New U.S. stage race in Colorado?

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I assume that Horner will not do this race with his blood clot issue. Who will save us from The Leech?

 

[trevim]

I assume that Horner will not do this race with his blood clot issue. Who will save us from The Leech?

Maybe one of the Garmin boys: Danielson, Vande Velde and Hesjedal? At least I hope so. And wasn't Contador riding this one?

 

[Rocksteady]

Maybe one of the Garmin boys: Danielson, Vande Velde and Hesjedal? At least I hope so. And wasn't Contador riding this one?

Or Gesink, or Frandy, Or Cadel. Lots of names here, I hope they plan on racing.

 

[goggalor]

Very disappointing that Evans will not race anymore after this. I can understand not going to the Worlds, but skipping Lombardia is just stupid. Hopefully that means he'll race this one proper.

 

[trevim]

Or Gesink, or Frandy, Or Cadel. Lots of names here, I hope they plan on racing.

I wouldn't put much faith in Andy But yeah Gesink and Cadel stand a chance to dethrone Leipheimer !

 

[Deagol]

I haven't found a route online for the '87 Coors Classic, but I see there was a Hawaii stage. That's one heck of a transfer to the next stage. It had to be rerouted a few weeks before the race because a lava flow cut off the original route. hah.

This site lists Colorado climbs and notes some that were featured in the Coors Classic. The Mt. Evans entry doesn't mention the Classic.

The movie "American Flyers ended with a stage from Golden to Echo Lake, I'm not sure if they actually had that stage in the real race, but I am certain that the Coors did not go to Mt Evans' summit.

There is a race to the summit, but it wasn't part of the Coors Classic

 

[benpounder]

Who will save us from The Leech?

Rhetorical - If you had the chance to ride with Levi, a citizen ride replicating stage 19 of this year's TdF, would you?

If Levi decided to turn the screws, do you think you could keep up?

[my edit] And just how many riders in the world could?

to answer the last, On a good day, there are maybe two dozen riders - in the world - that could hang with a pace that Levi is capable of. And this forum takes joy in mocking him...

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Rhetorical - If you had the chance to ride with Levi, a citizen ride replicating stage 19 of this year's TdF, would you?

That would depend on whether the donkey or the racehorse showed up.

 

[rides like a girl]

Or Gesink, or Frandy, Or Cadel. Lots of names here, I hope they plan on racing.

I am not holding my breath....hope I am wrong, but can't see why the big names will really "race". Probably see young Garmin riders and Radio Shack really try, the others just enough to finish safely.

 

[Deagol]

IIRC, Levi now holds the course record for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race. He is not from altitude, as far as I’m aware- but did the course faster than anyone else (including many who live at altitude). Granted, he didn’t get a flat like LA did the year before, but this should hopefully de-bunk the idea that altitude alone is the determining factor in cycling.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I am not holding my breath....hope I am wrong, but can't see why the big names will really "race". Probably see young Garmin riders and Radio Shack really try, the others just enough to finish safely.

This. The only thing that Andy will be racing for is to see how fast he can make it to the local watering hole after each stage. Most of the others are just there because the teams' sponsors want them to be.

Evans might actually race because he always seems ready to give it a go.

HTC will want to make a good showing if they are still hunting for a sponsor.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Rhetorical - If you had the chance to ride with Levi, a citizen ride replicating stage 19 of this year's TdF, would you?

If Levi decided to turn the screws, do you think you could keep up?

[my edit] And just how many riders in the world could?

to answer the last, On a good day, there are maybe two dozen riders - in the world - that could hang with a pace that Levi is capable of. And this forum takes joy in mocking him...

If I had the chance to ride with Levi I'd jump at it. Do I like his style of riding? No. Do I mock him and get frustrated when he is successful? Yes. Do I respect him and would I love to hear some insights of the péloton? Definitely.

The problem with Levi is not his ability, it's that his style of racing strikes many as negative. This isn't pro wrestling, and he isn't beholden to be entertaining, but most of us are fans because we are entertained by the sport, and if he doesn't entertain us we won't like him. And if his not-particularly-entertaining model of racing is successful we will resent it.

But it won't stop us acknowledging that he's a great bike rider if pushed.

But the whole "could you do better?" argument is utter rubbish. Of course I couldn't do better. But then, racing a bike is Levi's job. Notwithstanding the simple fact that he's more talented than I will ever be at the task, I would expect the guy who trains daily and races with the élite péloton all year round to beat some random member of the public. That doesn't make him immune to criticism. When he actually DOES turn up to amateur events and beat random members of the public, it's embarrassing.

 

[Lupetto]

Very disappointing that Evans will not race anymore after this. I can understand not going to the Worlds, but skipping Lombardia is just stupid. Hopefully that means he'll race this one proper.

I'm a little bit surprised about these plans. Evans doesn't have so many race days at the moment. So why not do Colorado, Montreal/Quebec and the Italian Classics. Evans could be a serious contender for Gilbert. But if he has plans for an early 2012 start, this seems quite understandable.

I am not holding my breath....hope I am wrong, but can't see why the big names will really "race". Probably see young Garmin riders and Radio Shack really try, the others just enough to finish safely.

It will be very interesting who can deal best with the altitude. Tom Danielson seems to have no problems with it. Oscar Sevilla for example cracks a lot in Colombia, when the altitude reaches 3000m.

TT looks interesting, too.

 

[mastersracer]

The problem with Levi is not his ability, it's that his style of racing strikes many as negative. This isn't pro wrestling, and he isn't beholden to be entertaining, but most of us are fans because we are entertained by the sport, and if he doesn't entertain us we won't like him. And if his not-particularly-entertaining model of racing is successful we will resent it.

his style of racing is due to his ability - he doesn't attack on climbs because he can't. He'll never be an explosive climber - on a good day, he's barely able to stay with the best on climbs and gets gapped on most accelerations...

 

[benpounder]

That would depend on whether the donkey or the racehorse showed up.

oh BS...
Even the donkey would kick our ass...

 

[movingtarget]

Very disappointing that Evans will not race anymore after this. I can understand not going to the Worlds, but skipping Lombardia is just stupid. Hopefully that means he'll race this one proper.

Evans is entitled to one short season as he usually races the Tour of Lombardy every year. Pretty much hands the number one ranking to Gilbert. He always turns up to race but with the Schlecks there as well, I will be interested to see whether they give it a go or not.

I would be surprised if Evans rides the TDU. I think he may appear as a guest and do the meet the fans thing but I think he may stick to the same race schedule in 2012 as it worked so well for him this year. Even though the routes for the Giro and Tour have not been released yet, I don't think there is any doubt that he will return to the Tour. It's always been the race he wanted to excell at and possibly follow through with the Olympic Road Race and Tour of Lombardy next year.

 

[Swede1]

I think Evans will race Colorado like he raced Tirreno and Romandie. He will race to win. Also its his last race of the season so he wants it to count.

 

[jacko_69]

Reading his comments in regard to the race, like most of the races he shows up for, I reckon he might have a crack at this one.

“I'm looking forward to competing in the U.S. in one more stage race before I close out what has been a dream season,” he stated, confirming that it would be his final race of the year. “I've heard good things about the race in Colorado and I know it won't be easy. But I'm up for one more challenge.”
Full article: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9258/Tour-de-France-champion-Cadel-Evans-confirmed-for-USA-Pro-Cycling-Challenge-in-Colorado.aspx

As for finishing up the season a little earlier than usual for him... I guess we can cut him a little slack, he probably thinks he's earned it, he'd be right too.

 

[Astana1]

I could care less which Cadel shows up. It's bad enough that he won the Tour as it is, but I guess if Sastre can win one then Cuddles can. I swear he makes me like cycling less, he's about as fun as a jar of Vegemite that's been sitting on my dashboard in 100 F heat for three days. Cheers.

 

[just some guy]

I could care less which Cadel shows up. It's bad enough that he won the Tour as it is, but I guess if Sastre can win one then Cuddles can. I swear he makes me like cycling less, he's about as fun as a jar of Vegemite that's been sitting on my dashboard in 100 F heat for three days. Cheers.

Does anyone know where I can get 45 seconds of my life back ?

 

[Astana1]

Does anyone know where I can get 45 seconds of my life back ?

Damn. You must be a slow reader. Great cyclists make the sport look easy. Cadel Evans make cycling look more difficult than astro-physics.

 

[Deagol]

I could care less which Cadel shows up. It's bad enough that he won the Tour as it is, but I guess if Sastre can win one then Cuddles can. I swear he makes me like cycling less, he's about as fun as a jar of Vegemite that's been sitting on my dashboard in 100 F heat for three days. Cheers.

It’s tough to be a cyclist. Not only do the fans expect you to win, but you have to do it in a way that excites them. And if you do win in a way that excites them, you will be accused of using <you know what> in order to win. If you don’t win in a way that excites them, they will find you boring.

Congratulations Cadel.

 

[patrick767]

I assume that Horner will not do this race with his blood clot issue. Who will save us from The Leech?

Cadel, perhaps?
There's a lot of talent going to this race and I'm not convinced that they won't work hard for a win, especially Evans as it's his last race of the season. He has no reason to hold back.

Another consideration though I'm not sure if it will have an impact or not: the Coors Classic was a big deal in its day. Lemond won twice among others. There's a chance this new race will be successful and grow, but there will only ever be one first winner.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Cadel, perhaps?
There's a lot of talent going to this race and I'm not convinced that they won't work hard for a win, especially Evans as it's his last race of the season. He has no reason to hold back.

Another consideration though I'm not sure if it will have an impact or not: the Coors Classic was a big deal in its day. Lemond won twice among others. There's a chance this new race will be successful and grow, but there will only ever be one first winner.

I am putting my faith in Evans. He has to be feeling like King Kong right now, and BMC will want to make a good showing because the only reason BMC is registered in the U.S. instead of Switzerland is to help to sell BMC bikes to americans.

 

[Astana1]

I really hope Chiara blogs about the ToCo. That would be really special. I won't get my hopes up.