T-Mobile strategy

limerickman

Just to confirm, I made the point about Basso/Armstrong co-operating because, even if one disregards the phone conversation, it appeared that when Basso had the opportunity to attack LA, he didn't at that point during the race.

As regards cancer and his mother : well that is another issue and I didn't express any thoughts on that nor was I implying anything about it.
My comments were in respect of racing in the TDF 2004 (or lack of racing, I should say, on Basso's part..........)

Tejano

Do you really think Basso could have beaten LA last year! Basso was smart, he knew he didn´t have the stuff! If you can beat them join them! He finished 3rd, that´s on the podium! Pretty Coy Roy!

And aren´t teammates supposed to work together? Poor LeMond! It´s called bicycle racing! and it´s a little like politics at times, you scratch my back I´ll scratch yours!

The real question is what happens today! Is LA bluffing? Will T-Mobile bit and take the lead and push hard today to try and break LA?

Doesn´t anyone remember last year in the TDF LA was left alone on the first climb! Isolated from his teammates! And then they thouroughly disected the entire peloton.

If anything it will be interesting!

cmonie

I am so glad to see Armstrong have to deal with what Ulrich had to for the past five years since he never had a strong team to carry him, while USPS used to save Armstrong's ass in the mountains year after year. We will see what Discovery does tomorrow, baby!!

Peace.

M

Craig Strong

Getting Back to T- Mobile,
Now Vino is looking so strong, Ullrich looking good and Kloden riding into form, who are the domestics going to work for?
I think they should start looking at Vino as their No. 1. as the future of the team really is on his back.
Does anyone know why Eric Zabel was left off this year?

JohnO

Zabel was left off because a sprinter doesn't help them win stages. T-Mobile is putting on the appearance of a real team this year. This could be interesting - a real race. With the talent T-Mobile has assembled, all they need is a little teamwork.

But by the looks of stage 9, they'd better stop worrying about Armstrong, and start worrying about that darn mountain biker...

JensCph

Not only is Zabel unable to help in the mountains, but if he is on the team, he will require the assistance of 2-3 riders for the sprints as well as the whole team to chase in break aways. And that will hurt the teams chances of going for the victory. As strong as Vino, Klöden, and Ülrich are, they cant do it all as a trio only.

I'm a bit surprised that Rasmussen is going for the victory. Yesterday he purposely dropped back after the final mountain so he'd loose another minute. And he did so on his TT as well, to be able to get the leash that he needs to pick up KOM points. He has also said many times that finishing TDF as nr 4 or number 44 is the same to him. So his picked up time today could very well work against him for the KOM. Nobody can afford to give him another 10 mins lead in the coming mountains.

whiteboytrash

What a legend ! http://www.procycling.com/news.aspx?ID=1397

thebluetrain

LOL. That is funny.

Tejano

Last year during the first mountain stage of the TDF Armstrong was left to fend for himself in the mountains while the rest of his team climbed at their own rythm! LA was all alone with the other main GC contenders! Just like this year!

The difference was this year someone attacked! Kloden gained some time but if he couldn´t even beat that Robo rider after he was out in front working all day it doesn´t look good for Kloden tomorrow!

Ullrich has been left alone in the mountains? All he does is just sit on LA´s ass all day well protected! He doesn´t need teammates up their, all he has to do is hang with LA, but he can´t! He is at no disadvantage!

To attack in the mountains it is very beneficially to have a good team but if Ullrich couldn´t even defend in the mountain I´m at a loss as to what he would have done in the mountains!

Weren´t German fans confused as to why Vino attacked not only LA yesterday but also Ullrich! What if Ullrich was dropped by Vino´s attack!

Discovery Channel definitly wanted to rest the team the other day because tomorrow the TDF will be decided! LA always attacks on the first mountain top finish and his team will be well rested and ready to deliver! The question is will any T-mobile rider even be able to attack!

Vino is the only rider I see capable of hanging with LA and I don´t think he will have enough especially with the main support going to Ullrich. It will be interesting if LA drops Ullrich if Vino will stay to support Ullrich or leave him on his own! Those German fans were not happy like I said that Vino attacked Ullrich the other day!

Tour Over

Fixey

Vino did not attack Jan......
The fact that you dont understand why Vino attacked on that stage might indicate you should spend a little more time riding and a little less time writing

limerickman

Fix - we been telling him this for weeks !

Tejano

That was the perception of some of the German fans! If I understood the Spanish commentary correctly.

That is what Pedro Delgado and his side kick said! They also said that Vino may not feel welcome at T-mobile next year and may leave because of this attitude!

Now if say Mayo attacks LA tomorrow on the first summit would it be correct to say Mayo was attacking Ullrich also? Obviously Vino attacked not only LA but everyone else on the climb including Ullrich. That is just a matter of fact!

Now the intention wasn´t to attack Ullrich but he had to keep the pace or he would have been dropped! Kloden attacked not only LA but Ullrich, Vino, and all the other GC contenders and took 39 seconds was it out of them all!

Ullrich and Vino are his teammates so most people wouldn´t use the term attack but literally that´s what happened! I know Vino´s intention wasn´t to attack Ullrich but you tell me why the German fans are angry?

If I were T-Moble I see two choices!

1. conform to Discoveries game plan and hope that one of your riders is stronger than LA. Not the best choice in my opinion.

2. attack LA on the first Cat one climb tomorrow with Vino or better Kloden. Kloden must go all out on the attack and tank his GC hopes. Make Disco work before the decisive climb or hope like hell some one tries to bridge across to Kloden and the break works making Disco work across the flats before the final climb. You have to separate LA from his team on the last climb as far down as possible. Then let the attacks begin!

3. hope you can attack Disco early on the last climb and drop his entire team! If not I see at least Azevedo neutrilizing most of the attacks and LA comes out on top at the end anyway.

The only way to beat LA is if he has a weak team and he doesn´t! His team will control the mountains just like last year and this Tour is "Game Over Man"!

Problem I

whiteboytrash

...but if Ullrich has prior knowledge of the attacks then he's not being attacked....... (remember shoes first, pants second ;o) )

Tejano

Explain that to the Germans! It´s all your perspective! Prior knowledge is an interesting way to define! Shoes, Pants it doesn´t really matter in the end it´s all the same!

L-man from what I can tell this Tour is already over! Disco´s big guns are well rested for the begining of the end (of this tour and LA´s career) while Vino and Kloden have already been expending precious energy! The Trident can not beat the H-bomb!

All for one and one for all! If T-mobile wants to win they need to be resting Kloden and Vino not using them up so early! Three guy´s caressing their GC standings is not going to beat Disco´s team of sacrifice! Popo even took it easy the other day to prepare to work for his team leader!

Tomorrow will be the devistating for T-mobile!