I love the tour …and watching it. But it has become to technical. Let’s get rid of the radio’s, the chase cars, the tactics. The riding is to defensive. Wasn’t it exicting to see Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Landis and kloden racing to the line on Stage 17…?? They let it all hang out …I’d like to see more of that.
New TDF
1 Every rider wears a timing chip…no time bonus…just actual time.
2 No support cars…riders have to carry there own spare tires…and change them themselves.
3 No radios…they will have to figure it out themselves.
4 Only 3 riders per team…means more teams and not so much team tactics = more individual racing.
The dominance of the team USPS has made Le Tour less exciting this year. USPS dominance this year is IMHO largely a result of some unfortunate accidents that has plagued T-Mobile and Phonak and even CSC…well actually a lot of team Liberty Seguros, Euskatel-Euskadei. Luck unfortunately smiled upon the USPS while pretty much every other team got kicked in the butt, but Lady Luck.
For example, T-Mobile lost Vinokourov and Savoldelli before the TdF; last years third place and a former Giro winner! How’s that for bad luck; then they complicated the situation by excluding Cadel Evans an excellent all-arounder who had just won the TdA (Austria) and one who would have a great support rider. T-Mobile to top it all off brought aging sprinter Zabel and a support rider for him wasting another valuable spot on the team. Furthermore, the team leader clearly has not yet learned to be professional enough to take advantage of his natural talents, but it doesn’t help that the team manager is an arshole and makes comments in the press about his team captain that Jan would be Merkx re-incarnated if he was as professional as Zabel–while that may be true it is not very professional of Godefroote (?) to do so. Might I remind everyone that it was Godfroote who questioned Hamilton’s broken collarbone last year and claimed it was an American PR stunt. T-Mobile has also done things this year to cost them time, for example, no disc in the team time trial, probably cost the team 1.5 minutes in the time trial…dumb, dumb, dumb! T-Mobile has lots of excellent riders and I would argue the most physically talented rider in world (not the best), but the team and its management shoot itself in the foot far too often.
What can I say about Phonak, Hamilton is apparently hated by Lady Luck, but given the number of crashes this year in the whole peloton, poorly designed stage finishes are the more likely culprit. Lets not forget that Armstrong went down twice this year, too, just like Hamilton, but unfortunately for Hamilton he got badly injured. Phonak had 5 mechanicals in the TTT and still finished second, an amazing result considering the only arrived with 5 riders. Personnally, I believe Tyler could have challenged Armstrong fo the overall win had he not crashed, his team suffered after his abandon of the race, IMHO as a result of missing their leader. Lance may have dominated, but Ullrich was in bad form as evidenced by his poor showing in the Pyrenees; only Jan’s exceptional talent allowed him to remain a major player.
Next year, Tyler will be back and hopefully Lady Luck will smile on him and keep him uninjured, and even more hopefully Jan will either move to another team or at least he will become a more dedicated and professional rider who rides to his potential and if that happens for Jan will be unbeatable he will be unbeatable. If Armstrong still rides, the Tour it will be an unforgettable competition and the team strengths will be near equal–if T-Mobile pulls its head out of its ass–having less influence on the Tour.
Yes, excellent thinking. The strong teams had some very bad luck, particularly Phonak. I think Hamilton needs to get his butt over to the Vatican to pick up a Papal blessing or two.
Stage 17, though, was a stage for the ages. Truly awesome riding by many of the best.
What is Ullrich’s coach going to do with that bad boy this winter, eh? Spanking is in order. What a disappointment he is. Imagine Yo Yo Ma sweeping floors at McDonald’s, or Clemmons selling used cars. Sheezh, it’s almost as bad. Actually, it should be a CRIME to have that much talent and not make the most of it…
Francois wrote: One thing to add: as long as there is a rider of the caliber of Lance Armstrong, with a team that is built ONLY for the purpose of helping him win the Tour, the teams that have riders who are true contenders for the overall win, will have to build up their teams like USPS.
Did you read that Director Sportifs? The template is made, you just have to find a rider as good as Lance with a team as good as USPS (and that means a group of individuals that works well together, not just a group of good riders).
I am really impressed by Floyd Landis this year…I didn’t know he was that good! Attaboy-Floyd should be his nickname! Great job!
What about Rubiera coming in 9th in the final TT, beating Azevedo in the process? USP has 4 guys in the top 10 in the final TT, which is simply incredible!
Yep, Rubiera, too! Amazing team, USPS. Hincapie did his usual father-figure stoic role, too…a talent that is good enough to win a Classic, yet, rides for the team’s goal in the Tour.
What if Ullrich had USPS’s team and Lance had T-Mobile? Oh, well, nevermind, we could what-if-it to death…
Francois: Yes, Riis or Bruyneel, or a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Someone who will make his life miserable for about 5 months.
By the way, I think Riis may be the best coach of the lot, although Bruyneel is no slouch. I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and for his work ethic. Too bad he had such bad luck this year. Did they (CSC) place second in the Team standings? I haven’t checked.
How much did the new bike help Basso? He had a very good TT, even though he dropped to third. Great for him, in fact. Yes, CSC looked at the start like possibly a winner and certainly on par with Phonak (which lacked depth and luck).
If Jan comes back to CSC Riis should hire a jail guard, or send Jan to Bangladesh for the winter. I hear the T-Mobile coach is pissed off at Jan. Does anyone know if that is true?
How exciting was it to watch Voekler scratch and claw to hold onto the Yellow Jersey? There were a lot of good breakaways and sprints, and although Lance is running away with the GC, the mountain stages were really impressive, especially l’Alpe d’Huez. If Tyler hadn’t had to withdraw, and if some of the other contenders had gotten their legs earlier, it would have been better, but that could happen any year. As for Jan, I think he just timed his fitness poorly. He seems to be getting his legs this week instead of last week. Too bad, so sad.
I would vote for the wool sweaters though. Those are old school.
Yeah, the Tour was a big letdown this year. Not because LA won, but because it was never really even close. He was clearly head and shoulders better than everyone this year. Of the 4 major pre-race contenders(pretenders?), only Jan even finished. Mayo, Tyler, and Heras all bailed. There was never any real suspense and L’alpe TT wasn’t even that good. Of course, it’s not Lance’s fault. It’s kind of like it was in golf a couple of years back when Tiger had no real comp. It’s time for others to truly step up their game if they want to win. Also cramming all the real action into the last several days wasn’t a good idea IMO.
Maybe I’m just spoiled by last year’s Tour and the last two Vueltas coming down to the final TT.
I do like the idea of smaller teams, not that it would have mattered this year - Lance was just too strong.
If you’re talking about stg 9 to me it’s very exciting. Team Disco looks like getting their act together, whilst Jan, Vino, Kloeden, Basso and a few others are moving into place. The way they took turns to attack Lance on stg 8 may be a prelude of things to come. If it strts happening let’s see how team Disco can react. Both T Mobile and CSC look ready and it’s all about to unfold when the riders will be ready after a day of recuperation today. It’s all about to happen …what’s so boring?
Radios are a good thing. Adds the chess element of team tactics to the mix.
I am with you , No cars / motorcycles / helicopters / asshole spectators running in front of the riders . More people stories show the guys folks, as he gets to move ahead to ride through his hometown. Follow a few guys in last place for fun.
After 30 minutes of watching guys ass’s pedal around france , I pretty much had it . I look at the guide for Bull riding / saltwater fishing / watch another deer / moose / elk get blasted with a 300 SW XXX + MAG , off a bi-pod at 120yds double checked with laser range finder , OH the skill .
