who is the most wheelsucker in the peloton??

[Angliru]

I think exceptions can be found to any of these riders. Levi has ridden at the front on a few climbs, but mostly in domestic races. Though he did actually attack, and tow AC at one point, on the stage to Aubisque in the 2007 Tour, that's probably the most guts he's ever shown in the mountains. The one time I look back and think he really, truly went for it with all he had.

He also attacked in the 2006 Tour on Stage 11.

In recent years? Nada.

Had this thread started before the Suisse, I have to wonder if Levi really would be winning the poll?

He'd still have gotten my vote, that's for sure!

I do recall though that he did launch a pivotal attack at the Tour of Germany the year he won it, otherwise sightings of him being anywhere but on a wheel are quite scarce.

 

[red_flanders]

Lol, why is Devolder on this poll? I thought this was a poll about wheelsucking, not about cyclists that are allowed to be trolled here. Same goes for Sastre. Wow, do you ever watch cycling?

Agreed, I was just going to say how ridiculous it is that he's in this poll.

I voted for Leipheimer but it was a toss between him and Pozzatto. Evans has crawled out of that hole for the most part.

 

[kurtinsc]

I am talking about Levi specifically. Obviously following wheels is an important part of racing tactics, duh. As is knowing when to attack.
Levi has taken "wheelsucking" to a new level. And he never attacks. Except maybe against the domestic pros.

I think there is a difference between not attacking out of choice and not being able to attack.

For the most part... Levi is tucked in the back for big climbs... then falls off the back at some point when he can't follow. That doesn't show a rider who is afraid to attack... it shows a rider at his limit who is unable to attack. I can't really blame anyone for doing that. How can you expect a rider who is at their limit to launch an attack?

Rarely does Levi seem to be strong but still wheelsuck his way to the finish. He did with Cunego in the TDS... but not helping the race leader to chase down a dangerous break is often the correct decision... regardless of how much of a wheel sucker you are. You SHOULD make the leader work, then attack to gain time at the finish. Perhaps he should have attacked sooner though.

 

[boomcie]

My Italian contact Alberto has send me the following revealing and shocking information.

Once again proves I'm not the only one looking for the answer to this ancient question.

*

*credits Michelangelo

 

[boomcie]

My Egyptian colleague Moatasem has just finished translating some hieroglyphs. He couldn't translate the last part though.

The art of solving mysteries is a frustrating business.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The Mayans have calculated that in 2012 the answer to this question will be revealed and the world will end upon knowing the answer

 

[boomcie]

Alright, I know I'm posting a lot about this, but I'm getting a lot of valuable info from my people in the field lately.

From what I’ve heard from my sources inside the Vatican, Jesus also struggled with this question during his entire life.

He had countless sleepless nights trying to solve this riddle and is said to have consulted many people about it. The only people he didn’t dare ask, were his closest followers: the apostles. Many times Jesus wanted to confide in Peter, his best friend, but they were rarely alone because Jesus was so popular. The few times they were alone they mostly talked about carpentering and the occasional hot chick in Jerusalem. Jesus finally decided he would ask his dad, God, to answer the question once he was dead.

Now, the last night Jesus spent on earth, he decided to have a crazy party with the apostles and they drank a lot of cheap wine and ate dry bread (which in hindsight seems pretty lame to me, but hey, who am I to judge?). When the evening progressed and most of the apostles were getting a little drunk, Jesus decided to drop the bomb on them and asked: “who is the most wheelsucker in the peloton??”

The reactions to this question have been well documented, notably in a very famous fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci:

We can conclude the apostles were very stunned by this complex question. The emotions visible on the painting range from anger, disbelief, panic, surprise, disgust and sadness to confusion and even anxiety. The bold guy on the left (presumably Judas) just didn’t hear the question and is asking someone to repeat the question. Nobody ever repeated the question to Judas and this made him pretty darn angry.

Jesus died the next day, because Judas (who still felt betrayed) ratted him out to the Romans. When Jesus arrived in heaven and asked his father: “who is the most wheelsucker in the peloton??”, God answered him he had no idea what he was talking about. This made Jesus very upset and he returned to earth to see if no one knew the answer to his question. There he soon realized no one knew the answer and went back to his celestial kingdom, filled with despair.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Okay, there have been some pretty amusing posts here, but let's try to stay on topic, whatever's left to say I guess.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think there is a difference between not attacking out of choice and not being able to attack.

For the most part... Levi is tucked in the back for big climbs... then falls off the back at some point when he can't follow. That doesn't show a rider who is afraid to attack... it shows a rider at his limit who is unable to attack. I can't really blame anyone for doing that. How can you expect a rider who is at their limit to launch an attack?

Rarely does Levi seem to be strong but still wheelsuck his way to the finish. He did with Cunego in the TDS... but not helping the race leader to chase down a dangerous break is often the correct decision... regardless of how much of a wheel sucker you are. You SHOULD make the leader work, then attack to gain time at the finish. Perhaps he should have attacked sooner though.

Fuentes de Invierno, 2008. He and Contador just let Mosquera break everybody, sat on breathing through their noses and discussing whether Levi should be allowed to go for it on the ITT considering Contador was trying to let Valverde win and he'd have to wrestle Mosquera off his bike for that since Valverde had imploded. Then, with about 200m to go, they both just strolled around Mosquera and disappeared like they were the race motos when the péloton gets close to the break.

 

[usedtobefast]

 

[boomcie]

Okay, there have been some pretty amusing posts here, but let's try to stay on topic, whatever's left to say I guess.

Is the theological approach considered to be off topic? Because I've been getting a lot of reports from all over the world regarding this matter.

 

[Dalakhani]

i dont think sastre is wheelsucking,he just doesnt have it anymore

Yes, surely that's "desperately clinging on" (before being shunted out the back), rather than anything else.

Steve

 

[DenisMenchov]

I think I got it. The most wheelsucker in the peloton is













front wheel.

 

[rickshaw]

the smoking gun?

this Levi quote RE his tactical plan for the TdF
“We have to stay out of trouble, conserve our energy and stay as fresh as possible. And pounce when the opportunity is there.”

Its like dejavu all over again.

 

[meandmygitane]

this Levi quote RE his tactical plan for the TdF
“We have to stay out of trouble, conserve our energy and stay as fresh as possible. And pounce when the opportunity is there.”

Its like dejavu all over again.

The only time Levi "pounced" anything was a desperation move last years ToC, how did Bruyneel accomplish that?

So Levi, Pozzato, Hushovd. With only these three on the start line they would be riding around and round in a tight circle, a perpetuum mobile of wheelsucking.

 

[Carols]

I voted for Menchov, but for the last 20 years the prize should go to Bruyneel and Hincapie

 

[El Oso]

Levi defends his "style"

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/06/news/leipheimer-defends-racing-style-on-eve-of-tour_180628

 

[TourLeTour]

This is Gold. Absolute Gold.

 

[Sylvester]

16 people might want to change their vote.

 

[Parrulo]

it looks like he is on some1's wheel at the moment

 

[Bala Verde]

I wonder if a genuine 'flavor flap' induces better wheelsucking.

http://teamjva.com/2011/04/22/flavor-flaps/

 

[oncehadhair]

hey guys, who do you think is the most wheelsucker in the peloton????

Cavendish. He only comes out for 200 metres a race, unless there is an intermediate sprint.

Small print: Haven't read the whole thread, sorry if its already been noted.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

We should remove Leip from the ballot and revote. He couldn't even keep up with the elites enough in this past Tour to be considered for the wheelsucker award.

Not all are cooks who carry long knives.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

thread of the year?

 

[Panda Claws]

Pozzato, that is all.