I found the 2005 Mountain top finish on Solden in Deutschland Tour on YouTube. With out a doubt this is one of the hardest climbs in the sport of professional cycling if not in the world( I was seventh in the stage). The video is in German but worth watching if you’re interested in climbing/cycling.
I am proud to say that I never used any performance enhancing drugs my whole career. I am just a freak.
Saul
Love it. Folks like you and Credit Agricole are the counterpoint to the “everyone was doing it, it was a level playing field” chorus. It’s a shame that sentence #2 you always have to say about your career was “I never doped”.
It is sad because people think that all pro cyclist dope.
It is sad because people think that all pro cyclist dope.
They don’t?
Nope
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Not really. I would think that any intelligent interested person would conclude that some pro cyclists dope. Further, enough pro cyclists dope to really influence the outcome of the most important (and lesser) races. some of these intelligent interested people might not care. some do. Of those that do, it’s safe to say that in the abscense of any direct ability to judge drug use or not that one must be skeptical. since these folks care, it is a real bummer that some pros dope.
You are a pro. some pros dope. to the extent that one really cares and has no ability to judge directly, it’s a bummer that some pros dope. I have no reason to believe that you individually dope. In fact if I knew you I would assume that you didn’t. However, for sure, some pros dope.
For me personally, while I am an avid endurance sport fan and participant, I’ve written off what once was a vital part of every July in my life…plus many other great bike contests.
And I’ll probably never come back as there are other places, less prestigious, that are more rewarding to focus my time on as a fan…
It might be sad to you, but it’s mad to me to do otherwise…
It depend s what day and time you are talking about. There was a time when it was all inclusive ( maybe still is ) despite what some very vocal folks say. That is just a fact.
Wow that’s a name I haven’t seen in a few years. Care to provide an update on what you are doing these days?
If your crit was below 50 and you got 7th…you would have won…since everyone in front of you was above 50
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Was there a stage the next day or did the riders get a rest day?
It depend s what day and time you are talking about. There was a time when it was all inclusive ( maybe still is ) despite what some very vocal folks say. That is just a fact.
So… you do realize that the guy who posted this vid is one of guys racing in it, right? Just checking…
Thanks for coming on here Saul from time to time and great meeting you in Vegas a few years ago in person. I hope you continue to make progress from your head and other injuries. You shared some really nice insight…on the outside, people who have had TBI look normal and fine…on the inside there is hurt and pain every day. Sorry your career was cut short from that, but glad to have you among us.
That is just a fact.
Since we have no way of validating your claim, it’s an opinion, not a fact.
It is sad because people think that all pro cyclist dope.
Just the ones that want to win anything significant.
Thanks for posting, very cool!
I love 2005 televised sporting graphics.
That climb is comparable to the Angliru in Tour of Spain or Zoncolan in Italy. 10%+ average gradient for 12km is insane. Especially considering they are not just doing that climb only, but a whole stage beforehand.
The video is in Dutch. But thanks for posting, I’m watching it now!
Levi L had a 27 on his bike and Deluca had a 27 with a compact crank set. I had a 25 cassette with a 42 in the front. On the first climb of the stage I actually attacked and was off the front for about 20 Miles. I was hoping that they would let me go and not consider me a threat. Even though I was caught at the base of the climb and rode my way up to seventh. I rode at a pace I knew that I could hold from bottom to top. That is the secret to climbing. Pacing…