Paris-Nice Stage 7: Nice-Nice

[ravens]

If Cycling is about Suffering ....

If Cycle racing is about suffering and perseverance while enduring pain, then I believe sitting through today's versus coverage of P-N should qualify me for some sort victory.

Sherwen emptied his suitcase of criticism of AC, then went back to the carousel and stole Lance's suitcase of criticism and emptied it out, too.

Who writes their commentary? JB?

ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

If Cycle racing is about suffering and perseverance while enduring pain, then I believe sitting through today's versus coverage of P-N should qualify me for some sort victory.

Sherwen emptied his suitcase of criticism of AC, then went back to the carousel and stole Lance's suitcase of criticism and emptied it out, too.

Who writes their commentary? JB?

ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

What's the point of watching Versus? There's better coverage out there for free. Versus' coverage is crap. It's the FoxNews of sports channels.

 

[Moondance]

If Cycle racing is about suffering and perseverance while enduring pain, then I believe sitting through today's versus coverage of P-N should qualify me for some sort victory.

Sherwen emptied his suitcase of criticism of AC, then went back to the carousel and stole Lance's suitcase of criticism and emptied it out, too.

Who writes their commentary? JB?

ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Like what?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Contador comments on RadioShack.

"They haven't been in the front of the two races I've done with them (Algarve and Paris-Nice) but it's a powerful team with riders of good quality and experience," the Spaniard said.

 

[ravens]

What's the point of watching Versus? There's better coverage out there for free. Versus' coverage is crap. It's the FoxNews of sports channels.

I am truly sick and tired of watching video, and not very good quality video at that, on a PC monitor. I want it on a TV. That's why!

 

[cotterpin]

Contador comments on RadioShack.

"They haven't been in the front of the two races I've done with them (Algarve and Paris-Nice) but it's a powerful team with riders of good quality and experience," the Spaniard said.

This is how Contador will get inside Radio Shack's mind; praise the bald headed gang!

 

[ravens]

Like what?

I think rather than counting on me to paraphrase and not able to put the tone correctly in a written word, it would be best if you heard it yourself, if you are so inclined. It will replay tomorrow at 4 pm eastern on TV and there are probably some clips on their site. Towards the end of the stage, Paul really got a rhythm going.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Like what?

They recapped all the stages since Monday. Did not show Contador getting a couple seconds on his rivals. Did not show much of Contador successes. Basically Bob tRoll thought everything Contador did was wrong. Moving to the front on the last descent was stupid. Not having teammates around him was stupid - he should've stayed back with his teammates in case he had trouble. Never should attack when you don't need to, etc. Sherwen mentioned that Contador would be using far better tactics if Bruyneel was in the car. The whole show was an emphasis on the old lies that Alberto is stupid and Bruyneel is god's gift to cycling strategies. When Alberto attacked, it was reckless, when Alberto didn't attack, it was because he was weak. The day he won the stage, they mentioned how uncomfortable and weak AC looked.

On the other hand, any time a rider from RadioSlack was on camera, it was a show of how strong RS were, even when what we were seeing on screen was Levi getting shelled out the back on a climb.

It was just a lot of BS designed for American audiences who were expected not to have seen any of the race footage, or followed the news stories, and therefore would believe whatever drivel Sherwen and tRoll dished out.

Edit: Ravens is right. You should find some clips online, just for the cultural experience of seeing the terrible coverage that is fed to American cycling fans.

 

[Moondance]

I think rather than counting on me to paraphrase and not able to put the tone correctly in a written word, it would be best if you heard it yourself, if you are so inclined. It will replay tomorrow at 4 pm eastern on TV and there are probably some clips on their site. Towards the end of the stage, Paul really got a rhythm going.

I don't live in the US, so watching it live for myself will be difficult.

I'm just wondering what 'charges' are being leveled at him? Is it the usual 'Contador' is tactically inept line, or does he actually dismiss his performance when he does attack?

EDIT: Beech gave a good summary. I think I get the idea

 

[ravens]

I don't live in the US, so watching it live for myself will be difficult.

I'm just wondering what 'charges' are being leveled at him? Is it the usual 'Contador' is tactically inept line, or does he actually dismiss his performance when he does attack?

EDIT: Beech gave a good summary. I think I get the idea

I see your edit.

Basically, the template is in place. And that's all you'll ever know about AC if this is where you get 100% of your cycling coverage: AC, tremendous athletic ability, but dumber than dirt. I thought Roll wasn't quite so biased as PS. Paul was just relentless.

I know. I know: Shut the volume off.

 

[Frosty]

If this is all true then what did they say when discussing Radioshack's results?

Was there just a mention of not bad for a training race?

 

[Frosty]

Yup.
And then they say cycling is getting cleaner

It was cold so they cycled quicker in order to spend less time in the cold

To be serious the wind was a tailwind for much of the time early on and one of the stages had 50km lopped off due to snow. Not sure how these conditions compare to recent Paris-Nices though - colder yes but wind im not sure.

 

[ravens]

If this is all true then what did they say when discussing Radioshack's results?

Shack is awesome according to Sher-Roll. Tiago Machado is a star of the future. He was a revelation at Volta ao Algarve. Erin Bragckovitch is another star. Levi isn't in peak season form, and Horner is awesome because he finished in the lead pack on the final stage.

 

[Frosty]

Shack is awesome according to Sher-Roll. Tiago Machado is a star of the future. He was a revelation at Volta ao Algarve. Erin Bragckovitch is another star. Levi isn't in peak season form, and Horner is awesome because he finished in the lead pack on the final stage.

Geez, how could i have missed focussing in on that? Sounds like id better buy some team kit and get some Lance banners for when i see the Tour this year. It'll be on the first mountain stage - i just hope i dont sleep in and miss them speeding by. Sounds like they'll be there pretty early. Just hope i dont get confused and think i must be watching a team time trial

 

[ravens]

Geez, how could i have missed focussing in on that? Sounds like id better buy some team kit and get some Lance banners for when i see the Tour this year. It'll be on the first mountain stage - i just hope i dont sleep in and miss them speeding by. Sounds like they'll be there pretty early. Just hope i dont get confused and think i must be watching a team time trial

Yeah, you really don't want any Astana kit NOW, because last year's team gave AC loads of support as opposed to this year's team who constantly left him isolated and are obviously not ready for prime time. The tdf is wide open because Shack has so much experience and Astana is amateur hour. At least that's Sherwen's take.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Yeah, you really don't want any Astana kit NOW, because last year's team gave AC loads of support as opposed to this year's team who constantly left him isolated and are obviously not ready for prime time. The tdf is wide open because Shack has so much experience and Astana is amateur hour. At least that's Sherwen's take.

Lets see 1st GC Paris-Nice, 1st & 3rd todays stage Tirreno-Adriatico VS 3rd Team GC at Paris-Nice. It's early yet but that experience and smarts really seems to be making the difference.

 

[Publicus]

If Cycle racing is about suffering and perseverance while enduring pain, then I believe sitting through today's versus coverage of P-N should qualify me for some sort victory.

Sherwen emptied his suitcase of criticism of AC, then went back to the carousel and stole Lance's suitcase of criticism and emptied it out, too.

Who writes their commentary? JB?

ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I have to agree. They were doing everything they could to belittle his and Astana's performance. My favorite comment was when he was remarking that AC was all alone with no teammates and that would never happen on a Johan Bruyneel team. Never mind that no one from Radio Shack made the selection, it flew in the face of what happened at Paris Nice just last year.

It really was a pathetic spectacle which will he repeated often between now and July.

 

[Bicicleta]

I'm not a Contador fan, but was taken aback by the anti-Conta comments on Versus. Was surprised that after all the trash talk they gave AC the rider of the day (or was it of the race) award? WTH???

Enjoyed seeing the race again, this time on a large TV - but the commentary was a bit insulting to anyone with cycling knowledge.

Tirreno and MSR - good week ahead. Io amo il ciclismo italiano.

 

[Publicus]

Contador comments on RadioShack.

"They haven't been in the front of the two races I've done with them (Algarve and Paris-Nice) but it's a powerful team with riders of good quality and experience," the Spaniard said.

For a kid with a lot to learn, he certainly
can turn a phrase. That one hit right between the eyes.

 

[ravens]

Lets see 1st GC Paris-Nice, 1st & 3rd todays stage Tirreno-Adriatico VS 3rd Team GC at Paris-Nice. It's early yet but that experience and smarts really seems to be making the difference.

I was thinking the same thing. I guess AC is just living on borrowed time.

New sig? I like it.

 

[dolophonic]

Ravens.. its beyond bias.. verging on propaganda.
"Bob tRoll" classic!
Versus is such a piece of $#&@.
I have used their feedback option to let them know their coverage has some room for improvement.. wasting my time i know .. but still we must try.
Sherwin was really cranking up the Shacktastic verbage... idiot.
Still Great race, great result. Bad television coverage.

 

[rides like a girl]

I'm not a Contador fan, but was taken aback by the anti-Conta comments on Versus. Was surprised that after all the trash talk they gave AC the rider of the day (or was it of the race) award? WTH???

Enjoyed seeing the race again, this time on a large TV - but the commentary was a bit insulting to anyone with cycling knowledge.

Tirreno and MSR - good week ahead. Io amo il ciclismo italiano.

I am a AC fan. I was like you and wanted to watch the race on a large TV. I can't find my cable that hooks my laptop up to the TV which would have kept me away from Versus.

I should have known it was going to be bad when I saw on the versus website a clip of AC at the end of stage 3 i think, with a poll--should AC be disqualified--when he became upclipped and fell into Martin. Happily no responses to the poll.

In addition to all the other comments already posted...

I shook my head when in summary they mentioned that he won, but had made mistakes that will come back to get him when he races against the stronger teams in the Tour. According to Paul and Bob, He made a mistake when he crashed since he was too far back in the pack. He made a mistake when he attacked on the last day blowing apart the race. He made a mistake when he became unclipped and hit Martin.

They also showed how he had illegally drafted off the Rabbobank car to get back into the race after his crash.

If he is as dumb as the American press makes him out to be, how is he even smart enough to know when to turn when he is on course? He must get lost all the time when he is beating everyone to the top of hills. I bet he can't even find the team bus after the race.

 

[flicker]

I was thinking the same thing. I guess AC is just living on borrowed time.

New sig? I like it.

Of course Contador is superior. He deserves many tour wins however before you judge the Shack remember which month we are living.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Of course Contador is superior. He deserves many tour wins however before you judge the Shack remember which month we are living.

Yep, it's March. Maybe you should remind the Shack that there are races between now and July. Like today.

No doubt the Shack will get some Ferrari engines for the Tour. But you know what they say about putting new wine in old wineskins.

 

[SoLogy]

Thank You Versus

I should preface this statement by saying that I am neither a Contador nor an Astana fan. I watched the race this morning on Sporza and I was impressed by Contador's performance. I suppose like all Americans I have been programed to believe that any race other than “The Tour” should be treated like a training session. Imagine my surprise after I finished watching the Versus coverage when I learned that Alberto may just be the worst bike racer of all time. At first I was a bit confounded at how a rider that not only won a stage a few days ago but also claimed the top spot on the podium could be so deficient. Fortunately Bob and Phil gave me a good education. Without Bruyneel, this Astana squad is doomed. Of course I am still trying to wrap my head around how an Astana rider also won today's stage in the Tirreno-Addriatico, but I am hoping that Bobke's blog will explain that for me as well.