"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tom Danielson - Maybe he will live up to his potential

Originally, Tom Danielson was supposed to be, for Discovery, what Contador has become. They (and a lot of us fans) thought a lot of him and felt he had a lot of potential. Over the past few years, however, he has not lived up to that -- and in fact has pretty much failed miserably. He also seemed to frequently have "illnesses" all the time, missing races, training, etc and never quite coming through.

Not too long ago, he was forced to come off the TDF team before it started because of horrible stomach problems. The doctors worked for months and months and couldn't find the problem. Well, they finally did: turns out he had two different parasites. One was contracted recently and was easily destroyed by the antibiotics but the other one took them some time. They finally traced it back to Malaysia (apparently it's a parasite that's common only there). Take a guess as to the last time he was in Malaysia? FOUR YEARS ago!

He said that since they cured him of the two parasites, he's felt better than he has in years. No wonder given he was riding for years with a parasite! So, I think the next 6-8 months could be Danielson's breakout. It'd be great if he came through big at the Vuelta.

I'd dig that.

What American doesn't love patriotic-cycling-related-comeback stories anyways?

I'd dig that.

What American doesn't love patriotic-cycling-related-comeback stories anyways?

Word up.

We could use one about now. I'm indifferent to who it is and Tommy D seems as good a candidate for it as anyone. In fact, all of cycling could do for an honest to goodness hero type guy right about now.

So now is the question, where will he ride next year?

I do find it odd that this news comes out just after Team Disco announced it was closing up shop. I hope this is a good sign for Danielson, but it seems a little funny he just "happened" to get this under control right before he was going to have to sign-on with a new team.

http://www.gifam.org/133parasites2.jpg

he has signed with SlipStream now isn't he? for next season.

I do find it odd that this news comes out just after Team Disco announced it was closing up shop. I hope this is a good sign for Danielson, but it seems a little funny he just "happened" to get this under control right before he was going to have to sign-on with a new team.
He won Mt. Evans hill climb again and he was 27th at Deutschland Tour in support of Levi.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/aug07/sansebastian07/?id=results

Pcad does appreciate the addition of the Malaysian Stomach Virus to his Bag of Excuses. I never would have thought of that on my own.

Is he not still pretty young. Lance Armstrong did not take off until his late twenties?

Armstrong was world champion at 21.

As for Danielson, he's a 29 year old up and comer. :rolleyes:

Kind of reminds me of Fignon's tapeworm.

The demise of Disco may be the best thing that ever happened for TD. Now he can sign with a top domestic squad and compete where he belongs.

The demise of Disco may be the best thing that ever happened for TD. Now he can sign with a top domestic squad and compete where he belongs.

Ouch, but true. They guy has the engine and his power to weight is unbelievable, but his racing instincts just flounder. Can't do much with a fireless belly. That said, I hope he gets angry and proves us all wrong.

The demise of Disco may be the best thing that ever happened for TD. Now he can sign with a top domestic squad and compete where he belongs.

Why are you so insistent on him coming back to the US? You dont think he could be competive in europe if he adjusted his expectations and went away from the GT and focused on other races instead?

I'd dig that.

What American doesn't love patriotic-cycling-related-comeback stories anyways?

Absolutely. (http://www.saulraisin.com)

I do find it odd that this news comes out just after Team Disco announced it was closing up shop. I hope this is a good sign for Danielson, but it seems a little funny he just "happened" to get this under control right before he was going to have to sign-on with a new team.

He didn't. It was solved over a month ago but was reported in ProCycling magazine this month.

Ouch, but true. They guy has the engine and his power to weight is unbelievable, but his racing instincts just flounder. Can't do much with a fireless belly. That said, I hope he gets angry and proves us all wrong.


I don't believe it's a lack of ability with TD. It has more to do with his lack of durability. This guy seems to get sick the day before a big race with almost clock like regularity. Honestly because of this (an important part of being top pro) he may never reach the potential that so many (including me) saw in him. He's like Grant Hill, great player that was hurt constantly, but instead of injury it's illness that will keep him from fulfilling his promise.

Oh man. I just went on a 2-minute Google for Malaysian parasite. Do NOT GIS for "Ascaris lumbricoides"

Suddenly, I really want to go eat some noodles.

Oh man. I just went on a 2-minute Google for Malaysian parasite. Do NOT GIS for "Ascaris lumbricoides"

Suddenly, I really want to go eat some noodles.

Gross.

Armstrong was world champion at 21.
As for Danielson, he's a 29 year old up and comer. :rolleyes:

my how time flies. four years ago( think when he was on the Italian team,) he was only 25.

Originally, Tom Danielson was supposed to be, for Discovery, what Contador has become.

incorrect.


They (and a lot of us fans) thought a lot of him and felt he had a lot of potential.

not the same thing as your first statement.


Over the past few years, however, he has not lived up to that

you think?


-- and in fact has pretty much failed miserably.

to live up to the hype? yes.

overall? once again you reveal how little you know about the sport.


He also seemed to frequently have "illnesses" all the time, missing races, training, etc and never quite coming through.

thanks for the update rip van winkel.


Not too long ago, he was forced to come off the TDF team before it started because of horrible stomach problems.

if you're going to try and write, then do it right:

In June Danielson was removed from the Discovery long team for the TdF. At that point he chose to finally find out what was causing his chronic stomach issues.


The doctors worked for months and months and couldn't find the problem.

incorrect. it took less than one month.


Well, they finally did: turns out he had two different parasites. One was contracted recently and was easily destroyed by the antibiotics but the other one took them some time. They finally traced it back to Malaysia (apparently it's a parasite that's common only there). Take a guess as to the last time he was in Malaysia? FOUR YEARS ago!

shock. horror. old news. yet again.


He said that since they cured him of the two parasites, he's felt better than he has in years. No wonder given he was riding for years with a parasite!

no wonder "!"


So, I think the next 6-8 months could be Danielson's breakout. It'd be great if he came through big at the Vuelta.

that'd be just dandy.

And bottos back with a bang!

In my long absence from BF I'd forgotten just how entertaining Botto can be!

Niiiice. Made my day (sorta..).

Maybe the parasites were a desparate attempt to get down to climbing weight?;)

http://www.museumofquackery.com/giftshop/images/tapeworms.jpg

^^^^^

Is that for real?

:shudder:

^^^^^

Is that for real?

:shudder:


Snopes.com says Undetermined.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/vanities/tapeworm.asp

This source says it was a genuine quack cure in the early 1900's.

http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/05/24/vintage_weight_loss_sanitized_tapeworms.php

And bottos back with a bang!

Refreshingly succinct.