++ [ originally posted by Martin
] ++
Hm it's been 6 minutes since I opened a thread about cycling and Paul isn't here yet. Something must be very wrong..
Been busy... plus went to france to ride L'etape du tour at the wekend and as im working on the tour from saturday i didnt really see a point in writing much
++ [ originally posted by BigIzz ] ++
Here is yet another great sporting event that we don't really get to see in the United States. You would think as popular as Armstrong is, you would be able to watch live but you can't.
The Us is getting very good coverage this year, with every stage live on oln
++ [ originally posted by kurvengeflüster ] ++
What do you think about the 3rd stage? Armstrong (with US-Postal) and others speeded up after Mayo fell down. Actually there is a gentlemen's agreement wich forbids to benefit from falls. I ever appreciate such a sportsmanlike gesture. Sadly "Jan's team" was also involved and after Mayo arrived he had a 3min-handicap (iirc) - too many to become a champion in Paris.
Zabel was runner-up at yesterday stage. :thumb:
I take it you arent a big cycling fan... The unwritten rule does not count in this situation.
Looking at what was happening prior to mayo's crash and the terrain it was not possible or even safe to wait.
Take a look at a few tapes of paris - roubaix o or the tour of flanders to see why.
As for unwritten rules.... many of them went out of the window years ago.
Since the days the badger ruled the peloton there has been no 'patron'
After he retired and we went into the indurain era many of the great sporting 'rules' of cycling have been eroded as indurain was too easy going and did not have the ear of the peloton and neither has anyone since.
Riis was the closest... he commanded the respect and the ear but was not at the top for long enough... but it was seen in 98.
The only current rider who has this now is Jan but until he beats armstrong he cannot take up the mantle... Armstrong doesnt have this... he is not well liked or respected for anything more than his circumstance or ability... not as a man... let alone a sportsman.
++ [ originally posted by kurvengeflüster ] ++
When will Ullrich attack Armstrong or isn't there any chance for him? I don't want to see Armstrong win again the tour. :stress:
Ullrich is sitting well at the moment.
Nicely 55 secs back... which bearing in mind a prologue which was totally unsuitable for a rider like Jan and three punctures plus kloedens damaged rim in the team time trial is better than expected. Not to mention the fact he was suffering from flu in the opening 4 days
Hes shown hes strong on numerous occasions so far.. driving the peloton in the wind, through the splits and across the pave.
The only real worry i have for Jan at the moment is the weather... Jan needs the baking sun... he is notoriously frail in the bad conditions once the roads head upwards (not too mention his poor descending) and here i definately worry.
As for attacking... The Gc race starts tomorrow
Jan will likely play a waiting game for the next few days.. playing by ear as the gc shake up takes shape... carefully watching... if he sees a weakness or oportunity he will go but otherwise he will watch and wait for quite a few more days yet.
The first real test should be at La Mongie though unless hes fealing really good Jan will probably jus try and stay with armstrong here as its a climb lance loves and the perfect stage for him to test Jan and Tyler
After his performance in the TDS and a strong looking first 10 days I am confident in Jan at this point.
Hes allways been the more talented and stronger rider than armstrong.. its jus a matter of whether hes finally got his preperation right.
Forza Jan
Allez Richard - History in the making
On a personal note ::
Id like to say a big
Well Done !! To Brian Holm Who completed l'etape jus a few months after being diagnosed with cancer
And also a big
Get Well Soon !! to Tony Doyle who crashed and broke his collar bone, his scapel and 4 ribs on l'etape
And finally a massive
Congratulations to Nicole Cooke for an amazing comeback after knee surgery to win the womens Giro D'italia
Buy on AliExpress.com
