Road Bike Racing - T-Mobile, Vino, Jan et al

Interesting what Vinokourov says when interviewed at Paris-Nice.
"I've changed my program to target the Tour de France and the World Championships, as the [Verona, Italy] course suits me well."

So, who is going to be team lead for T-mobile at Le Tour?

ok, discuss amoung yourselves.

Marty

They will pull the double team like Mayo and Zubeldia ;)

And fail the same way. Neither made it to the podium.

yep.. like most of us said when Jan went to T-mobile... and Lance said it too.. "Too many chiefs, no enough Indians"

jeff

T-Mobile purchased a tandem.

Godefroot will pick Jan. Vino will work like h*ll, may take a stage or two, but won't compete with Jan... [gross generalization] something about being raised in an eastern block country.[/gross generalization]

And fail the same way. Neither made it to the podium.

They finished 5th and 6th overall and got a stage win. I think they did pretty well for their expectations and talent... showing they can both 'lead' and do well.

Ullrich and Vino are stronger than Mayo and Zubeldia :D

Laggard: You mean like this one??

That's the bike.

They'll fight over who gets to sit in front and cross the finish line first.

Godefroot will pick Jan. Vino will work like h*ll, may take a stage or two, but won't compete with Jan... [gross generalization] something about being raised in an eastern block country.[/gross generalization]

While I do agree with you for the most part. If Jan has one bad day, Vino is going to make his play for GC contender - he's already stated as much. Moreover, he'll have a lot of company.

If Jan dominates, he's the man. One slip, and it's a free-for-all! I can't wait!

Then, too, we have yet to see just how strong Vino is! (Although yesterdays finish at PN would indicate he's definitely doing okay.) He did pretty much burst from the ranks of domesticity (so to speak) last year. If his progress has continued at the same rate, who's to say? While it seems unlikely, he could be THE ONE for T-Mobile, come July.

Different topic... been hearing people give Jan abuse for being overweight, relatively speaking. How is that a problem now, if all he's doing is racing as training? Seems to me it'd be a lot better to carry a little extra weight than hindering conditioning and risk metabolizing muscle by being in full race trim 3.5 months early.

Vino has said that he's not quite 100% yet. Nobody really is this time of year.

Both Jan and Lance are typically a few pounds heavy this time of year. No big thing.

*Edited to say that I can't believe I'm discussing a race that is 4 months away. Shame on me!!!*

Godefroot will pick Jan. Vino will work like h*ll, may take a stage or two, but won't compete with Jan... [gross generalization] something about being raised in an eastern block country.[/gross generalization]

Weren't both Vino and Jan raised in Eastern Bloc countries? East Germany and USSR?

Weren't both Vino and Jan raised in Eastern Bloc countries? East Germany and USSR?
Yeah, but Vino will be the one having to follow orders.

I dont think that T-mobile will podium at all because Vino, Mayo and Zubeldia dont want to be domestiques for Ullrich....they want their own prizes and wont want to be in it 100% for ullrich.....what do you think???

I think that these guys are pros, and once given a game plan will stick with it. Jan has shown a big improvement in responsibility and focus, while Vino has shown himself to be nothing if not a dedicated pro. Mayo and Zubeldia should realize that not being capable time trialists that they're there to help in the mountains-where they can give anyone hell. I'm sure by July everyone on the TdF squad will know their roles and what is expected of them-those that don't won't be riding

After to many beers my vision must be blurred. Imagine my surprise to come in tonight and find out that there is some question as to whether or not Mayo and Zubeldia will work for Jan in the Tour. Personally, I think their entire team, Euskatel, will probably just toss it and all work for Jan. After all, they did only get 2 of the top six places at last years TDF. Perhaps they can take Vino out for beers, get him drunk and force him to listen to Recuerdos de la Alhambra over and over again to inspire a little of that Spanish passion in him and get him to work for Jan to. :rolleyes:

This is Zubeldia on hs way to fourth in what was arguably one of the three most hotly contested time trials in the entire season, Stage 19 of the 2003 TDF:

After to many beers my vision must be blurred. Imagine my surprise to come in tonight and find out that there is some question as to whether or not Mayo and Zubeldia will work for Jan in the Tour.

Tee hee. :D

Towards the end of stage 8 of Paris-Nice I thought I heard Bob and Paul talking about the possibility that Erik Zabel will not make the T-Mobile roster for the Tour de France because there will be no need for a sprinter if they are going to beat Lance. Did anyone else hear this or did I hear this wrong?

I dont think that T-mobile will podium at all because Vino, Mayo and Zubeldia

WTF???

Mayo and Zubeldia??

Traded?

Who'd a thunk it?? :p

Does Euskatel know this? :eek:

Towards the end of stage 8 of Paris-Nice I thought I heard Bob and Paul talking about the possibility that Erik Zabel will not make the T-Mobile roster for the Tour de France because there will be no need for a sprinter if they are going to beat Lance. Did anyone else hear this or did I hear this wrong?

Yup - I heard it also! Paul seemed almost offended by the thought. Come to think of it, I am too! Zabel is a staple, and a threat to take 7 green jerseys in le Tour. If T-Mobile doesn't select him, and Jan (or Vino, or Evans, or Botero, or Savoldelli) doesn't win .... it could get ugly fast!!!! :D