Tour De France 2005

[einreb]

Originally posted by artplumber
I wasn't there, but on the coverage, it sure didn't look like Armstrong was "giving" the stage to Basso.

Postal would never admit to this, so all I can do is offer the following...

One key for the teams is to get off the mountain tops as soon as possible. High $ teams will fly the riders off since there is usually only one road down. If lance had won that stage ( La Mongie), it would have meant at least an hour and a half additional time at altitude for the podium, press conference, et cetera.

The following stage at Plateau de Beille (that Lance won) didn't matter as much to get off asap, because the next stage was flat and pretty much looked at as a recovery stage. He also somehow managed to still be a few seconds behind Voeckler to not have to take the yellow jersey. I wont bother to suggest that he did that on purpose, but it was to his advantage.

There's no way to prove this... it just makes for interesting internet banter

[artplumber]

Could it really be that sinister? Where is Machiavelli when you need him? Do you believe in ........ the "Conspiracy Theory"!

OK maybe. I just think there are days when Armstong has looked human, and he is getting older/has distractions like kids. Look @ what happened to Tiger Woods once he had some distractions!

[einreb]

Originally posted by artplumber
OK maybe. I just think there are days when Armstong has looked human, and he is getting older/has distractions like kids.

Human? Of course. The guy is definately f'ed in the head... but it works for him and he's a winner. I just don't find him to be an appealing personality. Case in point... the whole Sheryl Crow thing just makes me want to puke. OLN spending time to interview Kid Rock's 43 year old ex girlfriend for her insight into cycling?

How about Hincapie?!?!?! Knocking up a podium girl... now thats a great story.

[CamB]

Has anyone else noticed that Armstong and Crow both look like they never eat?

At least Lance has the excuse it helps him get up the mountains.

[artplumber]

I don't particularly like him either, but he is compelling for audience because of the Tour wins post cancer. Never mind that the cancer therapy actually HELPED him win the Tour. He could not have won without losing the sprinter body. It's not like he had a muscular tumor and got his leg chopped off. And he doesn't ride the other races to win like the Cannibal.

Originally posted by einreb
Case in point... the whole Sheryl Crow thing just makes me want to puke. OLN spending time to interview Kid Rock's 43 year old ex girlfriend for her insight into cycling?

That's just OLN pandering to the US audience. They won't ask even the young US riders because no one is recognizable. At least there was a Greg Lemond bit before the Tour began.

[k9handler]

much of the tour and it's STAGE wins are never really what they seem. There are people every day who tell me how bad it was today as Lance finished 63rd in the back of the peleton...yeah he was scheduled to do that by the team managers. Each STAGE is calculated to the point the teams know exactly when to go and how hard...it's amazing!

[einreb]

Originally posted by artplumber
That's just OLN pandering to the US audience.

Unfortunately, you're right. But among the circle of folks I talk to, none of us find the Sheryl Crow angle very appealing. I enjoy her music... but I don't care what she 'thinks'.

Maybe if they brought back more Kirsten Gumm in the sweater outfits...

-bernie

[artplumber]

Originally posted by k9handler
much of the tour and it's STAGE wins are never really what they seem. There are people every day who tell me how bad it was today as Lance finished 63rd in the back of the peleton...yeah he was scheduled to do that by the team managers. Each STAGE is calculated to the point the teams know exactly when to go and how hard...it's amazing!

I don't know if that's what we're really discussing. The issue is whether or not Armstrong is the strongest all the time. The mountains (& avoiding crashes in the flats) are what counts in the Tour. No one cares who finishes where in the peloton per se, more how far from 1st to the peloton. On the other hand, if you can stay on someone's wheel in the mountains that matters a great deal. The reason why Basso didn't do as well in the TT up l'Alpe? He is not good riding a paced ride on his own, or maybe he needs a rest intermittently with that much hill. But despite bernie's conspiracy theory, I am unconvinced that Armstrong clearly had more gas on La Mongie - I do keep an open mind about it though.

[einreb]

Originally posted by artplumber
The issue is whether or not Armstrong is the strongest all the time.

I dont think that was ever brought up. Just some scattered compliments, insults, and me ragging on his choice of ladies.

[Don Ro]

Originally posted by einreb
Postal would never admit to this, so all I can do is offer the following...

One key for the teams is to get off the mountain tops as soon as possible. High $ teams will fly the riders off since there is usually only one road down. If lance had won that stage ( La Mongie), it would have meant at least an hour and a half additional time at altitude for the podium, press conference, et cetera.

The following stage at Plateau de Beille (that Lance won) didn't matter as much to get off asap, because the next stage was flat and pretty much looked at as a recovery stage. He also somehow managed to still be a few seconds behind Voeckler to not have to take the yellow jersey. I wont bother to suggest that he did that on purpose, but it was to his advantage.

There's no way to prove this... it just makes for interesting internet banter

I read something similar last year. I think it was on the Discovery Channel's web site.
.
"Read recently that L. Armstrong prefers to not win the early stages because the winners are obligated to participate in all manner of interviews and post-stage appearances. He'd rather immediately go to his massage and rest."
.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=172547&highlight=Armstrong
.
Sure is fun to watch the races.

[JavaBrewer]

Not to mention that the yellow jersey team is somewhat obligated to spend alot of energy riding the front, controlling the peloton, and chasing breakaways.

[vash]

i dont know if he is the strongest of all time, but he is strong enough to be her man. ms. crow looks best on radio.

[k9handler]

Today we made the trip down to Bischwiller France to see the tour roll through. It wasn't a bad day as the parade ahead of the tour gave us something to watch, and a couple of the vehicles were passing out free beer! We timed it pretty well as we departed on the trip at Noon and made it to the point we observed the tour by 2pm. Just after 3pm the breakaway of Wegmann passed by just over 3 minutes ahead of the peleton. The pace was pretty brisk and the faces in the peleton were all business as just over 70km remain. I have a few pictures that I took with my cell phone camera...not the best but they work. Came home and managed to watch the OLN coverage as well so all in all a good day.

[gatotom]

I just pop in this forum now and then, damn work gets me everytime.

Yes, the coverage on OLN is great and for the minute or two that it takes to watch them go by, I much like the park in front of the tube and crack a bottle of wine( you always have to drink wine watching the tour) this is my mentality, not saying anyone else should do it.

My oldest son went to the L'Alpe d'Huez stage last yr and was finally convinced that to be there is truly amazing. This mountain they ride up is a feat in itself to drive up in a car much less bike up it, truly a spectacle of a sport.

Yes, the Cannibal is the all time greatest bike rider ever period. He dominated this race from start to finish and in his carreer he did most races that way, it is a shame that his son Axel never lived up to his dad's reputaion but that was a feat that probably could never be done other than producing a superman for a son.

[arerrac]

For those of you who don't like Lance and his personality or attitude you should have heard/seen him before his battle with cancer. TOTAL YAHOO!

"He didn't win the race, I lost it."

I never liked him before, but after his battle, I respect him and his personality is MUCH better.

The "Cannibal" was/is the greatest and is a good friend of Lance.

-W

[air-cool-me]

before crow.... did he have a wife?
did she help him deal with his cancer?
did he have any kids with her?
Did he drop her like a hot pan?


if i recall... another biker recovered from cancer to be a great rider... cant remember the name...

[einreb]

Originally posted by k9handler
Today we made the trip down to Bischwiller France to see the tour roll .... the vehicles were passing out free beer!.

You sir, are a BASTARD!

My man Robbie wins again! I'm sure he doesn't do it, but I would like to think he takes the podium girls out for a few Fosters after the stage wins. I'm not sure, but I think this is a pic of his wheelie crossing the line after climbing l'alpe duez.

[mtelliott]

I don't think Lance dropped her. I think it was mutual. She was tired of him being gone all the time.

To me, I think he's genuine. He loves his kids. He always talks about them. He doesn't parade his girlfriend around (that's the media's doing). He just rides a bike better than anyone in the world.

I've been a fan since he was just some texan that could ride better than most. Of course, I was a big fan of Lemond as well. Corn fed American diehard. As much a fan of Americans winning the Tour as Carrol Shelbey winning Lemans with the the Cobra and the Daytona. National pride in a non mainstream sort of way. Any time you can go into a country and win at their own game, count me as a fan.

Michael

[artplumber]

Originally posted by air-cool-me
before crow.... did he have a wife?
did she help him deal with his cancer?
did he have any kids with her?
Did he drop her like a hot pan?


if i recall... another biker recovered from cancer to be a great rider... cant remember the name...

As others have alluded to, LA is an "interesting" personality. If you were married to someone who tells you how high to turn on the oven for the chicken, constantly, how old would that get? Since it's rumored he's particular about everything + the gone a lot of the time probably shortened the relationship.

BTW great pair of addresses. I just moved out of the PNW & thought about moving to Prescott. Nice place and you don't have to get your car smogged!

K9, glad to hear it was a good day.

I had a friend who rode L'Alpe the day before the tour (he rides 200 mi/wk) and he was also impressed w/the speed that the racers generate.

[k9handler]

back in the early 90's right after Lance was dealing with the cancer I had a chance to meet him and Eddy at a time trial in Grune Texas. I was in the race as well (team time trial) and neither my team or Lance and Eddy won the damn thing...but it was great to see!