Race is about to start, and I’m very glad that VS is doing live coverage this year. Really stoked that Craig Hummer is the glue for the talking heads again, it is a good mix for commentary. Have to say though, Phil Liggett should not be in high def in his close ups. And pllleassse, get rid of that Indian girl that is doing the up close and personals. SHe is sooo annoying, has’nt got a clue about anything sports related, and is as dumb as a rock. Did anyone else catch her interview??? She says she cannot shift because she is used to a manual??? Attention VS, if you are going to have an idiot doing interviews, at least make her hot!!! I hope she was just a one off, she makes Kirsten Dunst seem like Jim Mckay…
Looks like good weather for today, they better take every advantage of that while they can, it looks like it could be a really wet and cold one this year…Well, they are off, back to my 70in high def big screen…
So I guess it’s just me and Zippy watching the tour here…Have to say that pretty dam exciting, some great results all around. Levi is really on to have come that close to Cancellara in a flat, short TT. Lance did well, just a few seconds off the pace, but Floyd looked not so good. Still riding in that fall to the front of the saddle and push back position. Goes through the rotation every 10 seconds or so, and pushes way to big a gear for a short TT like this. Tyler was average, as well as Basso, but I guess they are not supposed to do so well in a stage like this. I like Levi’s chances, sounds like if he can get an edge, the gang will work for him…
I still think the race will probably be won up Palomar on the last climb of the last day. It is one of those climbs that can mean minutes, and this race is usually just seconds apart going into the last day…Good start…I guess it’s just me and you Zippy…(-;
Kylie and I are planning to catch the end of the stage in Pasadena next week. Anyone else going to be there? Hopefully thye weather will be better than last year.
Paul Thomas needs to get the hacksaw out and whack about an inch or two off of Floyd’s Kueen-K seatpost. He easily had one of the most out-of-whack positions I saw during the coverage. I really, really like those Giant TT bikes the Columbia boys were on.
The course does not lend itself to breaking up the pack. You are right, it will be the last climb. It was fun to see Lance race in the US again. I doubt he is a factor, but it would be fun to see him surprise me. We’ll see if Fabian brought his climbing legs. He sure suprised me coming back at the Olympic road race. Lots of top guys that can win. I still do not know how I feel about Floyd. I really believed him innocent. I doubt Floyd is ready to win.
I really, really like those Giant TT bikes the Columbia boys were on.
I agree. But that’s a funny comment since Scott is the official bike sponsor of Columbia and Giant is the sponsor for Rabobank. While I am sure Giant is glad you like their bikes, I wonder how it makes Scott feel, haha.
Paul Thomas needs to get the hacksaw out and whack about an inch or two off of Floyd’s Kueen-K seatpost]]]]]
Probably right, Dan has only fit Rory on that team, and he looked good. Not a tt specialist, but he had a good position at least. It will be a lot tougher than the year he got 4th I think(Rory)… I like Levi, but have a felling that Lance is going to come good after todays prologue. IF he was rusty, 2 or 3 seconds is not much to lose by to the other GC guys. That last climb will make the race a legit tour, no pretenders there. Sorry Cancellera, the mountain goats get the tour this year… But good job taking the first stage, I suspect he will have a good chance at yellow for several days…
I hate to tell you this Monty, but the word I’ve gotten from someone who rode both is that the Palomar stage isn’t as hard as the Olympic course… and that didn’t do a great job of popping Cancellara.
Palomar is a tough climb - no argument here - but the stage doesn’t end at the top of that climb, unfortunately.
The peloton rumour mill seems to be saying that the winner of the long TT takes this one, but who knows; that’s why they race 'em, eh?
Didnt know it was not a mountain top finish. Where and how far is the finish from the top? And from what I rmemeber of the olympic course, it was just a few mile climb wasnt it? I know you had to do it many times, but not the same as a sustained 15 mile climb…
I’m still putting my chips on the mountain for the GC winner…TT will be important too, especially since Basso and Floyd dont seem to be in good form.
They go over Palomar less than half way into the stage. Folks will have - literally - hours to catch back on.
If a climb decides this stage, it’s likely it won’t even be Palomar - they hit another climb much closer to the finish that’s significantly more likely to be decisive…
Thanks, I did not know that. I will have to check out the route, I have done every one of those roads dozens of times during my training days there. It must be one hell of a last stage…
who ever gets that lead on the climb up to P mtn will have to haul ass to maintain that lead, mostly all down hill until you get to cole grade, then all down hill to escondido…
I second that…the time trial will determine the race.
where are the slowtwitchers going to be hanging out on Palomar Mtn?? I was thinking of riding the motorcycle (wanted to cycle up, but the spousal unit wants to go) up to Mother’s then hiking a bit down east grade…
Paul Thomas needs to get the hacksaw out and whack about an inch or two off of Floyd’s Kueen-K seatpost. He easily had one of the most out-of-whack positions I saw during the coverage. I really, really like those Giant TT bikes the Columbia boys were on.
It was painful watching him “skooch” on the saddle literally every 5 secs or so…Geez, don’t these guys ever write down their fit coordinates??
