tour of california, who do you like?

[redrhodie]

I'm going with Andrew Talansky, as much as I love Horner.

[jobob]

Jens!!! of course.

... oh, you mean to win it? I dunno. :D

[redrhodie]

I was talking gc, but we can go there. I need to see a couple stages to see who's there. Of the Americans, I'll prove my weird taste with Dave Z.

[ny biker]

I would like to see Horner win again, with Jens helping of course.

But I would also like to see Levi ride well, just to see that he's recovering after being hit by that car.

And I would like to see Ted King light up the road setting the pace for the peleton.

Really I have too many favorites...

[Koronin]

I also have no idea who's going to be there, but of the American's I'll pick Levi.

[pll]

My main hope is for an interesting race, that does not get decided on day 1... For the GC, Vincenzo Nibali should be competitive -- I kind of like him, as well as Peter Sagan.

Tejay Van Garderen should also be competitive.

Anyway, on this page, in the right column, are the teams: http://www.steephill.tv/tour-of-california/

[jobob]

For GC, I'll go for Tejay van Garderen.

At any rate, he's a great subject for a drinking game, over the past year or so he's seemed to have taken on the "must be mentioned at every possible opportunity" mantle that Lance used to have with the Versus/NBC commentators.

I'd be voting for Levi for GC but he's still recovering (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/leipheimer-will-race-but-not-contend-amgen-tour-of-california) from the fibula fracture he sustained when he was hit by a car early last month. It's nice that he's starting, but I doubt we'll see him much after today.

[pll]

Taylor Phinney (@taylorphinney) tweeted his prediction:


"Here's my #ATOC prediction: Sagan will win stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4, and stage 6. And @LeviLeipheimer will surprise you...!"

[jobob]

Hot Dang!

I entered the Road ID ToC Charity Challenge yesterday, and my pick for the winner of today's stage actually won!! Woot!

No spoiler... I won't disclose the name of the winner here.

Yes I'm feeling rather smug ... though admittedly, he was probably picked by a whole lot of people. :o

[pll]

Congrats, Jobob! It was fun to watch the stage this afternoon. Beautiful area. I wish we had hill out here, in Flatlandia.

Hopefully, starting tomorrow, NBC will air a replay of the stage. Else, I won't be able to watch it.

[Koronin]

Congrats Jobob!

[pll]

The quotes of Horner in this VeloNews article demeaned him in my eyes:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/news/california-analysis-let-the-mind-games-begin_218293

[jobob]

While he was being interviewed on NBC before yesterday's stage he suggested that Levi was playing possum -- wtf Horner?

[jobob]

I picked Tom Boonen to win today's stage. (Now that I've said it out loud, he's doomed. Sorry Tommeke.)

The Road ID ToC challenge is here (http://www.roadid.com/contest/contest.aspx?referrer=1097).

[pll]

While he was being interviewed on NBC before yesterday's stage he suggested that Levi was playing possum -- wtf Horner?

That is precisely the quoted remark that makes him sound very petty. Leipheimer had a fractured fibula not too long ago. He did not gain 20 lbs, that means he is "playing possum" and the fracture must not disrupt his training.

[redrhodie]

It's a compliment to Levi's abilities that he's still a threat.

[ny biker]

That is precisely the quoted remark that makes him sound very petty. Leipheimer had a fractured fibula not too long ago. He did not gain 20 lbs, that means he is "playing possum" and the fracture must not disrupt his training.

I thought he was just joking...

[pll]

Does not sound like he is joking (I did not see that NBC interview, jobob did; I read the article in VeloNews). But in this other interview he also casts some doubts about the leg being broken (forward to 1:35): http://video.bicycling.com/video/Chris-Horner-Bicycling-coms-D-3;2012-Tour-of-California

Anyway, the man who won today is amazing! I managed to catch the final sprint.

[maillotpois]

I just watched yesterday's stage - we went to watch on Coleman Valley and you can clearly see us and, more clearly my awesome two tone vw beetle convertible, which we parked right past the KOM line!! We got inappropriately excited about that when we finally watched it just now. :o

[azfiddle]

How fun!

[jobob]

I just watched yesterday's stage - we went to watch on Coleman Valley and you can clearly see us and, more clearly my awesome two tone vw beetle convertible, which we parked right past the KOM line!! We got inappropriately excited about that when we finally watched it just now. :o


Oooh, gotta go check my recording, I didn't erase it yet.

[maillotpois]

Oooh, gotta go check my recording, I didn't erase it yet.

It's Em's giant blonde mane at 250m and my awesome car right over the top that stand out.

[jobob]

Amici Veloci will represent somewhere on Diablo tomorrow, Kim was talking about somewhere along North Gate (that's the descent after the KOM at the junction). I'll go where I'm told. :cool:

[maillotpois]

Have fun! I Was going to go, but I'm leaving for a conference tomorrow and have too much to do. :(

[Veronica]

I wish ToC was still in February. It's always Open House week now. Not a good time to take a "sick" day. :rolleyes:

Veronica

[jobob]

Meh. Turns out the Bobs will not be representing on Diablo today, it'll be up to Kim to carry the AV colors and wave hi to Jens as he zooms by. Waaa.

[ny biker]

So, I just found out that the person holding the timeboard for this race is the treasurer of my local cycling club! Look for her on the timeboard motorcycle -- her name is Mimi.

[Norse]

Taylor Phinney (@taylorphinney) tweeted his prediction:


"Here's my #ATOC prediction: Sagan will win stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4, and stage 6. And @LeviLeipheimer will surprise you...!"

Taylor Phinney is certainly turning out to be prophetic. I would not be surprised if Sagan won the GC. Levi is indeed turning out to be stronger than people expected - though not GC strong - but looking like he will be ready for Le Tour strong. Will be interesting to see how everyone does on the TT today.

[ny biker]

Wow, great stage today.

My brother lives near Mount Baldy. One of these days I have to go see that race live.

[pll]

Wow, great stage today.

My brother lives near Mount Baldy. One of these days I have to go see that race live.

What a beautiful place. You should ride there! The stage was exciting to watch. I wish there were a couple more mountain stages in the race...