Here's a simple letter riddle for you:

C=C
A=H
D=O
E=K
L=E

Headbutting reporters, slapping cops, no attacking flair, fails in his supposed specialty in the biggest moment, a really bad ass-chin.

Sorry, he just doesn't have the makeup of a winner.

I'd give my teeth to be able to ride like Cadel. I'd even give up my perfect eyebrows in exchange for those woolly mammoths on his brow. I'm glad he lost because I'm not a fan of his, but I can't really put the man down. He's a champ.

Here's a simple letter riddle for you:

C=C
A=H
D=O
E=K
L=E

Headbutting reporters, slapping cops, no attacking flair, a really bad ass-chin.

Sorry, he just doesn't have the makeup of a winner.

honestly i'm glad. the man just doesn't have the bearing of a tour champion.

ed rader

Really this is no surprise. Since Cadel is consistently strong but cannot put big time into any of the top GC guys in the mountains. He just kind of hangs on.

Yup, I think he broke mentally.

... Brad

Really this is no surprise. Since Cadel is consistently strong but cannot put big time into any of the top GC guys in the mountains. He just kind of hangs on.

Rarely did Indurain put big time into any of the top GC guys in the mountains, but he did OK for five tours :rolleyes:

Nobody to wheel suck on the ITT

Rarely did Indurain put big time into any of the top GC guys in the mountains, but he did OK for five tours :rolleyes:

Yeah but Indurain would whip the field in the time trials.

Cadel had ZERO help in the montains. None. NADA. Zippo. His toughness and ability to suffer is beyond question. You don't think it made a difference to Sastre to have Cancellara, then O'Grady, then Jens, then andy and Frank take turns pulling him?
All that said, I thought the field for this tour overall was weak. Few years from now we'll get to see Taylor Phinney in the tour, and I think that may liven things up a bit. I also thought Shumacher and A. Schleck were nice surprises.

Cadel had ZERO help in the montains. None. NADA. Zippo. His toughness and ability to suffer is beyond question. You don't think it made a difference to Sastre to have Cancellara, then O'Grady, then Jens, then andy and Frank take turns pulling him?


Cadel finished 2nd last year, so he's already been a proven GC contender - whose fault is it that his team gave him nothing? Silence Lotto, their DS, or Cadel? SOMEONE (of those three) should have built a stronger team to at least help him in the mountains.

By way of comparison, I remember ONE stage where Lance was isolated fairly early in the mountains, and the post-stage interview with Lance went something like this: "there will be some serious discussion tonight at the team table about what happened today". And I don't think I ever saw him isolated (not until much higher up when it was only GC contenders, at least) ever again.

You HAVE to be better than the best to win without a team (even then, how much can you possibly have left for that last TT if you're clawing and scratching to not be broken by attack after attack in the mountains where you're on your own?); you only have to be one of the strong contenders to win, IF you have a strong enough team to support you in all or most of the toughest stages.

I can see the discussion now...

Robbie McEwen to DS: "Can we go back to supporting me for the green jersey yet?"

I can see the discussion now...

Robbie McEwen to DS: "Can we go back to supporting me for the green jersey yet?"

+1. I wish they'd done this...
Even if he had 1 or 2 guys for his leadouts, he would have had a few top 3's and maybe even beaten Cavendish once or twice. I think Cavendish has him beat in speed, but Robbie's sneaky as hell.

I wonder if they are missing Chris Horner now.....

Rarely did Indurain put big time into any of the top GC guys in the mountains, but he did OK for five tours :rolleyes:

indurain was the undisputed boss of the peloton. cadel is an angry also ran :eek:.

ed rader

I wonder if they are missing Chris Horner now.....


i was thinking the same thing. fwiw evans didn't have any support. his director either is an idiot or didn't have the resources to build a decent team around evans.

ed rader

i was thinking the same thing. fwiw evans didn't have any support. his director either is an idiot or didn't have the resources to build a decent team around evans.

ed rader

I'm in agreement with you on this. But I am betting it was a resource issue because the team doesn't appear to be willing to pony up the money for a support system for a real contender....

Maybe it is just a conspiracy to make him even hungrier come next year. That or they want him to sign elsewhere to lower the overall salary of the team....

I think he did finally brake. He road well but by todays stage you could tell he was wiped. I had no power left and couldn't find himself in the TT. I feel bad for the guy and kinda understand why he was pissed.

Silence signed Popovych to be that "support." Paid him good money too. Did they get fair return on their investment?

I second (or third) the idea that Evans would've liked having Horner around.


:beer:

Also, Indurain dominated the TTs in a way that not even Armstrong could.

Popo showed up 1 day in the mountains and the Evans was know where to be found.

???

I suspect Popo is tired of riding support.

Also, Indurain dominated the TTs in a way that not even Armstrong could.

He was also awesome in the mountains. Lord knows how many times he finished 2nd, 3rd, or 4th on a mountain stage. Climbed as well as or better than all his rivals in all of his wins. Only rarely did a GC rival ever successfully attack him.

Here's a simple letter riddle for you:

C=C
A=H
D=O
E=K
L=E

Headbutting reporters, slapping cops, no attacking flair, fails in his supposed specialty in the biggest moment, a really bad ass-chin.

Sorry, he just doesn't have the makeup of a winner.

Do you?

i was thinking the same thing. fwiw evans didn't have any support. his director either is an idiot or didn't have the resources to build a decent team around evans.

ed rader

Ed, it's a Belgian team that's really focused on races like LBL and Tour of Flanders. They could not bring in Popo and also keep Horner. Riders like Aerts and Hoste are good, but they are not support riders for climbing stages.

Whatever...CSC is a stronger team and that clearly showed. From my perspective, I think Cadel did a helluva job considering he was under constant attack last week in the Alpine stages. The only rider I can recall successfully pulling off a win under those conditions was Lance in 1999.

...and Lemond in '89, no team in ADR and Fignon/Delgado constantly attacked.

Here's a simple letter riddle for you:

C=C
A=H
D=O
E=K
L=E

Headbutting reporters, slapping cops, no attacking flair, fails in his supposed specialty in the biggest moment, a really bad ass-chin.

Sorry, he just doesn't have the makeup of a winner.

Did it take you a long time to think up that riddle? I know there are some really negative comments about cadel. (I attribute this to pitch discrimination due to his voice) but to say he 'choked' how low the guy fought to the end, all i will say is your post is ridiculous and looking at your aviator Benny Hill's barstard I'm sure it is very reflective

I suspect Popo is tired of riding support.

This might be true. He has been good enough in years past to be a top ten GC guy but perhaps he is getting too old. He and Evans could have worked together even if no one else was there.

I'm in agreement with you on this. But I am betting it was a resource issue because the team doesn't appear to be willing to pony up the money for a support system for a real contender....
Maybe it is just a conspiracy to make him even hungrier come next year. That or they want him to sign elsewhere to lower the overall salary of the team....


weren't they bragging about spending 1m euros on developing a TT bike?

ed rader

Did it take you a long time to think up that riddle? I know there are some really negative comments about cadel. (I attribute this to pitch discrimination due to his voice) but to say he 'choked' how low the guy fought to the end, all i will say is your post is ridiculous and looking at your aviator I'm sure it is very reflective

I am not a pilot, but I do look damn good in a navy blue jacket with epaulets.

Judging by your response, I'm guessing your age to be around 15, so I'll chalk it up to youthful defensiveness on your part to the accurate portrayal of your compatriot.

G'day, Rusty.

Let me add that I don't have any ill will whatsoever for Cadel, I would have been quite satisfied, pleased even, had he won. But I just don't see him overcoming anything with his approach. I would prefer my champions not to win by default, that's all.

Do you?

Yes, just not in bike racing. But I have nice shoes.

You heard the man, no more commenting on the TDF unless you're a champion. Everybody out of the pool.

I suspect Popo is tired of riding support.

If Popo did decide he didn't want to support Evans it makes me shake my head in wonder. Wasn't it back in '04 when Vino started riding against Jan instead of supporting him? My memory fails me (and my google-fu too) but it seems that was the case. I guess the point I am getting at is that it seems that there are some in professional cycling that forget what their "job" is and ride against the team/leader instead of working for them. There may be more instances of this in history, but I have only been following for the last 4-5 years.

Please note that I am not saying that this is the case with Popo, but it makes a person wonder.....

weren't they bragging about spending 1m euros on developing a TT bike?

ed rader

Whoa! If that is the case I bet they really miss Chris because he would have cost them much less and most likely would have given them a better return on the investment. The bike can't get the job done when the engine is tired and not firing on all cylinders.

I'd give my teeth to be able to ride like Cadel. I'd even give up my perfect eyebrows in exchange for those woolly mammoths on his brow. I'm glad he lost because I'm not a fan of his, but I can't really put the man down. He's a champ.

+1........I'm sure some team will take him.......

I am not a pilot, but I do look damn good in a navy blue jacket with epaulets.

Judging by your response, I'm guessing your age to be around 15, so I'll chalk it up to youthful defensiveness on your part to the accurate portrayal of your compatriot.

G'day, Rusty.

Let me add that I don't have any ill will whatsoever for Cadel, I would have been quite satisfied, pleased even, had he won. But I just don't see him overcoming anything with his approach. I would prefer my champions not to win by default, that's all.

G'day sorry at my age being called 15 isn't an insult, but a bit far fetched to be a compliment.

I'm glad to hear you don't have any ill will towards cadel, I cant think of any reason you would though there are many whos posts are riddled with it. I really believe that the pitch of his voice is what has given rise to this attitude. As for striking out at the media- it seems standard stuff for celebs from this part of the world, that guy grabbed him on the shoulder anyway so too bad, he should consider himself lucky cadel didnt have a phone handy.

no one hates beckham because of the pitch of his voice...

I was rooting against cadel because he races like a zombie. He's got no flair or style. He's a wheel sucker that was happy to let kohl, vandevelde, sanchez, menchov or anyone else cover attacks by the CSC boys. If he would just show some panache (or balls?), then maybe more fans would root for him. He's the aussie equivalent of Levi but with more talent than our bald headed compatriot. I just wish he would ride like it.

no one hates beckham because of the pitch of his voice...



I didn't until you mentioned it.

I think the Levi comparison is apt.

no one hates beckham because of the pitch of his voice...

I was rooting against cadel because he races like a zombie. He's got no flair or style. He's a wheel sucker that was happy to let kohl, vandevelde, sanchez, menchov or anyone else cover attacks by the CSC boys. If he would just show some panache (or balls?), then maybe more fans would root for him. He's the aussie equivalent of Levi but with more talent than our bald headed compatriot. I just wish he would ride like it.

Did we watch the same tour? Cadel was usually the one pulling things back together after yet another Schleck or Sastre foray off the front. He came with a plan, and raced to win according to his strengths, but came up short in the end. I guess the online tifosi here would have preferred he launch suicide attacks up the Alpe against climbers far better than he.

Did we watch the same tour? Cadel was usually the one pulling things back together after yet another Schleck or Sastre foray off the front. He came with a plan, and raced to win according to his strengths, but came up short in the end. I guess the online tifosi here would have preferred he launch suicide attacks up the Alpe against climbers far better than he.

I did...every stage. Last year too. Slow and steady didn't win the race then either. Sastre attacked on L'alpe and won. Cadel watched, reacted too late, and lost. The only time he drove the pace was near the summit. I'm not saying he's a bad rider or questioning his heart, he's infinitely more talented than 99% of the peloton. I am saying he's boring and boring doesn't always win over cycling fans.

Yeah but Indurain would whip the field in the time trials.

If I recall correctly out of 15 ITTs in his 5 wins Mig won 14, the only exception being one prologue TT.

Did we watch the same tour? Cadel was usually the one pulling things back together after yet another Schleck or Sastre foray off the front. He came with a plan, and raced to win according to his strengths, but came up short in the end. I guess the online tifosi here would have preferred he launch suicide attacks up the Alpe against climbers far better than he.


You can't argue Cadel's worthiness from both sides. If he doesn't have the strength or guts to try to attack in the mountains, but only to stem the damage, fine. I'd prefer he make a bigger effort there, but whatever. However, that being the case, he should have had plenty of energy left to take them in the TT because that was his plan--limit his losses in the mountains, win in the TT. But he didn't. He coughed up a massive hairball. He was affected from day 1 by the pressure, and I don't believe he acted like a champion either in his attitude or his performace. I think VDV did a hell of a lot more with his talent than Cadel did.

By the way, I agree with the other comparisons of Cadel to Levi. But it seems Levi came up with the goods when he needed to.

You can't argue Cadel's worthiness from both sides. If he doesn't have the strength or guts to try to attack in the mountains, but only to stem the damage, fine. I'd prefer he make a bigger effort there, but whatever. However, that being the case, he should have had plenty of energy left to take them in the TT because that was his plan--limit his losses in the mountains, win in the TT. But he didn't. He coughed up a massive hairball. He was affected from day 1 by the pressure, and I don't believe he acted like a champion either in his attitude or his performace. I think VDV did a hell of a lot more with his talent than Cadel did.

By the way, I agree with the other comparisons of Cadel to Levi. But it seems Levi came up with the goods when he needed to.


This is a fair assessment. However, I think it is telling that most of the experts out there expected Cadel to win heading in to Stage 20. I see the fact that he didn't as a credit to the battering that CSC-Saxo put on him, more than Cadel folding up or whatever.

My original point was that Evans raced in a way befitting his strengths. Sure, he could've tried to lay down the gauntlet in the Alps and ride everyone off his wheel, but I'm guessing all that does is leave him vulnerable to yet another CSC counterattack, and a deficit of 3 or 4 minutes instead of 1:34.

The 1$million bike was, I think, made for the Dutch national track team by Koga-Miyata. I don't think it was a Ridley thing.

I'd give my teeth to be able to ride like Cadel. I'd even give up my perfect eyebrows in exchange for those woolly mammoths on his brow. I'm glad he lost because I'm not a fan of his, but I can't really put the man down. He's a champ.


I'd rather give up my left ball bearing to ride like Lance..