Professional Cycling - Question about Discovery '05

So if indeed LA would pass on TDF '05, then which team member becomes the "Chosen One" for a run at the title?

I don't know that the team would do the race.

I don't know that the team would do the race.

Hmmmm.....never even considered that. I mean, you just ink a new contract with a sponsor for tons of cash I'm guessing you want your name (Discovery) involved in not only the biggest, but the one race that at least most Americans know about.

George Hincapie would be my guess for GC contender at the TdF in Lance's absence. He has been with this team for his wole career, going back to Subaru/Montgumary days, on through Motorola, and with USPS.

I don't know that the team would do the race.

Given the coverage that Postal got during the TdF in the American media and the fact that Discovery Channel is a new sponsor looking for visibility, I don't think attendance is optional.

It's hard to say who would lead... Hincapie is the one that springs to mind but could he stay at the front over the mountains? Rubiera maybe?

someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but since the Tours have joined the UCI ProTour, and the Discovery Channel team is also part of the ProTour, isn't it required that they ride not only the TDF, but also the Giro and vuelta?

someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but since the Tours have joined the UCI ProTour, and the Discovery Channel team is also part of the ProTour, isn't it required that they ride not only the TDF, but also the Giro and vuelta?

Exactly, Johan said it at the Discovery team presentation that their 2005 focus is to do well at all three grand tours... What for did they get Salvodeli and Popovych for??? I don't think they need them to support Armstrong at the Tour??? ;) ;) ;)

What for did they get Salvodeli and Popovych for???

Man!! I forgot that they picked up Popovych. That guy can ride!

-mark

this guy, maybe not the best on tts (may be a problem) but man can he climb. HIncapie doesnt look like he can be someone who can shine throughout the whole TDF.

Tom Danielson has a bright future, he certainly can climb like hell... He just needs two-three years to mature and gain Grand Tours' experience, IMHO...

Oops. Forgot about the Pro Tour.

Hincapie is not their GC guy. Popovych would be their man.

Jose Azevedo?

I can't imagine LA not riding to win. I think it's really contrary to his nature. His days as a follower are over (psychologically). I honestly think he'll go for #7 this year and then that'll be it, maybe focus on some classics in '06 then begin his graceful exit. As much as I'd love to see Hincapie as the leader, I just don't think it'll happen, mainly because of Lance and the rider he's become. He's always been groomed for leadership, even when he was a domestique. Talent like his isn't used to help someone else win... If LA doesn't go for #7 this year, I think it's safe to say he won't be on a bike in July...

Just my $.02

Just add a few speculations:

I think, if LA shows up and rides well at the Classics, he'll go for the Giro... I know he stated a couple of times that he's prevented because of legal implications of his associations with Ferarri (spelling???) but I think that's just an excuse, so people don't expect him to do it... I think legally he wasn't charged in the Italina courts, he'd be required to answer a couple of questions, probably after the Giro, while in Italy, so I guess it comes down to how hungry he is to participate and win the Giro... I know he wants to do it, deep down... Can you imagine??? Basso, Cunego and LA, going for it... Wow... What would I give to see compete Cunego and LA together in a Grand Tour...

If LA rides in the Giro to win, Cunego will drop out ;)

j/k. You hit the nail on the head. Imagine that race! SahWEEEEET!

You mean they can't just move The Giro for Lance. Dude, c'mon --Kevin Costner offered his house up to this man, and he's been called on the phone by Bono.

j/k

Don't get defensive Lance fans, I'm just joking around.

;)

The chances of LA riding the Giro this year have to be not much greater than the chance that I will ride it. He will not spend three weeks in Italy giving what LA referred to as a "photo op" (i.e., arrest him).

When Discovery was in discussions to sponsor the team there was an agreement that LA would ride the Tour in either '05 or '06, but not both. Since anything can happen, Discovery (the company, not the team) probably prefers '05, but they were informed about the likelihood of it not happening.

As for the Tour, yes, Discovery will do it and they "have" to do it, and they would be idiotic not to do it. Savodelli, Danielson (but too soon), Popoyvich (spelling), Azevedo are the GC men, and there are a couple of others that probably would not last the whole Tour without a couple of bad days (look at what happened to several top ex-Postal GC guys - it took a year or two to get in things worked out).

I suspect that if LA is not doing the Tour, the team strategy will be a little more fluid and it will also not be completely clear for strategic reasons. (Remember, it seems that Postal was always trying things to get advantages, out-strategizing its opponents. Things such as cross-wind breaks (gained time on Mayo and almost on Heras in '04), strategies on the climbs across multiple climbs and days, add to the team advantage.) Thuus, they will have a couple of GC guys and see what happens.

Oops. Forgot about the Pro Tour.

Hincapie is not their GC guy. Popovych would be their man.
yes, yes, and yes.

Johan has already said that Popovych was the man for the job.

while papovych has 5th and 12th place finishes to his namee in the giro, he likely
does not have the experience needed to be a serious GC threat in the tour this year.
he may be the future tour leader at discovery, but without armstrong this year i'd
have to look towards azevedo. heck, he was 5th last year.

of course, he might be set-up to be the leader at this year's vuelta.

while papovych has 5th and 12th place finishes to his namee in the giro, he likely
does not have the experience needed to be a serious GC threat in the tour this year.
he may be the future tour leader at discovery, but without armstrong this year i'd
have to look towards azevedo. heck, he was 5th last year.

of course, he might be set-up to be the leader at this year's vuelta.

I'm just going by what Johan said.