Posted on 07/04/2009 8:09:14 AM PDT by Mom MD
Today is day one! Armstrong riding. Astana is back! Predictions? Other comments? Does someone have the ping list from last year?
The Tour is all over. “Butch” Carver won. He was on a Ducati Desmo 998. Hey... he won. I know the rules say you have to be on a bicycle but hey... he won. End of story. Butch is the winner... all hail Butch.
Looks like it may all be over...
LOL.
” I don’t think Contador will be denied. He is capable of riding a brilliant time trial. We’ll see what Lance still has left....
I don’t see Brunyeel ordering Contador to support Lance - Contador will be the star of the team for many years to come, it would be unwise to sour him on the team/race leader. I’m sure there are a myriad of other teams that would like to have his services.
Even if Lance is for real, and that is still to be determined, he at best has 1-2 years. Contador is the future of Astana.”
And after todays ride you can really see it. He’s really strong on the climbs, and looks to be the winner barring an accident.
Also, Lances eyes looked exhausted in the post rave interview.
Amazing feat to be in 2nd at this point. Hope he makes the podium...........
” Placement before Annercy will be important, in that the leader between LA & AC will start after the other in the ITT.
Contador did well in the 1st ITT, something like 20” on LA in a short (15.5km) TT. But he also started several places behind LA, a huge advantage. So I’d look for some jockeying to get the better start in the ITT. I don’t think they’ll be 2” apart by the time they arrive in Annercy (a 40.5 ITT, btw). They’re both capable of amazing things in the ITT.
Mom MD has some good points above, but I see Johann just letting them both go - whoever wins it, wins it.”
Thanks for the comments by you/Mom MD.
Looks like Johan let it rip today, and Alberto looked like Lance in his prime. Lance is doing very well for a comeback and at his age. To me his eyes tell everything. They had that pink look of exhaustion and stress.
He was gracious in his response, and I know he will do whatever it takes to help the team succeed at this point. I also hope they work to get him on the podium.
LA’s twitter post:
“St15 done. Ouch! Verbier was as hard as I thought. Alberto - super and had great punch/power. A heartfelt congrats to him. Rest day 2morrow!”
“Alberto - super and had great punch/power.”
I’m reconsidering that ‘you don’t chase your teammate’ moment in Andorra.
I think at this point Lance works for Contador and hope to get Kloden on the podium as well for an Astana sweep.
And the Astana of this year will be no more next year.
Contador and Lance gone, Vino back, backers gone, name change, other riders to the winds.
From Juliet Marcur at the NYT: After Stage 15, Lance Armstrong said he’s “perfectly happy to be a domestique.”
” Lance Armstrong said he’s “perfectly happy to be a domestique.” “
And I’d like to see him on the podium as his swan song to the sport.
No more Jerry Rice or Emmitt Smith like prolonging of the career.
When you are the best, pick your time and go out the best.
We’ll remember/respect you as the greatest, and rejoice in you comeback attempt
Agree but I think he’ll be back next year with his own team at Nike...pretty amazing to finish second at age 37...
Exactly. My husband and I said the same thing... it's in his eyes. Hubby thought Lance looked exhausted after today's stage during his interview with Frankie.
Yep, there's no doubt that Contador is the true leader of Astana now. Have my doubts that LA can come back and win this thing now... it's hard to accept, but he's almost 38 years old...
” Agree but I think he’ll be back next year with his own team at Nike...pretty amazing to finish second at age 37...”
Heard something about that and have mixed feelings about wanting to see him in a domestique role.
In any case he’s a great competitor and has shown that even at this advanced age for a cyclist he has what it takes.
” Exactly. My husband and I said the same thing... it’s in his eyes. Hubby thought Lance looked exhausted after today’s stage during his interview with Frankie.”
Never competed in cycling, but was a former nationally ranked All American distance runner many years ago in college, so know what the eyes can tell.
What amazes me is how they can endure 5 plus hours day after day, with hills , and still summon the energy to push home at the end.
I do recreational cycling and a 2 plus hour ride at times saps the energy.
I hope Lance makes the podium as well. But Contador deserves his due - he is like Lance was a few years ago - no one can touch him. He has done an amazing job with all the controversy, etc.
I hope Lance can hang on and finish on the podium. I suspect if he can’t, we may see him withdraw in the next few days.
Really too bad about VandeVelde today - I had hopes for him as well.
It may be no more, but what a legendary team this year! If Levi hadn’t crashed out, they would likely have placed 4 in the top ten, and had at least a shot at a 1-2-3 finish.
” I hope Lance makes the podium as well. But Contador deserves his due - he is like Lance was a few years ago - no one can touch him. He has done an amazing job with all the controversy, etc.
I hope Lance can hang on and finish on the podium. I suspect if he can’t, we may see him withdraw in the next few days.
Really too bad about VandeVelde today - I had hopes for him as well.”
I think the team will rally around him to get him onto the podium, as he will assist Contador to take the title.
Contador has the makings of a repeat tour winner, and can show his ability while riding with the greatest in support.
I don’t see Lance quitting under any circumstances barring injury. He’s been through too much in his real life (cancer survivor) to do that.
Contador has the makings of a multi tour winner after this one.
He'll be a multi-tour winner after this one. He won in 2007.
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