On Sat, 29 May 2004 18:57:14 GMT, "HardwareLust" <
[email protected]>
wrote:
>Krusty wrote:
>> Ok...I really enjoy cycling, but I never really pay any
>> attention to anything but the Giro, Tour, & Vuelta. I
>> also realize that it is still early in the season to be
>> making predictions, but:
>>
>> That said, I've always been impressed by Heras' ability
>> in the mountains. What do you think his chances of
>> winning the tour this year are?
>
>Not good. His legs haven't been in form all year, so far.
>He may yet surprise us, though. He climbs like a freakin'
>goat when his legs are in form!
>
>> Also:
>>
>> How is Beloki looking this year?
>
>No comment. I haven't seen or read much of him all year so
>far. That is usually a bad sign, though.
>
>> Does the time trial at Alpe D'Huez significantly increase
>> a true climber's ability to win?
>
>I don't know if I'd use the word "significantly" or not. I
>suspect this will be true, though.
>
>> Is it true that Ullrich is out of shape?
>
>Depends on which media source you believe as to the degree
>of truth. It's true he hasn't been racing much, and he's
>renowned for being a bit lazy and 'training' by the classic
>European method of drinking coffee, eating pastry and
>watching the pretty German girls. That being said, and
>considering his prior results at the TdF, I think he'll be
>ready. I personally hope that he'll be ready, as Jan's one
>of a handful of riders on the planet that could challenge
>Lance when he's in form.
>
Not surprising...especially after two years ago. Too bad he
got suspended for a recreational drug. Let the man have fun
at a club if he wants to ruin his central nervous system ;-)
Rules are rules though, so his stupid fault I guess. I'd bet
he'll be ready too.
>> Who else, besides Lance, is looking strong for the tour
>> this year?
>
>Tyler Hamilton. Don't underestimate him. He's ferocious,
>and his team (Phonak) is *good* this year. I think that if
>Ullrich isn't in superhuman shape, then Tyler's probably
>the only other guy that could give Lance some trouble,
>especially if Tyler can stay in one piece this year. He's
>looking good so far.
>
Can't remember. Did he win a stage last year? I know he
had a big breakaway....just can't remember if he held
them off. Either way he impressed me....riding with a
broken collarbone and all (finished in the top 10 overall
didn't he?).
>> Does anyone else think that Lance might have too many
>> distractions (publicity, Sheryl Crowe, etc...) to train
>> properly?
>
>I don't know why you people insist that Sheryl is a
>distraction. Mostly just trolls grasping at straws, because
>for some reason there's a large group of people that don't
>want Lance to win. I don't know if it's sour grapes, or
>because they're ashamed at being American or what. Being
>married (especially in a crumbling marriage, as his
>obviously was) is *infinitely* more stressful than just
>having a girlfriend hang around. If anything, he's in
>better shape mentally now that he's ditched the ol' ball-and-
>chain. He's been training exactly how Chris and he and the
>team together have planned, to the letter. He's trained,
>and he'll be ready. They know they made a mistake last
>year, and they're certainly not going to repeat it again
>this year. Nor will they repeat those mistakes when he wins
>#7 next year.
>
You're probably right here, but if I was dating Sheryl I
know I'd be pretty G-D distracted. ;-)
>> Any input would be appreciated.
>
>Now, let's hear what you think
>
>Regards,
>H.
>
Again...let me stress that I know very little about
cycling...Indurain made me a fan while I was living in Spain
in '92. I've kept up, as best I can, with the three major
tours since...but my opinions are merely...well...opinions.
