why is the world champ, paulo bettini not in the TDF?

because he's at the Österreich-Rundfahrt, preparing for the Olympic road race.

because he's at the Österreich-Rundfahrt, preparing for the Olympic road race.

In 2004, his entire goal was to get Olympic gold.
Can't do justice on going for every event.
He seems at his best on single day events.

He's not a stage racer. Or mountain climber. meb said it: he's best at single-day events.

IIRC, hasn't he typically abandoned as soon as the mountain stages really crank up (and the early sprint stages were over) when he's been in the TdF (in fairness, he's usually ridden the Giro those years too, which is a tough double)?

...Peter Luttenberger? He had so much promise, back around the time that Jan Ulrich was riding in his first or second tour. I thought he was going to be the next greatest thing. I think he even placed in the top 5 or 6 in the Tour if I recall correctly (1996?). I'm going to have to Google this, but was hoping someone else remembered him and could shed some light too.

Good question.

And I can't believe I don't know, but where the hey is Karpets? Did I miss a drug suspension?

Good question.

And I can't believe I don't know, but where the hey is Karpets? Did I miss a drug suspension?

Did he ride the Giro?? Maybe he's burned out from that. Same with Jose Rujano whom I like too...

I was just thinking of starting a post about this kind of thing:
Michael Rogers: according to Wiki, he has some kind of virus.
Iban Mayo: suspension
Tom Boonen: tested positive for cocaine a week or two before the tour
Levi and Contador: Now riding for Astana who was not invited to the tour for 'infractions' from previous years. Also on Astana: Chris Horner, Andreas Kloden.
Yaroslav Popovych: Now rides for Silence Lotto, Cadell Evans's team
Alexander Vinokourov: retired
Michael Rasmussen: 2 year suspension

Did I miss anyone?

Oh, and "Fast" Freddy Rodriguez and Tyler Hamilton are riding for Rock Racing who is not part of this year's Tour.

I was just thinking of starting a post about this kind of thing:
Michael Rogers: according to Wiki, he has some kind of virus.
Iban Mayo: suspension
Tom Boonen: tested positive for cocaine a week or two before the tour
Levi and Contador: Now riding for Astana who was not invited to the tour for 'infractions' from previous years. Also on Astana: Chris Horner, Andreas Kloden.
Yaroslav Popovych: Now rides for Silence Lotto, Cadell Evans's team
Alexander Vinokourov: retired
Michael Rasmussen: 2 year suspension

Did I miss anyone?



Stapleton mentioned today in one of the little side bars that Michael Rogers has Epstein-Barr Syndrome! This was the first I'd heard of that. :(

Popovich is riding.

EBS....that sucks.

Michael

Zubeldia?

Zubeldia is 29th in the GC, riding for Euskadi-Euskatel, 4 minutes back of the yellow.

Karpets rode the Giro. Did not defend his TdSuisse title either....

Zubeldia?

I'm already putting my money on Zubeldia for stage 10. It seems he is flying a bit under the radar, so I'm looking for a Virenque-like win for him!

Daniele Benatti?

Dick Virenque?

Merged the what happened to threads

Stapleton mentioned today in one of the little side bars that Michael Rogers has Epstein-Barr Syndrome! This was the first I'd heard of that. :(


Spin.

he's fallen out w management. Will be elsewhere in 09

Poor Joseba Belocki.... (sp?)
He was looking to be an interesting tour rider.

I'm already putting my money on Zubeldia for stage 10. It seems he is flying a bit under the radar, so I'm looking for a Virenque-like win for him!He should be fresh after finishing 9 minutes back today.

I'm not tweaking you, I've got him on my fantasy team and not feeling too good about it.

He should be fresh after finishing 9 minutes back today.

I'm not tweaking you, I've got him on my fantasy team and not feeling too good about it.

Heh! :lol: Tweak all you want. After seeing him at the back today, I am having second thoughts about tomorrow's stage!