Andyr249 Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Watching the stage yesterday Lance doesn't seem at his best, yet. And he won't be at his best until the Tour.Basso looked strong yesterday but what about Menchov? He also seemed in very good form! Is Basso going for the Giro win instead of the Tour win?
Guest colonel Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Now that Ive read Porks side of it I will admit that, to me. seems spot on. Well said Dr Porky.
SwissVan Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Colonel summed it up perfectly. And some of you as well. My thoughts - the Astana cash flow issue is a bit of a F^$up - I really feel for Contador' date=' he just can't get a break.About lance then - think he is using the Giro as training to get back to race form and get the feel of a grand tour again. Yeah, he doesn't like loosing, but I think this time he knows that this is the only way to get some form going. He will start the Tour, under the impression that he will only help the team / Contador and this way NO pressure on him.So if he feels good he will go for a win of stage win, if not he can hide behind the "work for the team".He said that he will race for 2 years (maybe more?), so if this year didn't go his way, he will only improve up to next year. same story, stronger rider and then ..... ja maby then..As I said - he took the pressure of himself, use all the races as training / fitness measure and he and only he will know when to come out and play. Much easier to hold back and be considered a underdog thats just my thought[/quote'] ................. 1)Astana, is unlikely to continue due to its cash issues - (my general feeling and its discussed on various blogs) is that LA and Bruyneel will take over the team after the 31 May when the UCI will terminate Astanas license - I think its a short term solution and not good for the sport. Now for the Giro, I wont go into it all again but LA is not anywhere near tour form for whatever reason, even Simoni who is also in the same age bracket was quite comfortable on the mountains and Basso who is also returning from 2 years of no racing, was absolutely superb. He is not in shape, and that boys is it.! So if the team goes tits up and everyone lands up without a job at the end of the month that would be better?LA has squat to do with Astana, if he and JB can get sponsorship for the team even in the short term (1 - 2 years), at least Atsana team members (remember there 's more than just riders in a team) will still have a job. Comparing LA to Simoni and Basso is like comparing freshly picked apples to ones that came out of the freezer, no camparison. Basso was suspended but still knew he was going to carry on, and Simoni well... he never stopped racing and training.
Tumbleweed Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 sorry if this has been discussed before, but didn't protour teams have to put up guarantees to ensure the riders would get paid for the whole year? can riders switch teams during the season? would a post-astana team without a defending tour winner really be welcomed by the aso?
SwissVan Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 sorry if this has been discussed before' date=' but didn't protour teams have to put up guarantees to ensure the riders would get paid for the whole year? can riders switch teams during the season? would a post-astana team without a defending tour winner really be welcomed by the aso?[/quote'] $2'000'000.00 has to be available in the bank a/c at all times, but if the sponsor has not got the money or inclination to keep the balance in the black what can you do?
Tumbleweed Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 sorry if this has been discussed before' date=' but didn't protour teams have to put up guarantees to ensure the riders would get paid for the whole year? can riders switch teams during the season? would a post-astana team without a defending tour winner really be welcomed by the aso?[/quote'] ? $2'000'000.00? has to be available in the bank a/c at all times, but if the sponsor has not got the money or inclination to keep the balance in the black what can you do? ? ? and do you think the aso would be happy with no alberto?
Bell Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Hey Porky and co. True, LA may not be in shape etc etc etc. As for your constant uncalled for sarcasm and personal attacks on the man: 1. Who asked your opinion;2. You talk a lot, but where are/were you riding? (Probably opinionated lowly seeded fun rider)3. If you can not contribute constructively rather keep your senseless drivel to yourself!
Guest colonel Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Hey Porky and co. True' date=' LA may not be in shape etc etc etc. As for your constant uncalled for sarcasm and personal attacks on the man: 1. Who asked your opinion; 2. You talk a lot, but where are/were you riding? (Probably opinionated lowly seeded fun rider)3. If you can not contribute constructively rather keep your senseless drivel to yourself![/quote'] WTF?? I think you may be his biggest fan!!
Bell Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 WTF?? I think you may be his biggest fan!! No, not at all! However, if you are able to ride and finish Giro and TdF you can make a noise if you like - if not, shut up!
zeepee Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 LA's new team will be called: Team Itsnotaboutthebikehowdoyoulikethemapplesihaveonetesticalf#ckyouallImthebest
SwissVan Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Hey Porky and co. True' date=' LA may not be in shape etc etc etc. As for your constant uncalled for sarcasm and personal attacks on the man: 1. Who asked your opinion; 2. You talk a lot, but where are/were you riding? (Probably opinionated lowly seeded fun rider)3. If you can not contribute constructively rather keep your senseless drivel to yourself![/quote'] Mr Bell - Before the Dr Porky and Colonel rings your bell....Lets try and keep this "debate" a debate and not resort to personal comments.
Overlord Posted May 14, 2009 Author Posted May 14, 2009 Bell if you cannot behave get of my thread. It was posted as a question and I value the input from the hubbers. Lets keep this civil. Thank you
Canaris Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 LA is now officially mutton dressed up as lamb. He is old by cycling standards. No matter how well he rides, his recovery will be slower than his opposition. He will have to train more efficiently than his opposition to get the same results. He will have less "good days" and attacks in his legs than his opposition. All this because he is at least 10 years older than them. He can win still, but it will take more grit and mental determination than before, and it will cost him more physically, than ever before. and at the end LA will have to ask, "Was it all worth it?"
CycleJunkie Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 And that, gentlemen, is that. I fully agree, KF. I think Bell got a bit distressed by the personal nature of some of Porky's comments. The bits about juice and ego and... seem to get up Porky's nose. Oh well. But no need to get personal back. Take it from whence it comes. Lightly salted for me. CycleJunkie2009-05-14 03:21:04
Guest colonel Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 Maybe now the other top riders are using the same doping methods that LA used "back then" that made him "better" so with all things now being equal he just mediocre.
Tumbleweed Posted May 14, 2009 Posted May 14, 2009 WTF?? I think you may be his biggest fan!! ? No' date=' not at all! However, if you are able to ride and finish Giro and TdF you can make a noise if you like?- if not, shut up![/quote'] mmmmmm...i don't think lance has managed that one yet. i mean the giro and the tour, not the shutting up part. oh that too...
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