"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - The Tour of Californ I A

Who is going to watch it? And what are your bets on the wiener? I've got Levy for a three-peat.

I am going to stage 1 and 2 and I am Going with Thomas Danielson for the win.

I am going to stage 1 and 2 and I am Going with Thomas Danielson for the win.

On our way back through town today he told me where he's going to 'make his move,' but I don't think he'll take the overall. Said he's stronger now than he's been in 2 years though, so he could take a stage.

I've got my money on Levi again, even though I prefer someone else to take it. Anyone else really.

Floyd.
Lots to prove.

Sometimes people who link to past posts are rather toolish.

How about this guy for the win! A little long but cool story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/sports/othersports/08cycling.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=sports

How about this guy for the win! A little long but cool story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/sp...r=2&ref=sports

wow, thanks for pointing this guy out, what a cool story! my new favorite pro!

I am going with Basso. Astana will lose by backing Levi.

How's that?

How's that?

you've got to figure that levi will be more motivated than ever since he'll be riding for lance and contador in the the grand tours and he ain't getting any younger.

i say levi FTW :eek:.

ed rader

Yeah Tuft would be cool.

I'm pulling for Zabriskie. I'm hoping this is his year to FINALLY realise his enormous potential.

you've got to figure that levi will be more motivated than ever since he'll be riding for lance and contador in the the grand tours and he ain't getting any younger.

i say levi FTW :eek:.

ed rader

Yeah I still don't understand how Astana will lose by backing there most qualified racer for the tour of cali.

I'll be there Saturday at the Prologue wearing my "Let Levi Ride '08" t-shirt that I got last year.

Levi FTW.

i just booked a room about a mile from the capital for friday and saturday night. i didn't want to drive up saturday morning and sweat finding a parking spot. i also plan to be in davis the following morning for the beginning of the next stage.

i'll be the guy carrying the two cameras....and maybe i'll wear my "let levi ride" T shirt too :eek:.

ed rader

i just booked a room about a mile from the capital for friday and saturday night. i didn't want to drive up saturday morning and sweat finding a parking spot. i also plan to be in davis the following morning for the beginning of the next stage.

i'll be the guy carrying the two cameras....and maybe i'll wear my "let levi ride" T shirt too :eek:.

ed rader

Hell yeah you better get some pics.

Yeah I still don't understand how Astana will lose by backing there most qualified racer for the tour of cali.
:roflmao2:

Floyd.
Lots to prove.

Hes not ready........ or so he says

I am going with Basso. Astana will lose by backing Levi.

Astana will back the highest placed CG guy that has the best chance of winning. If Levi dosent show they will go down the list to the next best placed cyclist.

Pro teams dont put all their eggs in one basket.

Pro teams dont put all their eggs in one basket.

Is that a joke?

Is that a joke?

If you are on a pro team and only have one egg.... then yes. Other than that no.

Hes not ready........ or so he says

Yah, because he has so many big races to peak for this season.......

Yah, because he has so many big races to peak for this season.......

Because his schedule has been crazy for the past 5 months (dope trials, securing sponsors/teams, speaking engagements) he hasn't been able to give 100% effort towards training. Friend of mine keeps in contact with him and said this... Makes sense to me.

Quote "dont expect much at ToC"


That dosent mean it wont show up and race hard. Just that his fitness might not be there to compete with those guys (yet).

Watching the finish in Santa Rosa on Sunday, then riding up Altamont to watch the peloton come over on Tuesday.

I'll be the guy with the Bear Republic flag in front of the windmills... I figure that's my best shot of getting on TV.

Watching the finish in Santa Rosa on Sunday, then riding up Altamont to watch the peloton come over on Tuesday.

I'll be the guy with the Bear Republic flag in front of the windmills... I figure that's my best shot of getting on TV.

we'll be up on sierra grade earlier in the morning... a group of four guys this year. even my neighbor wants to tag along :eek:

ed rader

If you are on a pro team and only have one egg....

You talking about Lance?:lol:

Robert Gesink

I would like to see Zabriskie win a stage aswell. Is Vandevelde racing? I would assume so since he finished 3rd last year. I would LOVE to see him win the overall...

I would like to see Zabriskie win aswell. Is Vandevelde racing?

it'll never happen. the guy doesn't have what it takes to win day after day. and i like dave z.

here's the start list...........

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=startlist

ed rader

Even a stage win for Z would make my day. But you've got to think the foul-weather riders are going to get a leg up. I like Hushovd's chances.

I ditto that about Dave Z. I'd love to see him get a stage.

I certainly wouldn't rule out Floyd Landis for the overall win. This is going to be his big race of the season and he definitely has something to prove.

Leaving tomorrow for California! I get to follow the whole race! I'll be on Palomar and a couple of the other climbs.
1st- Levi will narrowly win his 3rd ToC
2nd- Floyd has a lot to prove and is bluffing about his condition
3rd- Someone from Columbia/High Road Hincapie, Lokvist, Rogers?

Floyd hit the pavement today on a training ride:



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Landis crashes in Sacramento training run for Tour of California





Published Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009



Floyd Landis crashed his bike today in Sacramento during a training run for the Tour of California.
The former Tour de France champion still plans to compete Saturday in his first race back from a two-year doping ban, which expired Jan. 30.
Landis' crash was announced by Tour of California officials moments before he was due to appear at a news conference promoting the race, which begins with a prologue Saturday in downtown Sacramento.
A Tour spokesman said Landis was "bruised up pretty good," but will compete in the race.
Landis won the 2006 Tour de France, but tested positive for synthetic testosterone. He spent much of the last two years attempting to clear his name.

Totally newb question on lots of fronts here, but I'll ask anyway.. I'm sure lots of you folks will be DVR'ing this thing, I have personally just moved into the 21st century last week with the acquisition of a DVR and plan on doing the same. When I set mine up to record 'cycling' on Versus, the times didn't match up in the guide with what was posted on the TV schedule on the website. Am I pretty safe just letting the thing record all episodes of 'cycling' or should I simply set the thing to record a large block of time starting before and after the scheduled show time? I know, this isn't the place to ask but I figured somebody who had experience with Versus would know.

More on the weather. Could be really ugly going over the hill to Santa Rosa on Sunday:



Statement as of 4:37 PM PST on February 12, 2009

... Powerful storm may impact northern California over the
presidents day Holiday weekend...

Another cold low pressure system will spread rain and snow across
the region tonight and Friday. This system will cause typical
winter conditions over mountain passes. Winter weather advisories
are in effect for the mountains. Snow levels as low as 1500 feet
have also prompted the issuance of winter weather advisories for
the foothills and motherlode. This system could drop a half inch of
rain in the valleys with locally higher amounts in the northern
Sacramento Valley by Friday afternoon.

A much stronger storm may bring hazardous weather to the entire
region Saturday and Sunday. The latest computer models show a
deep cyclone just off the northern California coast Saturday night
that will be very slow to move inland. A steady stream of moisture
will surge across northern California late Saturday and Sunday. Heavy
rain is possible in the valleys and foothills... with heavy snow in the
mountains during this period.

This will be a windy storm. Southeast wind gusts up to 50 mph are
possible in the valleys and foothills Saturday night. Heavy rain
may cause mud slide and debris flow problems over burn scars from
Summer wildfires. Urban and small stream nuisance type flooding is
also possible. Thunderstorms could develop in very unstable air
Sunday. In the mountains... several feet of snow may combine with
wind gusts in excess of 70 mph to force the closure of major
highways such as Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Winter storm
watches have already been issued because of the potential high
impact of this storm.

Snow levels may also be a little higher with this storm. This
could cause the snowpack at elevations below 3000 feet to rapidly
wash away and aggravate more nuisance type flooding.

Some of our computer models continue to bring stormy weather into
our region through the middle of next week. As this is a Holiday
weekend... continue to monitor the latest National Weather Service
forecasts for future statements... watches and warnings concerning
this potentially dangerous series of storms.


Sg

Robert Gesink

Nice.

I was going to say other than Levi and a few dozen domestic pros, nobody else cares. But Gesink could kill on the climbing stages, and he's not going to have a bigger stage all year where he's got a long leash.

I'm going with Lovkvist, Gesink, and...the unvanished twin.

Hamilton for the win. Can TT as well as Followheel, can climb as well as Followheel, and might actually attack. Plus this will be as close as he gets to anything with any international flav.

Decent lineup of teammates too, and he's the focus on that team. Levi's 3rd on the interview list on that team, and about 10th on the list of entrants.

If I was betting I'd go Levi though. But he'd take the excitement out of a bank shootout.

I ditto that about Dave Z. I'd love to see him get a stage.

I certainly wouldn't rule out Floyd Landis for the overall win. This is going to be his big race of the season and he definitely has something to prove.

Davey Sprocket. The man.