Ullrich and Basso banned from Tour de France

[MelanieC]

I agree. Finally some exitement, but at the end I was waiting for Floyd to put the hammer down a la Armstrong but he's not that kind of rider (who is?).

I kept wishing Ivan Basso was riding while I was watching. Not just because he's pretty either.

It was nice to see two Americans in the strongest group yesterday. Caught the tail end of the coverage this morning (it's so weird being on the west coast -- today's stage was already over before 9 AM), even though neither Landis nor Leipheimer is a particularly exciting rider.

What do you think of Popovych's chances?

My favorite, Dave Z, is down to 71 on the GC. Oh well.

 

[John Camp]

BTW, can OLN fit any more ads into their coverage? They certainly know how to break up the emotion of the moment with their endless commercial breaks.

I think some of the ads have become counterproductive. I no longer want to see Pete Sampras do anything. As for that oil ad, the on where the guy's hat goes zipping off, every time it comes up now, I change channels. I can't stand to look at it any more. The Saab "transformer" ad is almost as bad; nothing like endless repetition of inane computer graphics. And however much they paid Bob Roll to do those black and white bike ads, it wasn't enough. Somebody ought to find the art director on that shoot and slap him in the face. Better yet, get Zidane to head-butt him.

JC

 

[kbg32]

Unfortunately for Floyd, he's having trouble sprinting due to his hip. He said in an interview that he was in pain, but it's okay as long as he stays seated and doesn't have to sprint. He countered all the attacks yesterday by Menchov and Leipheimer. My money is on Floyd that he will be on the podium. Menchov looks great too and Levi is coming back. I just wish Vinokourov was there to animate things further.

 

[KoNickon]

Yes, I miss Vino' quite a bit. Very aggressive rider, but with tactical sense (unlike the way Claudio Chiappuci was).

Floyd simply can't do the Lance out of the saddle hammering thing, because of his hip. So he'll need to put himself in position to accelerate away from people. I don't know how that will work in the Alps, though those are longer climbs and less suited to the Armstrong style of attack.

Can't we please just have Liggett and Sherwen? I'm reminded every time I hear him that Trautwig does the "let me distill this into a catchy characterization that an American will get" rather than providing actual insight. As for Roll, it drives me up the wall to hear him with his "Tour day France" pronunciation. Surely he knows better.

 

[Nick R.]

Melanie, I don't think Popovych has the experience to win it all, and with team Discovery falling apart, it'll be even harder for him. But I did miss yesterday's stage, so I didn't get to judge how strong he is. It sounds like he had quite a performance.

 

[jonasv]

Popovych & co only stayed up front yesterday because the main group wasn't trying to get them. Phonak didn't have to because none of the attackers were dangerous for yellow, and the sprinter's teams didn't do anything either. McEwen rode his own team into destruction and Boonen was sick. The other teams were too weak or didn't want it enough.

 

[John Camp]

Have a feeling that Phonak may have made a mistake today. We'll see...

JC

 

[jonasv]

Have a feeling that Phonak may have made a mistake today.

The proven Armstrong/Discovery method...

 

[dostacos]

I love cycling and have followed the sport ever since the 1984 Olympic Trials (held in my hometown about 10 blocks from my house 😀) but I'm really getting disgusted with the whole doping/drugs thing.

I bought my condo BECAUSE it was on the 84 olympic course 😀

 

[DougK]

I have to admit, the trials were one of the coolest sporting events I've ever had the chance to watch. You don't really have an appreciation for how fast these guys are moving until you see them fly past you... and you're trying to get panning shots with a manual focus SLR 🙂

 

[lff]

Wow.....am I really first on this thread after today's stage to La Toussuire? When I last chimed in here, I was forgetting Landis- another sentimental favorite for this year. Alas, I thought going into this race he may have done too much too soon winning so much in the spring. But after 2 different jumps into yellow, I thought he might be unbeatable.

Ah but today......he reminded us all how even Pro Tour bike racers are human. Now, even a Frenchman(GASP) has a whisper of a chance of winning this thing.

Let's hope Morzine is as fun as today was!

 

[MelanieC]

Man, I SO badly need cable.

Well, guess I'll read the live reports on Cyclingnews.com.

 

[Nick R.]

I saw it last night on OLN (only Lance Network). Wow, he cracked so close to the finish. I think it was about 7 miles. Since I was watching the replay, it was sad hearing the announcers early on talking about Landis possibly winning the stage and when he would step on it to separate himself from the other riders.

I'll be rooting for Pereiro now. If he wins, it'll be an historical comeback.

 

[jonasv]

If he (Pereiro) wins, it'll be an historical comeback.

Today saw a historical comeback, but it wasn't Pereiro!

 

[Nick R.]

I just watched Today's stage. That was an insane ride by Floyd. He's got to be the favorite now.

 

[DougK]

With my work shift, I didn't get to catch up on Tour news until just now. I'm stunned and amazed... in a good way. Go Floyd!

 

[MelanieC]

OK, I take back what I said about Floyd not being a particularly exciting rider. He's made a believer out of me.

I'd really like to see another American win this.

Looking forward to tomorrow's ITT.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Does anyone know the circumstances of Landis parting from Armstrong's team a few years ago? Was there bad blood between the two? just curious

 

[Rich Silfver]

Must have been pretty bad considering Lance Armstrong's statement:
"“Don’t forget Floyd, even after I’ve quit racing, my team will never let you win,”

http://www.sundayherald.com/56702

 

[KoNickon]

I think Lance is pulling for Floyd now. But yes, when Landis left Postal Lance was extremely mad -- I think he felt they'd developed Floyd and he was an ingrate to leave. Seems to me Lance was being unreasonable to expect someone who's been offered like three times the money, and the chance to be the team leader, to stay put. There were some angry words said by Lance regarding Floyd at the Tour of Georgia 2005.

I am stunned at the turn of events. Watching Landis climb to La Toussuire, all I could think was that he looked about the way I would. (Of course, he was still moving much faster than I would be.) But yesterday he was just an engine. An epic ride that will go down in Tour history. He does need to win, though, to bring the story to the proper conclusion.