Tour de France 2005

[jobob]

Oops, my bad. Documented evidence that George actually did do a turn after all.

From the cyclingnews live commentary:

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17:05 CEST 201km/4.5km to go
Caucchioli attacks the leaders! It's slightly flatter here, and he gets a gap. But Pereiro comes up to him at great speed, then Hincapie in the big ring. Boogerd and Caucchioli are together, just behind.

Hincapie does his first turn.

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[spazzdog]

jobob... that's all part of strategy of racing. Hincapie's job was to cover the break. The break just got to huge and it became instead an opportunity for George. At the line it's who is fastest... That's racing.

Periero got Most Combative which he really deserved.

spazz (not pickin' jobob. i know you know... wouldn't do that to a martini drinker )

[jobob]

I'm sorry for all my ranting.

This is sport, a win's a win, tactics play a huge part and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

And we get more George photo ops

[emily_in_nc]

I think what George did today was just good race tactics. Sort of like on Survivor - outplay, outwit, outlast. He was really not going for the stage win until he was told that Lance would not need him to hang back to help. I think he deserved the win because of his years of service to Lance, never being selfish, never trying to win a stage for himself. After all these years, this day is finally his. I had tears in my eyes when he crossed the finish line.

George, you rock!

~Emily "and you're cute too" in NC

[jobob]

fun stuff and first-hand reports

http://velogal.blogspot.com/

http://velogal.smugmug.com/CYCLING

[SadieKate]

I think what George did today was just good race tactics. Sort of like on Survivor - outplay, outwit, outlast. He was really not going for the stage win until he was told that Lance would not need him to hang back to help. I think he deserved the win because of his years of service to Lance, never being selfish, never trying to win a stage for himself. After all these years, this day is finally his. I had tears in my eyes when he crossed the finish line.

George, you rock!

Well said, Emily. Ditto from me. Regarding George taking a pull: 1) he originally wasn't there to pull anyone but to slow them down or be there to pull Lance which means he had to conserve energy for that potentiality, and 2) what team do you think has been pulling the peloton over hill and dale all these days? Whatever team has the yellow jersey is doing the hard work day after day at the front of the peloton setting the pace and the others all suck wheel. Robbie McEwen and his fellow sprinters are winning because they don't take a pull at the front. I think once again, Discovery showed smarts and strength as a team.

That said, I'm really impressed with Jan this year. He always seems like a bridesmaid, but he is really hanging tough and not giving up. Too bad his team isn't working harder for him. They don't seem to work together as well as Discovery.

[Jo-n-NY]

Yes, Emily, I also could not have said it better myself. For me, this has been one exciting tour to watch and I am so clad we switched from Cablevision to Direct TV to get OLN (well could have added OLN from Cable for even more $$, no way!).

Anyway, I also had tears in my eyes when he finished and I just read the NY Times to find out he grew up in Farmingdale which is just about 10 minutes from me. I knew he was from Long Island but not from a neighboring town. How cool!

Yes, Discovery is a well rounded team. They have body and mind. So far all is working to their advantage.

~ JoAnn

[Trek420]

SadieKate said "I'm really impressed with Jan this year. He always seems like a bridesmaid, but he is really hanging tough and not giving up. Too bad his team isn't working harder for him. They don't seem to work together as well as Discovery."

yeah, what's with that? As he finished yesterday, his teammate in front of him who seemed to be looking back every second was that to make sure his captain DID NOT PASS HIM or to make sure he had Jan on his wheel, what's with that?

And can someone tell me why can't he spin? He's so strong, if could just spin he'd ride the legs off Lance.

[Adventure Girl]

As he finished yesterday, his teammate in front of him who seemed to be looking back every second was that to make sure his captain DID NOT PASS HIM or to make sure he had Jan on his wheel, what's with that?

That was Oscar Sevilla. I think (I HOPE!) Oscar was actually looking back to be sure that Mickael Rasmussen didn't catch Jan. Michael finished 4 seconds behind Oscar and Jan. Oscar was actually there to help Jan at the finish, and the two of them finished with the same time.

The T-Mobile non-team action that I was surprised about was in stage 14. Vino made a good effort to get away from the pack (which included all the elites -- Armstrong, Basso, Rasmussen, Ullrich, Kloden...). And Ullrich and Kloden were the ones to chase him down! I guess it COULD have been that were trying to join him, but it sure looked like it was self-defense rather than team support!

[Jo-n-NY]

"And can someone tell me why can't he spin?"

In the book by Dan Coyle "Lance Armstrongs War" a former dr. of Lances touched on this subject about Jan and said: "Probably Jan has a different kine of fiber in his muscles, fast fibers that are able to work at higher tension and with higher lactic acid, so perhaps Ullrich is doing exactly what he should be doing. He has a very good trainer"

In my personal opinion, although Jan looks like one heck of a strong guy, he also is carrying much more weight than most of the other cyclists. That takes so much more energy. I think if he shead some of the weight, not necessarily muscle and continued to ride through the winter time, I think he also would be a difficult to beat.

This book gives much insite on many other riders, not just Lance. I believe Caligirl recommended it in a past thread. I apolgize if I got the wrong person.

~ JoAnn

[RoadRaven]

Ah yes, poor Jan
I would like for him to do more and it has been great the last two stages to watch Basso, Ulrich and Armstrong ride together
And if Jan could climb a gear or two lower, he would have something to help stay when the other two have pulled away... he has always crunched the big gears and always will I guess

It really annoys me when I hear commentators saying things like Ulrich being the better rider. If he was he would be winning stages, or beating Armstrong. How can he be the better rider when he can crunch big gears admirably and stay in the pack and TT... but Armstrong can RR, TT, climb and sprint at the finish?

Trek, you're right, I'm sure if Ulrich had a better team he would probably be..be doing better... did you know they apparently don't even sit at the same table together? What does that do for a untied front on the road? I do admire Jan very much because despite two crashes, he has soldiered on uncomplaining... just got on with the job... very admirable indeed.

As for George's win? Who deserved it better? He has self-sacrificed himself for the team for years... and was preparing to do the same on that stage... if Lance had arrived then George would have taken him to the line and not expected anything himself. I am very pleased George won - and wasn't his interview afterwards super?

[CorsairMac]

ahhh - George Did contribute to the breakway. Didn't any of you see the wonderful shot of George off to the side urinating on his bike??.....once again I guess the cameras wanted to focus on the Discovery guy without caring about his dignity!

oh.....and thanks to that lovely camera shot - I now have all my questions answered about male bathroom habits during a road race!

[greenchick]

oh.....and thanks to that lovely camera shot - I now have all my questions answered about male bathroom habits during a road race!

I'm embarrassed to say it, but I'd been wondering about that very question myself . But still -- on the bike, George? You couldn't'a managed somewhere off to the side?

[CorsairMac]

ROFL - actually we had a thread here where our wonderful friend MM in England answered all my questions regarding that very ahh - situation!! I figure if you can't ask the question here where Can you eh??!! But I can't find it or I would've posted the link!!

As for stopping - he was in the breakaway.....no time to stop man!!!

[spazzdog]

Remember grrls... boys gots "hoses". It's all in where they aim 'em.

As a former "dresser" of drag queens, I learned more than any woman should about when to hold 'em or when to fold 'em.

The only time in my life I've ever had "hose envy" (watchin' that censor) is when I'm out somewhere and need to winky.

spazz, a dog who needs to squat... no fire hydrants for me