YOUR assistance please

[lunacycles]

There's Alberto Contador--a scrawny little spanish guy on the same team as Lance, won the Tour two years ago and has won a lot of the big stage races, has been considered by many as Lance's successor. There is of course George "The Chin" Hincapie, loyal Armstrong teammate for many years, a great classics rider (like Paris Roubaix where he has taken some epic falls, including one where he was holding his handlebars in mid air for a few terrifying seconds after his steerer broke!). There is Robbie McEwen, a scrappie little Aussie who can outsprint and outsmart almost anyone, hunky Thor Hushovd who has been mentioned--a sprinter type; there's Levi Leipheimer, who's American and always a Tour contender, but really boring to watch (can you say wheelsucker); there are lots of great Spaniards today, but most are considered clever dopers--including Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Basso, and there is that British phenom who won a ton of the big sprint stages last year in the Tour, is only like 23, and who seems a great ambassador for the sport, Mark Cavendish.

There are so many if you follow the sport, and they all have their times of year in which they excel, their strengths and weaknesses. Lance IS considered the greatest Tour rider by many, but no one would ever consider him the best all around, as he indeed spent the entire year (post cancer) focusing on the Tour and little else.

[jobob]

and there is that British phenom who won a ton of the big sprint stages last year in the Tour, is only like 23, and who seems a great ambassador for the sport, Mark Cavendish.

While Cavendish is an extremely talented sprinter, I don't think he's such a great ambassador for the sport. He often throws temper tantrums in his races (at least, races that I saw on vs), and I saw him be very snotty with a race official before his start at the Tour of CA prologue.

He *is* a young pup and I suppose a lot of his attitude can be chalked up to his age, or lack of. Hopefully he'll mature gracefully.

[violette]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

[snapdragen]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

The Lion King - Mario Cipollini.

[redrhodie]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

Bobby Julich. I'm going to miss him.

[OakLeaf]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know?

[Selkie]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know?

Agree (he and Thor - my dream team!! )

[lunacycles]

While Cavendish is an extremely talented sprinter, I don't think he's such a great ambassador for the sport. He often throws temper tantrums in his races (at least, races that I saw on vs), and I saw him be very snotty with a race official before his start at the Tour of CA prologue.

Well he IS a sprinter! I didn't know he's acted badly, that's too bad, but, honestly, what bike racer at that level behaves like an adult on a regular basis? I guess I was going by what I had heard about his work ethic, his approach to team work, that kind of thing, plus he was very gracious during interviews during the T de F which is where I saw him the most.

At least I didn't nominate Ricardo Ricco for Ambassador!

[smilingcat]

I like the some of the past tour winners like: Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Jacques Anquetil. I really loved watching Miguel Indurain the train ride. He was so awwsome. Then there is super Mario Chaporini (sp). hmm hmm mmm....

I was bit angry when I heard that LeMonde got shot in his back while out hunting. If it weren't for that accident, he could have gone to win 4th and maybe even the 5th tour. Such shame...

I also liked the 7-Eleven team, Coors Classic, and the Du Pont classic. I remeber a notable crash by a russian rider on a downhill leg in Coors Classic.

I need to stop daydreaming and start riding again. I think my back is more or less back to nermal. Reminds me... I've got to make arrangement to tag along with local team. Should I become an attached rider? meh... Who wants an old over weight woman riding anyway. As always talk is sooo cheap.

Oh Saul Raisin, poor guy. Got used, abused and spit out by the "system". Gets clean then that crash. Well I can relate to the crash... its in the past so...

just do it!!! RIDE!!!
smilingcat

[Trekhawk]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know?

Yep got to love Fabian.
Stuart O'Grady is another favourite of mine. Tour de France stage winner, Olympic gold medalist and winner of the Hell of the North (Paris - Roubaix) in 2007. He also set up and supports an Australian junior cycling team.