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Chris Carmichael recently returned from Hawaii where Lance Armstrong had been training in the lead-in to the Tour Down Under. Armstrong’s current power output, according to his longtime coach, is where it used to be in April during the years he was winning the Tour de France.
Carmichael only hedged slightly, saying that Armstrong’s January 2010 fitness may not be quite as high as in January 2004 “when he was on a rampage,” but certainly is superior to that of January 2005, when he won his seventh Tour, and the same period in 2002 and 2003.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/01/news/carmichael-armstrong-months-ahead-of-old-schedule_102597
Is he looking to peak for one of the Classics instead of the Tour? He's still only listing the Tour of Murcia and ATOC as sure things before the TdF. Is he so obsessed with beating Contador at something that he's willing to be at 100% of his 2010 potential early in the season to try to win Catalunya or Pais Vasco over a Contador that's months away from his peak?
I wish I could remember the word he used the other day - before the magic formula quote - something about a guru or swami or???
I saw an interview with Popovych. A few excerpts translated by Google.
Lance Armstrong can beat Alberto Contador this year?This season, you're one of the four runners Team RadioShack already assured of competing in the Tour de France with Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden?
« "Yes, it's almost automatic. Each season, whatever my team, I know I'll be selected for the Tour. In addition to these four guys, you can add Christopher Horner, who is probably the appointment. But we all work for Lance, no personal ambition. » "
Yet when we look at the list of riders from Team RadioShack, many would claim a place in the overall standings of the Tour, you first.
« "In the end, Lance is still the strongest. So far to go with this idea and work for him. Lance short may be his last season in my opinion. While no doubt depend on its result at the Tour. » "
« "It will attack mentally. We already have some ideas on how to surprise him but you understand that I can not speak. » "
http://www.lest-eclair.fr/index.php...v_Popovych_____Tous__au_service_d_Armstrong__