tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.comments2023-05-02T11:16:37.252-04:00PavéWSYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826404577292623600noreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-50760752795575579322010-08-18T12:58:59.604-04:002010-08-18T12:58:59.604-04:00Thanks for giving so beautiful write up about tour...Thanks for giving so beautiful write up about tours to France in discrete.<br />i got by reading the post that you have enjoyed your tours alots by hearts.<br />People of France are very humble,courteous and the best host.Dannyhttp://www.southalltravel.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-67614672729622194052010-06-30T10:54:04.785-04:002010-06-30T10:54:04.785-04:00What are the odds of Garmin and CVV riding for Zab...What are the odds of Garmin and CVV riding for Zabriskie in the Tour? I'd love to see how he could do with a dedicated team riding for him as a true GC contender. He rode well at the Tour of California.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-32237385442975763762010-06-30T08:33:06.982-04:002010-06-30T08:33:06.982-04:00The number one reason for Footon Servetto riders t...The number one reason for Footon Servetto riders to chase leaders jerseys? Fame? Fortune? Prestige? <br /><br />Sure, these are all great but the drive to get out of those hideous team kits and into something else should never be underestimated! Maybe that was the plan all along ;-)Touriste-Routiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-63158614195164469462010-06-30T06:08:31.167-04:002010-06-30T06:08:31.167-04:00Dammit, enough cliffhanging! Release em all at the...Dammit, enough cliffhanging! Release em all at the same time!<br /><br />Don't you know it's not nice to keep all that insight, knowledge and nice writin' to yourself?<br /><br />Great previews! Keep it up.Oliver Brownhttp://www.tredzblog.co.uk/2010/06/predict-tdf-podium-win-an-ipad.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-67481252138288442732010-06-30T03:34:28.743-04:002010-06-30T03:34:28.743-04:00I really like your blog and grand tour previews.
...I really like your blog and grand tour previews.<br /><br />But one thing on foot-on servetto. While it is true that the named CT teams have performed better and even have a stronger rosters it is somehow nice seeing such a young time getting its shot. And maybe one or some of those young guns might surprise us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-69292930704884180252010-06-29T06:56:40.053-04:002010-06-29T06:56:40.053-04:00Nice analysis, good read.Nice analysis, good read.Baruch Brodersenhttp://www.technitext.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-48979815439096979012010-06-28T23:32:38.633-04:002010-06-28T23:32:38.633-04:00I think Vino will ride himself into the ground for...I think Vino will ride himself into the ground for Contador. He must have been instrumental in the Kazaks offering Contador a pile of money to stay on. The purpose of which was to have Contador in an Astana jersey on the top step. He's worked well with AC and Contador is his ticket to payback Bruyneel for dissing him and the Kazaks and stealing the glory of last years Tour win. Everyone thought Astana would be a joke and Radio Shack invincible. Vino I'm sure is looking forward to see the doubters eat crow.Hanknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-13179412314809676332010-06-28T20:28:14.926-04:002010-06-28T20:28:14.926-04:00Yet another great post Whit! I'm looking forwa...Yet another great post Whit! I'm looking forward to the rest of them! Pretty hard to add anything to your detailed break down of the teams so far. <br /><br />I am quite interested to see how Vino and Contador work together. Vino is the ultimate opportunist and I really see him, at his age, taking advantage of ANY chance he gets to take a stage win or even go against a game plan if it means personal glory, team be damned. Hell, it might be fun to see Contador actually chase him down if "Veino" is bold enough to attack ( a la Vino and Ullrich back in tha dayz)!<br /><br />Should be an awesome Tour this year, can't wait for it to start.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-62356389199445944482010-06-22T10:26:07.128-04:002010-06-22T10:26:07.128-04:00Great stuff everyone!
I'm not entirely sold o...Great stuff everyone!<br /><br />I'm not entirely sold on Lance either. I think a podium in Suisse is far cry from the TDF. I'm wondering at what point Kloden's going to get tired of riding for someone--and then there's the Brajkovic factor. Should be interesting to see how it progresses. Maybe Lance passes the baton--one last publicity opp.--and then gracefully eases into management?<br /><br />As for the Vuelta, do you really think the organizers care that much about how Contador was treated? It's not like Contador's gone out of his way to ride his home tour lately.<br /><br />And yes, T-R, the organizer does have a right to pick and choose who rides, but they also have a responsibility to the fans to provide the best possible line-up. Leaving out Vacansoleil's one thing, but Radio Shack would have contended for and possibly won the overall. If you're going to draw a line in the sand, that's fine--but draw it for everyone.<br /><br />Great comments--thanks to all!WSYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826404577292623600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-45630060699999436792010-06-22T10:04:57.975-04:002010-06-22T10:04:57.975-04:00I'm still not sold on the concept that Radio S...I'm still not sold on the concept that Radio Shack was omitted b/c of doping allegations, although it isn't necessarily a bad reason. I suspect it has more to do with Team Bruyneel's treatment of AC in last year's TdF (and subsequent media war). <br /><br />LA's showing in the Suisse tour was surprising, but it's a far cry from the TdF. We'll see.Big Mikeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-12703750540991381672010-06-21T19:52:07.015-04:002010-06-21T19:52:07.015-04:001. I like the revised format, it makes reading the...1. I like the revised format, it makes reading the site easier.<br />2. I too was was surprised by Amrstong's Suisse result, but having watched every stage it kind of reminded me of Zubeldia - never getting dropped but also never instigating. Doesn't make for exciting racing.<br />3. Don't even think Tony Martin needs to work that much on his climbing, just needs to be given the respect of a team leader - he was pulling in the front of Cav's sprint train in the last 4K last week, and he was doing the same in last years Tour. It's like HTC want to have their cake and eat it too.Eddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00940257082127321785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-11497935162075468002010-06-21T16:11:22.562-04:002010-06-21T16:11:22.562-04:00I think the Vuelta organizers have every right to ...I think the Vuelta organizers have every right to exclude any team they want to; it is their race, their money, and their public to appease. <br /><br />Radio Shack is not part of the magic 16, so do not have guaranteed entry at any race; they knew that when they started the team. They have a right to be disappointed, but perhaps they'd be better received if they'd park their egos for a while. <br /><br />That said, it would be nice if the Vuelta were more forthright with their explanation; everyone knows the not competitive enough rationale is BS. At least ASO is honest when it comes to potential doping scandals (and retaliation).Touriste-Routiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-1290299939487931392010-06-21T16:08:25.884-04:002010-06-21T16:08:25.884-04:00Great post as usual. I'm most interested in t...Great post as usual. I'm most interested in the idea of "the sports own governing body...handling brats, cheats, and hypocrites." The NFL is one governing body that has found a way to have a players union and still address concerns (including unseemly behavior off the playing field, even when no charges are filed) in what appears to be an effective manner. It seems like both of these things are needed in professional cycling - a riders organization that has more teeth and a governing organization with a literal backbone.Kevinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-1478782349052227652010-06-16T13:52:56.150-04:002010-06-16T13:52:56.150-04:00Whit, your thoughts on the crash, but foremost the...Whit, your thoughts on the crash, but foremost the internal justice and riders protests?Stanleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-36549940252550534642010-06-16T02:44:26.453-04:002010-06-16T02:44:26.453-04:00Cavendish should be tossed from the Tour de Suisse...Cavendish should be tossed from the Tour de Suisse for his actions yesterday. He has always been unsportsmanlike in his speach although this just takes it to another level.RiderNOSHOWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381036042608888623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-21622102632948080032010-06-15T14:54:55.195-04:002010-06-15T14:54:55.195-04:00I agree - one only has to look at Iban Mayo's ...I agree - one only has to look at Iban Mayo's example to see why Contador's form is exactly were it should be. Mayo always flew in the Dauphine, only to fizzle out in the first week of the Tour (hormone-enhanced or not). As long as Astana can shepherd him through the Netherlands effectively, peaking for the last week of the Tour should serve Contador well. (Full disclosure: I am not a Contador fan.)<br /><br />LA does not look good right now, but my guess is that if not for the rain, he would have felt easier about pushing harder in the last three kilometers or so. Having said that, he was off the pace at the intermediate check over the course's only climb by more than 20 seconds. Could be bad form, could be lack of racing as well. Lots of ifs still for LA.thelastbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16294922979868620365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-45528952831737199612010-06-15T14:52:15.397-04:002010-06-15T14:52:15.397-04:00People are being awefully surprised over Brajkovic...People are being awefully surprised over Brajkovic, but look at his results this year and last in week long stage races, there are quite a lot of top tens and in most of these races he did domestique work. With the back-up off a team he could surely reach that higher level that would result in a win. And considering he said in Slovene media after last years Giro ITT that he didn't even go full out and he still placed third in that, for him to win a Time trial like the one in Dauphine doesn't seem that far-fetched.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-78761640107464465302010-06-15T11:53:54.519-04:002010-06-15T11:53:54.519-04:00Good summary. I would have thought Contador would...Good summary. I would have thought Contador wouldn't have had too much trouble with Brajkovic, even at 90%. Not convinced something isn't up with that.<br /><br />LA losing that kind of time over 7+ kilometers is a huge cause for concern. About the only way he gets a pass is if he was being careful on the wet roads.<br /><br />The Vuelta announcement is incredible. Is this payback for Valverde, fallout from Landisgate, or more probably, retribution for last year's treatment of AC? Even w/o LA, the team that would be racing for RS was pretty strong, and capable of challenging for the win. Talk about bush league.Big Mikeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-26253441831870390862010-06-15T11:01:04.284-04:002010-06-15T11:01:04.284-04:00Lots of flak over that ad - but - every biker in t...Lots of flak over that ad - but - every biker in the world has seen it. Testing the "no such thing as bad publicity" theory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-84049645365468828512010-06-14T16:42:02.295-04:002010-06-14T16:42:02.295-04:00Can anyone tell me how many DNF and DNS' Cerve...Can anyone tell me how many DNF and DNS' Cervelo's João Correia has notched up thus far?Stanleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-88564861632332008222010-06-07T16:23:31.018-04:002010-06-07T16:23:31.018-04:00I heard Cunego may go to the sky? Might be a good ...I heard Cunego may go to the sky? Might be a good non Italian fit for him!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00688834275406810014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-20490558911645062142010-06-04T07:45:16.454-04:002010-06-04T07:45:16.454-04:00Great comments, everyone! Yes, double-standards d...Great comments, everyone! Yes, double-standards do exist, but in the Vino-Basso case, I think Basso gets the love because he was much more contrite than Vino. Basso admitted his mistakes (well, almost), served his time, and was humble in his return. Vino still hasn't really admitted anything, and was a complete jerk when he came back last fall. <br /><br />My two cents...but T-R, put it best: Basso's just a more likably guy.WSYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826404577292623600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-19157869253352046192010-06-03T09:11:02.167-04:002010-06-03T09:11:02.167-04:00Smack, you nailed it! There are loads of double s...Smack, you nailed it! There are loads of double standards out there. I think many of them are based upon nationality (we protect our own) but even more so, the "Cult of Personality". Some riders are more likable than others, and hence are better received.Touriste-Routiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-38965708562368748292010-06-03T08:28:21.206-04:002010-06-03T08:28:21.206-04:00Oh dude, I'd pick Vino over Basso anytime.
W...Oh dude, I'd pick Vino over Basso anytime. <br /><br />Why? Vino is just so much more fun to watch. Basso was a boring rider at CSC and he has not changed much. Vino animates races right from the gun, and in my book gung-ho is more entertaining than stalemate.<br /><br />Ethics? At the Giro?! Pffft.Stanleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477004101107066072.post-6781160439748219592010-06-02T19:48:05.242-04:002010-06-02T19:48:05.242-04:00Time to open up a can of worms? Vino comes back an...Time to open up a can of worms? Vino comes back and wins LBL and is vilified...concerns raised about his disrespect to the peloton and the sport, and questions about whether he is actually clean. Basso wins the Giro and is vindicated, Basso love fest begins :) Seriously though, thoughts? Personally, I really dislike Vino but just wondering if you guys feel there is a bit of a double standard out there...I could be outta line but wanted to open this up for discussion...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com