Go Lance GO!!! (TDF content) - Page 3

ruger9 · July 22nd, 2005, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonc

Is anybody else dissapointed at lance armstrongs approach to the tour this year? ( ie playing it safe, hasnt had a stage win etc etc)...?
I'd have liked to think he would go out with a bang.unless he is planning a stage win in paris....not likely though

I thought the same thing in Tour #5 (2003). Very boring. However, I think how exciting a tour is, with regards to Lance, has less to do with Lance and more to do with his competition- they either show up or they don't. This year's been pretty good, I think- a few times now, Lance has been left team-less pretty early on in a couple mountain stages, and had to fight alone.

As far as playing it safe/no stage wins, I think he just has his mind on the big picture: #7. It is his last professional race, and he doesn't want to screw up his legacy by going for a stage win, going too hard, and then paying for it the next day...for example, if he decides to take a stage one day, and works really hard at it, the next day he could pay buy losing time to Basso- only 2:38 back. And Basso can time trial this year. With that final individual time trial, and Basso riding so well in time trials this year, Lance isn't going to risk it. (Ullrich, while a good TTist, can't make up over 4 minutes in a TT).

I was really rooting for Axl Mercx last night- too bad he couldn't pull it off.

Noe Lee · July 22nd, 2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonc

Is anybody else dissapointed at lance armstrongs approach to the tour this year? ( ie playing it safe, hasnt had a stage win etc etc)...?
I'd have liked to think he would go out with a bang.unless he is planning a stage win in paris....not likely though

He still can -and probably will- win tomorrow's stage.

ruger9 · July 22nd, 2005, 11:44 AM

Yep- I'm sure he's intending to win saturday's time trial as the "coup de gras" of his 7th & final tour. He's capable- but so is Basso & Ullrich. I don't think it's possible to make up 2:46 on Lance, but one of them could take the win. As long as no one goes down, that is.

Should be an interesting day! I'm gettin' up early to watch it! The end of an era...

Tremo · July 22nd, 2005, 01:34 PM

If Lance has a nasty crash, or gets sick, he loses. I don't blame him for playing it safe. You have to use your brain as well as your brawn. Still, it would be nice if he could win a stage. He may be trying *not* to rub people's noses in it, so to speak.

So, any guesses as to who will win *next year*? Basso? Big Jan? Rasmussen? Vino?

dean · July 22nd, 2005, 03:23 PM

Maybe another way to look at things would be from a team standpoint. As Armstrong has matured and grown with his celebrity and his own sense of self, maybe he doesn't really need to win a stage. Sure, it would be nice, but he can win the Tour without a stage win.

What has been interesting this year is the success of the Disco team - they have accomplished things that none of the other "Lance" teams have done, and I get the impression that he is as excited about that as he might be about a stage win for himself. The other day, an announcer was asking about the lack of stage wins and the supposed weakness of the Discovery team - Lance countered that they had the overall leader, a stage winner (Hincapie), took the team time trial, and had the White Jersey (best rookie) on the team - "Not too bad," he said.

For some reason, I think this last Tour is very different for Armstrong - he really has nothing to prove, and he seems to be solidly in control of the race. Maybe that's what his aim was.

At any rate, the lack of drama on Armstrong's part has allowed for some more interesting stories to develop.

Dean

ruger9 · July 22nd, 2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

Still, it would be nice if he could win a stage. He may be trying *not* to rub people's noses in it, so to speak.

Could be something to that. He gave the win to Valverde back in stage 10. IMHO. (He wasn't obvious about it, he didn't "sit up" or stop pedaling or anything.)

tschommer · July 23rd, 2005, 10:41 AM

Great Time Trial!!

Congratulations to Lance, he finally won a stage and his seventh tour.

simonc · July 24th, 2005, 03:02 AM

Yep Congrats to Lance! it really is the end of an era, I cant imagine the tour without him, though I am sure Basso & the boys will revel in next years tour, & will will be VERY interesting to see who the heir to the throne will be.

Tom P. · July 24th, 2005, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tschommer

Great Time Trial!!

Congratulations to Lance, he finally won a stage and his seventh tour.

I'm not sure about "finally", more like he chose to. His game plan and complete control in this race are amazing.

beez · July 24th, 2005, 10:19 AM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

ruger9 · July 25th, 2005, 08:59 AM

Congrats to Lance.

Kind of sad in a way- it's the end of an era. It was a fun & cool era to watch. Now who amo I going to root for?!?! ;)

Must've been like what watching a Hendrix appear, or a Clapton, or the Beatles, know what I mean?

lewis · July 25th, 2005, 10:29 AM

Can you say ticker-tape parade???!!! He deserves one IMO.

Tremo · July 25th, 2005, 01:09 PM

Lance doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will sit around and do nothing for the rest of his life. He impresses me as the kind of guy who needs a goal to achieve. So, what will be his next goal? He has his Livestrong foundation to run, but seems to me he needs something more challenging. Politics?

If he does go political, I wonder if he's a progressive, a centrist, or a neocon? Maybe even a libertarian?

Noe Lee · July 25th, 2005, 01:18 PM

Heard yesterday on Belgian television: Lance is going to be roadie for Sheryl Crow on her next tour.

beez · July 25th, 2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

Lance doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will sit around and do nothing for the rest of his life. He impresses me as the kind of guy who needs a goal to achieve. So, what will be his next goal? He has his Livestrong foundation to run, but seems to me he needs something more challenging. Politics?

If he does go political, I wonder if he's a progressive, a centrist, or a neocon? Maybe even a libertarian?

He describes his own views as middle to left.

Tremo · July 25th, 2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beez

He describes his own views as middle to left.

Whew. Thanks to heaven he's not a neocon.

Roadie for Cheryl? Hummm, something tells me he might find that a little boring after a couple weeks.

simonc · July 25th, 2005, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Kind of sad in a way- it's the end of an era. It was a fun & cool era to watch. Now who amo I going to root for?!?!

JAN!!! thats who!

Quote:

Roadie for Cheryl? Hummm, something tells me he might find that a little boring after a couple weeks.

depends...he might make a game out of it n attach a trailer to the back of a bike to lug her gear around....

simonc · July 26th, 2005, 07:06 AM

Actually...this whole tour , I couldnt get the image of Lance throwing his victory bouqet to the waiting Ulrich & basso & those two fighting over it , like bridesmaids at a wedding.... :D

telel6s · July 26th, 2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

I couldnt get the image of Lance throwing his victory bouqet to the waiting Ulrich & basso & those two fighting over it , like bridesmaids at a wedding....

Very funny.

Based on everything I've ever heard and read about Lance, whether it be interviews, quotes, or other people talking about him, I'm sure he would love to see Basso and Ulrich fighting it out in next year's TdF. But the way he talked about it while on the podium was sort of like, "you guys get to fight for this top spot next year....but only because I won't be racing". Lance still sounded like he's 100% confident he could win the tour an eighth time but that he's just decided to move on to the next part of his life.

Sarge · July 26th, 2005, 11:04 AM

what an athelete. I'm no fan of bike racing, but to think about what the man has accomplished is truely incredible!

Tremo · July 26th, 2005, 08:17 PM

It's sort of hard to imagine how much energy those guys put out when racing. They ride *uphill* at about the same speed that the rest of us ride on flat land. On flat land they ride 35 to 40 mph. I've pushed my road bike to that speed but could only keep it up for a minute or so, it was a nightmare. They maintain that speed for hours. I just can't imagine it. And the TdF is that, every day, for 3 weeks. Most stages were over 100 miles. I'm kind of tired after 25 miles. I've never ridden a "century" (a 100 mile ride), and never wanted to, too much effort.

A lot of people poo-poo bike racing, but it's some serious stuff. They are incredible athletes. Certainly moreso than any NASCAR driver.

Fuzzyhead · July 27th, 2005, 03:15 AM

Jan Ullrich was here in Bonn two days ago. They're always celebrating the end of the tour here because the Telekom (Ullrich's team) got its HQ here in Bonn.

July 22nd, 2005, 11:44 AM	#83 (permalink)
ruger9 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 1,607	Yep- I'm sure he's intending to win saturday's time trial as the "coup de gras" of his 7th & final tour. He's capable- but so is Basso & Ullrich. I don't think it's possible to make up 2:46 on Lance, but one of them could take the win. As long as no one goes down, that is. Should be an interesting day! I'm gettin' up early to watch it! The end of an era... __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

July 22nd, 2005, 03:23 PM	#85 (permalink)
dean Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 1,985	The Ultimate team . . . Maybe another way to look at things would be from a team standpoint. As Armstrong has matured and grown with his celebrity and his own sense of self, maybe he doesn't really need to win a stage. Sure, it would be nice, but he can win the Tour without a stage win. What has been interesting this year is the success of the Disco team - they have accomplished things that none of the other "Lance" teams have done, and I get the impression that he is as excited about that as he might be about a stage win for himself. The other day, an announcer was asking about the lack of stage wins and the supposed weakness of the Discovery team - Lance countered that they had the overall leader, a stage winner (Hincapie), took the team time trial, and had the White Jersey (best rookie) on the team - "Not too bad," he said. For some reason, I think this last Tour is very different for Armstrong - he really has nothing to prove, and he seems to be solidly in control of the race. Maybe that's what his aim was. At any rate, the lack of drama on Armstrong's part has allowed for some more interesting stories to develop. Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

July 23rd, 2005, 10:41 AM	#87 (permalink)
tschommer Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 579	Great Time Trial!! Congratulations to Lance, he finally won a stage and his seventh tour. __________________ "When I die burry me deep, place two speakers at my feet, place some headphones on my head, and rock-n-roll me when i'm dead" - A T-Shirt

July 24th, 2005, 03:02 AM	#88 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,489 4 Photos	Yep Congrats to Lance! it really is the end of an era, I cant imagine the tour without him, though I am sure Basso & the boys will revel in next years tour, & will will be VERY interesting to see who the heir to the throne will be. __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

July 24th, 2005, 10:19 AM	#90 (permalink)
beez Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 754	Lance Just Won the TDF for the 7th time...... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

July 22nd, 2005, 01:34 PM	#84 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,684	If Lance has a nasty crash, or gets sick, he loses. I don't blame him for playing it safe. You have to use your brain as well as your brawn. Still, it would be nice if he could win a stage. He may be trying not to rub people's noses in it, so to speak. So, any guesses as to who will win next year? Basso? Big Jan? Rasmussen? Vino?

July 25th, 2005, 08:59 AM	#91 (permalink)
ruger9 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 1,607	Congrats to Lance. Kind of sad in a way- it's the end of an era. It was a fun & cool era to watch. Now who amo I going to root for?!?! ;) Must've been like what watching a Hendrix appear, or a Clapton, or the Beatles, know what I mean? __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

July 25th, 2005, 10:29 AM	#92 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,818 25 Photos	Can you say ticker-tape parade???!!! He deserves one IMO. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

July 25th, 2005, 01:09 PM	#93 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,684	What'll he do now? Lance doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will sit around and do nothing for the rest of his life. He impresses me as the kind of guy who needs a goal to achieve. So, what will be his next goal? He has his Livestrong foundation to run, but seems to me he needs something more challenging. Politics? If he does go political, I wonder if he's a progressive, a centrist, or a neocon? Maybe even a libertarian?

July 25th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#94 (permalink)
Noe Lee Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brussels, Belgium, Yer-up Posts: 208	Heard yesterday on Belgian television: Lance is going to be roadie for Sheryl Crow on her next tour.

July 26th, 2005, 07:06 AM	#98 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,489 4 Photos	Actually...this whole tour , I couldnt get the image of Lance throwing his victory bouqet to the waiting Ulrich & basso & those two fighting over it , like bridesmaids at a wedding.... :D __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

July 26th, 2005, 11:04 AM	#100 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	All I gotta' say is.... what an athelete. I'm no fan of bike racing, but to think about what the man has accomplished is truely incredible!

July 26th, 2005, 08:17 PM	#101 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,684	It's sort of hard to imagine how much energy those guys put out when racing. They ride uphill at about the same speed that the rest of us ride on flat land. On flat land they ride 35 to 40 mph. I've pushed my road bike to that speed but could only keep it up for a minute or so, it was a nightmare. They maintain that speed for hours. I just can't imagine it. And the TdF is that, every day, for 3 weeks. Most stages were over 100 miles. I'm kind of tired after 25 miles. I've never ridden a "century" (a 100 mile ride), and never wanted to, too much effort. A lot of people poo-poo bike racing, but it's some serious stuff. They are incredible athletes. Certainly moreso than any NASCAR driver.

July 27th, 2005, 03:15 AM	#102 (permalink)
Fuzzyhead Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bonn (Yer-up) Age: 25 Posts: 1,350 23 Photos	Jan Ullrich was here in Bonn two days ago. They're always celebrating the end of the tour here because the Telekom (Ullrich's team) got its HQ here in Bonn. __________________ about me: blog, photos & musical preferences