

[BikeCentric]

You guys act like Astana is riding against parapalegic 10 year olds.

No actually we're acting like they're racing against Cat 1's, which they are. Cat 1's are worlds apart from Pro Tour competition in Europe.

 

[BikeCentric]

I think in his first race back, Lance would prefer a slower pace and chiller peloton.

Yep, that's called "sandbagging."

 

[Returnofthewolf]

I'll bet the five BMC riders that got sent home are thinking that right now.

I agree the UCI rule is absurd, but thats a wholly separate issue. Let ALL these guys race their GD bikes! "OMG, the Astana guys are trying to win a race!" OMG, Ohhhh think of the children!

Why didnt Astana/Mellow Vajayjays win today? hmmm, sounds like some good racing maybe.

 

[Mr.DNA]

"As we only knew since yesterday that we would participate here, we started with small ambitions," commented Leipheimer.

The mantra of the sandbagger. Where have I heard this before?

 

[Epicycle]

Why is it that Lance is the only person in cycling history that feels the need to let the world know when he's tested? In all the times Mario Cippolini, Erik Zabel or Laurent Jalabert were tested after all of their races and wins, they never said a peep. Actually, this goes beyond cycling into any athletics in any sport. Lance is the only one.

He's got this strange martyr complex view of things, or trying to manipulate the situation in the court of public opinion. Like by letting us know, we'll get the impression that he's being treated unfairly??? Or maybe he thinks there should be less testing? Or by letting everyone know, he's trying to inoculate himself against accusations of doping - more of the "most tested" "never tested positive" nonsense. When anyone who pays close enough attention to cycling knows that testing is anything but infallible, and yields a lot of false negatives.

He's trying to manipulate the situation in the court of public opinion. It is likely a major part of his comeback is setting up a future political career. He wants to be Governor of Texas so riding a "clean" comeback provides a buffer against doping allegations from before he retired. The Catlin fiasco was a big setback and showergate didn't help but if he works hard he can retire again with a net public relations gain on doping.

 

[Greisty]

I've done the Gila as a Cat 4 (2nd on GC), a 3 (6th on GC), and a 2 (20somethingth on GC). And I was fitter every year I did it. As you can see, I ran out of talent. I had a great time doing this wonderful race and enacting a fantasy by playing "pro bike racer" for five days. I'll probably be back next year, even though that will mean hours and hours on the rollers here in snowy Wisconsin.

Many of the guys in Pro/1 at the Gila are...wait for it...Pros! The others are Cat 1s. Why does it matter if other people who ride their bikes professionally come to the Gila and beat them? Perhaps you could argue that the Mellow Johnnys are stealing prize money, but the "team" isn't accepting any. And if you're concerned about recognition for participating in or winning a race, it would seem more likely that people would recognize your status as a domestic pro bike racer (or a Cat 1) if you told people who don't know much about bike racing that you raced against Lance Armstrong -- and maybe even beat him.

I want to win races because I rode faster than others, not because somebody better didn't show up. If you're a pro bike racer, you should be prepared to race against other people who are pro bike racers, no matter whether they ply their trade here or in Europe. My guess is that few pros and Cat 1s in this year's edition of a great race are complaining about the presence of the Mellow Johnnys. I know I wish I were in New Mexico, even if I would be racing as a lowly Cat 2.

This episode is one of the greatest aspects of bicycle racing: you can come in contact and possibly even race against the very best in the world. That is cool, and other than auto racing, I can't think of another sport that offers this kind of opportunity. I am watching this year's Gila with great interest.

 

[SpeedWay]

I've done the Gila as a Cat 4 (2nd on GC), a 3 (6th on GC), and a 2 (20somethingth on GC). And I was fitter every year I did it.

Great story. Good to hear a former rider's opinion instead of all the misguided and uninformed hater's opinion. Best of luck for you return to Big G next year.

 

[pmessal]

Quick Question:
Since Peter Stetina is the reigning U23 US TT champ, does he get to wear a nationl champions skinsuit in today's time trial at the Gila? OR does the race have to be classified as a U23 race in order for him to wear it?

 

[Power13]

Quick Question:
Since Peter Stetina is the reigning U23 US TT champ, does he get to wear a nationl champions skinsuit in today's time trial at the Gila? OR does the race have to be classified as a U23 race in order for him to wear it?

It technically has to be a U23 race, but organizers can grant him a disposition to wear it, IIRC.

 

[krebs303]

never say: only, always or never. you'll be wrong

Why is it that Lance is the only person in cycling history that feels the need to let the world know when he's tested?

from Levi:
# Early breakfast with UCI anti-doping for Team Mellow Johnny's5:51 AM Apr 30th from Tweetie
# Folks, you aren't going to believe this! 2nd anti-doping test of the morning, this time it's the UCI. Someone needs to coordinate better7:59 AM Apr 24th from Tweetie
# Early morning wake up from USADA, anti-doping test. @hornerakg would say that I'm living the dream7:02 AM Apr 24th from Tweetie

Basso:
# Good morning..Doping control..10:40 PM Apr 28th from TwitterBerry
# Get antidoping control this morning.12:22 AM Apr 15th from TwitterBerry



Horner:
# I'm going with drug controllers to the race in their car now because I still can't pee.6:34 AM Apr 30th from TwitterBerry
# Out of competition control again. This time before the race. And I still can't pee !6:13 AM Apr 30th from TwitterBerry


That took no effort to find. take your blinders off people

 

[ridley]

Horner:
# I'm going with drug controllers to the race in their car now because I still can't pee.6:34 AM Apr 30th from TwitterBerry
# Out of competition control again. This time before the race. And I still can't pee !6:13 AM Apr 30th from TwitterBerry


That took no effort to find. take your blinders off people

I SURELY hope that Chris was able to pee by now !!! An awful long time to keep it in

 

[Juan Pelota]

Levi wins TT, Lance 3rd

 

[Baggins27]

Great story. Good to hear a former rider's opinion instead of all the misguided and uninformed hater's opinion. Best of luck for you return to Big G next year.

Why is it because we don't agree with you that we are "uninformed haters"? Perhaps we just have a difference of opinion on this one?

Jeez, people get so touchy when a discussion involves Lance Armstrong. For the record I actually like the guy and am pleased he's back.