Very interesting Ullrich interview

[Torben Rucker]

http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001

(in German)

[Jason Spaceman]

Torben Rucker wrote:

>
>
> http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
>
> (in German)

Can someone translate it into English?  I tried translating the article through Babelfish, but it
makes Ullrich sound like Yoda:

"The favorite are you, says Armstrong, because your best year before you lies. Does this
statement already belong to its Psychotricks? Clearly, that was typical for Lance. Only, as five
times route winners can he not the pressure with me unload. But a purposeful disturbance of the
peace is that already."

Help with grammar, I need.  :-)

J. Spaceman

[Marlene Blansha]

In article <bs9upk$b4opl$1@ID-219258.news.uni-berlin.de>,
I@eat.spammers.for.breakfast.com wrote:

> Torben Rucker wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
> >
> > (in German)
>
>
> Can someone translate it into English?  I tried translating the article through Babelfish, but it
> makes Ullrich sound like Yoda:
>
> "The favorite are you, says Armstrong, because your best year before you lies. Does this statement
> already belong to its Psychotricks? Clearly, that was typical for Lance. Only, as five times route
> winners can he not the pressure with me unload. But a purposeful disturbance of the peace is that
> already."
>
> Help with grammar, I need.  :-)
>
>
>
> J. Spaceman

Yes, in german grammar you talk.

[Bestest Handsan]

"Jason Spaceman" <I@eat.spammers.for.breakfast.com> wrote in message
news:bs9upk$b4opl$1@ID-219258.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Torben Rucker wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
> >
> > (in German)
>
>
> Can someone translate it into English? I tried translating the article

Here goes... but it's been 18 years since I lived in Austria... so I make absolutely no promises as
to accuracy.

Mr. Ullrich, you are the last hope for cycling. Now that the TfF route has been revealed, can you
defeat the perennial winner Lance Armstrong.

Lance says I'm his biggest motivation. There are other strong riders. Like Boloki and Vino. Lance
won't have it easy the next few years.

Amstrong says you are the favorite because your best years are still ahead of you. Is that statement
just a psychological trick?

Obviously, that's typical Lance. But as a five time tour winner, he can't pass the pressure to me.
But that was a warning shot.

Are you the only one he's afraid of?

He concentrates on our duel. He loves a one on one fight.

Sometimes Armstrong likes to picture his opponent as his enemy so that in the saddle he can become
the fighter. Do you need that kind of adversarial relationship?

No I like it to prove it to myself. I like riding a bike. After all the problems and knee
operations, I've realized this isn't just a job. This is my passion. And I know I can win the Tour
again. That motivates me.

Is your biggest opponent Jan Ullrich?

Yea... that's an interesting idea. Amstrong needs me as a rival in order to motivate himself. I
don't need to do that, so yea, I am my biggest opponent. There are enough days I have to force
myself to get in the saddle. You have to get out whether its raining, freezing, or snowing.
Sometimes training hurts, but now I've taken on these challenges... that's the new Ullrich. I used
to roll through the kilometers, but that's not me anymore. That year of inactivity changed me. I
listen to my body and am more open to new forms of training. Before I just did everything the same
way, and I was successful. But that's not me anymore. So, I'll be ready to train at the first of
December in Mallorca.

Were you surprised that Armstrong changed his preparation?

That takes some courage. At the tour this year I saw an Armstrong I hadn't seen before. He suffered,
weakened, and showed emotion. He rode with us and saved his strength where he could. He probably
feels I've become dangerous.

How is your relationship?

Small talk when I run into him... nothing more. I wouldn't mind going for a beer with him, but as
long as he sees me as an opponent, that's not possible. When the career is over a man can be more
like himself than he is while fighting, because he doesn't have anything to lose. I like to know if
he really is like he is. But he certainly isn't going to tell me that right now.

In his book, Armstrong writes that he doesn't think you waited after his fall in the Tour?

Nonsense. I was clearly not riding at 100%. Maybe I'm too nice, but that might be because I don't
need an opponent to get motivated. I'm a fair man and I've chosen my path.

Do his claims annoy you?

No. I know that you have to put that kind of thing in a book. What bothers me is after the race he
said how bad he was to only win by one minute. That devalued my achievement. But that's probably his
mindset. He's not going to stop being a Texan.

Next year can you show him you have the best team?

I hope so. For me there's only one goal, I'm going to go after the tour win like never before.

You're coming back to Telekom that next year will be known as T-Mobile. Of all the stars there,
won't that hurt Eric Zabel the most?

Naturally he's gone after the green jersey like no other. But when you're on a team going after the
yellow jersey, we shouldn't use up a lot of energy supporting Eric. In 96 and 97 we won both
jerseys, but that's not going to happen today.

So you don't need Zabel at all?

Absolutely. We need Eric on the team. He's a very good team time trialist. But only a selected few
can win the tour, and the others must be completely dedicated to that. I would also become a
domesteque if Vino were the better one.

(There's more but I've run out of time)

[Jtn]

you missed the part about Ulrich saying Armstrong is the biggest mommas boy to ever come out of
Texas. and he should be a bass fisherman instead of a cyclist so he could kick the bass's
ass's.........

[Barryg]

Nice job with the translation, much appreciated.

[Heinz Getzler]

"Torben Rucker" <relais0006@gmx.de> wrote in message news:<bs9sb2$ara0j$1@ID-5759.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
>
> (in German)

It sounds as though the message from Ullrich is that Armstrong uses and or needs Ullrich as
motivation. On the otherhand Jan see's the competition between himself and the TDF to motivate him.

This could be a potential weakness for Jan since he might not possibly benchmark himself adequately
benchmark himself against Lance. But Jan is motivated make no mistake about it.

[Cipher]

See if this translation link is any better.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stern.de%2Fsport-motor%2Fsportwelt%2Findex.html%3Fid%3D518001&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&safe=off&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

[Robet]

From the interview I respect Ullrich and I think it is a mistake for Ullrich not reciprocating and
thinking of Lance as his enemy as Lance thinks of Ullrich. It certainly helps motivate Lance to
single the best opponent out in the Tour and compete against him. I think Ullrich needs to do the
same and train like Lance in the mountains. Ullrich certainly has the talent, but the victory goes
to those who want, sacrifice, and try the most.

I don't want to take away from Lance's achievements but you have to feel a little sorry for Jan.

"Heinz Getzler" <getzler15@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a58727ec.0312231915.17b78ca3@posting.google.com...
> "Torben Rucker" <relais0006@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:<bs9sb2$ara0j$1@ID-5759.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
> >
> > (in German)
>
> It sounds as though the message from Ullrich is that Armstrong uses and or needs Ullrich as
> motivation. On the otherhand Jan see's the competition between himself and the TDF to
> motivate him.
>
> This could be a potential weakness for Jan since he might not possibly benchmark himself
> adequately benchmark himself against Lance. But Jan is motivated make no mistake about it.

[Bestest Handsan]

Here's the rest...

"Bestest Handsander" <none@u.biz> wrote in message news:LM6dnaXhMOQlAnWiRVn-jA@aros.net...
>
> "Jason Spaceman" <I@eat.spammers.for.breakfast.com> wrote in message news:bs9upk$b4opl$1@ID-219258.news.uni-
> berlin.de...
> > Torben Rucker wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
> > >
> > > (in German)
> >
> >
> > Can someone translate it into English? I tried translating the article
>
> Here goes... but it's been 18 years since I lived in Austria... so I make absolutely no promises
> as to accuracy.
>
> Mr. Ullrich, you are the last hope for cycling. Now that the TfF route
has
> been revealed, can you defeat the perennial winner Lance Armstrong.
>
> Lance says I'm his biggest motivation. There are other strong riders.
Like
> Boloki and Vino. Lance won't have it easy the next few years.
>
> Amstrong says you are the favorite because your best years are still ahead of you. Is that
> statement just a psychological trick?
>
> Obviously, that's typical Lance. But as a five time tour winner, he can't pass the pressure to me.
> But that was a warning shot.
>
> Are you the only one he's afraid of?
>
> He concentrates on our duel. He loves a one on one fight.
>
> Sometimes Armstrong likes to picture his opponent as his enemy so that in the saddle he can become
> the fighter. Do you need that kind of
adversarial
> relationship?
>
> No I like it to prove it to myself. I like riding a bike. After all the problems and knee
> operations, I've realized this isn't just a job. This
is
> my passion. And I know I can win the Tour again. That motivates me.
>
> Is your biggest opponent Jan Ullrich?
>
> Yea... that's an interesting idea. Amstrong needs me as a rival in order
to
> motivate himself. I don't need to do that, so yea, I am my biggest opponent. There are enough days
> I have to force myself to get in the saddle. You have to get out whether its raining, freezing, or
> snowing. Sometimes training hurts, but now I've taken on these challenges... that's the new
> Ullrich. I used to roll through the kilometers, but that's not me anymore. That year of inactivity
> changed me. I listen to my body and am
more
> open to new forms of training. Before I just did everything the same way, and I was successful.
> But that's not me anymore. So, I'll be ready to
train
> at the first of December in Mallorca.
>
> Were you surprised that Armstrong changed his preparation?
>
> That takes some courage. At the tour this year I saw an Armstrong I hadn't seen before. He
> suffered, weakened, and showed emotion. He rode with us
and
> saved his strength where he could. He probably feels I've become
dangerous.
>
> How is your relationship?
>
> Small talk when I run into him... nothing more. I wouldn't mind going for
a
> beer with him, but as long as he sees me as an opponent, that's not possible. When the career is
> over a man can be more like himself than he
is
> while fighting, because he doesn't have anything to lose. I like to know
if
> he really is like he is. But he certainly isn't going to tell me that
right
> now.
>
> In his book, Armstrong writes that he doesn't think you waited after his fall in the Tour?
>
> Nonsense. I was clearly not riding at 100%. Maybe I'm too nice, but that might be because I don't
> need an opponent to get motivated. I'm a fair man and I've chosen my path.
>
> Do his claims annoy you?
>
> No. I know that you have to put that kind of thing in a book. What
bothers
> me is after the race he said how bad he was to only win by one minute.
That
> devalued my achievement. But that's probably his mindset. He's not going to stop being a Texan.
>
> Next year can you show him you have the best team?
>
> I hope so. For me there's only one goal, I'm going to go after the tour
win
> like never before.
>
> You're coming back to Telekom that next year will be known as T-Mobile. Of all the stars there,
> won't that hurt Eric Zabel the most?
>
> Naturally he's gone after the green jersey like no other. But when you're on a team going after
> the yellow jersey, we shouldn't use up a lot of
energy
> supporting Eric. In 96 and 97 we won both jerseys, but that's not going
to
> happen today.
>
> So you don't need Zabel at all?
>
> Absolutely. We need Eric on the team. He's a very good team time
trialist.
> But only a selected few can win the tour, and the others must be
completely
> dedicated to that. I would also become a domesteque if Vino were the
better
> one.
>
> (There's more but I've run out of time)

They said before the tour that telekom need you more than you needed telekom.

Telekom needs a good leader. In France it was apparent that I almost won without them. On the other
hand, I don't know if I would have won the Tour if I had to ride with Vino. I like the fact that
there is a prominent German team in the world. That's why I'm back.

Does T-Mobile recognize your maturation? Do they treat you differently than before?

I told them I've changed. If they leave me alone then I will bring results. They don't have to send
a lookout to see if I'm driving hard in training. I have to admit that I'm not entirely blameless.
But the team knows I've changed.

Do you have enough power to push Rudy Pevenage onto the team? Are Godefroot and he still arguing?

They both told me what problems they had with each other. Nevertheless I hope it turns out okay in
the end. The two of them most come together now more than ever. I will definitely continue to work
with Rudy. I've never wavered on that.

Was that a lesson you learn in the past two years? You now know who your friends are and who the
"shoulder knockers" are?

That's so. And I know I can't change the world, so I must change myself. I now live in Switzerland.
My friends visit me, they others don't come anymore. It's a little too far.

Your sponsor Adidas terminated your contract after your "pill problems". Are they coming back?

Adidas is not a team sponsor, and I don't have a personal agreement with them yet. The discussions
are ongoing. Naturally I was disappointed because I've always been a 100% adidas man. But you have
to know the history to understand all that's happened.

Long history?

A long history. Everyone knows that I wasn't doping. The definition of doping is that I purposely
improve my performance by devious means to beat others. That wasn't the case.

So was it a wild night at the Schickeria-Disco P1 in Munich?

Was it? I was simply not doping. The sponsor jumped anyway... which I didn't expect.

When you were having problems with your career and personal life, did you ever think that Gaby would
leave you?

I expect my Partner to stand by me even if things aren't going well. I would have been devastated if
Gaby had told me after our first crisis, "So Jan. I'm taking off." I wonder about people. I mean,
"Man, you have a cool wife (gal). Anyone else would have left you by now." What happened (between
us) seems totally normal to me.

That's not so normal. When you drove your Porsche into that bicycle stand, there were two women
involved. Most wouldn't tolerate that!

We clear that up between us, Gaby and me. We could do that because everything is right between us.

But you had to earn Gaby's trust again? Obviously, I had to show her I still wanted it. Naturally we
went through a rough time, but that's why it's so good now.

In July, right before the Tour, your child was born. In hindsight, was that a
"reconciliation" child?

We decided to do it then. We wanted to secure our future with each other with a child. I had already
talked about it. After that bad summer we said to ourselves, "It's going great between us. We made
it through a bad time, so nothing is standing in the way of having a child. The baby was planned
perfectly.

Would you have ridden so classy in the tour if you wouldn't have had your daughter?

That little mouse brought me a lot more tailwind. That was great for me. I remember I couldn't train
for four days during the birth. I definitely wanted to stay in the hospital. I couldn't have imaged
not training for four days right before the highpoint of the season. But it increase my moral. You
could see that in the prologue when I really took off. The various problems you're so worried about
disappear. You ride free. I really enjoyed that time.

When are you finally going to marry Gaby?

We can a cool outlook on that. If it fits, we'll do it. The whole world is asking us that, and that
causes an "anti-reaction" in me.

You have to admit, that's a reasonable request.

Never! Never! When its time, I've be very creative. I promise!

[Jason Spaceman]

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 21:45:01 -0700, "Bestest Handsander" <none@u.biz>
wrote:

>Here's the rest...
>

Thanks. Dropping German in first year university, I shouldn't have.
:-)

J. Spaceman

[Trg]

I wouldn't be so sure that Ullrich doesn't see Lance as the enemy and use him as motivation. But
given Lance's need for an opponent to overcome, Ullrich's best strategy would be to play it cool and
try not to rile up Lance. I think he's showing a greater maturity and knowledge of how to go against
Armstrong.

I remember reading Bob Roll's recipe for how to beat Lance Armstrong. It was basically.
1) Don't get Lance mad
2) Don't tell lance he can't do something
3) Don't get Lance mad
4) Don't get on Lance's hit list
5) Don't get Lance mad
6) Ride like hell
7) Don't get Lance mad ...

Robet wrote:
> From the interview I respect Ullrich and I think it is a mistake for Ullrich not reciprocating and
> thinking of Lance as his enemy as Lance thinks of Ullrich. It certainly helps motivate Lance to
> single the best opponent out in the Tour and compete against him. I think Ullrich needs to do the
> same and train like Lance in the mountains. Ullrich certainly has the talent, but the victory goes
> to those who want, sacrifice, and try the most.
>
> I don't want to take away from Lance's achievements but you have to feel a little sorry for Jan.
>
>
>
>
> "Heinz Getzler" <getzler15@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:a58727ec.0312231915.17b78ca3@posting.google.com...
>> "Torben Rucker" <relais0006@gmx.de> wrote in message
> news:<bs9sb2$ara0j$1@ID-5759.news.uni-berlin.de>...
>>> http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/sportwelt/index.html?id=518001
>>>
>>> (in German)
>>
>> It sounds as though the message from Ullrich is that Armstrong uses and or needs Ullrich as
>> motivation. On the otherhand Jan see's the competition between himself and the TDF to
>> motivate him.
>>
>> This could be a potential weakness for Jan since he might not possibly benchmark himself
>> adequately benchmark himself against Lance. But Jan is motivated make no mistake about it.

[Mr60percent]

"trg" <trg@world.REMOVE.THIS.std.com> wrote in message news:<bsbs6d$k72$1@s1.read.news.oleane.net>...
> I wouldn't be so sure that Ullrich doesn't see Lance as the enemy and use him as motivation. But
> given Lance's need for an opponent to overcome, Ullrich's best strategy would be to play it cool
> and try not to rile up Lance. I think he's showing a greater maturity and knowledge of how to go
> against Armstrong.
>
> I remember reading Bob Roll's recipe for how to beat Lance Armstrong. It was basically.
> 1) Don't get Lance mad
> 2) Don't tell lance he can't do something
> 3) Don't get Lance mad
> 4) Don't get on Lance's hit list
> 5) Don't get Lance mad
> 6) Ride like hell
> 7) Don't get Lance mad ...

Disagree; Ulrich is both a talented sportsman and a gentleman but he needs a rocket up his ass. He
should get Armstrong mad. When Armstrong starts that pissy whining then you know you're doing the
right job. If he comes out with pacifying bull**** about "Jan the biggest talent..." then you're
not. Ulrich should piss the Texan off. He shows Armstrong too much respect. He needs to take a leaf
out of the Roche/Fignon book of cycling regarding riding for the win - its the yellow or nothing;

As well Ulrich shouldn't have waited on Armstrong when he crashed. Armstrong made his own mistake by
riding too close to the spectators and it was Ulrich who paid the price by waiting and having his
rhythm interrupted.

[Tuschinski]

Originally posted by Jason Spaceman

Can someone translate it into English?__I_tried_translating_the_article through Babelfish, but it
makes Ullrich sound like Yoda:

"The favorite are you, says Armstrong, because your best year before you lies. Does this
statement already belong to its Psychotricks? Clearly, that was typical for Lance. Only, as five
times route winners can he not the pressure with me unload. But a purposeful disturbance of the
peace is that already."

Help with grammar, I need.__:-)

J. Spaceman

Now that post made me smile:) I know it's corny, but that Yoda Ullrich is funny. "a purposeful disturbance of the
peace is that already"

LMAO

[Phillip]

mrsixtypercent@yahoo.com (mr60percent) wrote in message news:<e6bf3076.0312240709.353e1a54@posting.google.com>...
> "trg" <trg@world.REMOVE.THIS.std.com> wrote in message
> news:<bsbs6d$k72$1@s1.read.news.oleane.net>...
> > I wouldn't be so sure that Ullrich doesn't see Lance as the enemy and use him as motivation. But
> > given Lance's need for an opponent to overcome, Ullrich's best strategy would be to play it cool
> > and try not to rile up Lance. I think he's showing a greater maturity and knowledge of how to go
> > against Armstrong.
> >
> > I remember reading Bob Roll's recipe for how to beat Lance Armstrong. It was basically.
> > 1) Don't get Lance mad
> > 2) Don't tell lance he can't do something
> > 3) Don't get Lance mad
> > 4) Don't get on Lance's hit list
> > 5) Don't get Lance mad
> > 6) Ride like hell
> > 7) Don't get Lance mad ...
>
> Disagree; Ulrich is both a talented sportsman and a gentleman but he needs a rocket up his ass. He
> should get Armstrong mad. When Armstrong starts that pissy whining then you know you're doing the
> right job. If he comes out with pacifying bull**** about "Jan the biggest talent..." then you're
> not. Ulrich should piss the Texan off. He shows Armstrong too much respect. He needs to take a
> leaf out of the Roche/Fignon book of cycling regarding riding for the win - its the yellow or
> nothing;

>
> As well Ulrich shouldn't have waited on Armstrong when he crashed. Armstrong made his own mistake
> by riding too close to the spectators and it was Ulrich who paid the price by waiting and having
> his rhythm interrupted.

Besides, I don't remember Lance waiting for Beloki.

I have watched the last TDF many times on tape and I think Ullrich hurt himself on the mountains by
riding a tempo for Lance. He destroyed most of the other riders and then Lance was fresh enough to
sprint out near the top to grab a few seconds. He should have held back and made Lance chase Vino or
Mayo or whomever else. If Ullrich would get a leader like Bryunell (guessed at spelling) or Riis and
had anyone but his current staff giving him instructions he possibly could have won last year.

And no, I don't believe the brake was rubbing for the first 100 miles either.

Phillip

[Robet]

Am I mistaken but if the USPS team had not won the team time trial competition, Lance might not have
got the yellow jersey after all. The USPS team (not just Lance) did a fantastic job in getting Lance
the yellow this time around.. Not to mention Beloki taken out by a freak tire separation and Jan
taking a swim on the individual time trial.

But I think the USPS team time trial really helped Lance this time around.

"Phillip" <phillip@andrewphillips.us> wrote in message
news:bddd0d5c.0312242027.1491071d@posting.google.com...
> mrsixtypercent@yahoo.com (mr60percent) wrote in message
news:<e6bf3076.0312240709.353e1a54@posting.google.com>...
> > "trg" <trg@world.REMOVE.THIS.std.com> wrote in message
news:<bsbs6d$k72$1@s1.read.news.oleane.net>...
> > > I wouldn't be so sure that Ullrich doesn't see Lance as the enemy and
use
> > > him as motivation. But given Lance's need for an opponent to overcome, Ullrich's best strategy
> > > would be to play it cool and try not to rile
up
> > > Lance. I think he's showing a greater maturity and knowledge of how to
go
> > > against Armstrong.
> > >
> > > I remember reading Bob Roll's recipe for how to beat Lance Armstrong.
It was
> > > basically.
> > > 1) Don't get Lance mad
> > > 2) Don't tell lance he can't do something
> > > 3) Don't get Lance mad
> > > 4) Don't get on Lance's hit list
> > > 5) Don't get Lance mad
> > > 6) Ride like hell
> > > 7) Don't get Lance mad ...
> >
> > Disagree; Ulrich is both a talented sportsman and a gentleman but he needs a rocket up his ass.
> > He should get Armstrong mad. When Armstrong starts that pissy whining then you know you're doing
> > the right job. If he comes out with pacifying bull**** about "Jan the biggest talent..." then
> > you're not. Ulrich should piss the Texan off. He shows Armstrong too much respect. He needs to
> > take a leaf out of the Roche/Fignon book of cycling regarding riding for the win - its the
> > yellow or nothing;

> >
> > As well Ulrich shouldn't have waited on Armstrong when he crashed. Armstrong made his own
> > mistake by riding too close to the spectators and it was Ulrich who paid the price by waiting
> > and having his rhythm interrupted.
>
>
> Besides, I don't remember Lance waiting for Beloki.
>
> I have watched the last TDF many times on tape and I think Ullrich hurt himself on the mountains
> by riding a tempo for Lance. He destroyed most of the other riders and then Lance was fresh enough
> to sprint out near the top to grab a few seconds. He should have held back and made Lance chase
> Vino or Mayo or whomever else. If Ullrich would get a leader like Bryunell (guessed at spelling)
> or Riis and had anyone but his current staff giving him instructions he possibly could have won
> last year.
>
> And no, I don't believe the brake was rubbing for the first 100 miles either.
>
> Phillip

[Robert Chung]

Robet wrote:
> Am I mistaken but if the USPS team had not won the team time trial competition, Lance might not
> have got the yellow jersey after all.

Stage 4 TT results (from http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/tour03/?id=results/stage4)
1. USPS
2. ONCE +:30
3. Bianchi +:43

Final GC: (from http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/tour03/?id=results/stage20)
4. Armstrong
5. Ullrich +1:01

[Tom Kunich]

"Robert Chung" <invalid@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:3feabaca$0$29077$636a55ce@news.free.fr...
> Robet wrote:
> > Am I mistaken but if the USPS team had not won the team time trial competition, Lance might not
> > have got the yellow jersey after all.
>
> Stage 4 TT results (from http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/tour03/?id=results/stage4)
> 1. USPS
> 2. ONCE +:30
> 3. Bianchi +:43
>
> Final GC: (from http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/tour03/?id=results/stage20)
> 1. Armstrong
> 2. Ullrich +1:01

And Lance backed way the hell off after Jan fell in the final TT.

[leif_ericson]

Originally posted by Robet
>Not to mention Beloki taken out by a freak tire separation
> Phillip

Beloki was taken out because he made a mistake entering that corner too hard. It wasnt really a 'luck' thing. He crashed because of his own error.

[Tom Kunich]

"leif_ericson" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:L03Hb.25763$Xa1.9180@fe02.private.usenetserver.com...
> Robet wrote:
> > >Not to mention Beloki taken out by a freak tire separation
Phillip
>
> Beloki was taken out because he made a mistake entering that corner too hard. It wasnt really a
> 'luck' thing. He crashed because of his own error.

This had NOTHING to do with Beloki's skill. You can see what happened on the DVD. Beloki hit a patch
of soft road tar which flipped him sideways and that rolled his tire off and then he had no control
whatsoever. Beloki wasn't going too fast to make the corner, in fact he made it and then lost it.

Look, luck plays a big role in winning and Beloki had a bad luck incident. You can't "make your own
luck" and win. It's that simple. You have to take chances and hope that something doesn't go wrong.