Devil

I'm not sure if they're showing this on OLN or not (probably not), but anyways...

I was really surprised by Hincapie's win today in the prologue. Nice ride by him. I was equally impressed with Leipheimer's near win (he finished in second place by one second!). He seems to be on good form, but he seemed to be on good form back in April too in the Tour de Georgia - can he hold it through the Tour? We'll see.

Floyd looked good, as he always does in a TT. Lance looked right on track, he seems to have dropped a lot of weight that he was carrying in the spring.

alanbikehouston

So far this year, Lance has seemed to be just easing his way into peak racing condition, and not having any interest in winning a race. So, will THIS be the week that Lance "get serious", and rides to win? If so, we would get a clue what sort of shape he is in.

Devil

Well, it seemed as though he wasn't riding to win today and looked very good. I'd say that's just about as good an indication as any.

gcasillo

My listings show that OLN will cover the Dauphine next Sunday with another showing on Wednesday, 6/15. Each of my recordings have a still image that clues me into what each one is. This is what I have for today's broadcast of the Tour of Connecticut. In the immortal word of Darth Vader, "NOOOOOOOOO!"

Devil

Goddamn, Trautwig is everywhere. He singlehandedly ruined The Contender finale for me (along with hometown boy Peter Manfredo Jr losing, that helped a little). The guy (Trautwig, not Manfredo) has forced me to contemplate suicide more than once.

Guest

I'll take Al over Bob anyday. I wish someone would give him some lessons on proper pronunciation... making us look like a bunch of yokels to Europeans.

I was surprised about Hincapie too. But on the other hand, seeing so many Americans in the top 10 was nice too.

Koffee

gcasillo

We Yanks seem to show well in time trials don't we. It's beautiful. Armstrong, Julich, Hamilton (yeah, I know), Zabriskie, Landis. Then Hincapie rattles off a victory. Is it something in the water, better wind tunnels, approach?

oneradtec

I was looking at some pics of the various contenders. Well Lance seems to be in great shape. His tan is deep and dark...and he is thin and ripped! He wants to go out in style I guess.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...hinelibere--73

Most impressive though was Levi Leipheimer. Man he looks incredibly fit! Levi looks to be in his best ever condition. Wow!

https://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...hinelibere--71


I hope we see more of Sam Posey on OLN during the Tour. I always liked Sam's commentary and narrarations of cycling. I remember Sam getting alot of work with ABC covering the Tour during the 90's. Way better than Bob Roll and Al Trautwig IMO. I even like Brian Drebber better than Trautwig...but Sam Posey rules!!!

jkoman

There goes that slug Hincapie again....never seems to produce any good results. Why do they call it the race of truth anyway. Do you think he might actually be holding back during some of the TDF TT's so that he can fulfill his responsibility to the team????

Laggard

You'd take some blowhard who knows nothing about cycling over a guy with actual experience in the European peloton and tons of great antecdotes simply because he (purposely) mispronounces a few words?

Laggard

Yeah, what's that make? 7 european victories in 11 years of racing?

Good ride by him though. Good ride by Contador also.

look171

Agree. Do these guys know who Bob Roll is? Without him and the pioneer 7-11 team, there will be no Armstrong, Landis, and so on. He speakes several languages. He's right on with the rider's name. He may say Tooour Day France just to rattle our cages. Who the hell is Trautwig? Some reporter. And that blond girl, is she still there. She doesn't know what the hell is she talking about. They need to have her to balance the female role on that screen. Next year will be Brian gumbul (spelling) and Connie Chung so we can have everyone on stage. I can hear Connie shouting with Brian "Tom Boonen just stood up out of his bicycle seat and he is making VAN PETER GUM hurt over the Molenburg. But, there no sign of the American Amstrong. This might mean he will loose the race. Don't laugh, is coming.

Jeff

gcasillo

FYI, Kirsten Gum is now a brunette.

Devil

I will require photographical evidence before I believe you.

gcasillo

Damn, I deleted my recording. Otherwise, I'd offer a screen capture. She's brunette. Of this, there is no doubt.

GV27

Heck yeah! George know he's not going to be a contender for the overall and he probably isn't a serious contender for a TT stage win. But he can certainly do better than he does in the TdF timetrials - he's just saving his energy for when it counts.

2Rodies

If you see him at all it will be very little. Sam's Parkinsons Desease is getting worse and he does very little broadcasting these days. I miss Sam also he really brings out the passion in whatever sports he's comentating on. Speeds F1 broadcasting is sorely lacking without him.

Grasschopper

I can back this up although I also deleted my recording. Gum is now a brunette for sure...well on top anyway. Not sure I saw her as a blonde...anyone got a pic of that?

JohnSFO

She is indeed a brunette this year and has one of those snazzy journalist-type hair styles.

As for Bobke - he's The Man. As an earlier poster said - forget his pronunciation - he just talks that way to piss the French off. Being 1/2 French, I respect that

I cannot imagine why OLN has Al Trautwig back - he stinks. I also can't figure out why they devoted less than 5 mins to yesterday's Dauphine prologue and a full 30 mins to the 2-week old Tour of Connecticutt.

Nonetheless I am happy and grateful that there is some pro cycling to watch on the teevee

Smoothie104

I used to have her mug shot saved, from when she got a DUI in Charlotte N.C. many years ago, now I can't find it....

gcasillo

This one?

Guest

Yeah. If you all can take Gum seriously, then I can take Al just as seriously.

I don't like Bob. Never have, never will. He grates on my nerves.

Just because someone's done something, doesn't mean they actually know everything about it either. Lots of cyclists would make terrible coaches, for instance... I don't really care if he's been inside the peloton or not. I don't think he's personable, and half the time, he sounds like his crayolas are pretty dull.

Koffee

lotek 

for my money Bobke not only talks the talk he also
walks the walk.
He may not be the best TV personality, but he knows
of what he speaks and that is worth a whole lot more
to me than Kristem guns blonde/brunette/tiedied hairstyle.
Kirsten is just another blonde waiting to happen.
Trautwig is an ID10T error
OLN is going to cover Dauphiné this weekend.
Props to Discovery for keeping Georgie in Yellow
again today, and to Thor for his win

KB read his books, there is more to Bobke
than his TV personna even hints at.

Devil

Make no mistake.. I don't like Trautwig. I don't even like Gum. I just like looking at her.

Phatman

man, magnus beckstedt is so powerful! look how he's bending that bike!



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