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Phil Gaimon's book?

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FXDGEAR

Oct 12, 2012
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Anyone read Phil Gaimon's book Pro Cycling on $10 a Day?

Phil's always been pretty vocal about his views on doping/dopers and his book has some specific points he makes about guys like Lance and Mancebo. Phil's more subtle about guys like Freddy Rodriguez and defends the actions of Vaughters, Andreu, and Tom Danielson.

Phil writes about how he views Danielson and what Tom did to help get him a contract with Garmin. Also, Phil states that he'd be a hypocrite if he didn't explain why he views guys like Vaughters, Andreu, and Danielson differently than other dopers... It's obvious that Phil benefits from the relationships he's had with some past dopers. Some might indeed still call Phil a hypocrite for condemning some dopers but capitalizing on what other past dopers have been able to help him with.

Case in point, Tom Danielson's mentoring of Phil and his efforts to get Phil a contract with Garmin. Do you guys believe there's redemption for someone like Danielson for helping a vocal anti doping critic like Phil get to the world tour? Is Phil a pawn for Danielson? Are Phil's views on guys like Vaughters and Danielson too biased due to his riding for Garmin?

My own views are some what conflicted because I've always been pretty skeptical of any confessed doper who is still involved in the sport and because I'd really like to see Phil succeed at the world tour level.
 
gooner

gooner

Mar 25, 2013
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I can't say I knew a lot about the guy before his performance in San Luis but I seen it mentioned on here including Betsy when she posted on the forum, he is one of the good guys in the peloton.

I wouldn't call him a hypocrite for signing for Garmin. He wouldn't be happy with their pasts but I think he may also see it from the point of view of guys who nonetheless played a part in getting rid of the some bad apples from the sport.

IMO you could only point the hypocrisy card if he went to the Saxos and Astanas of this world.

Just looking it's not released over here until June 10th. I might take a read off this.
 
Race Radio

Race Radio

Aug 13, 2009
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Phil is certainly one of the good guys. He is also a good writer. Looking forward to reading the book.
 
proffate

proffate

Jul 10, 2012
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FXDGEAR said:
Phil states that he'd be a hypocrite if he didn't explain why he views guys like Vaughters, Andreu, and Danielson differently than other dopers....
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well, what is Phil's reasoning?

Phil may be clean, and if he wants to be in the WT he's going to have a hard time finding a team without links to doping/run by dopers. But no one forced him to write a book defending dopers.
 
Dear Wiggo

Dear Wiggo

Sep 29, 2012
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Dazed and Confused said:
Gaimon has no idea what Garmin's A team is up to.

After Gaimon who is next in line with a book? Or maybe we get a sequel from somebody.
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Yeah. When you get "good" people like Lemond and even Bassons talking other riders - dopers even - up, you start to realise anyone in the soup is not a reliable witness for other soup members.
 
A

andy1234

Apr 19, 2010
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FXDGEAR said:
Anyone read Phil Gaimon's book Pro Cycling on $10 a Day?

Phil's always been pretty vocal about his views on doping/dopers and his book has some specific points he makes about guys like Lance and Mancebo. Phil's more subtle about guys like Freddy Rodriguez and defends the actions of Vaughters, Andreu, and Tom Danielson.

Phil writes about how he views Danielson and what Tom did to help get him a contract with Garmin. Also, Phil states that he'd be a hypocrite if he didn't explain why he views guys like Vaughters, Andreu, and Danielson differently than other dopers... It's obvious that Phil benefits from the relationships he's had with some past dopers. Some might indeed still call Phil a hypocrite for condemning some dopers but capitalizing on what other past dopers have been able to help him with.

Case in point, Tom Danielson's mentoring of Phil and his efforts to get Phil a contract with Garmin. Do you guys believe there's redemption for someone like Danielson for helping a vocal anti doping critic like Phil get to the world tour? Is Phil a pawn for Danielson? Are Phil's views on guys like Vaughters and Danielson too biased due to his riding for Garmin?

My own views are some what conflicted because I've always been pretty skeptical of any confessed doper who is still involved in the sport and because I'd really like to see Phil succeed at the world tour level.
Click to expand...

Guy condemns dopers, but doesn't mind the ones that give him a leg up.
Fair enough, he's only human.
 
Michele

Michele

Mar 26, 2009
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He's riding for Garmin, of course you can't expect him to talk in a bad way of his actual team and team mates.

By saying this, you need to remember that being a doper doesnt mean to be an bottom + hole; my own impression with Danielson years ago was of a very kind and easy going dude considering Im mr noone.

If I can add a funny note is that Phil Gaimon titled his book "from fat kid to Euro pro" even if he still had actually to start the european season. :D
 
blackcat

blackcat

Mar 13, 2009
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Dear Wiggo said:
Yeah. When you get "good" people like Lemond and even Bassons talking other riders - dopers even - up, you start to realise anyone in the soup is not a reliable witness for other soup members.
Click to expand...

i prefer chowder and bisque

chowder>soup
 
blackcat

blackcat

Mar 13, 2009
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what does phil say about phil

in terms of cycling and results

zajicek>gaimon

in terms of commentary

liggett <3 gilmore
 
42x16ss

42x16ss

May 23, 2009
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andy1234 said:
Guy condemns dopers, but doesn't mind the ones that give him a leg up.
Fair enough, he's only human.
Click to expand...

Maybe he's able to separate a persons' personality from their sporting decisions? IMO it's easy to approve of one and disapprove of the other - eg: Basso, Valverde, Contador, Hamilton, Indurain
 
Z

zigmeister

Apr 13, 2011
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andy1234 said:
Guy condemns dopers, but doesn't mind the ones that give him a leg up.
Fair enough, he's only human.
Click to expand...

TS and this^. I believe his association/training with Danielson only really started recently, when Danielson was serving his doping ban 18+ months ago over the 2012-2013 Winter season. Phil did some training with him. They have obviously become closer, as you would expect on a team with other guys in your position.

Don't see anything wrong with learning from a UCI Pro what his training tactics and methods are (not the doping stuff, the actual riding/intervals/training physically on the bike that are involved to compete at that level).

Phil has only really picked up his racing/competing seriously the past 4yrs. 2012 he had the most days racing at 22. I've raced against him personally...well, had the pleasure of being ridden off his wheel with the 75 other Pro/1/2 in a few races. It is really ridiculous his talent. I started to follow his career after those races 2+yrs ago because I really believed it was obvious this is one of the most talented US cyclist, that backs up and stands behind what he preaches about clean racing.

You don't put a tattoo on the inside of your arm that is in green with a bar of soap that says clean unless you are some sociopath.

Can't find anybody else in the Pro peloton with one of those.

Lastly, look at the guys testing numbers. He was tested an 88.7 V02 max. That was a few years ago and he has those numbers posted on his website under his resume.

Wait, didn't I just post him name about a week ago in the "Who are the clean pros" thread?
 
blackcat

blackcat

Mar 13, 2009
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zigmeister said:
You don't put a tattoo on the inside of your arm that is in green with a bar of soap that says clean unless you are some sociopath.?
Click to expand...



yeah, you do it with either the henna tattoo or one that rubs off after a month, or a cheap wristband, blue, a bikepure thingie.

was the soup tyler durden soup?
first rule of aristotelian fight club, uses soap, made from lipids, gotta be cleans
fight-club-soap.jpg

20-fight-club-screen.jpg
 
Fearless Greg Lemond

Fearless Greg Lemond

Apr 20, 2012
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zigmeister said:
^^I think that tweet says it all about this guy. Enough said on this subject.
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Thats interesting, but, isnt it a bit ridiculous to be writing a book slash buying a book when you are still a relatively nobody?
 
Race Radio

Race Radio

Aug 13, 2009
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Fearless Greg Lemond said:
Thats interesting, but, isnt it a bit ridiculous to be writing a book slash buying a book when you are still a relatively nobody?
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Isn't that the point of the book, What is is like to survive in the low glamour world of US Pro racing?

While some Euros may not know Phil in the US he is one of the better known Pros. For several years he has written every month in Veonews Magazine, before that he wrote for Bicycling Magazine.
 
Fearless Greg Lemond

Fearless Greg Lemond

Apr 20, 2012
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Race Radio said:
Isn't that the point of the book, What is is like to survive in the low glamour world of US Pro racing?

While some Euros may not know Phil in the US he is one of the better known Pros. For several years he has written every month in Veonews Magazine, before that he wrote for Bicycling Magazine.
Click to expand...
Point taken. But the influx of riders writing books the last years is a bit too much, let alone guys like Ellingworth writing their memoires.
 
Z

zigmeister

Apr 13, 2011
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Right Fearless Greg, he should wait until the day he finally admits/gets busted (that won't happen with him ever) and has no income/future, then right a book to set the record straight (Tyler, George etc..) to get some income for his defense fund or make a $$$. That is Phil's poing on his Tweet. Was that lost on your? Guess so.

In the US, Phil is becoming one of the most well known cyclist. He is very likeable, straight forward, honest, and entertaining because he doesn't take himself so seriously. People have been reading his writing/guest columns on Velonews for over a year now. In the cycling community that is. Not the public at large.

I wouldn't know 50% of Euro/Foreign cyclists in the Peloton today. And I watch a huge amount of cycling. Besides the same names the announcers will say over and over. And when there is some number in a crash/person that you can't recognize of the bike, their cheat sheet is handily by them to give a delayed answer...so the "pros" and announcing experts can't even tell you half the guys names either. So let's talk about unknowns shall we?

Furthermore, you have to understand, I mention US. Most people here can't tell you the name but of 2 soccer teams on the planet in this country. Ask about the NFL, MLB, Basketball and other well known North American Sports...shoot, even the PGA is bigger more well known in the US than cycling/soccer combined. Soccer is changing slowly over here now, but still pales in comparison. That includes cycling except for cyclist. And even most of the weekend warriors, unless their name is Lance, don't know anything about the sport.

So your statement is a straw man argument.
 
Avoriaz

Avoriaz

Mar 7, 2009
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129
10,180
Race Radio said:
Isn't that the point of the book, What is is like to survive in the low glamour world of US Pro racing?

While some Euros may not know Phil in the US he is one of the better known Pros. For several years he has written every month in Veonews Magazine, before that he wrote for Bicycling Magazine.
Click to expand...

So is the book new or a compendium of some of his articles like Roche?
 
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