Vande Velde

[FixdGearHead]

Was relatively quiet in his diary postings since the 2nd Rest day; finally a new entry: Link (http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/diaries/articles/12968.0.html)

Interesting take from inside the Peloton, on the "protest".

[ettsn]

He's a class act.

[FixdGearHead]

I got a lot of respect for the unsung American domestiques:

- Vande Velde
- Fast Freddie
- Bobby J
- Horner
- Z
- Saul

All those guys are absolute studs. and yes, I leave Tom D and George off that list. Tom D cause he can't seem to ride a bike for 3 weeks straight, and George because he's got more celebrity status...not necessarily an "Unsung hero" in the eyes of the mass media (ie, outside our cycling 'family')

[richard_dupp]

Refreshing. Class act indeed.

[donrhummy]

Horner had some good points about it too. He said that they should form a union not have some dumb private protest at the start of a race that they've all trained months for (while not seeing their families).

I really think that a cyclist union is the only thing that will help this all move forward. They need that unity and singular strength to get their side heard. And perhaps it'd be the tie-breaker between the UCI and the grand tour organizers.

[7rider]

I saw Horner was at 14th in the GC at the beginning of today's stage. Not too shabby.

[cibai]

why on earth would a union not end up doing what it has done in every other sport, which is work against any real progress in anti-doping measures.

[Dubbayoo]

Tommy D's problem is that he can't ride a bike ten days straight, much less 21.

[FixdGearHead]

I saw Horner was at 14th in the GC at the beginning of today's stage. Not too shabby.

No doubt. I would love to seem him move up a few spots after Saturday...Top 10 would be awesome. Won't happen, but it would be awesome :)

[7rider]

Tommy D's problem is that he can't ride a bike ten days straight, much less 21.

Among world class runners who compete in the 10k and marathon, the amount of miles they put in is punishing, and injuries and illness often shorten a promising career. Cycling doesn't pound the body like running does, but there are a lot more hours on the road. Daniel's definitely a talented rider, and I'm just wondering whether taking his training up a notch on the Discovery Team is hitting the recovery limits of his body. Daniel's forte would be one day or shorter multi-day races with a lot of climbing.

[FixdGearHead]

TD's main forte is definitely the one-days...one day Hill Climb races; he's a phenom when it comes to those.

[harlond]

why on earth would a union not end up doing what it has done in every other sport, which is work against any real progress in anti-doping measures.Yeah, and that's killing those other sports.

[donrhummy]

why on earth would a union not end up doing what it has done in every other sport, which is work against any real progress in anti-doping measures.

I think the doping issue actually could be helped by a union bringing them pensions, health insurance, 401Ks, base salary levels, etc. A lot of domsetiques dope as well and giving them better job security and the chance to not have to be a taxi driver after their career is over can make a big diff.