Radioshack powerhouse

[Publicus]

I think a lot depends on how Levi gets to ride the Tour. I suspect RS won't use the cluster approach of the 2007 Tour, 2008 Vuelta, and 2009 Tour. I suspect they'll use the old 'when your done your work, pull the plug' and recover for tomorrow approach.

If he's going for the GC at the Tour, I don't think he'll do, or do well at the Vuelta.

I can't see them doing that, since it would sacrifice their goal of winning the team classification.


Which raises a question: Tactically, wouldn't it be in AC or Saxo Bank's or whoever's interest to force the yellow jersey on Radio Shack? As early as possible.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Which raises a question: Tactically, wouldn't it be in AC or Saxo Bank's or whoever's interest to force the yellow jersey on Radio Shack? As early as possible.

Perhaps, but if there is any team that can control a peloton and defend the yellow jersey, it's Radio Shack. I know RS's contenders have looked weak, but the rest of the domestiques (same ones that controlled each mountain stage at least year's tour) will be in good form: I'm guessing Rast, Paulinho, Muravyev, Zubeldia, plus Horner.

They might use the same strategy with AC. Stage 8 is the first real mountain stage; could he and Astana defend that long? AC would probably have to relinquish and attack late in the race. I don't think Radio Shack would relinquish as they can't as easily take it as AC; they would have to defend.

Either way, there will be some good racing in the mountains, not like last year.

 

[Publicus]

Perhaps, but if there is any team that can control a peloton and defend the yellow jersey, it's Radio Shack. I know RS's contenders have looked weak, but the rest of the domestiques (same ones that controlled each mountain stage at least year's tour) will be in good form: I'm guessing Rast, Paulinho, Muravyev, Zubeldia, plus Horner.

They might use the same strategy with AC. Stage 8 is the first real mountain stage; could he and Astana defend that long? AC would probably have to relinquish and attack late in the race. I don't think Radio Shack would relinquish as they can't as easily take it as AC; they would have to defend.

Either way, there will be some good racing in the mountains, not like last year.

Astana really didn't defend last year very much at all. I think they can control the peloton, but I think doing so will cost them. And Armstrong wants the yellow jersey. I say give it to him early and if he gives it up, give it back to him again. Until AC and Astana are ready to defend (which I think they will be more than up to the task).

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Astana really didn't defend last year very much at all. I think they can control the peloton, but I think doing so will cost them. And Armstrong wants the yellow jersey. I say give it to him early and if he gives it up, give it back to him again. Until AC and Astana are ready to defend (which I think they will be more than up to the task).

Could you imagine the last two weeks of the Tour? Astana gives Lance the MJ, Lance gives it back, and so on every day until Andy Schleck hustles everyone by taking the final TT and winning the Tour

 

[Angliru]

I don't see how Levi would be able to be in form for the Vuelta.

He's trying to peak for the Tour of California... which is in May. He's trying to have good form for the Tour... which is in July. And then somehow still have form in September for the Vuelta?

That's three peaks without a significant amount of down time between any of them. I'm sure he can complete the races... I'm just not sure anyone would be able to have good enough from for the Vuelta after that to actually compete for a podium.

It would be one thing if Levi were going to Cali to train rather then to win... but we all know he wants that race.

Exactly. Look what happened at the Giro. Of course he wasn't scheduled to be the team's leader there and although he showed form early in the race he faded in the end. I think it's a bit much to expect a 35+ year old to have 3 peaks of form especially with the two of those targets/events being grand tours.

 

[Publicus]

Could you imagine the last two weeks of the Tour? Astana gives Lance the MJ, Lance gives it back, and so on every day until Andy Schleck hustles everyone by taking the final TT and winning the Tour

That would be funny. I think making Radio Shack work is frankly in Saxo Bank's interest as well. Though given Andy's TT-ing skills, he's going to need as much time as possible in the mountains going into that last TT, so this tactic may fall under the weight of his attacks.

Maybe give the yellow jersey to Saxo Bank....

 

[Angliru]

Levi'll be at the tour to support Lord Armstrong. Not to win but to support.
He will be at the Vuelta to win. That is the race he looks good in to me.

Leipheimer still holds out hope of somehow winning the Tour so he will be certain to show up with the intention of being at his best. Anything after the Tour will be simply be to make up for their inevitable Tour disappointment.

 

[El Oso]

Exactly. Look what happened at the Giro. Of course he wasn't scheduled to be the team's leader there and although he showed form early in the race he faded in the end. I think it's a bit much to expect a 35+ year old to have 3 peaks of form especially with the two of those targets/events being grand tours.

Yes, especially given Levi's form thus far. I always thought Levi was one of those riders who was always in decent shape, which is why he was good in February's ToC. Nobody else was in the form he was in.

However, after seeing last year how his form deteriorated in the Giro after looking good entering the race I don't think he can hold it that long. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the last week of the Tour if he tries to hold his peak or quickly return to peak after the ToC. No way he can rev up three peaks within a 4 month span without tanking one of them. ... well, unless, you know ...

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

That would be funny. I think making Radio Shack work is frankly in Saxo Bank's interest as well. Though given Andy's TT-ing skills, he's going to need as much time as possible in the mountains going into that last TT, so this tactic may fall under the weight of his attacks.

Maybe give the yellow jersey to Saxo Bank....

Making Saxo do the work would benefit both Astana and RS.

Hasn't Saxo lost a lot of guys though? I wonder what kind of team they're bringing. We know Cancellara, Schleck the Elder, and most likely Nicki Sørensen, but I'm not sure about the rest; besides that Andy's leg injury. Will he even be ready to contend?

 

[thehog]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36135424/ns/sports/

?????

"About half of his eight-man team on Sunday should also start in the Tour de France."

????

 

[FignonLeGrand]

I find it funny how people are bashing RS about being built around LA. Did anyone really think it was going to be any different than before? We all knew it was going to be that way, period. End of story.

Very true, now the only difference is Lance seems old and bitter and wont be winning the TDF, doubt he will even podium. In general all the experienced riders at RS are getting old

 

[BikeCentric]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36135424/ns/sports/

?????

"About half of his eight-man team on Sunday should also start in the Tour de France."

????

Very good article regardless, especially for an AP MSNBC release.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

Very true, now the only difference is Lance seems old and bitter and wont be winning the TDF, doubt he will even podium. In general all the experienced riders at RS are getting old

It should be interesting to see how things develop between Armstrong and Leipheimer change during the race. I expect tension.

 

[*G*K*S*]

Making Saxo do the work would benefit both Astana and RS.

Hasn't Saxo lost a lot of guys though? I wonder what kind of team they're bringing. We know Cancellara, Schleck the Elder, and most likely Nicki Sørensen, but I'm not sure about the rest; besides that Andy's leg injury. Will he even be ready to contend?

If needed they've got plenty of horses with guys like Voigt, Larrson, Anker Sorensen, O'Grady, Cooke, Fuglsang, and Breschel.

 

[Publicus]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36135424/ns/sports/

?????

"About half of his eight-man team on Sunday should also start in the Tour de France."

????

Does Lance even make it to the cobbles? And will there be a serious amount of fighting for position if he does? I figure the real action will be up the road by several minutes. I guess we will see on Sunday.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Does Lance even make it to the cobbles? And will there be a serious amount of fighting for position if he does? I figure the real action will be up the road by several minutes. I guess we will see on Sunday.

Imagine if Lance won or a RS rider won RVV. This forum would go crazy!

 

[Publicus]

Imagine if Lance won or a RS rider won RVV. This forum would go crazy!

I only wish I could bet online. I would drop a few dollars on him to win (I think he pays out at 250: 1). One of the few times I hate living in the States.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Radioshack have let Lance beat them for a while to help his ego!
Lance on koppenberg

 

[Publicus]

Radioshack have let Lance beat them for a while to help his ego!
Lance on koppenberg

My guess is they told the rest of the guys to hang back so that can get a couple of pictures of Lance. Because the other photos I've seen from their training ride, he's not significantly better than the rest of his team.

 

[Frosty]

Maybe they gave him a head-start?

 

[cyclopeon]

Astana really didn't defend last year very much at all. I think they can control the peloton, but I think doing so will cost them. And Armstrong wants the yellow jersey. I say give it to him early and if he gives it up, give it back to him again. Until AC and Astana are ready to defend (which I think they will be more than up to the task).

Oh please lord no, not to Armstrong ... some of us have to watch this thing on Versus, and the Phil and Paul and Bobke shows would be Insufferable x 10 if he got yellow even for a microsecond.

Get it to someone else on the Shack, sure; and let them have the same game as last year, with the old guy's nose way out of joint.

 

[Ferminal]

Imagine if Lance won or a RS rider won RVV. This forum would go crazy!

Well done to them if they do...

 

[flicker]

RW Prediction

Breakaway final 19k. Led by Lord Armstrong. Boonen Breschel Chavanel Gilbert.fight to hold Armstrongs wheel. 7k out lead group fired up by Armstrong Breschel, Chavanel go down in corner. Leaves Armstrong Gilbert Boonen.3k out from finish Lance takes a pull and then ATTACKS! Gilbert and Boonen struggle to hold Armstrongs wheel. The elastic snaps at 2 to go Lance stands attacks again and wins by 33 seconds over Boonen and then Gilbert.

Lance raises his arms in victory. Women swoon and men burst into tearful elation. A single ray of sunlight illuminates Lance in the grim Belgien late afternoon as Lance holds his trophy aloft to the heavens.

 

[franciep10]

Breakaway final 19k. Led by Lord Armstrong. Boonen Breschel Chavanel Gilbert.fight to hold Armstrongs wheel. 7k out lead group fired up by Armstrong Breschel, Chavanel go down in corner. Leaves Armstrong Gilbert Boonen.3k out from finish Lance takes a pull and then ATTACKS! Gilbert and Boonen struggle to hold Armstrongs wheel. The elastic snaps at 2 to go Lance stands attacks again and wins by 33 seconds over Boonen and then Gilbert.

Lance raises his arms in victory. Women swoon and men burst into tearful elation. A single ray of sunlight illuminates Lance in the grim Belgien late afternoon as Lance holds his trophy aloft to the heavens.

Great job describing Bob Roll's wet dream

 

[flicker]

Great job describing Bob Roll's wet dream

To much information,Gagg