Discovery Team Issues Statement.
All okay in the Lance camp!
Only a rest day stood between the Discovery team and their shot at answering the question lingering after Stage 8 -- whether the team and Lance were ready to attack and show the world that winning #7 is definitely the plan. No question Lance didn't come to France to ride for second place. It was the first mountain top finish of the Tour and there was no shortage of excitement and drama.
The Discovery train charged towards Courchevel setting up Lance to do his thing just like he has done in the last six editions. It was an interesting and powerful demonstration of teamwork. This was powerfully evident enough through the results and interesting if you paid attention to the order and role of the Discovery riders on the final climb. We were accustomed to the duo of Rubiera and Azevedo taking the final pulls last year. Today it was George Hincapie and Popovych delivering the final blow. George has shown himself more every year at the lead on the climbs and today was the icing on the cake. There he was setting an incredible pace cracking the group down to a dozen or so riders. Next was Popovych who finished it off after an obvious request from Lance to pick up the pace.
I was at the turn with just under 4 kms to go. The lead cars arrived with a mob of motorcycles carrying the photographers -- all jockeying to get their shot of Lance-Mancebo-Rasmussen-Valverde. On Lance's wheel the three seemed to be struggling but willing to take their turn on the front. It was a bit of a change from recent years as he was accompanied by three climbers ... but I'm not so sure he showed us his full hand. His attack to the line was enough to put nine seconds into Mancebo and Rasmussen in 500 meters but Valverde survived and won the stage. It was a nice finish to a tough stage and because Lance found some cooperation in his lead companions, he seemed willing to share the spoils.
Spread all over the mountain -- behind this awesome foursome -- were all the favorites to dethrone the 6-time Tour winner. A big surprise was Vinokourov dropping of the pace with 10 kms to go and losing five minutes. Ullrich and Kloden also struggled, losing two minutes in the end. Ivan Basso doesn't look like the Basso of last year. He is either tired from the Giro or lacking rhythm with the break in racing between the two Grand Tours.
Lance was complimentary of the trio that hung with him. Now there is interest from Rabobank and Iles Balears to be on Discovery's side as both can see their riders on the podium in Paris and that could prove a great benefit to Discovery.
Okay, I know the Tour is not over but today was a big statement. Tomorrow is again a stage with plenty of obstacles with the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraph and Col du Galibier. The final run into Briancon is a long descent off of the Galibier and we could see a battle of 3-4 riders as they head to the finish in Briancon. My guess is this will possibly be remnants of a strong breakaway, but not a threat to the overall.
American riders to definitely note: Levi Leipheimer rode resiliently. I hope he can keep it up as his time trialing skills would keep anyone up late at night that is sitting in his way of a top five or podium finish. Floyd Landis finished in the group of Ullrich. It's a big step from super domestique to team leader and I would say today was a respectable finish as he assumes role of leader. Bobby Julich has mentioned his role as a helper for Basso but he toughed it out finishing around five minutes down. Chris Horner also had a respectable day and is still sitting in the top 25 overall.
Only a rest day stood between the Discovery team and their shot at answering the question lingering after Stage 8 -- whether the team and Lance were ready to attack and show the world that winning #7 is definitely the plan. No question Lance didn't come to France to ride for second place. It was the first mountain top finish of the Tour and there was no shortage of excitement and drama.
The Discovery train charged towards Courchevel setting up Lance to do his thing just like he has done in the last six editions. It was an interesting and powerful demonstration of teamwork. This was powerfully evident enough through the results and interesting if you paid attention to the order and role of the Discovery riders on the final climb. We were accustomed to the duo of Rubiera and Azevedo taking the final pulls last year. Today it was George Hincapie and Popovych delivering the final blow. George has shown himself more every year at the lead on the climbs and today was the icing on the cake. There he was setting an incredible pace cracking the group down to a dozen or so riders. Next was Popovych who finished it off after an obvious request from Lance to pick up the pace.
I was at the turn with just under 4 kms to go. The lead cars arrived with a mob of motorcycles carrying the photographers -- all jockeying to get their shot of Lance-Mancebo-Rasmussen-Valverde. On Lance's wheel the three seemed to be struggling but willing to take their turn on the front. It was a bit of a change from recent years as he was accompanied by three climbers ... but I'm not so sure he showed us his full hand. His attack to the line was enough to put nine seconds into Mancebo and Rasmussen in 500 meters but Valverde survived and won the stage. It was a nice finish to a tough stage and because Lance found some cooperation in his lead companions, he seemed willing to share the spoils.
Spread all over the mountain -- behind this awesome foursome -- were all the favorites to dethrone the 6-time Tour winner. A big surprise was Vinokourov dropping of the pace with 10 kms to go and losing five minutes. Ullrich and Kloden also struggled, losing two minutes in the end. Ivan Basso doesn't look like the Basso of last year. He is either tired from the Giro or lacking rhythm with the break in racing between the two Grand Tours.
Lance was complimentary of the trio that hung with him. Now there is interest from Rabobank and Iles Balears to be on Discovery's side as both can see their riders on the podium in Paris and that could prove a great benefit to Discovery.
Okay, I know the Tour is not over but today was a big statement. Tomorrow is again a stage with plenty of obstacles with the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraph and Col du Galibier. The final run into Briancon is a long descent off of the Galibier and we could see a battle of 3-4 riders as they head to the finish in Briancon. My guess is this will possibly be remnants of a strong breakaway, but not a threat to the overall.
American riders to definitely note: Levi Leipheimer rode resiliently. I hope he can keep it up as his time trialing skills would keep anyone up late at night that is sitting in his way of a top five or podium finish. Floyd Landis finished in the group of Ullrich. It's a big step from super domestique to team leader and I would say today was a respectable finish as he assumes role of leader. Bobby Julich has mentioned his role as a helper for Basso but he toughed it out finishing around five minutes down. Chris Horner also had a respectable day and is still sitting in the top 25 overall.
2 Comments:
Kevin,
Do you think Rasmussen can hold onto second? He seems to be riding really strong. Why was nobody talking about Rasmussen before the race?
John G.
Toronto
Kevin,
I`m lucky enough to be in France right now, watching the race on TV. It seems like yesterday that Lance was setting such a fast pace up the last climb that the other 3 guys had a tough time even pulling through. Mancebo put in a gutsy ride to help the best he could. I think a few times Rasmussen shook his head as if to say he could not take a pull! I think you hit it right on the head that Lance made a tactical decision to stay in the final group to keep Iles B. and Rabo on Disco`s side as allies. Thanks again for the terrific insights!
Post a Comment
<< Home