He seems to be pretty amazing at the flat TTs for a tiny guy. He didn’t even look tired after schooling everyone today.
Ok, I’ll go there…I was going to post this question/opinion anyway. While I totally respect the level of cyclist the Levi is, and all of his accomplishments, I find him…boring. He has no panache (sorry for the french word). He matches well, rides conservatively, but I would take a Dave Z, Floyd, Virenque, or any of a number of lesser riders over Levi. I think he is too much like Lance in that he calculates and rides safe (though Lance certainly took some flyers in his time…) Even Ulrich put the hammer down and took risks. That said, he looked pretty friggin amazing in the tt.
ok but i was just asking whether there are any other cyclists now or in the past that could TT that quick at his size =)
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plenty of guys-Rominger comes to mind from the recent past. Domestically, Kirk Willett was a really good TT’r and he was smaller than Levi. Janez Brajkovik was U23 world champ and I think he’s even smaller than Levi as well.
I think for a lot of guys it’s simply a self-fullfilling prophecy; they think small guys can’t TT so they don’t even bother working on it.
I find him…boring. He has no panache (sorry for the french word). He matches well, rides conservatively, but I would take a Dave Z, Floyd, Virenque, or any of a number of lesser riders over Levi. I think he is too much like Lance in that he calculates and rides safe
I guess you somehow don’t count stage 2 where Levi attacked solo on Bonnie Doon Road and closed an ENORMOUS gap to a breakaway group … rode right through them and stamped his authority all over the race. Yep … that was really timid and conservative of him.
Sheesh!
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HAHA, I was thinking the same thing.
I realize watching the Vinokourovs of the world may be more exciting, but it is the Levis and Lances who win races, ride smart and attack when necessary. But when you do attack, go like crazy. As Levi did in stage 2.
LOL! You short guys stick together, no? 
Loved watching that stage. Reminded me of Lance up Alpe de Huez in 2002?
I definitely think I am at a disadvantage at my size, but I DO NOT let it get me down…too much. I just work hard at it and try and maximize what I think is an aero set-up with no mistakes. Tweaak, tweak, tweak…and spend some money sometimes. But Levi is 10 lbs lighter and 2" shorter than me!! But hes a freak too-as are all guys who can win IM, Stage Races, etc.
But Levi was nothing special in TT’s 4 years ago either. Not that Joe racer like me is going to suddently put out 6w/kg, we can definitely be fast on the right day. But some conditions do not favor a small, average w/kg guy who is very aero and highly commited (can suffer like mad).
LOL! You short guys stick together, no?
So do us bald guys.
hmm…not that i am the biggest levi fan or anything, but you do realize he was 4th in the world tt champs in 200? and won the national TT in 98 or 99, right? What do you have to do to be something special in the TT in your book? Win the tour prologue and then admit to using epo? Or maybe you have to win the worlds. Top 5 not good enough?
YEAH for short bald guys!