Professional Cycling For the Fans - "Don't want to pull a Vinokourov"
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Did anyone else catch what Levi was saying in his interview after his amazing time trial today? He was talking about not attacking Evans tomorrow on the final stage and said something along the lines of "Cadel has nothing to worry about tomorrow. I don't want to pull a Vinokourov".
I'm assuming this means Vino attacked a GC contender on the roads into Paris one year? Anyone know when this was? I'm also assuming this pissed off the peloton ?!?!?
fixiechick
07-28-07, 07:54 PM
2005. Jumped ahead of Levi on the GC by sprinting for points in Stage 21 and taking the stage. I don't know about the peleton...probably pissed off the sprinters for hijacking their stage.
Dubbayoo
07-28-07, 07:55 PM
Vinokourov won the final sprint on Champs-Elysees a few years ago. The time bonus bumped him into 5th place on final GC....over Leipheimer. Organizers initially said the time bonuses were canceled but then they awarded them anyway.
fixiechick
07-28-07, 07:59 PM
Oh, apparently there was some confusion as to whether points were being awarded during the stage or not, and I believe Levi and everyone else was under the impression they weren't. Liggett said the race commiseurs changed their mind so Vino got bumped up.
a_fire_inside
07-28-07, 08:31 PM
Oh, apparently there was some confusion as to whether points were being awarded during the stage or not, and I believe Levi and everyone else was under the impression they weren't. Liggett said the race commiseurs changed their mind so Vino got bumped up.
If I remember correctly it was because there was rain and a massive crash on the final day of the tour would not make for a good ending. The organizers said there would be no time bonuses but did in fact award the bonuses to Vino.
I thought the tour was anti-Kazak
adamfresno
07-28-07, 10:49 PM
Just my opinion but the race is not over until it is over. I remember that race and enjoyed it, but I am a Vino fan. I hope Evans makes it a race in Paris, I dont think he can pull anything off but I would like to see it.
Helmet Head
07-29-07, 12:20 AM
Read the full story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinokourov#2005_Tour_de_France
OrionKhan
07-29-07, 01:21 AM
Just my opinion but the race is not over until it is over. I remember that race and enjoyed it, but I am a Vino fan. I hope Evans makes it a race in Paris, I dont think he can pull anything off but I would like to see it.
Evans won't. Disco has to much to lose and will mark his every move. Its one thing to let Vino attack in Paris to get 5th place. Its entirely another to allow Evans to attack and take the Yellow. Ain't gonna happen.
(That's one thing the Vino fan boys never seem remember. Vino's attacks in the TdF usually come after he's lost time in the mountains and isn't a significant threat to the GC leader. Just like this year. Wins the TT to get back relatively close. Loses time in the mountains. Then goes out for a breakaway win. Typical Vino.)
Trevor98
07-29-07, 04:51 AM
It was raining, cobbles are treacherous in the rain, so the officials nullified the intermediate sprint bonuses. They were unclear about whether they just meant the intermediate bonuses or all sprint bonuses. Vino's team understood that only the intermediate bonuses were gone so he attacked and won and leapfrogged over Leipheimer in the GC. Everyone was a little pissed and confused. He used better tactical knowledge to do it but he put a lot of tired riders at risk of DNF. I'm surprised he didn't end up in a ditch in the next race.