New U.S. stage race in Colorado?

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Freire almost certainly is, Gesink is not. Gesink wanted to ride the Vuelta, but the Rabo bosses think differently.

I think it's Gesinks own choice actually.
I'm almost sure of that.

I think he is struggling with a lot of things mentally and wants to be as far away from the Netherlands / Europe as he can. Ride and find pleasure again in America and Canada and find spirit for the Italian autumn classics and the worlds

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I expect RadioShack will be here with Horner and Leipheimer.

Rabo should do very well. I would like to see Liquigas bring Nibali and/or Basso.

I think Skil-Shimano will be chomping at the bit here. I expect them to go all out in the breaks.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Ugh. If we have to watch Horner and Leipheimer drop everyone on the climbs, USPS style, I'm going to just cringe. But presuming Chris has fully recovered from his head injury, he would have to be a favorite.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

It is lame that Mancebo will not be there. Instead we get World Tour teams that will use the race as a vacation.

 

[jobiwan]

I expect RadioShack will be here with Horner and Leipheimer.

Rabo should do very well. I would like to see Liquigas bring Nibali and/or Basso.

I think Skil-Shimano will be chomping at the bit here. I expect them to go all out in the breaks.

Doesn't this interfere with the Vuelta? That would rule Nibali out right?

ANYONE BUT LEVI!!

 

[benpounder]

ANYONE BUT LEVI!!

Man, after three weeks of Andy hate, and Cadel hate, and Alberto hate, do we really have to resurrect the Levi hate?

This is an inception tour (granted from the ashes of the Coors/Celestal Seasons sponsored events), but it seems you all want to bad mouth all the cycling heros that get ink in all the towns that the new race travels through.

While all you cycling heros think it would be horrible were Levi to recover and win, you are blindly ignorant that Levi leading win would invigorate the cycling bug of all these small burgs of Colorado; in one of which I live.

Rhetorical - was the Tdf so watched in France this year because:

Phillipe Gilbert animated the race early on?
Thor Hosvhovd was incredible in the first week?
Nothing serious happened in the Pyrnees?
Andy could not put really earned time on his competition?
Alberto failed?
Cadel didn't fail?
Or was it that local hero Thomas Voeckler continued to be the leader of the race over some astonishing routes?

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

While all you cycling heros think it would be horrible were Levi to recover and win, you are blindly ignorant that Levi leading win would invigorate the cycling bug of all these small burgs of Colorado; in one of which I live.

If Colorado cycling has to rely on Levi to invigorate it then it is doomed doomed doomed.

 

[benpounder]

If Colorado cycling has to rely on Levi to invigorate it then it is doomed doomed doomed.

I'm sure you think you're being funny...

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I'm sure you think you're being funny...

I thought you were trying to be funny when you wrote that a Levi win could invigorate cycling. That is sarcastic comedy gold there.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Man, after three weeks of Andy hate, and Cadel hate, and Alberto hate, do we really have to resurrect the Levi hate?

... Levi leading win would invigorate the cycling bug of all these small burgs of Colorado; in one of which I live.

Ben, I completely agree with your first statement. I don't get all that hate either. I actually thought both Cadel and Andy rode great Tours and should be proud simply to be part of this tour, and to know they gave it their all. As to Levi, I don't understand why so many have such hate towards him, it's like hating shredded wheat, or iceberg lettuce. At most you could say the guy has a bland personality, and riding style. Okay, so what? I don't mind the guy one way or the other.

But I think to say Levi winning the new Coors' Classic would invigorate the cycling bug there, I'm left scratching my head. If you said Tom Danielson, as he's from Colorado, I would believe that. If you said Chris Horner because he's personable, I could see that too. If you said either Phinney or Stetina, I could definitely see that. If you even tossed out Lawson Craddock (if he's riding?) I'd believe that too, even though most people in this country have little idea who he is. Young talent on the rise. I could see that really helping invigorate US cycling. But Levi? Really? I feel like if he won the reaction from the general fan would be neither here nor there. Better than a foreign rider I believe. But for the hardcore cycling fan, I think many would just assume see someone more exciting on the bike, and personable off, win, regardless of what country they are from. To cheer for him to win is sort of like cheering for shredded wheat.

 

[benpounder]

I thought you were trying to be funny when you wrote that a Levi win could invigorate cycling. That is sarcastic comedy gold there.

I have no clue who you are, or where you are from for you chose not to provide that info in your profile.

Here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, only about 20% of our town (pop 9500) and 10% of our county (pop 20,000) know what is happening vis a vis cycling. In a month's time the biggest race, with the biggest names that we have seen, will come through. While our local paper, to its credit, does cover daily the Tour de France, only in small enclaves is road cycling discussed. The Giro, the Vuelta, Paris Roubiax are recognized, but if I talk about the Ronde Van Vlaanderen eyes glaze over. Few of my neighbors have a clue what is going on in France today, and none can tell you who is leading in all the jerseys. But they know of Lance Armstrong... and Levi Leipheimer (and a couple of others). If Levi, or Chris Horner, or Tom Danielson, or Dave Zabriskie, or Christian Vandeveld happens to be in the lead, or close to taking the lead when the race finishes here on August 26, and departs here the next day, twice as many folk will come out to attend.

Mind you, this is a primarily a mountain biking state, and a mountain biking town - you would be surprised how few cyclists follow professional road racing.

So yes, Levi (along with others but Levi is an already recognizable name amongst the road cycling neophytes) will invigorate enthusiasm for road cycling here in Colorado.

 

[benpounder]

As to Levi, I don't understand why so many have such hate towards him, it's like hating shredded wheat, or iceberg lettuce.

That is good!

Thou, I would say Grape Nuts instead of shredded wheat, for the former while just as innocuous in taste, is far more robust.

To cheer for him to win is sort of like cheering for shredded wheat.

Yeah, but I have grape nuts (my shredded wheat) far more often than I do eggs benedict or Kaiserschmarm. I marvel the extraordinary, but I will not mock the mundane.

ps see above for an expanded explanation of the comment you were responding to.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Yeah, I understand. But you're talking about the masses...to the enlightened. What kind of response on this site did you expect?!

Grape nuts, that works.

 

[jobiwan]

Man, after three weeks of Andy hate, and Cadel hate, and Alberto hate, do we really have to resurrect the Levi hate?

Sorry for seeming that way.
I don't hate Levi, and he deserved his TdS win, but of all the American contigent, he just is the least exciting to me.

I'd rather see Horner or Tommy D go ape on the climbs, to me they just seem more exciting!

I hope the upcoming race does well for your State, there's a finish in Steamboat Springs, right?

EDIT: And Chris Horner's gonna race in this!

 

[Mr. O'Clock]

I thought you were trying to be funny when you wrote that a Levi win could invigorate cycling. That is sarcastic comedy gold there.

So, what pro cyclists do you like and what country you from?
also why so much hate for Levi and the shack?
Wait, were you dropped in a flat crit by Levi?

 

[benpounder]

I don't hate Levi, and he deserved his TdS win, but of all the American contigent, he just is the least exciting to me.

I'd rather see Horner or Tommy D go ape on the climbs, to me they just seem more exciting!

As a former Durangatang, I have avidly followed Tommy D's career. He finally has realized his potential. If he wins the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge would be tremendous. As would a host of other riders, some of whom Alpe listed. Truth be told, I'm hoping Taylor Phinney races and wins. That would be huge for Colorado (and US cycling). But my backup card has always been, for the past decade, Levi Leipheimer.

What it boils down to, I think, is that we root for the rider that can do that which we can't. In my better days I could hammer up hills, riding friends off my back wheel. But there was always someone that had the ability to blast off the front and thoroughly demoralize the rest of us. As much as I wish I was that person, I am not; and nor is Levi. But Levi is miles beyond me, and virtually every other contributer in this forum. But his style is my style, and I'd bet the style of almost all the other members of this forum.

Mostly I bear my anger silently when folks so cavalierly disparage his name. But the gratuitous "let us bash Levi" comment sets me off. I appreciate your clarification.

 

[davestoller]

Ugh. If we have to watch Horner and Leipheimer drop everyone on the climbs, USPS style, I'm going to just cringe. But presuming Chris has fully recovered from his head injury, he would have to be a favorite.

Hey admin, dont comments like this belong in another secyion, like the Clinic?

Cringe away.
Horner is seriously injured- I dont care what he or his handlers say. He shouldnstay off the bike for another six weeks.

Levi also has had so ,any crashes and has sustained many injuries. Whatever injuroes he sustained ans hasnt talked about will also prevent him from doing anything.

Its too bad. Horner and Levi would hage been fun to watch.
They must be paying the Schelcks a fortunentonshow up. Trek?
And Evans??

 

[mewmewmew13]

I'm a bit surprised that Horner is going to ride this although he would hate to miss this chance. After such a serious head crash he is pushing a reasonable and conservative approach one might think??

It will be interesting to see who actually shows up! Jens? wow.

 

[benpounder]

But you're talking about the masses...to the enlightened.

So true. I just wish our 'enlightened' forum brethren would be a bit more ecumenical.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

So true. I just wish our 'enlightened' forum brethren would be a bit more ecumenical.

Sorry we are not all Levi fanboys like you. Who knew that The Leech actually has fanboys? This must be a corollary of rule #34. If there is a rider, there exists an obsessed fan of him. If you can see past your unnatural fixation and forget about The Lamprey's many clinic issues, you might be able to figure out that a more charismatic rider--or one with any charisma at all for that matter--with a more crowd pleasing racing style would help cycling a lot better than Mr. Vegetable Lasagna.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Vegetable Lasagne, Grape Nuts, Shredded Wheat, Iceberg Lettuce. All tastes the same to most people.

What it boils down to, I think, is that we root for the rider that can do that which we can't. In my better days I could hammer up hills, riding friends off my back wheel. But there was always someone that had the ability to blast off the front and thoroughly demoralize the rest of us. As much as I wish I was that person, I am not; and nor is Levi. But Levi is miles beyond me, and virtually every other contributor in this forum. But his style is my style, and I'd bet the style of almost all the other members of this forum.

That was me too. Both as a racer, and post racer for years (now I'm getting old, slow and fat). Plus I excelled at TT's more than anything. But I had more personality.

Hey admin, dont comments like this belong in another secyion, like the Clinic?

I didn't mention doping Dave. Just how dull it is to watch a train of riders steam over mountain passes. I'm much more a fan of the Andy Schleck/Alberto Contador style of racing, where one attacks 50-80km from the finish line, win or lose.

 

[Deagol]

Mind you, this is a primarily a mountain biking state,…..would be surprised how few cyclists follow professional road racing.

I think that is very true for the western slope & mountain towns, but the Front Range is definitely road and mountain bike country. I would say probably more road riders as far as sheer numbers, on the front range, too (the trails are thankful, if you know what I mean).

As a former Durangatang, I have avidly followed Tommy D's career. ….

I'm hoping Taylor Phinney races and wins. That would be huge for Colorado (and US cycling). …..

…….someone that had the ability to blast off the front and thoroughly demoralize the rest of us. As much as I wish I was that person, I am not; …….

+1, +1, and +1.

 

[Duartista]

Antioquia announced their team for this and the Tour of Utah a while ago. Here it is: Sergio Luis Henao, Jánier Acevedo, Alejandro Ramírez, Rafael Montiel, Carlos Ospina, Óscar Álvarez y Cristian Montoya + 1 more.

 

[jobiwan]

Antioquia announced their team for this and the Tour of Utah a while ago. Here it is: Sergio Luis Henao, Jánier Acevedo, Alejandro Ramírez, Rafael Montiel, Carlos Ospina, Óscar Álvarez y Cristian Montoya + 1 more.

Yeah! More names for P&P to destroy!! Jangle-eey, Boissen Hagen, now these guys!!

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Antioquia announced their team for this and the Tour of Utah a while ago. Here it is: Sergio Luis Henao, Jánier Acevedo, Alejandro Ramírez, Rafael Montiel, Carlos Ospina, Óscar Álvarez y Cristian Montoya + 1 more.

Good. Utah and Colorado will not be an easy opportunity for The Leech to beat up on domestic pros. He will face real competition.