Vuelta a Castilla y León Stage Two.... Live!
by ursula on Mar 24, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Live Races
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After yesterday's stage, who knows what will happen today?
lol
I do! Today might be the decisive stage as it's that pesky 28.3 km ITT. And now that there have been a handful of time trials this year we can look at the favorites for this race: Contador, Leipheimer, Zabriskie, Vandevelde, and Menchov with Valverde being, as always a chrono wild card.
Which means that someone else will win this race.
Go to Cycling Fans for a link to the video and tracker.
One final thing. I won't be around for this stage so if there needs to be a post stage thread or another live thread (doubtful) someone else needs to do it!
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a few minutes until the first rider is off
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
pertinent links:
tickers:
http://canales.nortecastilla.es/vueltacyl/en_directo_2009/en_directo_vuelta_castillaleon_2009.htm
===========
video
http://www.rtvcyl.es/
http://tsa.stream.flumotion.com/tsa/push2.asf.asx
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Mine is slightly different
1.bert
2. menchov
3 dz
4 levi
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Bert beating Levi and DZ in a time trial?
P-N showed the accountant has improved, but I’d be surprised to see him win against this field.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
agree. distance will be a factor.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Yep, it will be
Levi hasn’t been racing since ToC though, I wonder if that will have an effect.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn't thought about that..
But he trained.. So he will be ok I presume
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Bert isn't going to win the TT...
Think Levi is gonna win if Grabsch isn’t competeting
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
JIG, Clement and Plaza could surprise.. Not very likely...
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Hill, provisional leader
The Spanish runner Iñigo Cuesta, of the Cervelo Team Test, goes leader, with 35 ’ 01 ‘’ minutes. He follows Chechu to him Rubiera, of the Astaná, with 36 ’ 11 ’’; and Fco. Jose Martinez, with 36 ’ 17 ’’.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
First riders are in ... Levi just started
14:20: Acaba de tomar la salida Levi Leipheimer, lo que significa que ya han salido más de 40 corredores. El mejor tiempo en meta lo tiene por ahora Iñigo Cuesta (Cervelo Test Team) con 35:01. La segunda posición provisional es para Chechu Rubiera (Astaná) a 1:10.
Top-5 until now
Corredor Equipo Tiempo Dif.
1 Cuesta, Iñigo Cervelo 0:35:01
2 Rubiera, Jose Luis Astaná 0:36:11 0:01:10
3 Martínez, Fco.Jose Andalucía 0:36:17 0:01:16
4 Azanza, Jorge Euskaltel 0:37:20 0:02:19
5 Novoa, Joaquín Cervelo 0:37:39 0:02:38
14:20 Levi Leipheimer leaves
At the moment the North American runner Levi Leipheimer has left, of the Astaná.
BTW, I love how spanish translates grammaticly
Never mind the weird word flips of bablefish, I just like the arrangements of words.
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
I've been amused by that, too.
Levi Leipheimer leaves
At the moment the North American runner Levi Leipheimer has left, of the Astaná.
I know someone mentioned this before, but the translation of names in the GC list is making me snigger a lot today....
Jose Joaquin Red Ones
Adrian Pigeon Houses???!!!!
I didn't know he rode bikes...
Isn’t Charles Taylor the dictator from Liberia? Glad to see he has some hobbies, I guess…
Alberto Accountant…
… already it has announced that drawn up of this crono does not adjust especially to its characteristics, but everything what is not to lose time with the favorites will be good for the one of Pinto, awaiting giving the axe blow in the mountain stages, mainly in Lagoon of the Fish.
there is a mountain that translates to Lagoon of the Fish? Hmmm…
by ZoeRochelle on Mar 24, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Azanza and Novoa
Jorge Azanza (37 ’ 20 ‘’), of the Euskaltel Euskadi, and Joaquin Novoa (37 ’ 39 ’’), of the Cervelo, at the moment counts on the quarter and fifth better time, respectively
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
of course by that time it will be all over
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
New top-5
14:45: Cuesta sigue teniendo el mejor tiempo moméntaneamente en meta:
Dorsal Corredor Equipo Tiempo Dif.
1 101 Cuesta, Iñigo Cervelo 0:35:01
2 44 Dujn, Huub Garmin 0:35:16 0:00:15
3 11 Jose V. García Caisse 0:35:16 0:00:15
4 88 Isaychev, Vladimir Xacobeo 0:35:33 0:00:32
5 7 Rubiera, Jose Luis Astaná 0:36:11 0:01:10
there's video at rtvcyl.. la leaving hospital yesterday
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
can riders be given pain meds when they break their clavicles (or any other panful injury)
or are they banned?
by ZoeRochelle on Mar 24, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
i think just aspirin
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought they could take certain ones, out of competition?
Not sure why I thought that was the issue with JV’s eye. If he dropped out, he could get the shot for the bee sting, but if he stayed in, he could not? Anyone else? I doubt they could take the really good stuff but at some point, certain meds would have to be allowed right? Thus, the in-competetion versus out-of-competition lists?
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Ooops. Yep. Quickly came back to me.
But even with that difference, there are 2 lists right, one for in competition no-nos and one that says if you’re not racing “these” are allowed?
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Math Lost In Translation?
The post at 13:45 on the BabelFish page says that, at 50km/hr, they should be done with the course in about 14 minutes. If the lead time is 35 minutes now, I guess they’re really phoning it in…
What was D Millar saying about collarbones?
He did a lot of research and saw ten doctors before deciding to not put a plate in?
And who was it that just re-broke their collarbone right at the edge of the plate fixing their previous break?
kharma?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
New better time
The North American runner Levi Leipheimer, of the Astaná, in line obtains the best time of goal until this moment, with 33 ’ 17 ’’, becoming thus provisional leader of the race.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
well... that's a chunk of time
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure that Levi
is incredibly relieved that he beat Iñigo Cuesta in a 28km ITT
"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten
Yep
So now Bert will know what his target is. Can he better it?
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
But it's Cuesta....
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
no more better runner
David Zabriskie, second better time until mom
Zabriskie, of the Garmin – Slipstream, has realised the second best time until the moment, with 33:39.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
Their mom's are at the finishplace
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
I'd have to say DZ too
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
CVV
To make Nikki happy
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
First time I notice HHs quote..
He rocks!
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Look in Elvis' goat how do you call it something
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
LOL you two. :-)
For me it depends on the distance and the race. Those two I think are both great but if either are targeting a specific race, then I think they gain a little edge over the other. Today, my money would’ve gone on DZ. That man’s on form and seems to be focusing again on his specialty. :-)
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Bert has had a sex change?!
“Turn for Accountant!
She is already in the highway the cyclist of the Astaná!”
Menchov fights by the victory!
By the step installed in kilometer 8, the Russian for a time 8 seconds better than Zabriskie and 10 better than Leipheimer…
Apparently, Menchov is a rocket not a person
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
SO the accountant is gaining time on the rocket who was gaining time on the bald guy?
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
appears so
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
nope
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
where?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes!
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
nope, race
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
So who are the 3 guys all bunched up?
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Looking very powerful, nice cadence
He has a position on his TT bike that looks better than most, comfortable and powerful.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
AC about to catch his man (1 minute or 2?)
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Too bad for AC
No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 24, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
refresh
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
move over conta
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Nice use of accidental slipstream by AC!
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
conta 22 secs up on menchov at 2nd split
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Cool drag race between AC and passed rider
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
spanish commercials
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Terrible little jingle music there, lol
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions
nothing beats the el giro song... miss that one
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
menchov slowing?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
If this holds the only one I have wrong is DZ ahead of Levi
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
No - CVV still to com
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
So looks like the astana car isn't happy with the other rider drafting AC
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
For a long time now
They’ve been drag racing and almost trading pulls now Astana car honking at Euskie
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
don't know, but he's being annoying
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno but he just got put in the gutter for a second!
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
menchov coming in
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
anyone catch the time?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
ooh! Menchov faded badly
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Menchov slowed?
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions
a lot apparently
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
the road's a tad flat here
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
1km for conta
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
more than that... about 5 or 6
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
2nd
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Wow, Bert doesnt do it
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
been and gone
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
he do like the flat
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
"They are all chumpos and I would have slayed them all."
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
That guy sure was a graceful pedaller of the bicycle.
Especially in the TT’s. Man O man.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey it's Big Mig talking!
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions
jiggy!!!
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Funny jingle makes another appearance!
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions
Checking in from the coffee shop
No video—weak connection—so I’m counting on you all to keep me updated.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
who'd jiggy pass?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
didn't see his time
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
how
is Ivan Gutierrez in the video, i tought was Valverde.
by semprenaroda on Mar 24, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
av started at 14.36
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
he is 10th at the moment
he has finished
by Bruce Suomi on Mar 24, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow Danielson was in top ten
And Stef Clement
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions
That is one hideous car paint job right there
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
I dunno which team it was, but it was very very small, white with short blue lines or dashes all over it.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
OK, thanks.
What model of car is that? Looks very short but topheavy sorta like a smartcar, but I don’t think that’s what it is.
(But I have driven a smartcar with paddleshifters and they are very tossable and fun to drive.)
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes I've seen it and I want one to play with
think about this….it cost 20% of a full carbon road bike. For that I can trust Tata.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
OK no worries I was curious
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Guys coming in 4 minutes off.
Who arranged the starting order?
the reverse gc of stage 1
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Can't get a lineup
out of a single flat stage.
With no Cancellara here
this thing was over long ago.
Was Levi working
to run down the break yesterday?
Final top-5
16:23 Mejores tiempos 1)Leipheimer 33:17, 2)Contador a 16s, 3)Zabrsikie a 37s, 4)Stef Clement, a 49 s, 5)Menchov a 55s.
I'm guessing 2 protected riders and may the best man in w/ the edge to Levi
Since AC isn’t peaking ofr the Giro even remotely.
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
mountains tomorrow...
also dwars door vlaanderen
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Now in that race my guys might have a chance.
CyL will not be good to me.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
Clement
Struttin’ some stuff. Good ride. Danielson seems to have found some vigor too, for now, anyway.
Leipheimer really amazes me in the TT’s for such a small guy. Last great small TT guy was Mottet, and that was a loooong time ago.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 24, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions
same as the TT result,though DZ is only 22 secs back
by Bruce Suomi on Mar 24, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually they just showed the Rock racing guy from yesterday is in 4th and DZ in 5th
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
It said casification generale or something like that
plus it was shown right after they gave Levi the GC jersey
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
What was the red jersey for that Levi just recieved?
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
pts?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Per CN
Results
1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 33.17
2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 0.18
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 0.22
4 Denis Menchov (Spa) Rabobank 0.55
General classification after stage 2
1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 5.05.10
2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 0.18
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 0.22
4 Denis Menchov (Spa) Rabobank 0.55
Just logged in...
and I have to say reading this thread of yours was quite enjoyable. Chapeau to you folks!
Levi just recieved 3rd jersey of the day this time in blue
I keep missing which is which because I’m on here
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
green one now
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Make that four this time in neon green
How many jerseys are there for this race? Its not even the Giro
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
AC did get the sprint jersey I noticed
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
best spaniard
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
As far as I can tell
there are four classifications in this race:
-Overall, mountains, points, combination. Plus the stage win of course.
Now AC getting the non-jersey award
Best Spaniard?
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Maybe they have snuggies in Spain too...
No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 24, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
So with Lance injured,
it seems unlikely that he will be in top form for the Giro. If that is the case, should Astana ask Leipheimer or Kloden to try to win it for them.
klodi wasn't scheduled to ride it... ball's in levi's court
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Levi
has been JB’s plan one for the Giro all along.
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
That explains his form.
Last year he kind of let it go after the ToC. Can Levi take Basso?
there is that nice long tt...
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
saluki, goat that's what I'm seeing too from day one
Levi vs Basso.
There will be sideshows (Killer, Jennifer Grey, Menchov) but it comes down to the first two.
I think Levi can take Basso on the TT.
Question is, can he stay on Basso’s wheel going up the mountains? Also, will JB provide a strong enough team to run down the breakaways.
chechu
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Mar 24, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't know if that's good enough.
Remember, JB used to be able to rely on Devolder, Gusev, and Hincappie. He needs some better support. Unfortunately he is obligated to maintain a Kazakh development squad. I’d like to see JB sign a guy like Zirbel.
Good points
Probably two more for Astana: Brajkovic and then there’s Lance who probably won’t make it all the way. And since Lance is racing the other couple of riders will be decent.
Liquigas will have THE team at the Giro, no doubt.
I think LL can handle him
Basso is an unknown quantity to me at this point
"…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…"
HH
that TT is a very tricky one, far from flat
not sure if Levi can any time on him there?
by Bruce Suomi on Mar 24, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
but
the giro has quite a few serious mountain finishes as well. What about contador? Especially if Levi can’t hang in those mountains.
My understanding is
that Contador is not riding the Giro, just the Tour and Vuelta this year
I dunno...
Levi looked vaguely awesome against a lot of these guys in the mountains at ToC. I understand there’s a month and a half’s difference in form. But the peanut can get over hills just fine these days.
Plus seriously, has he ever had a better chance of winning a Grand Tour than this Giro?
"vaguely awesome" lol
LL receives more underhanded compliments than any rider in the peloton
remember the vuelta..
Levi would have finished with the EXACT same time as AC without the time bonuses. If he had been on a different team, you could argue he would have won it, had he chased Alberto on some of the mountain stages. Levi showed his climbing prowess in the vuelta, and with that in mind he could absolutely win the Giro. I personally think the long tt suits him much better than Basso.
From CN
Top 20 on GC. Remember that for VDS purposes the top 10 on GC at the end plus top three of each stage scores. No points or mountains jerseys, etc:
General classification after stage 2
1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 5.05.10
2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 0.16
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 0.22
4 Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank 0.49
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0.55
6 Markel Irizar (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.16
7 Iván Gutiérrez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 1.17
8 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Rock Racing 1.33
9 Tom Danielson (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 1.36
10 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 1.39
11 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank 1.46
14 Ignas Konovalovas (Ltu) Cervélo TestTeam 1.47
12 Luis Pasamontes (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne
13 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank
15 Xavier Tondo (Spa) Andalucía-Cajasur 1.51
16 Rubén Plaza (Spa) Liberty Seguros 1.52
17 Philip Deignan (Irl) Cervélo TestTeam 1.53
18 Juan Manuel Gárate (Spa) Rabobank 1.56
19 Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia 2.01
20 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 2.07
Thoughts so far
1) Lance hype aside, the main point of contention on Astana is probably between Levi and Bert, possibly the two best stage racers going these days. (Basso might have something to say about this.) The problems in figuring out IF there is a bone of rivalry between the two are a few:
1) The press thinks it’s all about Lance and his rivalry with Bert.
2) Levi is very cagey in his remarks.
3) Bert doesn’t speak English.
So the next two days may reveal a lot about Bert and Levi’s relationship what with both stages ending on the mountaintop. Will Bert attack Levi or will Bert let Levi win this race? This does have important implications for July in France.
2) Following it’s nice Murcia race, Rabobank is showing loads of team strength. Clement finally has a decent TT, and considering how well he climbed in Murcia he’s an interesting figure for the future as Rabo does a make over on their new rider. Menchov is right where you expect him to be. So the questions is, can Rabobank successfully attack Astana?
3) Then there’s Garmin, also showing a nice race. Let’s see them hang with Astana and Rabo.
4) As for the others, the TT went as expected. Valverde, Sastre, and Mosquera all had meh TT’s. Cervelo and Xabbeo both expected that, I’m sure, and in a Grnd Tour they would look to use the many other stages to make some sort of comeback. Here they will send out a flier on a break as there isn’t time to take the overall with all that skill before them.They should be happy with a top ten placing in the end.
5) Caisse d’Epargne is a bit out to sea since they emphasize Valverde so much. They really could use Ivan Gutierrez to hang in the mountains.
my 2 cents (and btw, your numbers are screwed) :)
1. Lance is the biggest news, we saw that when most of the press abandoned with him yesterday, so yes, it’s only hype. (too bad I picked him)
2. agree
3. he does, just not in public
4. Not sure, they’ll probably screw it up somehow
5. Bubble boy? Wish him luck. Hope DZ does well along with CVV.
6. agree
7. Caisse’s future is in Coni’s hands. Valverde was 20th today, not too bad for a fairly flat TT, Gutierrez was 6th, so he should be a good help for Valverde(iirc he can also climb?)
Bert speaks bad English...
thing is, there are two mountain stages to be won.
I reckon someone will attack Astana, say Zeke, or maybe Euskie? probably not for GC, but a stage win would be nice. so either Levi or Bert can say they are not attacking teammates…
certainly interesting, can’t wait to see how it turns out.
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