"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tom Danielson

discuss.

What?

At one point, Tommy D was the Next Lance(tm), but these days it seems that he's been relegated to a lesser role on Disco. Is it a sign of more realistic expectations? Does he just not have the legs or the motivation to train enough to reach his potential?

At one point, Tommy D was the Next Lance(tm), but these days it seems that he's been relegated to a lesser role on Disco. Is it a sign of more realistic expectations? Does he just not have the legs or the motivation to train enough to reach his potential?

But isn't that similar the rap on Lance prior to his cancer ordeal?

are you saying Tommy D needs to get cancer?

I'm in awe of his talents and of the talents of everyone at the level that he competes. Not a criticism of Tom D., and I dont think it's his fault or doing, but he appears to have been hyped more than his legs can deliver. He's not a Greg Lemond, Armstrong, or even Bobby Julich, he's more like a Kevin Livingston, just came with more hype attached. As a professional bike racer, there's certainly nothing wrong with being the next Kevin Livingston. I think Danielson could be a great asset on early climbs in the GTs to stronger more talented riders like Basso.

Top Ten finishes in the Vuelta aren't good enough to coronate Tommy D???

Maybe he should start dating Jewel or something. Up his Hollywood Q rating a bit.

Oh....umm....I dunno. I heard that back when he flew up Brasstown Bald, but then didn't hear too much after that.

He's from CT though....

are you saying Tommy D needs to get cancer?

No :p I'm just saying that perhaps the cancer was what gave Lance the determination to maximize his talent and maybe at some point somethng might give Tommy D the same motivation. Talent can't be maximized without the determination and motivation to do so. Indeed, when you have lots of pure talent, it's easy to get lazy and just get by without truly pushing yourself to excel to your full potential.

Of course I could be full of horsepucky as usual, just sayin. ;)

...when you have lots of pure talent, it's easy to get lazy and just get by without truly pushing yourself to excel to your full potential.

Were you thinking of anyone in particular, chip?

http://205.217.158.209/pics/5160c3c4da94cdefd64f5fc838f87b95-l

Were you thinking of anyone in particular, chip?

http://205.217.158.209/pics/5160c3c4da94cdefd64f5fc838f87b95-l

:roflmao: :roflmao:
well, actually I was thinking of me...but that works!

Were you thinking of anyone in particular, chip?

http://205.217.158.209/pics/5160c3c4da94cdefd64f5fc838f87b95-l

Your honor, move to strike the last question as leading the witness.

Just sayin', you know, if the shoe fits....

(It is kind of odd, though, to be using a TDF winner as an example of an underachiever)

I think often people forget that he's still fairly young (27 I think) and except for lat year...never had an Grand tour/big race experience. Add to that the fact that Basso and to a lesser extent Levi are the main guys on the team now...and you can see how Danielson has to accept the roles he's given and hope to have a few places to shine this year and next. If he does...I think we will see bigger things from him. I don;t think it's a lack of training or desire, more a lack of experience and being on a team with at least three big stars in front of him (Basso, Levi, and George).

But isn't that similar the rap on Lance prior to his cancer ordeal?

even before cancer Lance becoming the next greg lemond was in serious doubt. it was pretty much a given that lance could be a great classics racer but not a rider for the tours.

ed rader

even before cancer Lance becoming the next greg lemond was in serious doubt. it was pretty much a given that lance could be a great classics racer but not a rider for the tours.

Lance, B.C. (before cancer) did don the World Champion jersey for a year and the US Champion jersey, as well. Won a stage (or two?) at the TdF. He did win tours here in the States (Tour Du Pont comes to mind).

He wasn't a GC contender, but he did have a few significant wins under his belt while with Motorola.

I think often people forget that he's still fairly young (27 I think) and except for lat year...never had an Grand tour/big race experience. Add to that the fact that Basso and to a lesser extent Levi are the main guys on the team now...and you can see how Danielson has to accept the roles he's given and hope to have a few places to shine this year and next. If he does...I think we will see bigger things from him. I don;t think it's a lack of training or desire, more a lack of experience and being on a team with at least three big stars in front of him (Basso, Levi, and George).

Danielson isnt really that young (will be 29 in March according to his team bio). Add that to his relative lack of big stage experience, having stronger riders in front of him in the queue on his own team, and far more accomplished and younger riders out there like (off the top of my head) cunego, valverde, schleck, the list goes on, his future as a GT leading man doesnt seem very promising. I seriously doubt it's a lack of motivation, desire, or training, with all due respect, he just isnt as good as he was made out to be.

Danielson isnt really that young (will be 29 in March according to his team bio). Add that to his relative lack of big stage experience, having stronger riders in front of him in the queue on his own team, and far more accomplished and younger riders out there like (off the top of my head) cunego, valverde, schleck, the list goes on, his future as a GT leading man doesnt seem very promising. I seriously doubt it's a lack of motivation, desire, or training, with all due respect, he just isnt as good as he was made out to be.

i think you are right. basso and levi are better choices for big results and the former could win the tour.

ed rader

I think often people forget that he's still fairly young (27 I think) and except for lat year...never had an Grand tour/big race experience. Add to that the fact that Basso and to a lesser extent Levi are the main guys on the team now...and you can see how Danielson has to accept the roles he's given and hope to have a few places to shine this year and next. If he does...I think we will see bigger things from him. I don;t think it's a lack of training or desire, more a lack of experience and being on a team with at least three big stars in front of him (Basso, Levi, and George).


+1 and he was involved with mountain biking before he got into road so he's starting later than some of the other guys in terms of experience.

It does seem like he is more suited to things like the Vuelta which ( I think) tend to favor pure climbers...everybody has their niche and maybe Tom D. just isn't in one that happens to be the most visual. Lance is kinda like a quarterback - people usually know who those dudes are even if they're not that into football...I can name a bunch of quarterbacks but can I name any other players and their positions (probably not, except formaybe reggie bush). It's not that the other guys have a lesser job - maybe it's just not as visual as the others.

Talented, but overrated, and far too much pressure put on him. Did I also mention the way he looks?

Well Danielson has to perform this year or he´ll be helping contador or brajkovic in the future....

When he first signed with Discovery he seemed so pleased to be there: excited, positive, and humble. Now he seems such an arrogant jerk. When you talk about the Tour, you talk about serving Basso (or Leipheimer); you don't talk about taking your own chances. Well, perhaps you do but it should be subsumed by talk of teamwork; but for Danielson it's a constant theme; he's always on as if his pride has been wounded by not being thought of -- both in his team, and in the media -- as the #1. That has to be earned. Let the pedals do the talking.

As you can see, he irks me.

are you saying Tommy D needs to get cancer?

As always KP, you have dispensed with all the bullsiht and boiled this down to the core. Well done.

Next topic.

Lance, B.C. (before cancer) did don the World Champion jersey for a year and the US Champion jersey, as well. Won a stage (or two?) at the TdF. He did win tours here in the States (Tour Du Pont comes to mind).

He wasn't a GC contender, but he did have a few significant wins under his belt while with Motorola.

All true, but no one ever thought of him as a legitimate Tour contender, which s what think Ed was getting at.

are you saying Tommy D needs to get cancer?

Cancer? No. Near death, or life changing experience? Sure, why not.

When he first signed with Discovery he seemed so pleased to be there: excited, positive, and humble. Now he seems such an arrogant jerk. When you talk about the Tour, you talk about serving Basso (or Leipheimer); you don't talk about taking your own chances. Well, perhaps you do but it should be subsumed by talk of teamwork; but for Danielson it's a constant theme; he's always on as if his pride has been wounded by not being thought of -- both in his team, and in the media -- as the #1. That has to be earned. Let the pedals do the talking.

As you can see, he irks me.

That's OK, if it helps you feel any better, most of us think Robbie McEwen is a pr!ck.

That's OK, if it helps you feel any better, most of us think Robbie McEwen is a pr!ck.

I thought I had heard something during Le Tour last year that he was well thought of in Belgium (his 2nd home from what they were saying)...

That's OK, if it helps you feel any better, most of us think Robbie McEwen is a pr!ck.

Like we'd respect any Aussie that wasn't! :D

Cancer? No. Near death, or life changing experience? Sure, why not.

Bingo Botto.

Hey, how about a NY Lotto game called: Botto Bingo!

Apparently, he's been sick in this years TOC, if that helps explain at least THIS sub par performance.

I thought I had heard something during Le Tour last year that he was well thought of in Belgium (his 2nd home from what they were saying)...

He is, but I'm from the US, not Belgium.

When he first signed with Discovery he seemed so pleased to be there: excited, positive, and humble. Now he seems such an arrogant jerk. When you talk about the Tour, you talk about serving Basso (or Leipheimer); you don't talk about taking your own chances. Well, perhaps you do but it should be subsumed by talk of teamwork; but for Danielson it's a constant theme; he's always on as if his pride has been wounded by not being thought of -- both in his team, and in the media -- as the #1. That has to be earned. Let the pedals do the talking.

As you can see, he irks me.

+1

Way too much talk and not enough action. I don't think you can even compare Danielson with McEwen. McEwen may strike some to be a prick, but when you've won 3 green jerseys and countless TDF stages you have earned the right to be cocky. Danielson hasn't earned it yet. My feeling is he'll come around (even without a bout of cancer as an impetus).

i believe in him.

He is, but I'm from the US, not Belgium.
I, too, am from the the US. I have never thought of McEwen as a pr!ck. Perhaps because he is not a European, he gets the job done in the sprints without an Ale Jet escort, and is not afraid to speak his mind, I would say that makes him successful and outspoken. If someone feels that makes him a pr!ck, that's their problem.

Robbie's awesome.

Good rider, will be a contender in short stage races (three day to one week). Not a GT winner. With Disco gone next year and LA rumored to be selling the team, TD is going to be just another good rider in sea of many.

Apparently, he's been sick in this years TOC, if that helps explain at least THIS sub par performance.

He's seemingly sick in every stage race. Last year at the Giro same deal. That is why he'll never be a GT winner, he doesn't have the durability to get through 2-3 weeks of a grueling GT.

Well Danielson has to perform this year or he´ll be helping contador or brajkovic in the future....

Popyvich is probably ahead of Tom on the list too. Gusev has been knocking on the door too.

IMO I think he needs a few more years to blossom into a stage racer. He doesn't have the strength to go the distance to be a GC contender yet. As stated above he is always sick (food poisoning, sick, tired...) from the day in day out punishment that he endures.

IMO I think he needs a few more years to blossom into a stage racer. He doesn't have the strength to go the distance to be a GC contender yet. As stated above he is always sick (food poisoning, sick, tired...) from the day in day out punishment that he endures.

The problem with that is his age. He's already 29, and it's not like he's got 10 years of racing left in him.

Good rider, will be a contender in short stage races (three day to one week). Not a GT winner. With Disco gone next year and LA rumored to be selling the team, TD is going to be just another good rider in sea of many.

Austin gossip?

That's the first I've heard of that rumor. EDR, got a source? :)

That's the first I've heard of that rumor. EDR, got a source? :)

Yes I've got a source and he's pretty good..no I won't tell you who it is.

Tom D did break a long standing record at the 2006 Oredigger Classic - will someone top it in '07? www.CSMcycling.com

Tom Danielson will finish his career on a domestic team. He MIGHT get another year with Garmin, but...I'd be surprised. I predict no Tour appearances.

You revived a 1.5 year-old thread to say that after you already commented in a more current Danielson bashing thread?

Not just one dead thread... TWO! Will he go for three?

Cancer? No. Near death, or life changing experience? Sure, why not.

I had a rather hellish life changing experience. That's why you have Pcad today on BF.

Don't thank me, thank God. Or blame Him, but that usually doesn't end well.

http://www.mathewsvrs.org/images/DDNRLogo.jpg