Most *******s don't. You can be great and not be a tool.

Robbie is one of the all time greats...google it if you can't work it out yourself. If other blokes that constantly finish behind him have a problem with that...that's their problem. 'Winners are grinners & losers can suit themselves'....You're just jealous

I'm not jealous I don't race against him. I agree he's great, I'll never dispute that, neither will he, in fact he'll be the first one to tell you how great he is. :lol:

I'm not jealous I don't race against him. I agree he's great, I'll never dispute that, neither will he, in fact he'll be the first one to tell you how great he is. :lol:

....Agreed, Robbie isn't the most modest bloke, Aussie's aren't known for their bullsh!t though, he tells it like it is, mostly in response to journo's questions. Look, Robbie, races to win...if thats unpopular amongest his opponents...tough....reminds me of a certain 7 time TDF winner who had the same attitude!

Eurosport pot shot at Jan Ullrich:

The leaders whizz past some Mâcon vinyards, and a huge water tower. That water tower is truly the Jan-Ullrich-Off-Season of all water towers... a monumental girth.

Classic. :lol:

Leipheimer is making a real effort to make it another American stage win today. Thought doesn't look like he's going to stay out in front of the break away for much longer as the break puts more time on the peloton. Looks like the main field is reserving energy for tomorrow's TT.

So what does Saunier Duval have to gain by doing all the work? Am I missing something?

I'll be looking for those Jan Ullrich bikes to go on clearance any time now... A couple hours with some decal remover and that'll be a sweet ride for cheap! :lol:

Or has BikesDirect bought them all already and made them Motobecanes? :)

(easy there, guys--it's a joke)

DrPete

....Agreed, Robbie isn't the most modest bloke, Aussie's aren't known for their bullsh!t though, he tells it like it is, mostly in response to journo's questions. Look, Robbie, races to win...if thats unpopular amongest his opponents...tough....reminds me of a certain 7 time TDF winner who had the same attitude!

I'll pop a frosty one to that :beer:, I've not been a big fan of a certain 7 time TDF winner either.
aussie aussie aussie!!!!

Leapin' Levi's going to have to light that frame mounted rocket if he's gonna win today though.

I'll be looking for those Jan Ullrich bikes to go on clearance any time now... A couple hours with some decal remover and that'll be a sweet ride for cheap! :lol:
DrPete


A bit like all those yellow 'Floyd' machines....Whether he wins or not, who'd ride a yellow 'mecano' set or wear phonak gear?.....or all the 10/2 & livestrong crap that is in the bargain bins at the local sport store. Last time I was in my LBS he wanted to pay me to take a 10/2 cap.....

I've NEVER been one to rock pro gear, but I am sooooooo impressed by Landis this Tour I just might try to find a Phonak jersey. That yellow bike was a baaaad idea though. Almost like stage 16 was Karmic. Pay for 10/2? eeew

I bought a LiveStrong jersey and some socks because I really do like the work of the LAF. Being a military doc I kinda deal with a younger population, and I think that the LAF's message really speaks to them.

Yeah, I might have to get a Phonak jersey too... The cool thing is it already doesn't match their bike, so I'll be muy authentico... :D

No green shorts for me, though... I'm not proud enough of my "package." :)

DrPete

A bit like all those yellow 'Floyd' machines....Whether he wins or not, who'd ride a yellow 'mecano' set or wear phonak gear?.....or all the 10/2 & livestrong crap that is in the bargain bins at the local sport store. Last time I was in my LBS he wanted to pay me to take a 10/2 cap.....

I would TOTALLY ride the yellow BMC. It's oh so purdy... And I'm pretty sure nobody would ever mistake me for a leader of the TdF, so I think it's pretty safe. Now all I need is $8,000.... :D

DrPete

BMC details from the Toronto Bike Show

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19307992@N00/108708840/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19307992@N00/108708841/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19307992@N00/108708837/

I would TOTALLY ride the yellow BMC. It's oh so purdy... And I'm pretty sure nobody would ever mistake me for a leader of the TdF, so I think it's pretty safe. Now all I need is $8,000.... :D

DrPete

Different strokes for different folks...I wouldn't be seen dead on one!. ......But $8K USD???? You can get a 'team' one here for $8K AUD....you guys need to be more discerning:D

Different strokes for different folks...I wouldn't be seen dead on one!. ......But $8K USD???? You can get a 'team' one here for $8K AUD....you guys need to be more discerning:D

Yeah, that's the "stock" version, not the true team bike. The Pro Machine has some downgrades from the REAL team bike. Zipp wheels, higher end bar/stem, PowerTap SL, etc...

I'm hoping and praying that I have the cash in the next year or two... it sure as hell won't happen after we start having kids! :)

DrPete

I'd get Cervelo, being Canadian, IF I could afford it which I can't. I have a buddy who assembles them, he and his g/f rock on them. Sweet rides. When I do get a new road machine it'll be well shopped out, lookin' for a value that fits. Not brand centric.

Anyway, back to the stage....

Yawn.

I was hoping for some pedals to be turned in anger today in some effort to wear down Landis, or for Landis to wear down the others if he's feeling good. But no...

Can't wait for the TT tomorrow!!! I'll have to DVR it and watch it after my RR, though...

DrPete

Yeah, that's the "stock" version, not the true team bike. The Pro Machine has some downgrades from the REAL team bike. Zipp wheels, higher end bar/stem, PowerTap SL, etc...

I'm hoping and praying that I have the cash in the next year or two... it sure as hell won't happen after we start having kids! :)

DrPete

I can get a 'team machine' with Zipp 404's for $8K AUD.....you couldn't pay me to flip my stem like flod

:lol: Was a bit of a snoozer wasn't it? :lol: Dr. I got 2 kids and I have to save to buy new shoes let alone a new bike. Git it NOW man!!!
If I paid 8k for a bike I'd be killed the instant I walked in the front door.

:lol: Was a bit of a snoozer wasn't it? :lol: Dr. I got 2 kids and I have to save to buy new shoes let alone a new bike. Git it NOW man!!!

1st time I've agreed with the 'jammer'....if you've got no kids & you can't afford it now...man, things aren't gunna get any better!.

I can get a 'team machine' with Zipp 404's for $8K AUD.....you couldn't pay me to flip my stem like flod

But the team, interestingly enough, is not riding the "Team Machine." They ride the Pro Machine SLC 01, which is a redesigned frame built from Easton's CNT carbon. Much lighter than the Team Machine, more comfortable, and stiffer too.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=1833

DrPete

:lol: Was a bit of a snoozer wasn't it? :lol: Dr. I got 2 kids and I have to save to buy new shoes let alone a new bike. Git it NOW man!!!
If I paid 8k for a bike I'd be killed the instant I walked in the front door.

Yeah, I have my window of opportunity--The fiancee has already said if we can afford it, I can get it.

Still haven't been able to talk her into eloping... If I could, I could get the Pro Machine AND the Time Machine TT01, and have cash left over!!! :(

DrPete

I've never thought us mere mortals could get our hands on the "real deal" pro rides.
I remember drooling over the jewels in the mech's area and on the cars at the Grand Prix D'Ameriques in Montreal, so niiiice, and clean you could lick 'em. :lol:

"The fiancee has already said if we can afford it, I can get it."
hmmm I sense perceptual difficulties already. Is affording it AFTER the retirement and college funds are topped up, and the roof has been replaced?

I think Trek and Lance really made that popular... I'm sure someone went out and bought the SSLx for 10 grand, so other companies probably jumped on the bandwagon realizing they could take advantage of mediocre CAT racers with expendable income... Like me! :D

DrPete

Robbie is the best sprinter in the Tour this year. Irregardless of his team. Are you saying that D-Lotto has been controlling all of the bunch sprints? No way.

Hey, how many of those sprints was Robbie following someone else other than a teammate? He's had one very good lead out. The rest have been subpar. Robbie is probably the best improvisor out there during a sprint. They've been trying to lead him out but they've been doing anything but controlling the group sprints. He's winning them because he's the best sprinter out there. Even the ones he hasn't won, he's placed high because he found a way to weasel between or around rivals that had good lead outs. How many times was Boonen in perfect position to take a sprint because of his leadout? Just about every one. But Robbie had to work his way around. If Robbie was on Quickstep he'd probably be sweeping all of the sprints. Sure he gives props to his guys. What's he supposed to say, "they suck"?

Boonen was Robbie's main leadout. :D

I can get a 'team machine' with Zipp 404's for $8K AUD.....you couldn't pay me to flip my stem like flod

Too bad you guys in Oz keep falling off the bottom of the Earth every time you hop on your bikes. That's gotta suck. And since you're already upside-down, your stem is flipped. Sort of.

:D :D :D

Yeah, I have my window of opportunity--The fiancee has already said if we can afford it, I can get it.

Still haven't been able to talk her into eloping... If I could, I could get the Pro Machine AND the Time Machine TT01, and have cash left over!!! :(

DrPete

Invite less people to the reception and get the TT02.

Byob? Bbq?

Is anyone else disappointed that the Tour didn't get flipped on its head for the umpteenth time today? So spoiled by the turns of events this past week.... :D

Is anyone else disappointed that the Tour didn't get flipped on its head for the umpteenth time today? So spoiled by the turns of events this past week.... :D

Frankly, I needed a day just to process the last 2 days events.

If Menchov or Kloden or Evans etc were hoping to wear yellow after tomorrow, shouldn't they have tried something, anything? Sure, they still have to be 100% tomorrow, but if you need 2,3, or 4 minutes to get to the podium, do you have anything to lose at least trying to get back 30, 60 or 90 seconds?

I watched the replay at lunch thinking maybe somebody would see today as a better chance to get time back from Landis (let alone Pereiro or Sastre).

The only way the top three would have put much of a chase is if someone like Menchov, Kloden or Evans did launch an attack. Beyond that, I think all three wanted to conserve as much as possible for tomorrow. Everyone else had lost too much time to gain much on the open roads today. Levi made up some nice ground today, but he was the best placed of the break away riders.

Me thinks we need to add the Yo-Yo Jersey for next year for the rider to moves the most positions from day to day throughout the race. Guys jumping all over the standings from day to day. Levi would be in contention for that one this year for sure. Maybe Popo too?

I'm kinda thinking that the run into Paris isn't a parade this year, it's going to mean something. That will be cool.

I don't know. I think Le Mond ruined it for everyone, and the peloton now adheres quite strictly to the no-changes-in-the-Maillot Jaune thing in Paris...

I mean, The Jan could've gone for it in 2004 on the way to Paris... he lost it in the TT in stage 19 too.

DrPete

Boonen was Robbie's main leadout. :D
+1.

Robbie's never had that train. I don't think he would know what to do if he had one. I could see him jumping from wheel to wheel anyway, :D old habits die hard.

The only way the top three would have put much of a chase is if someone like Menchov, Kloden or Evans did launch an attack. Beyond that, I think all three wanted to conserve as much as possible for tomorrow....
+1, as the locals say ;)

They and/or their teams likely did not have the energy required to attack hard enough to gain, say, 3 or more minutes. Kloden basically said yesterday that he's "at his limit" and he almost sounds like he's giving up on the MJ for this year.... (http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/news/articles/10512.0.html)

I don't know. I think Le Mond ruined it for everyone, and the peloton now adheres quite strictly to the no-changes-in-the-Maillot Jaune thing in Paris...

I mean, The Jan could've gone for it in 2004 on the way to Paris... he lost it in the TT in stage 19 too.

DrPete


Uh,

Fat Greggy won a final Stage Time Trial. Aside from the French deciding fnial stage TTs were not a good idea after that I don't see how Greg has anything to do with how things work out on hte final stage now.

Boonen was Robbie's main leadout. :D

Well yeah... Boonen is way faster than any of his teamates :P

Uh,

Fat Greggy won a final Stage Time Trial. Aside from the French deciding fnial stage TTs were not a good idea after that I don't see how Greg has anything to do with how things work out on hte final stage now.

That's it. You nailed it. Ever since Le Mond's victory, there hasn't been a final stage TT. After a Frenchman was beaten. Coincidence? I think not. That was my point.

DrPete

Check out the guy in the back right of this picture waiting to pounce when his time comes and it finally has!
http://www.grahamwatson.com/2005/lance/coverpage.html