Tom Danielson Returns

by Scott. on Jul 27, 2007 7:48 PM EDT

Cool beans, finally, something positive to report.

There was a discussion here a month or so ago about TD wherein we questioned his constitution and future as a pro tour rider due to his frequent illnesses, among other things. Well, whatdyaknow. The Durango Herald published an interview with Tom yesterday that will answer a few of your questions and confirm some of your speculations. It seems Tom has had a nasty critter or two taking up residence in his tum-tum and they've inconsiderately refused to leave, possibly since 2003 when he rode in Malaysia. Specifically, he was diagnosed with Giardia, a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite.

A month after being properly diagnosed, Tom again won the Mount Evans Hillclimb and will be competing in San Sebastian, the Deutschland Tour, and the Vuelta.

here's the article: Danielson addresses cycling, tour, life in general

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Great news!

I saw earlier that they finally fingered Giardia. As an acupuncturist I am aware how surprisingly hard it is sometimes to diagnose such little critters. You'd think it would be easy and sometimnes it is but other times...

At any rate I can't wait to see him tearing up Europe later this summer.

by ursula on Jul 27, 2007 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Where's Doctor House

when you need him.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 27, 2007 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

doping

by Sui Juris on Jul 27, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Good news

Lets hope he can find a new contract and a team that will give him the support he deserves.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Jul 27, 2007 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

Real men

wear argyle.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 27, 2007 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I've had buddies catch

Giardia while traveling through Asia --- it sucks because you get incredibly ill for a while, then get better ... then get really ill, then recover ... over and over again. And the little buggers can be hard to get rid of, too. It will be good to have Tom get back on his bike.

by 72andSunny on Jul 27, 2007 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

Congrats on

your new gig, 72andSunny. You will, of course, be dispensing Disco kit to your friends at PC, yes? No? Will you at least smack JB upside the head for us?

by Sui Juris on Jul 27, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I have an acquaintance

who's done work for them (they've also done stuff for the Swoosh).

But 72andSunny is mostly about the fact that I lived in Sun Diego, where the weather was 72 and sunny ... ALL YEAR ROUND. I've ridden my bike six days a week for the last eight months or so and I didn't own a rain jacket.

I relocated to Portland a week ago, though (damn you Old Logie Trail Road) so maybe I'll change the moniker to 56andRainy.

And I've since gotten a rain cape.

by 72andSunny on Jul 28, 2007 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

flagyl

yikes...the conventional treatment can be almost as damaging as the giardia.

by gravel road on Jul 27, 2007 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

flagyl

I am on flagyl for my lyme disease from tickbite.
Its potent stuff

I knew he has some sort of creatures in him due to his symptoms. I am glad they found it.

by roadside on Jul 27, 2007 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Nasty stuff that Flagyl

Had a buddy who took that to get rid of his Giardia and he was miserable. Glad to see Tommy D rejoining the living.

Team Bobke's Spleen - Who wants to be stranded with a flat tire?

by Jimbo... on Jul 27, 2007 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

The Man

I have stood behind Tom for several years, and felt he would be a multiple GT winner. This dude finished eighth in his first big test, which was '05 Vuelta (the year Heras got busted). Certainly, big things were in this guy's future. Now, come to find out, he's had this parasite in his bowels for the last four years! Sure, I threw in the towel on him this year, but who didn't. Put me down on record - he will win a grand tour, and it may even be the Vuelta this year. America, the next domininant Tour rider has not only arrived, but he's been with us for a while. Tom has now passed the requisite test for American Tour success - a catastrophic setback from illness or injury. All that remains is for the Phoenix to rise from the ashes; this is going to be fun to watch. Kick ass Tom! It's stories, and riders like these, that will relegate the Chickens of the world to a sad footnote in cycling's history.

by Eric V on Jul 27, 2007 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Hope

I would love for Tommy D to win a grand tour, but I think we sometimes underestimate how truly hard it is.

Tommy D may have the physical ability to win, but I also think it takes mental toughness. I hope he has that, but I think the mental part is the more suspect in Danielson.

by John.. on Jul 27, 2007 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the mental game is key

Danielson makes LL look super-aggressive.

by Sui Juris on Jul 27, 2007 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on guys and gals

The guy has had a parasite in his belly for every GT he has been in, including his first. He won the Tour of Georgia with this crap in his system. How can anyone make judgements about his mental toughness or ability to attack under these circumstances? When Lemond was recovering from his gunshot wounds, all the talk was the same; he went on two win two more Tours. Now that Tom is healthy he is going to absolutely tear it up. I only hope he goes to another team where he will be able to ride the Tour next year without obligations to support another rider.

by Eric V on Jul 27, 2007 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

The difference between Lemond and Tommy

is that Lemond was a super-competitive, win-at-all-costs uh, I'll stop there, but let's just say I've heard he was a tough guy to even go on training rides with ... along with a few notable other Tour winners. And that's what it takes to win the big ones. I don't know if Tommy has that fire.

by 72andSunny on Jul 28, 2007 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Seriously doubt that

TD will be in any colors than whatever Bruyneel snags after Disco ends its sponsorship. That is unless TD's contract is up which I don't believe it is. (Correct me please if I'm wrong on this last point.)

by ursula on Jul 27, 2007 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

Good point

Does anyone know when his contract with Disco is up? I'm not privy to Disco's payroll, but I'm guessing Tom is not the most expensive guy in the lineup. Maybe someone (Vaughters are you listening?)could pony up the money to spring him free...

by Eric V on Jul 28, 2007 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions