Road Bike Racing - Levi's form in Georgia

After watching the video of Levi crushing that uphill TT and pounding up the 20%+ grades of Brasstown Bald in the smoothest most fluid style I've ever seen on that incredibly gnarly climb, he's never been in better form. Given the state of total disarray in the UCI peloton, Levi might surprise a few people here @ the Tour de France. My only question would be: is he peaking too early? It's not even May 1. Can he show this form in 60+ days?

Stay tuned sports fans.

Regardless, he's had an awesome Spring. The last American rider showing this kind of take no prisoners form early in the season won the Tour de France. At least until they strip him of the title.

My only question would be: is he peaking too early? It's not even May 1. Can he show this form in 60+ days?
In return, I ask you: what makes you so sure this is him in peak form? ;)

Someone lit a fire under that man's ass this year. I dont think he'll win the tour, but I fully expect him to podium.

How much form does it take for a million dollar rider to beat a bunch of kids that are getting $15K/year plus expenses?

His whole off season training program was to be on form for the TOC,TOG and early season races because other Disco riders were the targets for the tour(bad call johan?) it would be nice to see him carry this into the GT season but it is not likley

3rd place on that podium is his. Mark my words.

How much form does it take for a million dollar rider to beat a bunch of kids that are getting $15K/year plus expenses?

Kids like G. Simoni, David Millar, D. Zabriski, and T. Danielson? Are those the kids you mean? Was that the CSC Junior Squad?

That race is not a big UCI Grand Tour. But Levi's form is impressive. It will be quite interesting to see how he rides in France this summer. I'd agree the fire has been ignited under Mr. Leipheimer's ass. I think it's a combination of Basso's gone, he's got the strongest team in the world behind him, and he senses the power vacuum at the top in UCI cycling. If Levi is ever going to have a real shot @ a Tour de France title it is NOW. And he seems to fully understand that. I hope he can close the deal.

Waaaah....Levi rocks.....
wait, he's been going hard since February and only discovered a week ago that Basso is probably out, again...

and just for kicks
Simoni, was a Giro contender
Millar, only claims to be one (barely)
Zabriski, doesn't even claim to be one
Danielson, we've already hashed that one out


mmmmm....does it taste bitter ;)

vicious lies.

mmmmm....does it taste bitter ;)

I'm sure this makes sense to you. That must be fulfilling.

I just said Levi is riding well and I hope he'll do well in the Tour de France. I was unaware this would incite howls of controversy on BF, but this IS Bike Forums, the Idiot Epicenter of the Known Universe.

On the other hand, I would expect this statement to get a rise out of many here:

Campy is for ****.

Discuss.

Levi did look really good on the climb up BB.

The LBL coverage seems to show the Euros being in a totally different league to me. Maybe it's just for the Classics, but damn......there is a big difference in the way they were attacking each other while maintaining an inhuman pace and the way Levi rode past everyone that started the climb >2 minutes ahead of him.

I'm not saying Americans are inferior. It just seems like the Euros, in general, are seriously built for bike racing.

What do I know?

Michael

Kids like G. Simoni, David Millar, D. Zabriski, and T. Danielson? Are those the kids you mean? Was that the CSC Junior Squad?

Kids like Simoni who come for a week of great weather vs Levi trying to win his home state's tour. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking any of those Europeans really cared about the win.

Kids like G. Simoni, David Millar, D. Zabriski, and T. Danielson? Are those the kids you mean? Was that the CSC Junior Squad?If memory serves, members of the idiot epicenter of the universe were claiming that this team was a "B' squad:

Discovery Channel
41 Levi Leipheimer (USA)
42 Alberto Contador (Spa)
43 Tom Danielson (USA)
44 Stijn Devolder (Bel)
45 Sergio Paulinho (Por)
46 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
47 Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu)
48 Matthew White (Aus)

...because Big George wasn't on the team.:rolleyes:

If memory serves, members of the idiot epicenter of the universe were claiming that this team was a "B' squad:

Discovery Channel
41 Levi Leipheimer (USA)
42 Alberto Contador (Spa)
43 Tom Danielson (USA)
44 Stijn Devolder (Bel)
45 Sergio Paulinho (Por)
46 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
47 Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu)
48 Matthew White (Aus)

...because Big George wasn't on the team.:rolleyes:

The do get Consistency Points for that philosophy of course.

Ever since Levi tried to slow down the entire peleton for his super domestique in the ToC, I see him as a whiny little bizatch.

He won a race against domestics and euro's who didn't care. Whoopdiefreakindoo. He's going to get owned in the tour.

the idiot epicenter of the universe

You mean Bikeforums?

:roflmao:

I could see him pulling off the Dauphine or maybe even the Vuelta.

Vino will beat him up, give him a wedgie, take his lunch money and send him home crying to mommy in July though.

I could see him pulling off the Dauphine or maybe even the Vuelta.

Vino will beat him up, give him a wedgie, take his lunch money and send him home crying to mommy in July though.

I don't think pcad is saying Levi's gonna win. But I don't think a podium is out of the question, either.

the Idiot Epicenter of the Known Universe. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Maybe disco should put him in the Giro?

Was Levi in peak form after winning the Dauphine last year?

Probably.

But that left him in declining form when it came time for the TdF.

Peak form for the Tour has nothing to do with Georgia.

Now that Basso is probably out of the Giro and TdF...

Now that Basso is probably out of the Giro and TdF...

he might be off the team, too. Zero-tolerance clause and all.

he might be off the team, too. Zero-tolerance clause and all.

Is now off the team.