Head-Scratcher of the Day

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 13, 2008 1:35 PM EDT in News

Leipheimer punched his ticket to Beijing by finishing in the top three overall at last year’s Tour de France, while Hincapie qualified by taking second in the time trial at the 2007 Tour of Benelux.

I'm having trouble picturing the USOC folks sitting around thinking of how to pick the best cyclists. "Tour de France? Yeah, if someone takes top three, I think he gets a spot. Also, don't overlook the Tour de Benelux time trial, that's where true champions show their colors."

Or something like that.

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I recall reading

that if someone had won an ITT stage at the Giro, they’d also have qualified.

by Katiek on Jun 13, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

correcting myself

According to the criteria linked in the article, top two (not necessarily a win) in an ITT in the Giro, or any UCI Pro Tour multi-stage event, could qualify (unless all the spots were filled by people meeting the higher criteria, and that was only Levi)

by Katiek on Jun 13, 2008 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

huh?

Is the process that bizarro? Or is someone on crack at Velonews? Benelux, you have got to be kidding me. Not that Hinky doesn’t deserve a spot, but I wouldn’t have thought benelux would get him in. Me, I’d love to see some new names getting a shot. But whatevAH. Not with Weisel around, that’s for sure.

by Jen See on Jun 13, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Or awarding spots

based on performances from a year ago. Wait a minute…what?

"Hey, hey, settle down boys and girls or Krusty will have to bring out his old friend Corporal Punishment again."

by Drew Davis on Jun 13, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Si

Strano.

by Jen See on Jun 13, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

It has to do with the fact tha Benelux was a ProTour race, therefore that standing ranks higher than other non ProTour race

by lyne on Jun 13, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I smell sarcasm

which the VN editors didn’t catch

Which Italian Pro Tour Team rides the Cannondale SystemSix?

by Jimbo... on Jun 13, 2008 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Benelux

You’ve probably never even been to Benelux, so who are you to judge. It’s a beautiful country.

by humboldt on Jun 13, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Hey

Can Benelux field a team in the Euro? That’d be a powerhouse.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 13, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

on a similar note

Guess who’s angling to field a race-walking team for the Summer Olympics? DC, that’s who. I think it’s the If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em approach.

by Sui Juris on Jun 13, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Separately

from the US? So that’s the choice, statehood or a walking team?

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 13, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

well, we fielded (or tried to) a Curling team for the Winter Olympics

Apparently territories and whatnot get their own slots (see, e.g., the Puerto Rican team that beat the US in basketball last summer games). I think it’s a great political stunt. (just wish they would have picked something besides race-walking . . .).

by Sui Juris on Jun 13, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like

an idea straight out of the Capitol Hill ultimate crowd.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 13, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Matty White's wife a seriously good race walker?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 13, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny, I was going to write about that article

Worth visiting just for the link to the selection criteria.

Anyway, I hope Horner can pick up a slot. Deserves it.

by Sui Juris on Jun 13, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

wow...

Okay, I just got around to reading the rest of the article. I know, I know, I’m freakin’ slow. But the womens selection is fucked up. Curi won Geelong, this season – big huge W in a World Cup race – and it doesn’t give her points for selection to the Olympics. That is so beyond wrong. At the same time, Mara Abott, who has done nothing special this year – heh, I could get snarky but I won’t – may get the discretionary pick, because she climbs better than Tina Pic or Kristy Thorburn, despite their international experience and results. Uh, hello?! Amber Neben and Kristin Armstrong are obvious picks. But Abott over Curi? Huh?

On the mens’ side, Levi and Hinky are obvious picks given the nature of the course – it’s hilly. Then, the US has three more. Hmm, if it were me, I’m not sure who I’d pick for that, actually. Everyone loves Horner, but really, what has he done lately? Vandevelde definitely deserves a spot, based upon his results this year, though he isn’t exactly a one day rider. I think I’d also take McCartney, though he hasn’t won anything this year, he’s inventive and has been riding at a high level all year. Then, add one of the U25s, shake well, and serve. Pat McCarty wouldn’t be half bad, actually. And Pate did a good ride at Natties last year. Tough call, though, since the US isn’t ezactly over-run with experienced one day riders at the moment. Lots of talented U25s coming up, but no one really ready just yet.

by Jen See on Jun 13, 2008 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

I've been playing with this stuff all week.

Of course I want to see C there and with Levi and George it would be sweet. The Girona boys hittin’ the Olympics! The last two I am struggling with as to choices compared to the course. And with the thought that of those 5, 2 also do the TT. I am so seriously hoping DZ’s back is healing up but there has been little said since the accident so we are all wondering how he is. Would Levi and Pate be good picks for a TT? C and Pate just finished 5th at 6th in the Giro TT. But back to the RR I would think Horner is being considered but like the idea of J Mac. And then adding, what about some of our guys here in the states? Does FF have any chance? What about Craig Lewis?

I think looking at who’s competed in and finished the Worlds has been where I’ve been looking. And then considering is they going to put together a team to work as a complete team for a chance for us to medal, even win? So many things to ponder.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jun 13, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh

I think DZ is going to be iffy – but it’s still a ways out there. What was it, he was going to try to hit the trainer last week? Am I remembering right? Let’s say he needs six weeks to heal well enough to begin training – that’s right around 1 July. That leaves him about six weeks to get on form. Yikes. Really tight. He’s the most talented guy against the watch here in the US, and if there’s any way he can ride, he should be there. No question. But I tend to think Worlds is going to be more realistic for him. The time table for him to get back on form, it’s to tight, especially with a back injury that is going to hurt like crazy even after it’s healed. I’d love to wrong about that one, for sure.

Vandevelde is probably a better pick than Pate – though Pate rode great in the final Giro stage. That was really impressive, especially after three weeks of racing. He certainly has the pedigree, he just hasn’t shown it all that consistently. This season, it seems to be coming together really well. I think either one of those guys could go well, depending on who is on form on the day. And actually, maybe that’s the answer of who should go – Pate and Vande both get bids, because either could ride well against the watch. If DZ rides, I’d probably take Vandevelde over Pate, mostly because he has ridden more consistently over the seasons, but that one is a hard call.

McCartney won the Trials race last time around. That’s really his claim to fame, actually. He’s ridden worlds a few times since, and getting a gig at CSC certainly is to his credit. He also won a stage of the Vuelta last year, which should count in his favor.

Heh. Guess I’d go: Hinky, Levi, McCartney, Vandevelde, Pate. With DZ in for Pate if he can ride. I duno, does Levi want to go? I’m not sure he’s ever ridden worlds. If Levi doesn’t ride, well, then we got a slot for one of the kids. Or, Horner gets the nod. I guess I’m just not very high on Horner, because he just hasn’t done anything for me lately.

Lewis? Definitely talented, but too young just yet, I think. Next time around, for him.

LOL, who is FF, I’m so drawing a blank :-P

by Jen See on Jun 13, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

FF ?

by lyne on Jun 13, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Fast Freddie (Rodriguez)

by swells on Jun 13, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

too hilly, i'm thinking...

no one’ s really bringing sprinters to this party…

by Jen See on Jun 13, 2008 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Objective

Since I guess the object is for an American to win the race i would pick Americans who can ride fast in the hills, work together to help one of the team win and who has proven that they can handle the speed of the Euro peloton. That would eliminate all sprinters, and almost all other riders who mainly ride domestically. It would also eliminate riders who have riden in Europe but who haven’t shown the ability to be truly competitive.

That leaves Hincapie, Mccartney, Vandevelde, Horner, Leipheimer, and Zabriskie.

At present there just isn’t a whole lot of depth in the US.

Pate and others are definitely a level below the above named six and should only be considered if any of the above riders are injured. Obviously that means DZ but also included Horner, so we’ll have to see if they are well by late July. if not probably Pate is the first alternate.

by ursula on Jun 13, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

While the US is still picking teams

the UK is revealing their team uniforms, modeled by a number of athletes including Victoria Pendleton. I just hope the athletes make it out of the store window in time to get to Beijing.

by Katiek on Jun 13, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions