posted Jul 15, 2009

comment by amon64lfc (U7556176)
posted Just Now

Rasmussen was on drugs though. Glad to see it's been clean so far this year.
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Actually, Rasmussen didn't test positive. He was banned for repeatedly breaching his duty to report his whereabouts. While several breaches equate to a suspension, it's not exactly a positive drugs test.

In any case, Contador can have off-days just like any other rider, just as he did in the Paris-Nice this year.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Not only did Rasmussen not test positive, I believe he was also awarded damages against his team for sacking him.

I think in terms of this year we can be thankful there's no positive tests but let's remember bjarne riis also didn't test positive after winning the tour but fessed up years later.

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posted Jul 16, 2009

Some of you guys have read far too much into the climb up Arcalis.

“I wouldn’t say that I could have easily followed because it was an impressive attack,” Armstrong told the France-2 television station. “I probably could have gone but I didn’t see it coming and it wouldn’t be correct for me to go across. So, I waited for the others guys.”

LA didn't see it coming because Contador did not stick to the teams race plan. He could have gone with him, but chose not to because he's the ultimate professional. He won't get caught out tactically in the alps.

The Lance of four years ago would have wiped the floor with Contador. Based on the racing thus far I don't think we know how the Lance of today compares. Can't wait for the alps.

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posted Jul 16, 2009

I agree with Axeman2000's criticism of this year's tour route. Few mountain top finishes means lack of excititement and genuine battles between the GC contenders. I was so disappointed with the Col du Tourmalet stage in particular. Also the decision to run a TTT so early means that for a lot of the guys, the tour was over very early, and playing catch up to Astana is going to be difficult, if not impossible. So whilst Cadel, Schleck, Sastre etc. will undoubtedly give it their all, the ill-advised decision to hold the TTT early dealt them a huge psychological blow.

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posted Jul 16, 2009

There are certain unwritten rules - and although you are correct in that most of cycling is cut throat and weakness is relentlessly preyed on some things are just not done: In the case of the pile up - it is a courtesy of the peloton to "slow up" I suppose the reason for this is at one point or other most cyclist fall off and one day it may be you - so the old adage of : do unto others as you would have done to you applies here.. There are some instances of individual riders waiting - Ulrich and Armstrong.. Lance caught his bars on a spectators cap and he fell - Ulrich waited for Armstrong (although some say he didn't - watch the footage and you decide) - Its hard to explain really but by not obeying these rules you loose friends quickly in the peloton and by attacking during the food station or when someone falls you isolate yourself and i can tell you the last thing you want to be is on your own in a race. Honour amongst thieves ...

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posted Jul 17, 2009

37 years of age and come out of retirement.!!!! my name i really fatang fatang biscuit barrel.

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posted Jul 17, 2009

posted Just Now
37 years of age and has come out of retirement.!!!! My name really is "fatang fatang biscuit barrel."

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posted Jul 17, 2009

There are certain unwritten rules - and although you are correct in that most of cycling is cut throat and weakness is relentlessly preyed on some things are just not done: In the case of the pile up - it is a courtesy of the peloton to "slow up" I suppose the reason for this is at one point or other most cyclist fall off and one day it may be you - so the old adage of : do unto others as you would have done to you applies here.. There are some instances of individual riders waiting - Ullrich and Armstrong.. Lance caught his bars on a spectators cap and he fell - Ulrich waited for Armstrong (although some say he didn't - watch the footage and you decide)
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You can hardly expect there not to be fueds when 160 or 180 guys with opposing interests race each other every day for three weeks - I have more than once seen guys dropping their bikes and getting into a bare-fsted punch-up, but that's definitely not the norm.

In general there is actually huge respect between cyclists and great sportsmanship.

One of the most memorable moments I remember took place in the 1995 Vuelta.

On the prized stage to Sierra Nevada, the highest climb in that Vuelta, Telekom rider Bert Dietz staged a breakaway for almost the entire stage (c.150km?).

He was caught by race leader (and eventual winner) Laurent Jalabert just 200m from the line and, despite Jalabert being by far the stronger rider at that point - as well as a famed sprinter - the Frenchman just stuck to Dietz's wheel and gifted him the victory.

Jalabert later said the he and Dietz barely knew each other, but that the German had done far more to deserve the victory that day.

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posted Jul 18, 2009

I appreciate the thinking behind the article, but with riders like Cadel Evans, Vandevelde, and the Schlecks in the mix, not to mention Wiggins with at least a spoiler's chance, if nothing else, I can't see everything working out quite as straightforwardly as this. At least, I sure hope not, I'm partial to a surprise or two!

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posted Jul 18, 2009

After 2 weeks of racing, it's still seconds out...but I do think tomorrow's stage will have a lot to say about the eventual destination of the MJ.

I expect Andy to have a go, and will Cadel Evans be far behind? Some of the pre-race favourites have over a minute to make up, so they'd best start trying to eat into that deficit, or it will be too late.

The final week is going to be fantastic, with more than one twist, I'm sure.

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