Road Bike Racing - Is Floyd sand bagging?

Is Floyd sand bagging at the Dauphine?
To what end?

Let's say he's in much better form than he's letting on. What is hiding good form now going to buy him?
Is he counting on getting in a break on the first day of the mountains at the Tour - and that they'll let him go thinking he's no contender, and then he'll surprise them with a huge performance? That seems like a pretty shaky plan, especially considering as soon as he takes off they'll know (TV, radios), and that his ruse can last only one day in the mountains.

Or is being in relatively poor form now part of his Tour preparation plan?

The Dauphine was traditionally used as a warm up to the tour. But that attitude is now changing. Like most riders intent on the TDF, it is now too much of a risk to go all out while in preparation this close to July. Iban Mayo crashed during today's stage which is a cause for concern for any tour contender this close to July.

Although many who've won the Dauphine have gone on to win the tour, that is not always the case. Iban Mayo went all out a couple years back and humbled Lance on the Ventoux in grand style only to wilt four weeks later in the tour.

Is Floyd sand bagging at the Dauphine?


duh

He had a bad day. He wanted to win on Ventoux as demonstrated by the effort of Phonak to reel things in., but he just didn't have it. He wasn't 9 minutes bad though. When he realized it wasn't going to happen he road tempo. So his form wasn't what he hoped for, but it also wasn't a disaster. Bad sign yes; all hope is lost, no.

I voted other, as there are some potential considerations that you're overlooking. :p

1. His EPO micro-dosage went over and he doesn't want to risk getting a blood test.
2. Phonak is convinced they'll get more publicity as everyone speculates why Floyd isn't in contention.
3. He's getting back in touch with his inner domestique.
4. Floyd is messing with Zabriskie's mind by letting him beat him on mountain stages.
5. He's practicing for when another rider wants to buy a stage victory in the Tour.

4. Floyd is messing with Zabriskie's mind by letting him beat him on mountain stages.

:) :) :)

No he's not sandbagging but I think he'll be at the Tour in good form. Weather that form will be as good as it was in the early part of the season is yet to be seen. He did well in the TT, but two bad days in the mountains and I have to wonder. I hope Flandis, Basso, Levi and Ulrich all come to the Tour in to form, I want a full on battle to the end!

(But Basso's going to win eom) :)

Yes, he's selling bad form but I'm not buying. I think Vino's holding back alot too. On any given day Flandis, Vino, and Levi are a pretty even match. I think Flandis is the stronger of the three but some think Vino and some Levi. They all riding for 3rd if Ullie can stop stuffing Ruebens and Ecstacy into his blistered pie hole.
The attacks will be aplenty this year with these guys especially with Vino being the driving catalyst.

As long as we're talking about Floyd, check out Outside Magazine; he's the cover story. Apart from all the "Floyd is going to win the Tour this year" hype, the article looks excellent. It's by Daniel Cole who wrote The Book of Floyd which is a chapter in his book Armstrong's War.

But really, the photos of Landis by Robert Maxwell are incredible, considering he's not the most photogenic person around.

I ain't no shill.

I guess after today's results he better be. Holy Crap Floyd!

I picked 'other' because I think he's sandbagging, but the podium is probably going to stay just out of his grasp.

Mind you, I also thought highly of Valverde, then discounted him, now he looks mighty again...and was blown away by Cadel Evans after thinking he was mediocre...and figured Mayo was 'nays' permanently, but...etc etc etc.

Worse than betting on horses, this sport.

He had a bad day. He wanted to win on Ventoux as demonstrated by the effort of Phonak to reel things in., but he just didn't have it. He wasn't 9 minutes bad though. When he realized it wasn't going to happen he road tempo. So his form wasn't what he hoped for, but it also wasn't a disaster. Bad sign yes; all hope is lost, no.

+1. I think early on he realized he didn't have the goods to perform well without really dipping into the red zone, so he rode within himself.