Veloduo

OK, I'll admit up front that I'm trying to provoke a couple of my BF pals here, but I'm wondering who everybody might nominate for best spring season by an American pro (2006). Is there any question, or is the Barber clearly the Yank to beat?

EventServices

You're joking, right?

And thanks for including the Ford logos in the photo! I'd have come unglued had you cropped them out.

BTW, that's legendary race announcer, Jeff Roake, in the blue shirt.

CCFISH81

So we have a picture of a dudes butt, cool, but what's real cool is that his left hand covers the sign, so it says Asstown Bald- teeee heee ::giggle::

Cypress

BAAHAHAHAHAAA.

As for the op's question, Landis is the obviously the Yank to beat.

webist

Agree. Landis.

Cypress

What the hell is the podium chick doing?

oneradtec

Landis by far!

DocRay

I think she's vomiting. Landis is definitely not the pretty boy of racing. And I've never seen him and Kid Roc in the same room, see for yourself:

Kid Rock:



Floyd Landis:

Cypress

Ah yes. That clears it up.

He would look right at home with a "real tree" camo hat.

merlinextraligh

better question, is this the best spring by any U.S. pro ever? Julich a year or 2 ago?. Perhaps Lemond one year?

domestique

All I can say is that I can not wait for the TDF prologue.

With Zabriske, Landis, Basso, and Ulrich! That should be pretty interesting

skinnyone

Props to Landis.. he has been pretty strong.. pipping DZ at every TT thus far matching TommyD up the mountains.. This years TDF is going to be fun fun fun... BTW whatever happed to Jan.. Training in Z Bavarian alps izhe?..

Veloduo

Very good point. Maybe. Lemond never won a classic. Lance won one. Julich's year was impressive, especially considering the fact that just about everybody, including himself, thought he was done, but the Barber's palmares for '06 may be without precedent. He's now faced -- and beaten -- his three primary American challengers (Levi, Dave Z, and Tom Danielson), and at Paris-Roubaix he beat many of the Euro stars. I know it's early, and I know it's not the TDF, let alone seven of them, but I think Floyd just climbed the ladder to at least the #4 spot all-time among U.S. pros based on the spring thus far. Only Lance, Greg L., and I guess Hampsten can claim greater international achievement. Leipheimer's '05 was decent, with a 6th in Paris and a win in the Tour of Germany. But Floyd is making a statement.

Veloduo

Sorry, I meant Paris-Nice!

Veloduo

Hey, 2rodies, you out there?

merlinextraligh

I'd argue that Landis' year so far is slightly behind Armstrong's in 1996. Armstrong won the Tour Dupont, arguably comparable to the TDG, and also won Fleche Wallon. I think you have to give more weight to one of the great one day classics than to Paris Nice.

Veloduo

Another solid point, but Landis's good form has now stretched over three months...

OC Roadie

I agree, although Floyd is having a great year. I don't think he stacks up against Basso, but it will be fun to find out. On the topic of American racers and the classics, It sure would've been sweet to see Horner take L-B-L , I don't think he had a chance against Valverde and Bettini, but it was cool to see him up there. He's made a descent showing at the last couple of classics.

daneil

You're forgetting your history. Hampsten definately deserves to be on that list, at least until someone else replicates his Giro win. And you're forgetting Davis Phinney, the Eddy Merckx of American cycling with over 300 amateur and professional wins including several TdF stage wins.

Veloduo

Read the rest of the posts. We have Landis behind Hampsten and Phinney, but Phinney can feel Landis breathing down his neck. Let's really stir this up: where do these guys rank on the list?

Levi Leipheimer
Bobby Julich
Chris Horner
Freddy Rodriguez

Veloduo

Strictly talking Yanks here, BUT...

Gotta believe Basso is the favorite on paper for Paris, but he's only shown a flash or two so far in '06. If he pulls off a Giro/Tour double, hats off.

Der Jan and his team, fans, and supporters are living in a dream world. 1997 was nearly a decade ago. When did he last win a race? Any race?

I think Landis now HAS to be one of the top five favorites for Paris. And don't forget about Valverde...

2Rodies

Yeah baby I'm baaack! Ok Floyd has had a pretty good year so far. But come July it will be Levi that will be the best American in Paris....Levi! Levi! Levi!

alpe d'issaquah

Does anyone else think that Floyd wears the most ridiculous, ugly glasses when he TT's?