Falling Dominoes
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 2:40 PM EDT
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Tomorrow could mark the start of one of the most fascinating offseasons in recent cycling memory. Bjarne Riis is holding an all-access press conference to supposedly roll out his new sponsor, the one who will make Riis Cycling a continuing concern. This is great news, with a handful of teams headed to extinction, particularly given the great racing the Riis boys have given us over the years. And at least one source has put out there that he could use the occasion to announce a new relationship with Alberto Contador. That's all perfectly logical -- Schleck and other monies coming off the books, Specialized contractual connection, etc. -- but sportswriters in Europe are notorious for putting out hunches as rumors, so I'll hold off on believing anything until there's something to believe.
Come what may, this almost has to be the most dramatic offseason in some time. To wit, here's the top four at the Tour de France and their status:
- Alberto Contador -- Free agent
- Andy Schleck -- Forming new team
- Denis Menchov -- Free agent, Rabo return doubtful
- Samuel Sanchez -- mulling options (free agent?)
Contador's status alone is somewhat unique. Not since Greg LeMond has a multiple Tour champion changed teams in mid-run. Of course Contador's first move to Astana was necessitated by sponsor exits (Discovery) and was more of a rebranding than a big change, but his current plan to redirect his career would resemble nothing since Bernard Hinault, who left Renault with four tours in his pocket to form La Vie Claire for his final three attempts (and last win). The Tour champions since then have been relatively settled in their career paths:
- Stephen Roche is an exception, jumping to Fagor right after his Tour win, but then he was on the move a lot.
- Pedro Delgado left PDM right after finishing second to Roche and accomplished all his remaining achievements (e.g. 1988 Tour) with Reynolds.
- LeMond was forced out by La Vie Claire and Bernard Tapie's mancrush on Jean-Francois Bernard (sucker!), made his comeback with a makeshift ADR team before going to Z (successor to
PDMPeugeot) and Gan (same team) for his final four seasons. - And then things settle down. Miguel Indurain was joined at the hip to the Reynolds/Banesto team, now more or less Caisse d'Epargne.
- Bjarne Riis and Jan Ullrich were Telekom guys when they came to power, and both retired in those colors (though Ullrich did a year of exile with COAST/Bianchi).
- Lance's Bruyneel thing doesn't require repeating.
- Pereiro and Sastre had some team changes but weren't regarded as big Tour winners apart from their lone wins.
I don't think I could successfully examine the changes in the sport that occurred when, for example, Hinault jumped ship, and the sport has changed enough that history may not be much of a guide. But a few likely scenarios are:
- Contador leaves Astana for ?, brings a praetorian guard of climbers with him.
- Astana has a vacuum to fill in the grand tour leader position and money to spend. Speculation centers on Menchov, a Russian (close enough) and available.
- Menchov's departure from Rabo clears the way for them to sign Luis Leon Sanchez, a Tour contender in the making.
- Riis Cycling and Caisse d'Epargne (already missing Valverde) have big gaps in their Tour squads.
Vincenzo NibaliRoman Kreuziger is a free agent and likely to move on from Liquigas, although this wouldn't prompt much scrambling, since the 'Gas already haveKreuzigerVincenzo Nibali and Ivan Basso.
And so on. Like I said, this is gonna get fun, fast.
Photo by Spencer Platt, Getty Images Sport
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Nibali
is not a free agent but Kreuziger indeed is.
But yes this off-season will be quite a fun one.
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
OK, thanks
for the correction. So Kreuz is moving on because of his antipathy towards Vinny. Called him a “small engine.”
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Has anyone told Liquigas that Kreuziger is FA?
hmmm....reading more and more that LL Sanchez to Rabobank may not happen...
…sure hope Cd"E finds one more sponsor!!!
Bert to Riis Cycling seems the most logical.
I know there was a poll here, but it bears restating. If Bert can bring his boys and get the management upgrade to Riis, that’s a clear win. When you add the data that Riis must have on Andy, well that seems a lock on at least 2 more Tours and beyond. Would seem hard to resist for either side.
and conta is conveniently ride a crit in belgium tonight (hop, skip, jump to copenhagen)
also, porte and CAS confirm staying with riis thru next season
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Fuglsang is still a great talent who could help the Schlecks
but CAS looked the better rider at the Tour. I couldn’t believe it when Fuglsang was chosen to set the pace last right before Andy would go on the Tourmalet and not CAS.
Man the support team Bert would have would be just stacked
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Good post
But PDM was not the predecessor of Z. Renault was, I believe. PDM ended and some of the riders went to Festina if I recall properly. Lemond was on PDM but was released after he was shot forcng him to ADR which was one of the few teams willing to take him.
Aha!
I figured out my mistake: Z came from Peugeot, not PDM
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Peugeot was Z's predecessor
Systeme U followed Renault.
Ja
and then those guys with the overalls, right?
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 3, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
hehe castorama?
best kit in history
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 3, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
While all the excitement swirls around the high profile teams
Milram’s latest tweet made me shed a poignant tear for them (ok not really, but it kind of sums up most of their season):
Förster aimed for the optimal position in the sprint,but was blocked by other riders on the final meters,ending up on place 16th-Greipel won
I know
kind of a childish move.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Gridlocked
Hopefully we can get Contador signed up by Riis as the entire transfer system appears a bit gridlocked.
Pass the hat and we'll let you know :)
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Drew and Jimbo have been plotting for a while to leave
and start their own blog podudeiumcafe.com. That opens up a window for Chris to bring in the Billdozer on the staff.
as I have previously announced
i own podiumcafe.org ….. and have request 5 million in stimulus funds as a non-profit.
moo
Yep
And it only cost him $50,000 USD.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Which just pulled out of Afghanistan
yes Frinking now would be the time to join
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
He can smell the dutch GC talents coming up behind him
and he is’t dumber than he can figure out what that will mean for a russian on a dutch team. Rabo might have been willing to resign him I guess but the presence of Gesink probably makes sure they aren’t that desperate to match any offers Denis is getting.
Mollema...
He’ll be a threat to Menchov eventually I’m sure… but I suspect it will be a couple of seasons after Menchov has retired.
Cazzo, it's going to be a bloodbath! The Mortirolo is a horror, absolutely interminable. -- Michele Scarponi
Another ageing golddigger
by the sound of it. Rabobanks nationalistic approach does carry a bit of risk as it can become a bit of a sleeping pill.
Just the facts of life
Most contracts in cycling are based on past performance not projected future performance. Late season golddigging is a necessity if you want your career to pay off.
+a million
That’s why I would have no bad feelings for Jens! if the Luxembourg cash is just too good to pass up. He deserves it.
Clearly I am watching the Samuel Sanchez situation with interest.
It all hinges really on whether Euskaltel get more sponsorship/a big cash injection for next year. If they do, the noises are that he’ll stay. He says he wants to stay if at all possible, according to Diario Vasco (or was it EiTB? I forget…one of those), and apparently such reports are all over the Spanish press. He’s had a big offer from Vacansoleil apparently, and I’d be surprised if Euskie could match it, especially if their budget does get cut. However, according to Jered on VeloNation, there may be some kind of deal involving keeping Sammy by assuring him of full support at the Tour and Vuelta, and a good new contract for Intxausti as his support rider, who had been rumoured to be looking elsewhere should the financial situation implode. At least, that’s what I think it means. He seems very loyal to the Carrots (I say this with affection ;) and I sure hope he stays…but can someone please give them some money??!!
Nice marmotte
Ha!
The part I like best? The fall-back plan for the Schlecks next year is reportedly RadioShack. The new team – called for now Team Lëtzebuerg – put in their license request with the UCI on 29 July. But if for some reason the UCI doesn’t grant their license quickly enough, the Schleck’s will go to RadioShack. This, according to Luxemburg media. I also saw in passing a mention in the Danish press that it’s not a foregone conclusion that the team will come together until the 2012 season.
I am amused.
they should spend a thousand hours
brainstorming a good team name.
Could be worth millions.
Lëtzebuerg could be a hard sell in some countries.
moo
Presumably
That’s just the official incorporation name thingy. They won’t actually race under it. Like, Riis Cycling is the parent co for Saxo Bank Team.
Team Awesome!
Or Team Doodsmak!
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
doodsmak!
That would be awesome. If they were nice, I’d lend them our password ;)
Also, I’m not confused, because there are now two ways to Schleck. One can crash, to FrankSchleck, or one can totally flail with the gears, to AndySchleck. The world grows complicated.
I totally
Andied at our guard station today. Unexpected stoppage…
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
OK
but what’s the past tense? Andyed or Andied?
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Team DüüdSmak?
I Andyed (Andied) at a stoplight today. A dude in a pickup yelled something at me as I floundered, but then he immediately ran his truck off the road and into a piece of street furniture so all is right with the world.
by Odette on Aug 2, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Truly. A great moment in Georgia cycling.
The “something” he said sounded a lot like
Hey, Sugar, I got somethin’ better you can ride right herebut I can’t be positive of the exact wording. Then I distinctly heard the sound of tires hopping the curb and the crunch of a Chevy bumper. Nice!
"Hey, Sugar, I got somethin’ better you can ride right here"
He had a new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3?
Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here. This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me - Jens! Voigt, Predator (1987)
best. story. ever.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
rec this!
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
They didn't even spell Luxembourg right
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
by lieutenantmudd on Aug 2, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Would a Luxembourg PT team be the biggest sports franchise in Luxembourg?
And is Andy Schleck the biggest sports star in Luxembourg at the moment?
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
by lieutenantmudd on Aug 2, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Think how much fun we'll all have if Bert winds up with Riis and Andy winds up with Bruyneel
The possibilities are endless!
"And at this moment I start thinking it would be a good time to break my collarbone."- Jens!
I think that might cancel out everyone's knee jerk reactions...
…I mean, suddenly no faction is inherently likable.
This scenario
would bring my mind to a complete halt.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I take that more as a threat by the Schlecks then anything else.
“Give us our license, or we will . . . . "
hehe
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 2, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
A timeline from last year that is almost relevant
Sky applied for licence end of July 09 – pro tour team licence granted on 18th September 09. But new rules seem to say no announcements before 20th November and for first time “value” of riders in team taken into account.
(Other pro tour licences due for renewal this year – Astana, CSE, Footon, FDJ, Liquigas, HTC and Milram. There should be a press release sometime this week from UCI stating who is trying to renew and who else has applied. Milram going will create one space)
Does Ricco pick up a pro tour contract next year, and if so, where?
Setting aside personal feelings, the cobra can ride a bike with the best of them, both in one-day classics and grand tours.
"Thanks again, Floyd Landis, Yellow Jersey Wearer: Nuisance Category"
He has one year left with CF
who do not intend to let him go easily. They could get an invite to the Giro with him though.
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
thanks! didn't know he had another year.
"Thanks again, Floyd Landis, Yellow Jersey Wearer: Nuisance Category"
they lurve him!
he keeps trying to escape and they keep saying no. heh, where’d that jailstripe graphic go? it seems we may have need of it.
In a way, Alberto already changed teams mid-way through
Or rather, the team changed on him, when Bruyneel, Lance & most of last years’ Astana upped sticks and left to form RS…
This is getting funnier by the minute
Contador seen (?) at Kastrup airport
Or maybe not once you read the article. But notice that Riis’ presser will be shown live in Denmark.
OK
I am running with this.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Danes are morons (no offense)
They use a picture from AC’s twitter where he says he is going to Belgium. It is well known that he is riding a crit in Belgium on Monday evening. During the day some bright guy (I’m putting my money on one of those permanently drunk baggage handlers that take forever to get me my luggage when I fly into Kastrup) thinks he sees some “spaniak”-looking guy and decides it is Contador. Excellent.
NEW THREAD
Where I scoop the entire cycling world by announcing the Contador Signing with Riis Cycling! Hey, this may (or may not) turn out to be true!
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
don't be mad,
someday they’ll have airports in Sweden too!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 2, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
OH IT IS GETTING SERIOUS!!!
HE IS FLYING IN AN AIRCRAFT BOOOIIIII!!!!!!!!
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
or, is he bound for belgium (where he rode a crit monday night)?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Team transfer news
Team Type 1 looks like they will be Pro-Conti next year and is setting the goal of racing the Giro. Which I can’t see happening seeing the Giro will be keen on inviting only Italian teams next year(celebrating Italian unity and all).
-CN
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
there is an anonymous twitter feed
or, at least, sort of anonymous twitter feed to that effect, yes. no one has confirmed any difficulties, howevs. and i’m not sure how reliable that particular rumor truly is.
Yes
Southerland answers that in the CN piece.
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Why would Astana have anyone but Vino as their GC man?
If there’s any chance that Vino could be a GC contender again, why would they sign anyone else…especially Menchov (a Russian).
Wasn’t the Astana sponsorship consortium created specifically to save Vino, when his previous team went under? My understanding was that he was able to appeal to the President of Kazakhstan — who’s big on cycling — and have him get all the Kazakh industrialists together to sponsor, basically, Team Vino…an exercise in nationalism, basically.
It sort of made sense that they’d hold things together while Vino was serving his suspension and that they’d have Vino play domestique to Contador on his first Tour back…but if the team was created for Vino, for nationalistic reasons, then why would they have anyone but Vino as their #1 GC man?
I mean…“Astana” isn’t promoting anything. It serves no marketing purpose for anything than, perhaps, the nation of Kazakhstan. So the idea of “Team Kazakhstan” featuring a Russian GC rider…that’d be weird.
Vino
has talked down his plans for 2011, maybe even retiring IIRC? At least he isn’t saying he’s a Tour contender.
Also, I think they’re promoting potassium.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
good point
So when he says “I won’t race the Tour in 2011” he means he will be leading a team dressed in Vino jerseys.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 2, 2010 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
An entire squad kitted in "Vino 4-ever" kit...
…is pretty much my dream.
The awesomest thing would be if their TT skinsuit bore a full-body photo of Vino.
If such a thing were to come to pass, I would have zero problem figuring out who to root for…
Because Vino can't compete with the current crop of young GC contenders?
Next year, he’ll be one year older (bad for him) and a whole host of talented young GC contenders will be one year old (good for them). He tried his hardest and got 6th in the Giro.
I think a ProTour team, especially a non-Italian one, should have higher GT aspirations than top 10 in the Giro.
(I don’t mean this to be a negative comment against Vino. I think he’s had an amazing season. I am just talking specifically about why Astana would want a good GC rider)
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
by lieutenantmudd on Aug 2, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
If he had ridden for himself at the Tour,
he might have done more. The Giro didn’t really suit him anyhow.
Astana is promoting Kazakhstan
Astana is the capital and probably the center of most tourists destination if they do travel there. Seeing Astana is funded by several Kazakh companies I assume more promotion for the country means more business for them.
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Excuse me, but Vino is Russian., and majority of so call Kazakh riders on the team is Russian also.
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
Holmovka is Russian ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Vino
born in Kazakhstan, raised in Kazakhstan, at what point does his Russian name no longer make him Russian?
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 3, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
ethnic Russian in Kazakhstan
hmmm, what’s a good analogy…a large minority in a country, but one that has no plans or aim to assimilate into the majority, keeps its own language, distinct identity, religion, etc. Kind of like Germans in eastern Europe in the early 20th century, e.g. German community in Bohemia, Romania, etc.
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 3, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
OK
I’m out of my depth. Is that the case here? I mean, I grew up around an ethnic minority culture and the first wave didn’t seem assimilated, but they are now. Regardless, I’ve never heard Vino call himself Russian, but of course I don’t know how he feels.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 3, 2010 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah that’s the thing, you can’t really compare to minority cultures in the States or W Europe, where assimilation takes place to a greater or lesser degree – e.g. in US, feel more comfortable in English than “native” tongue by 2nd generation. Ethnic Russian Kazakhs live their lives in Russian, just as e.g. a German in Prague in the 30s lived as a German – might speak Czech, but wasn’t going to lose his language/culture, or even have it diluted or transformed.
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 3, 2010 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions
As Russian, I tell you, that you absolutely correct!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
Probably as long as he holding two passports. Kazakhstani passport because he was born there and Russian just in case! ( You never know when "oppressed decide to raise against "oppressor" )
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
Russian passport
I know a guy in Pioneer Square who can get me one in three hours.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 3, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate all this talks !
I don’t really care where Andy and Frank will going to ride next year, Shack or The new Martian Team!
I don’t care if Riis will have GS contender on his team next year, or the team itself as a meter of fact.
I don’t even care in witch uniform the silent assassin ( Menshov ) will hide next season!
But Alberto leaving Astana! This brakes my hart! Vino and Alberto ! They were perfect together! And now, what? Hey, Phil what happened with ASTANA – 4 – EVAR?
I was not upset like this, sense……. Since Frinking mysterious disappearance during the Tour!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
SUNGARD 4-EVAH!
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
That's it Phil! Now you've stomped on Holmovka's broken heart. Have you no pity?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
C'mon Seahorse you should know that...
…I do not
"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42
Holmovka is your number one fan... this is just cruel... I'm shocked.
Somewhere, our ever ebullient holmovka is mewling in a corner… and it’s all your fault!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yeah! Dog eats Dog World! Astana will triumph at the end! Even if they has to spend whole Kazakhstan’s GDP on the next big GS hope! It that Sungard!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
Eat that Sunwhatever!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
I take back the 'mewling'... Phil has aroused the Russian gorgon!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
How about some Kazakhstan - Australian alliance? How long is Cadel’s contract with BMC? Or Richie’s?
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
ROFL... Cadel and Vino... now that would be bizarre...
and Richie is a sweet boy… I’m not sure he’s ready for Vino… ha!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Vino is highly misunderstood! It is all façade! He is softy, very deep ( Very, very deep ) inside! LOL
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
I heard, he even has a pet at home, probably baby King Cobra or something similar to that!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
The tragic thing is that in terms of talent, he's the ideal replacement for Bert..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
They'd be amazing and endlessly controversial...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
yeah that could be a ton of fun, crazy yet plausible attacks all over the place
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 3, 2010 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Not the same ring
kinda makes me cringe now actually…sadness…
"You know if there's any contact at all Cristiano Ronaldo's gonna go down...maybe even just a puff of wind"
great J-F Bernard mention
I’m sure most people know this, but he now writes a semi-regular column for L’equipe, he’s their resident cycling expert. The column, imho, is generally unbearable – he sounds exactly like Hinault (angry uber-tough guy), but without any of Hinault’s cachet, and without the humour (I find Hinault a pretty hilarious guy).
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
Sad
I was willing to give him credit for being what he was (good not great) — but to be an asshole as a result? Whatev.
"Good thing I never said out loud that I was pulling for France, before this all started." -Mark Blacknell
by Chris Fontecchio on Aug 3, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I shouldn’t be too hard on him, just my take, also he has some great lines once in a while – I remember once he was trying to convey his suffering at Paris-Roubaix (he participated once, last-minute replacement for someone), he said something like “in the hell of the north, I saw the devil, but not the finish line.” Not bad ;)
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Aug 3, 2010 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I suspect Menchov might want to know what mountain support he can expect
after AC’s departure before he considers an Astana offer.
Might there be Caisse guys looking for a gig?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
The Rider Formerly Known as Bert, probably has the first pick of those too!
.From the conversation of my employees: "What is the Tour De France?" " Oh! It is The best 3 weeks of the year, when we don’t have to pretend that we are working hard, Boss not going to notice any way!"
.
LOL... you are a wit holmovka :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Hey I had a mancrush on J-F Bernard too lol
Not as big as the one I had on Lemond but I remember I was such a huge fan of Bernard in 1988 that I practically begged my father to buy me a bright glow in the dark neon green headband (like the one Bernard wore in 1987)
Needless to say I was pretty bummed when he bombed in ’88.
But you must have been grateful to throw away the headband..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
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