The 2005 Tour de France thread!

[Wide Eyed Angel]

well, all over again for another year, and thankfully mcewan didn't get the green jersey. as was already known armstrong completed 7 straight tour wins. green went to thor hushovd, mickael rasmussen was king of the mountains and yaroslax popovych got the white jersey. how old are you allowed to be before you're not longer able to win that one?

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

. how old are you allowed to be before you're not longer able to win that one?

25th birthday on or before 1st of April on the year of competition I think is the rule.

I don't particularly love the bloke but you have to respect his achievements - particularly against the backdrop of once having a 3% chance of survivng cancer. You'll never beat The Canibal, The Gipsy of The Animal in my eyes but theres no arguing with 7 straight wins. Chapeau!

 

[g force]

Agreed - he's no Hinault or Mercx IMO, but...he's a sublime athlete and you simpyl cannot argue against his achievement. To go from a good, promising athlete, but by no means outstanding then the cancer to then get back on a bike and win the Tour is stunning.

To me his first win was his best because of the comeback. In subsequent years the way he destroyed Ullrich up the climbs when Jan was in peak form was one of the most impressive displays of riding i've ever seen and am likely to ever see. you could see UIlltich thinking he had him beat, then all of a sudden this guy in a blue top flies past him

Anyhow, also glad that he who shall not be named didn't win the Green.

Basso has to favourite for next year - I still think it's a year too soon for Valdeverde.

 

[g force]

According to L'Equipe - Vinko has told T-Mobile where to stick it and is joining Liberty Seguros!!

 

[stavros]

I think the moment from the last seven years which sticks in my head the most is when they were going up Alp D'Huez I think and Armstrong and Ullrich were up the front. Lance just turned round, looked into Jan's eyes and then took off to no reply. I've always liked Jan more but that was an iconic moment.

 

[Mr Retro]

A friend of my wifes was at the tour this year.

After the fifth stage there were some rumours that of the 5 riders tested - The Stage winner, The yellow Jersey and 3 others, one of them failed a test.

Apparently it's going to come out in the press this week.

 

[g force]

5th Stage...so it's one of Robbie McEwen, Lance, and 3 randoms. Can't see it being Lance...more liekly a domestique for one of the lesser teams.

Just been thinking about possible teams next year and realised that (assuming no more major moves) Liberty Seguros will have Alberto Contador, Roberto Heras, Joseba Beloki and Alex Vinokourov - so 2 great climbers, some sublime TT riders plus their domestiques. That's a hell of a team

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Just been thinking about possible teams next year and realised that (assuming no more major moves) Liberty Seguros will have Alberto Contador, Roberto Heras, Joseba Beloki and Alex Vinokourov - so 2 great climbers, some sublime TT riders plus their domestiques. That's a hell of a team

And they came 4th in the TTT this year lets not forget - a massive improvement. If Vino can calm down a bit and launch his attacks at tactically astute moments he can take on Basso for yellow; however, if he rides as he did this year - admittedly entertaining but reckless nontheless, he'll be creamed.

Vinos comment about T-Mobile are spot on though, its the graveyard of talent. Cadel Evans, Botero, Salvodelli...just a few names that went throught the pink machine and were mediocre, then left and won stuff. Godefroot seems content to shower his stars with cash but for what? Where are the results?

 

[g force]

Well it keeps Jan's pie supply up

 

[bigman1]

its not about the bike

anybody read lance armstrongs book great book about his fight against cancer

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

anybody read lance armstrongs book great book about his fight against cancer

yes, read it. As surviving cancer books go its great, as a cycling book its not a great one imho.