Posted on 07/27/2009 7:07:08 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy
Jul 23 RadioShack Partners With Lance to Form New Cycling Team in 2010 RadioShack Corporation is proud to announce a partnership with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to form a new American Pro-Tour cycling team. Beginning in 2010, Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France. “This has been a great season so far – the response in the countries we’ve been to has been amazing and it’s clear now that this was the right choice. Utilizing the massive media attention that the sport receives has been the perfect vehicle to help spread the LIVESTRONG message around the world,” said Lance Armstrong. “To be able to compete for an American team comprised of the world’s top cyclists, supported by the best coaches and staff – I couldn’t be happier to partner with RadioShack, a truly iconic American brand,” said Lance Armstrong. For more information about this partnership and to view a video message from Lance, please go to www.livestrong.com
by Brooke McMillan (LAF Staff)
And Lance said the Team Time Trial cut the contenders from around 10 to 4.
Without the TTT there should be a little more fighting on the mountain stages - I hope.
I understand their reasoning on the TTT. Although I don’t think any team will be able to do what Astana did last year on a TTT, eliminating it keeps any team from it. And to me the TDF is all about grinding it out in the mountains. As cool as seeing the technical and physical marvel the TTT is, the chance of seeing Lance or Alberto making a solo ride to the finish atop a mountain is irresistible to me. Alberto to the top of Verbier was amazing, the more chances I have to see similar chances to see it the more I like it.
Top riders react to 2010 Tour route
Alberto Contador – 1st overall: “My authentic rival is Andy Schleck. Looking at the time trial, it’s better for me than last year. This Tour is better for me than last year, especially with a stage finish atop a climb so difficult as the Tourmalet.
“If I have good legs, I can take out a lot of time in the mountains going into the final time trial. Astana was the most-watched team during the past year. We have nothing to hide. I don’t have any problems. I hope to be the leader of the team, but I still don’t know where I am going to be racing. Concerning a rivalry with Armstrong, I don’t see it like that. I see Andy Schleck, myself and Armstrong as the favorites. I won’t look just to Lance, but rather watch all my rivals.”
Andy Schleck – 2nd overall: “At first glance, the entire Tour looks hard. The first week with the classics-type courses will require special attention. The second week, we’re already in the mountains with the Jura and Alps. Those stages will be harder than they look on paper. And the third week is brutal. Tourmalet is a classic, big climb, which I like better anyway. The final time trial doesn’t suit my abilities, but I am improving and I will have to adapt. Contador will be the man to beat.”
Lance Armstrong – 3rd overall: “I think it’s going to be a lot more open than last year. There isn’t the team time trial and a lot of guys will be missing that. I was one never to say this Tour is harder than another. They’re always hard. And the strongest rider always wins.
The press asks about the rivalry with Alberto. It's good for cycling, but honestly, I think he and I could do without it. It’s good for the events.
The buildup to the Tour, in April, May and June, will be really intense. I think the Schleck brothers will be good and I think Wiggins can come back.”
Mark Cavendish – six stage wins: “I think it will be hard to win six stages again next year. I see a maximum of eight stages that could be sprints, but that’s not counting breakaways and other factors.
“It’s a hard Tour than last year and it will be harder for me to get through the Pyrenees, but I will have to make it to Paris if I hope to win the green jersey. I should have won the green jersey this year, so of course that’s a goal. I won’t sacrifice stage victories to chase the green jersey. Winning stages is the priority. We’ve lost some big riders, but I believe the sprint train is still intact and we’ll be even more focused next year for the sprints.”
Thor Hushovd – green jersey: “This year’s Tour is even better for me to try to win the green jersey again because the final week is very hard. The Pyrenees will prove too hard for some of the sprinters, so that will help. I think it’s a good Tour. The first week is very demanding, almost like classics. The cobblestones will make for an interesting stage. We will return like last year, with Carlos (Sastre) for the GC and myself and Heinrich (Haussler) trying to win stages. I’d like to win at least one stage, maybe more, but (Mark) Cavendish is hard to beat.
I did a training camp in the Pyrenees this summer and did a lot of the famous climbs. 5 HC ones including the Tourmalet. It’s a monster. A real beast. Utmost respect for the pro riders.
That’s pretty cool. Did you do the descents? Did you notice details in the climbing that would prove useful for racers, such as ideal locations for an attack, a short decline in the grade followed by intense climbing? Were there changes in the road conditions? How was the hospitality in the Pyrenees? Too cool... I’m thinking of a late dinner in a local bistro, musicians playing traditional tunes, some regional wine, and then hit the road too early. Awesome...
The descents were terrific fun bordering on scary at times. Your hands can cramp from extended periods of braking. You can put big time into those who aren’t good at picking the right line and maintaining speed thru the corners. The 2010 version of the camp I did is detailed in this link.
http://pyreneesmultisport.com/iron-camp.html
We modified the route this year to included a ton of extra climbing including the Col de Aspin, Hautacam, Port de Bales, Port d’ Envalira in Andora, Col de Portet d’Aspet - 17 categorized climbs totaling 60K feet in 1 week. People were awesome. Great great camp. Training all day then terrific evenings of meals and taking in the local scene.
I sooo envy you, although I saw nothing about a massage at the end of each day.
They can arrange for massage but when we were there the regular therapist was on holiday. So we made do w/ yoga matts for stretching, massage sticks, and massage balls. I hit new levels of cycling fitness. 500+ hilly miles in 1 week helps :-).
F Radio Shack, F that liberal POS Lance.
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you need a hug, ‘cuz you’re so grumpy-whumpy. Or maybe just a nappy-poo?
Thanks, luvvy!
Where’s it playing, large theaters or more art / indie houses?
It’s playing in large theaters but it was only Thursday night nationwide at 6pm. I think that was the “premier” or some such as they are clearly planning wide distribution. It is really well done and a wonderful film for cyclists of any stripe. Leadville is at 10,000 feet just doing nothing and riding 100 miles up from there is amazing.
Thanks, luvvi, I’ll keep an eye out for it.
Bruyneel’s year of living stressfully
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/bruyneels-year-of-living-stressfully
Did we see this one earlier?:
Bruyneel confirmed for Team RadioShack
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-confirmed-for-team-radioshack
Landis confesses to doping, implicates Armstrong and Bruyneel
McCall.com: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2517293/posts
WSJ: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2517209/posts
Also a good way to tine up last year's TdF Ping List, please FreepMail me if you want on/off the list.
The 2010 TdF Prologue will be in Rotterdam on July 3, 2010.
As for Lance, I don't know what to believe but will give him the benefit of the doubt.
He has been discredited and now he is trying to drag others down with him.
I would rather give people the benefit of the doubt. If Lance doped he is amazing at it. No positive tests in that long is an impressive streak nevermind what he was doing actually on the bike.
The blood transfusion claims on Lance and Hincapie are disconcerting.
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