Today's Money Quote

by Chris Fontecchio on May 3, 2007 4:35 PM EDT in News

Courtesy of Cycle Sport. Sammy Sanchez is insane:

"[My dream race] is one that hasn't been invented yet, and it would finish on a fast downhill. People would love it, seeing the riders attack as we come down the final descent, falling off into the ditches, crashing into each other, skidding all over the road."

What, no exploding bikes? Yo, Sammy, don't put this in your resume if you ever apply to be president of a riders' union. On a serious note, seeing him and Paolo Savoldelli attacking on a descent would be worth the price of admission.

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And remember his attack off the front in the

Vuelta, Stage 18, I think it was? When Vino attacked VV, bridged up to Tommy D, and left VV back with Kasheshkin? SamSan lept out the front of the VV group and took third on the stage that day, screaming downhill.

He didn't tear downhill as fast as Vino, IMHO, but that descent of his was impressive...Drew has my dvd of it, if you want to see it. It's one of the best stages of that race.

"...you gotta basically unleash hell on everybody." Jens Voigt, Philosopher, on team strategy.

by Ruthann on May 3, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

It is

but you can't have it yet - haven't watched the 3rd disc yet :-)

Ruthann, I'll be sending your other stuff back very soon, thanks again.

"I don't know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector."

by Drew on May 3, 2007 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the one i witnessed live

but take it from me, SamSan descended much faster than Vino, since he was pretty much behind the Valverde group at the top. He probably closed the gap from around the two minute mark to only half a minute or so on Vinokourov & Danielson. I even remember being stunned completely, wondering where the hell he came from. ;-)

by DZI on May 3, 2007 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Shades of Savoldelli,

Jaja, and Sean Yates. 3 of the fastest descenders you're ever likely to see (blink and they're gone)

"I don't know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector."

by Drew on May 4, 2007 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I love watching Il Falco

run away from the motocams on the down hill runs.

The Crystal Method

Race Calendar

by Clydesdale on May 3, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Another reason

To love Samuel Sanchez

by BDBrian on May 3, 2007 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Too bad Sanchez isn't doing the Giro

It would be fun to see him go head-to-head with Il Falco on this stage:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007//giro07/?id=stages/giro0712

Simoni's another kick-ass descender, so maybe he'll duke it out with Savoldelli for this one.

Eleven Nation Army: Ready to get rich off the other teams' lunch money

by Susie Hartigan on May 3, 2007 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

these guys are just the best

in a downhill. Especially a very technical one, the one that even the camera can't follow on a motorbike.
In my opinion, the rest can't downhill like them, even if their lives would depend on it. Well, it does actually, that's why they don't go as fast as them... :-)

by DZI on May 3, 2007 6:49 PM EDT reply actions

Word is

you find the fastest descenders among the sprinters. The guys in the grupetto chasing hard to make up the time they've lost on the climb are often the ones who go downhill the fastest. We just never see it because coverage is focused on the guys up front. Makes sense considering they often have better bikehandling-skills and are more than a little crazy.

by Jens on May 4, 2007 1:53 AM EDT reply actions

Rene Haselbacher...

ace descender? It has to be asked.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2007 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course.

Especially those 90 degree downhill sections. He could go down the Grand Canyon faster than anyone.

by BDBrian on May 4, 2007 6:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Red Bull sponsored a downhill race last fall

in California. I think Salvodelli was supposed to race but he backed out, but then what pro team would allow a rider of his caliber to race if he was under contract?

The S. Obedient Flying Dog Boy

by flying dog on May 4, 2007 3:10 PM EDT reply actions