Levi - where's the love?
OK I'm not a huge Levi fan, but I like the guy. Liked him when he came out of nowhere to podium at the Vuelta way back, liked him when he had the balls to leave USPS, felt sorry for him when he get zero support from Gerolsteiner, even respected his willingness to be 2nd banana at Disco last year twice -- first when they signed Basso and he had to do all of those interviews, then when The Accountant climbed better at the Tour. C'mon he even played water boy for George at US champs in 2006.
But conventional wisdom in the Podium Café community seems against Levi. Why?
* He's not an asshole
* He's not (obviously) doping
* He's not Lance
* He's a good guy, great teammate, decent albeit boring interview
* He attacked the Chicken last year for his teammate - I didn't see anyone else doing that
* Oh yeah, and that ITT where he came within 24 seconds of winning the whole tour.
Sure I wish he were as funny as Dave Z., as good an interview as Horner, or as sexy cool as my man Tommeke, but why do you guys drop all the hatred on the guy? Just cause he's boring?
Even the squeaky-voiced aussie wheelsucker gets more love around here.
Just curious...
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57 comments
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The 2nd Banana Thing
by Sui Juris on Feb 22, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
does he have fun?
DZ, Horner, Tommeke... they all seem to have a sense of humor.
Of course, I don't know the guy, but it's hard to like someone who doesn't seem to have a sense of humor.
He sure can ride a bike, though. Respect.
-Greg
by gregm on Feb 22, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
"Sans panache"
I signed his petition because I think Astana should be in the tour, and as futile as the effort is, I wanted to lend my support to that. I even bought an Astana Cycling Team shirt at the ToC for the novelty of it (and it was only $10). But the insults about Levi's wife I've seen around here seem kind of juvenile and out-of-character for this place.
by Jimbo... on Feb 22, 2008 6:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't get it either
Maybe people are projecting their dislike of Johan onto Levi?
by roadside on Feb 22, 2008 6:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My $.02
Also:
- He's an Astana, and whether you agree or not, they draw their share of detractors;
- He's overexposed in Cali and the defending champ, so it shouldn't be a shock that people are drawn to others in this race, including the numerous other top Americans whom we don't see much of otherwise;
- for me, he's a grand tour guy and I have a strong preference for Classics riders.
If he makes it into the Tour somehow I'd probably sorta root for him again, because he'll be up against guys like Evans and Sastre who do even less for me.
by Chris... on Feb 22, 2008 6:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
underdog rooting
I think a fundamental problem with stage races. No matter who wins, it's not very satisfying unless they manage to come from behind.
A surprise win from Cancellara or Millar would have been a treat, because they aren't supposed to win.
Levi's ride with Gesink was pretty stylish. Even though the TT sealed the deal, he won the race there. Cancellara, Dave Z, and Millar should have been able to catch them and blow right by, but they couldn't do it.
by KevinK on Feb 22, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
from the race thread
Just that he's so bland and maybe he's cursed by some LA hangover. That he's following Johann around does not help.
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt
by ELVISGOAT on Feb 22, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Also
by Chris... on Feb 22, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
RE: hatred
Interesting thread, problem in part is that most stage riders win stage races in a pretty darn boring fashion - hide, wheel suck, go over a mountain ahead, TT.
Even Jens! winning Deutschland was boring (may the great teutonic cycling gods strike me down)
Think of how exciting it is when something else happens (The Accountant in Paris Nice last year comes to mind).
by samboo on Feb 22, 2008 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
But it is interesting
So I can see the lack of panache compared to his two predecessors- even if some folks here are very vocal in their dislike of Floyd and Lance. I mean Floyd and Lance (and many other riders) have signature moments/races/stages while Levi??? Not so obvious.
So Levi is very low key compared to others, but if you saw his interview with Bob Roll at the end of the Vs production of the interminable stage four, he's as cocksure of himself as anyone out there. He knew he was gonna toast the field today, though he didn't say it until Roll asked him specifically. He really doesn't toot his own horn to the press; its like he doesn't know how. Its funny too- and this is said with you in mind chris, about how Tony is a patron and all but the telling of stage 3 by Pena where Levi was just directing the climbs up the two hills, totally owning all the other riders, who all knew it too, just gets no traction here. Odd. In a team sport he would be called a leader in the clubhouse but not a publicity hound, or since the Texas primary is upon us, all cattle and no hat. Here he's slammed for not giving great quotes.
The Astana thing. All I can see is that various people both here and outside here (in other blogs) who think Levi let himself be screwed. This of course is a total projection and it just adds to the ambivalence.
I don't know. I like the guy. I don't love him but then again I don't do hero worship. He's just a damn fine rider, the best American and one of the best in the world. I can take him or leave him as he is no better or worse than Jens or Cancellara or Z or whoever. None of them are better or worse.
Maybe next year we can find some competition for him. Maybe Floyd will ride...
by ursula on Feb 22, 2008 6:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am uncomfortable
It's just a sneaky way to win. Compare Floyd's "win" on Stage 17, doping scandal aside, or Cancellara's stolen stage on the cobbles. Catch me if you can moments, right in your face.
by Monty. on Feb 22, 2008 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I completely respect you opinion
On the other hand I see this stage 3 the other day as Levi knowing exactly how it would play out beforehand and using that info to maximize his chances. That's why I say he owned the stage- the other riders were puppets to him with the sole exception being Cancellara. And he took care of that business today.
by ursula on Feb 22, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't dislike him
If the TdF do letleviride then this July's mano a mano could well be between Levi and Cadel. Paint drying anyone? Watching Wim going for three in a row could be more interesting.
by Monty. on Feb 22, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Go Wim!
by australopithecine on Feb 23, 2008 10:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hatred
by ursula on Feb 22, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i couldn't find
by mobilegoat on Feb 22, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like Levi
I guess in general I never think he "earns" his wins. He always wants to be protected as team leader, so he rides safely in the bunch and takes his wins in the time trials. He rode well for Contador last year in the tour, so why won't he ride that well for himself? You know, go out and grab it.
OK, here's another thing. You know that picture of him on the letleviride website? Who is he kidding? (Think Gene WIlder trying to act like Richard Pryor in Silver Streak when they tried to get past the police.) Dude's got no rhythym.
OK, that's it for me trashing on Levi.
by bethie on Feb 22, 2008 6:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Last year's TOC stage 1
by poolesville on Feb 22, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Being waterboy for Georgie was LL's downfall
That said, LL absolutely scorched the TT today and he's clearly an incredible bike racer. No arguing that!
by poolesville on Feb 22, 2008 7:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's the Astana/Bruyneel thing
by huy on Feb 22, 2008 7:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If he came home
by Chris... on Feb 22, 2008 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe one other factor
by Chris... on Feb 22, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Used to be a fan...
That all changed last year.
The way he handled the Tour was pure stupidity. He made it a point to let everyone know that he was going to peak for the third week of the race. At the time I thought this was perhaps some clever psyche job, but no, he really did telegraph his game plan in advance. I suppose you can get away with that sort of thing if you are going to absolutely crush your competition ala Merckx, but otherwise its a rather dumb tactic.
Had he been ready to rock in the Alps, he would have won. Had he put in a first time trial performance even close to his second, he would have won. I lost respect for the guy after he placed third, instead of standing on the top step of the podium, like he should have.
Then he follows this up with perhaps the most idiotic career move in the history of the sport.
I don't want to go off on a tangent, as I've already penned a rather extended post on the Astana situation over at my blog http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/2008/2/22/astanagate.html
Long story short, he just doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed. Great rider, but then again so was Ullrich, another physically gifted athlete a few cards short of a full deck.
by The Team Chef on Feb 22, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
black socks with white shoes
Seriously thought, I love the aesthetics of cycling, and Levi is a rider I just don't enjoy watching. Compared to the fluid grace of Zabriskie or Millar or Julich on a time trial bike, or the awesome power of the Adonis-like Cancellara at his best (not so much, today), I find Leipheimer's crabbed-up time trial style difficult to watch.
On the climbs, he's impressively consistent, but again, he lacks the beautiful riding style of Contador, or the exciting bursts of speed you see from riders like Bettini or Simoni. Levi's just not very much fun to watch.
by Tifosa on Feb 22, 2008 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Levi Knievel
I love the US champs jersey. He just needs to keep a cap or helmet on his head and it makes all the difference. Maybe a 3-day beard.
Cadel is my Levi. People love Cadel because he can suffer. Nothing not to like, but I can't make myself root for Cadel. The crying about Horner not escorting him up the last climbs?
by phantom on Feb 22, 2008 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kneivel..of course
by huy on Feb 22, 2008 10:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm for that!
by Chris... on Feb 22, 2008 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and succeeded, plus he
by huy on Feb 22, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not hate or intense...
I think what bothers people the most is that he comes across as Bruyneel's patsy, just waiting for the moment the coach decides to give him the chance.
Does he really think he can win the Tour with Contador in the picture? No way. With Rasmussen out of the picture, AC now has the freedom to fly away from the group in the mountains. If only there were going to the Tour.
LL and Cadel are more evenly matched, but that would be the most boring wheelsucker fest ever!
by DemonCats on Feb 22, 2008 10:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't like Levi
by d rod on Feb 22, 2008 10:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
For me
by Hons on Feb 22, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hons
I was about thiiiiis close from giving Dave Towle a cock punch
Hons, you have failed us.
How does that shunning thing work, Drew? Amish thing? Do we have to take Hons' batteries away or something?
by Sui Juris on Feb 22, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In theory yes
- He used the word 'cockpunching' in its truest, most honest fashion. Everyone got the same mental picture of someone burying their fist in Dave Towle's package, resulting in him keeling over and being out of commission for quite some time. Laughs and cheering follow.
- Cockpunching is still felony assault in 49 states (not in RI, there it's a right of initiation for new members of the state legislature). And until we can establish a Podium Face bail bondsman service* (Moscone's anyone?), I would warn people away from this course of action.
by Drew on Feb 23, 2008 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Who's got the Duke !? Great movie
most annoying person in a movie ever
by Jens on Feb 23, 2008 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"You have two ways
That would be a great team name: Silence and Rage - (Lotto)
by Drew on Feb 23, 2008 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In my defense
by Hons on Feb 24, 2008 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Too many posts to respond to
by dheadrick on Feb 23, 2008 12:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
To be clear
by Chris... on Feb 23, 2008 3:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this would be much funnier if it were Dave Z
by Scott. on Feb 23, 2008 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That collar is not aerodynamic.
Also agree with most peoples comments on him here. Myself i went from "meh" to rooting against the guy when he signed with Astana. I just can't find a single likeable quality in that team (maybe Eki but it was his on-bike qualities I admired)
by Jens on Feb 23, 2008 5:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's Bruyneel
by Crazy D on Feb 23, 2008 7:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
For what it's worth
by flying dog on Feb 23, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People love Fabian Cancellara
Basso rode for Riis when all his problems were going on.
I don't think Bruyneel is any worse than Riis.
by Punctured on Feb 23, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Levi's tt'ing
Not saying Riis is a saint.
by Crazy D on Feb 23, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Contador always a promising/solid TTer
by Jens on Feb 23, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What bothers me about Astana being excluded
How many guys have gone to CSC who were past their prime and get the best results of their careers?
Rabobank got an invite and they disgraced the Tour with the Chicken.
ASO is being arbitrary - that's what I don't like. Astana is this year's Unibet - excluded just to prove a point.
The problem is that because doping was (or is - depending on your point of view) so widespread everyone's results are viewed with suspicion. Ever director is viewed with suspicion.
by Punctured on Feb 23, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Petty comment time:
Seriously, I've always respected Levi's racing, especially when he rode the TdF for GST, becuase he was always working alone. But I think his decision to race for Astana is just plain creepy/weird, esp since he probably had other offers.
by Ruthann on Feb 23, 2008 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Levi + Astana
I did remember seeing somewhere (CN?) that he just assumed everyone would view Astana as the sponsor who stepped in to replace Disco (something to that effect). Of course, that logic still doesn't explain why he would want to be on the same team with two other guys who could place ahead of him in the Tour.
Strange indeed. "Life is like a box of chocolates..."
by The Team Chef on Feb 23, 2008 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think
He had the world before him, and he decided to to back to the abuse at Disc, er, Astana. What a mess.
by Sui Juris on Feb 24, 2008 1:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In Defense of Levi
Some things that come to my mind include:
Levi has a really hard job! Just physically racing each day is exhausting, then add the travel time and effort and its a full day.
Replacing the charismatic Lance is an impossible task. Levi gives a good interview. But all week I kept thinking as I walked around the team busses at stage starts, me and thousands of people, "Don't these guys get sick of all of us?" It's a madhouse of photo and autograph seekers. I don't know how Levi or anyone could maintain the focus necessary to race at that level with the chaos that the race scene is.
by fausto on Feb 24, 2008 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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