It is not what you do when people are looking its what you do when no one is looking!
I like you suggestion of him waiting in the start house for 39 seconds that would make him look crazy but then in the end he can say I wanted to win fair and square.
I was talking about this point last night and was thinking of all the times I stopped to help and lend an encouraging word or hand. I may miss my time goal because of it but in the end I feel good about myself.
I also recanted a story about the Mccrann's a few years back I was racing timberman 1/2 and I know Maura was racing and maybe Patrick. Well as you know patrick is faster than me so he was done before me, his poor wife flatted twice in the first 10 miles or so and had to drop out.
Now I come back a long time after they are done and who is waiting to see if I made it back, Patrick and Maura, They said "we wanted to make sure you were okay and see how your race went" That has stuck with me to this day (as you can tell). They could of left and I would of understood but they chose to stick it out and wait for me. This what I call CHARACTER either you have it or you don't.
Of course, that depends on it still mattering in the GC contest. AC won't have the chance to make things right if he and AS aren't still the two top contenders at the relevant moment. If, for example, Schleck crashed out or something, then AC will just have to live with another incident like this in his history. And if Contador surprisingly falls too far behind, it won't matter either.
Of course, that depends on it still mattering in the GC contest. AC won't have the chance to make things right if he and AS aren't still the two top contenders at the relevant moment. If, for example, Schleck crashed out or something, then AC will just have to live with another incident like this in his history. And if Contador surprisingly falls too far behind, it won't matter either.
I was married to someone that lived by the motto 'it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission'. Some people are slow to learn, some never do learn and others are narsicistic enough to know what they are doing is dead wrong at the moment but rely on the goodness of others to forgive while they take. For all that gets said about Lance in the negative, he understands decorum and the TdF. Contador acted like a Tool. He seemed sincere in his video but he should have never had to make that video in the first place. He was divisive last year with his attacks against Lance...this is not a new problem we are seeing in AC.
Patrick- I've disliked Contadore since he showed some of his true colors during the tour last year. And of course, I'm biased because of my love for Andy. But even I would have a huge change of heart if AC did something that special. It really would be an iconic moment in sports history. VS would be replaying that video the way they replay "The Look" today.
Noooo. You are taking this WAY to far. This isn't little league where everyone is a winner. It's the TOUR. I understand there is "a code" but this is a race with MILLIONS of dollars on the line.
Look, they hugged, probably kissed (in the cool European way ) and made up. Next time you want to write crazy just ask yourself "What what Jens do?"
Contador's a jerk...period in my book. He screwed up Lance last year, he attacked his own guy on a breakaway and probably cost him a stage win, and now he rode off while the guy in yellow had a mechanical. I don't think he'd do the wait 39 seconds thing unless he already knew he was going to win, and at that point who cares...just an empty gesture. If you haven't seen the video of him getting the yellow put on after the race, the sheepish, guilty looking grin he tried to force was all I needed to see to know what was really in his head. Maybe he made a decision in the heat of the moment, but at that point he knew he'd done something he probably shouldn't have, and he felt guilty about it. The good news is that it gives us another good reason to root for something epic tomorrow!
Is Contador single-minded and self-centered in his drive to be the best bike racer in the world? You bet; it's the only way anyone gets to that level. The Cannibal? The Badger? What about all of Lance's team mates who chafed under his iron fist? I'd complain if Alberto were smacking Andy with his wheel after the race, or vice versa, but this is what happens when the race is on, just like when Fabian was pulling Schleck into the GC lead on the cobbles while Contador and Armstrong flatted. I didn't hear Contador cry or Schleck offer to give time back after Stage 3.
I like Andy just as much as the rest of you and I would prefer he win the Tour; he's young, cute, speaks English well, even with an impish sense of humor. And he's a very charismatic climber. But we wouldn't be having this conversation (he would win the Tour) if he did what he needs to do to time trial like Alberto. If a little pipsqueak wimp like Alberto can learn how to become the Spanish national TT champ; can beat Cancellara in the final TT of last year's Tour; and can be sixth in this year's prologue, then surely Andy can adjust his position and adopt whatever training methods he needs to bring HIS skills up to the level needed to win the Tour. All it takes, given his natural talent, is sufficient will, which Contador has and Andy is still developing. The good news - anyone who would leave his older brother writhing in pain with a crushed clavicle on those cobbles probably has the singular focus needed to make that final leap.
And, just for the record, I agree that Mark Renshaw should have been ousted - he broke the rules, left his line, and endangered Tyler. Alberto's "offense" is simply that he's not as likable to the English speaking audience as Andy Schleck. The guy on the top always gets the heat - witness what we do to our Presidents. I haven't heard anyone complain that Sanchez or Menchov didn't wait for Schleck - they were also gaining time on him, possibly becoming a real threat to Schleck's second place - should they sit in the start house for 39 seconds on Sat am as well?
as big of a Saxo/Andy fan as I am, I've gotta agree with Al and Dan- way too much drama being stirred up over the loss of the yellow. Does it stink that he lost the yellow due to a horribly timed mechanical?? absolutely. but it is a race and there is some luck involved. it would be one thing if AC had ridden by a standing on the side of the road Andy, but he didn't and in all the commotion on the climb, asking riders to constantly look back to make sure everyone is there and okay would make for a pretty boring race.
I think its ironic that a bunch of dopers (the Pro riders) get all prissy about this incident - the historical 'code of ethics' that surrounds Pro bike racing on this sort of incident; 'not the done thing' etc, etc. Same code of ethics perhaps that tolerates doping? IMO, always has done & always will. Just my take...........
Schleck of course is whiter than white - of course he is, afterall he can rely on his Team Director for moral & ethical guidance can't he?
I'll stick to my guns on the "Alberto shouldn't have done it" argument, but I absolutely agree with Al on Andy getting it done. He lost the race in the PROLOGUE! He finished 122nd out of 197, losing over 42 seconds to Contador. That seems inexcusable over 9KM. Wiggins had this to say, "“The prologue is so insignificant in the three weeks, it’s seconds here and it’s going to be minutes in three weeks’ time.” Since Andy finished behind him, I'm guessing he must have thought the same thing. Andy went a full 2 mph slower than Contador over 5 miles. Heck, I bet Coach Rich (or Coach P or Halligan) could have come close to Andy's time. Andy either gets good at TTs or he never wins, and being the TT champ of Luxembourg isn't good enough!
Bill's comments make me wonder if Andy's unexpected performance in the Saturday TT vs the Prologue is a repeat of Floyd's breakaway performance in '06. Think about it: Andy is 2mph slower (!!) than AC in a stupid short prologue but only 30" slower in a 50k TT? Riiiighttt
On that note, did anyone notice how much AC squirmed around on his bike during the TT? If you watch the video he continually slides forward in the saddle, the pushes himself back, forward, then back, over and over again, about every 5secs. I wanted him to stand so I could see if his saddle had a crazy tilt or something.
Rich...Todd Kenyon notes AC slides around during his TT in his blog. Looks like a dog in my neighborhood and what I see him doing on the lawn! Not comfortable or positioned well I guess BUT as he slides forwArd on the saddle he is loading his quads more then he pops back, wattage surge, then starts over. It can't be that he doesn't know he does it. He has to have seen video of it. I wonder if that's how he keeps his power up on the flats? Weird looking for a pro.
In my experience, if you have been riding a road bike a ton, as AC has, to say the least , then sliding to the nose = loading up the quads and you definitely feel it = you typically want to stay rearward on the saddle to retain the ass-relation-to-BB position that you have on your road bike. Fine...so stay to the rear of the saddle, don't keep sliding back and forth. To me it was obvious that the way he wanted to ride was ass to the back, cuz that's how he kept pushing himself, and therefore sliding forward was something unvoluntary...hence I kept looking to see if the saddle was jacked or something. Regardless, did NOT look like someone who one the TT last year but not enough to go from spanking AS in the Prologue to only beating him by 30" in a 50k TT.
Ergo, I think AS pulled a Floyd '06 performance out of his veins...I mean ass...on Saturday.
Sorry, I'm on a "they're all on the juice" kick right now, though I think the peloton was on a low octane mix vs the race gas they've been using in previous years, due to the LA, RS situation.
I don't think AS pulled a Floyd. I think he rode really well, but because AC went last, he didn't really have to throw it down to beat him. I mean, come one, AC came in 35th, a full 5:43 down on Cancellara. He didn't ride hard at all. If I thought he were a complete and absolutely utter #@$%, I'd say he tried to time it so that he stayed within the margin he gained when he attacked on AS's mechanical. AS probably rode as hard as he could, but I don't think AC really even tried...why bother?
That's a big gamble to take by AC don't you think? I mean they have their team managers in their ears giving them splits but with the $ involved in a TdF win...wouldn't you ride your ass off? It is virtually the final day of the race.
@rich, I agree with you on the octane. Still don't know why AC always TTs like that. I would hope it's not a seat leveling issue as I believe it's consistent with his TT from ride to ride.
Comments
It is not what you do when people are looking its what you do when no one is looking!
I like you suggestion of him waiting in the start house for 39 seconds that would make him look crazy but then in the end he can say I wanted to win fair and square.
I was talking about this point last night and was thinking of all the times I stopped to help and lend an encouraging word or hand. I may miss my time goal because of it but in the end I feel good about myself.
I also recanted a story about the Mccrann's a few years back I was racing timberman 1/2 and I know Maura was racing and maybe Patrick. Well as you know patrick is faster than me so he was done before me, his poor wife flatted twice in the first 10 miles or so and had to drop out.
Now I come back a long time after they are done and who is waiting to see if I made it back, Patrick and Maura, They said "we wanted to make sure you were okay and see how your race went" That has stuck with me to this day (as you can tell). They could of left and I would of understood but they chose to stick it out and wait for me. This what I call CHARACTER either you have it or you don't.
Great story Steve. I'm impressed but can't say I'm surprised. That vibe is a big part of Da Haus... and that always starts at the top.
Of course, that depends on it still mattering in the GC contest. AC won't have the chance to make things right if he and AS aren't still the two top contenders at the relevant moment. If, for example, Schleck crashed out or something, then AC will just have to live with another incident like this in his history. And if Contador surprisingly falls too far behind, it won't matter either.
Of course, that depends on it still mattering in the GC contest. AC won't have the chance to make things right if he and AS aren't still the two top contenders at the relevant moment. If, for example, Schleck crashed out or something, then AC will just have to live with another incident like this in his history. And if Contador surprisingly falls too far behind, it won't matter either.
IMO
Vince
Maybe a technical explanation of what happened?!?
velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/new...off_130090
Look, they hugged, probably kissed (in the cool European way ) and made up. Next time you want to write crazy just ask yourself "What what Jens do?"
Jens would go have some coffee.
Mike
Yeah, you're crazy.
A few quotes from OUR national pasttime:
"There's no crying in baseball."
"Nice guys finish last."
Is Contador single-minded and self-centered in his drive to be the best bike racer in the world? You bet; it's the only way anyone gets to that level. The Cannibal? The Badger? What about all of Lance's team mates who chafed under his iron fist? I'd complain if Alberto were smacking Andy with his wheel after the race, or vice versa, but this is what happens when the race is on, just like when Fabian was pulling Schleck into the GC lead on the cobbles while Contador and Armstrong flatted. I didn't hear Contador cry or Schleck offer to give time back after Stage 3.
I like Andy just as much as the rest of you and I would prefer he win the Tour; he's young, cute, speaks English well, even with an impish sense of humor. And he's a very charismatic climber. But we wouldn't be having this conversation (he would win the Tour) if he did what he needs to do to time trial like Alberto. If a little pipsqueak wimp like Alberto can learn how to become the Spanish national TT champ; can beat Cancellara in the final TT of last year's Tour; and can be sixth in this year's prologue, then surely Andy can adjust his position and adopt whatever training methods he needs to bring HIS skills up to the level needed to win the Tour. All it takes, given his natural talent, is sufficient will, which Contador has and Andy is still developing. The good news - anyone who would leave his older brother writhing in pain with a crushed clavicle on those cobbles probably has the singular focus needed to make that final leap.
And, just for the record, I agree that Mark Renshaw should have been ousted - he broke the rules, left his line, and endangered Tyler. Alberto's "offense" is simply that he's not as likable to the English speaking audience as Andy Schleck. The guy on the top always gets the heat - witness what we do to our Presidents. I haven't heard anyone complain that Sanchez or Menchov didn't wait for Schleck - they were also gaining time on him, possibly becoming a real threat to Schleck's second place - should they sit in the start house for 39 seconds on Sat am as well?
as big of a Saxo/Andy fan as I am, I've gotta agree with Al and Dan- way too much drama being stirred up over the loss of the yellow. Does it stink that he lost the yellow due to a horribly timed mechanical?? absolutely. but it is a race and there is some luck involved. it would be one thing if AC had ridden by a standing on the side of the road Andy, but he didn't and in all the commotion on the climb, asking riders to constantly look back to make sure everyone is there and okay would make for a pretty boring race.
Which doesn't make Contador a nice guy, but I don't think this is an example of him being his normal jerk-y.
M
Same code of ethics perhaps that tolerates doping? IMO, always has done & always will. Just my take...........
Schleck of course is whiter than white - of course he is, afterall he can rely on his Team Director for moral & ethical guidance can't he?
Bill's comments make me wonder if Andy's unexpected performance in the Saturday TT vs the Prologue is a repeat of Floyd's breakaway performance in '06. Think about it: Andy is 2mph slower (!!) than AC in a stupid short prologue but only 30" slower in a 50k TT? Riiiighttt
On that note, did anyone notice how much AC squirmed around on his bike during the TT? If you watch the video he continually slides forward in the saddle, the pushes himself back, forward, then back, over and over again, about every 5secs. I wanted him to stand so I could see if his saddle had a crazy tilt or something.
@Bill, your comments seem to echo Johan Bruyneel in this article:
www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-o...-armstrong
@Rich, this article further adds Johan dissing AC's TT position and issues. It's VERY noticeable.
V
In my experience, if you have been riding a road bike a ton, as AC has, to say the least
, then sliding to the nose = loading up the quads and you definitely feel it = you typically want to stay rearward on the saddle to retain the ass-relation-to-BB position that you have on your road bike. Fine...so stay to the rear of the saddle, don't keep sliding back and forth. To me it was obvious that the way he wanted to ride was ass to the back, cuz that's how he kept pushing himself, and therefore sliding forward was something unvoluntary...hence I kept looking to see if the saddle was jacked or something. Regardless, did NOT look like someone who one the TT last year but not enough to go from spanking AS in the Prologue to only beating him by 30" in a 50k TT.
Ergo, I think AS pulled a Floyd '06 performance out of his veins...I mean ass...on Saturday.
Sorry, I'm on a "they're all on the juice" kick right now, though I think the peloton was on a low octane mix vs the race gas they've been using in previous years, due to the LA, RS situation.
Bill,
That's a big gamble to take by AC don't you think? I mean they have their team managers in their ears giving them splits but with the $ involved in a TdF win...wouldn't you ride your ass off? It is virtually the final day of the race.
@rich, I agree with you on the octane. Still don't know why AC always TTs like that. I would hope it's not a seat leveling issue as I believe it's consistent with his TT from ride to ride.
Vince