(le) Tour time again

[Bob the Dog]

Unless Lance was dogging the Dauphiné Libéré, Bob thinks he won't be celebrating 6 in a row.

Interesting course this year. No mountains in the first half. ITT up l'Alpe d'Huez.

Load of talent Lance will need to beat including 2 or 3 other Americans (Ty Hamilton, Levi Leipheimer and maybe Bobby Julich), the cast of regulars (Ullrich, Mayo, Beloki) and a familiar face heading up a new team (Heras).

Someone with an axe to grind? Bob's seen possible line-ups, and Saeco (Simoni's team) seems to be missing Damiano Cunego - the upstart who beat Simoni in this year's Giro.

Armstrong will really miss Heras. Not enough to miss the podium, but enough to fail in his attempt for six in a row. Ty's Phonak team looks strong.

Bob's early predictions:
Podium - Hamilton, Mayo, Armstrong
Good noise from the Aussies (McEwen, McGee and O'Grady)
One stage win from a Postie not named Armstrong
Heras finishes top 7.
And just so Bob gets something right: all nine Posties will finish (a claim at most a handful of teams will make)

[Patience]

interesting discussion on ESPN radio, trying to rank the all time greatest athletes in the last 25 years.

Lance was ranked very high in online voting, but the morning guys wanted their own, so they were calling experts in various sports.

The expert (sorry can't remember his name) said he couldn't consider Lance one of the all time greatest athletes or even one of the all time greatest cyclists. He used an analogy of if Serena Williams only played Wimbelton and won it 5 straight times she wouldn't be considered one of the greatest tennis players. and even when she would play another event she didn't win often and was only looking to get in shape for Wimbleton.

and most of the great cyclists dominated other races throughout the year.

I am curious as to your opinion

[McUSA]

I'd also be surprised if Lance had another Tour in him, but proving people wrong seems to be what he is all about.

Do you think he takes roids?

[Patience]

Originally Posted by McUSA

Do you think he takes roids?

I didn't think roids were an issue with him, but blood doping. Helps the blood carry more oxygen

[Bob the Dog]

Interesting observation, Lance has focused everything on the Tour. His '02 and '03 wins in the Dauphiné Libéré could be considered "tune-ups". He has dominated the premier event in his sport for 5 years, but for "all time cyclists", he's well behind the likes of Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault and Eddy Merckx (arguably the best ever). Heck, he may not even be the best today. He's the best at one race. It just so happens that it's THE marquee race.

How do you measure "great athletes"? You could stick his aerobic conditioning up against anyone else on the list, and he'd probably kick their arse.

[Patience]

It is possible he could be the best if he tried to be. But that is "you'll never know" territory

[Bob the Dog]

Forgot to mention Alexander Vinokourov (3rd last year) is injured and will miss the Tour this year.

Ullrich's conditioning is a bit of a question, but maybe not as much as Beloki's. As far as Bob knows, Joseba hasn't raced yet this year (even though he says he'll be ready to go)

Jump on the Ty wagon now. How can you not like a guy who rode almost 3 weeks with a broken collarbone and finishes 4th last year?

[BigMactuary,]

in his second book, lance had already mentioned the events that are mentioned in the book alleging him of taking banned substances, including throwing syringes etc. he knew that sooner or later it would surface.

as for whether he is guilty or not, i am not so sure. 2 years he was my personal hero but i dont know anymore. i dont like him as much since he left his wife either. i dont know about agassi either.

[Bob the Dog]

Originally Posted by Patience

It is possible he could be the best if he tried to be. But that is "you'll never know" territory

Agreed. If "if"s and "but"s were candy and nuts...

[Bob the Dog]

Originally Posted by BigMactuary,

i dont like him as much since he left his wife either.

Bob thought she left him. Or at least got tired of him being in France half the year.