Road Bike Racing - Tour of Germany

For those who care only about the TDF, keep in mind that Ullrich is doing this one.

Anyway, Jan finishes a very nice 2nd in the opening time trial, 4 seconds behind TT specialist Rich.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/may04/germany/stage1/cycling-germany-ullrich-51.jpg

He says he's there to test himself. Sounds like he did well in the TT. He also said hes going to really test himself on some of the other stages, in particular the mountains. We'll see if he can get a stage win. If he does then everyone who has been saying 'poor fat ullrich will be the bridesmaid again' will have to reassess their judgement of him. A lot of the other big names for the tour, including zubelidia, heras, beloki, are over in the basque country. Thats an intersting one to pay attention to also. I think Heras said this is going to be his first serious outing of the season. Too bad they dont show that one on OLN, I would love to see all the basque mountain goat cyclists going uphill!

24 seconds behind Rich, actually.

This is proof that Bob Roll should be taken off of OLN.

Interesting how Jan and Lance's tri bars are almost horizontal, everyone else (and I mean everyone) seems to have them pointing upwards at about 30-45 degrees. Even David Millar.

Yes, 24 seconds. Rich must have had the ride of a lifetime to put that much time on Ullrich and the other great German TT rider, Uwe Peschel.

Brent - what's your problem with Bobke?

This is proof that Bob Roll should be taken off of OLN.

Is it because BR has always predicted that Jan would not beat Lance, and his predictions have always come true? Bad Bob - bad Bob! :D

No, its just that he pretty much said that Ullrich is totally out of shape and has no chance of winning this year.
And his bias is incredibly annoying... but that is besides the point here.
According to him, the reason that Simoni struggled in the TDF last year was Armstrong. I guess it was only Armstrong, and not the 100 or so other riders, that beat him.

Jan's bars are really pointed down this year. I think it's nice that he can at least joke about his weight that he has, saying "Look at this [pointing to his polka dot jersey and joking], how does someone who weighs 120 kg get over the mountains. The bad period is over. I don't have to win the Tour of Mallorca if I want to be in front in the Tour de France. I'm looking forward to the Tour of Germany now. It's nice that it goes through the Alps. There I will test my form." From cyclingnews (http://www.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2004/may04/tourofgermany04/tourofgermany041)

Is that a legal helmet? Or, is the Tour of Germany not enforcing the new UCI rules?

It's definitely a legal helmet. Look at the size of the thing!

I was wondering what Bob said about Pantani during the giro this year. He was always badmouthing pantani. Paul and Phil were a little more politic, same when Jan was having all those problems. THey didn't make fun of him or his weight, but said he obviously was in trouble and needed help. Bob is funny but sometimes he does have a big mouth!

Jan's bars are really pointed down this year. I think it's nice that he can at least joke about his weight that he has, saying "Look at this [pointing to his polka dot jersey and joking], how does someone who weighs 120 kg get over the mountains. The bad period is over. I don't have to win the Tour of Mallorca if I want to be in front in the Tour de France. I'm looking forward to the Tour of Germany now. It's nice that it goes through the Alps. There I will test my form." From cyclingnews (http://www.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2004/may04/tourofgermany04/tourofgermany041)

i thought they were not allowed to wear those helmets anymore???? Unless those are new ones that are under UCI regs....anyone know?

i thought they were not allowed to wear those helmets anymore???? Unless those are new ones that are under UCI regs....anyone know?

They are legal...
Last years helmets weren't legal simply because they contained nothing that would actually protect the rider.
It's easy to tell that it is a legal helmet, since it's so big.

I really like that aero helmet. Some of the offerings put out by companies just don't have that "cool" factor the old plastic fairings had (Giro's Rev V was my favorite). I'm a sucker for long sweeping tails on things.

I think the new aero helmets look kind of clumsy since they're so big. I prefer the old ones that were just shells, basically.

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