patentcad

After watching Tom Danielson's impressive decimation of Floyd Landis in this year's Tour of Georgia and his 8th placing in the GC at the Vuelta in September, I think this kid has the real potential to win a Tour de France. Physically. Whether he can get a handle on the mental challenge may be another matter. Anyone who has raced bikes on any level understands that can be more daunting than the physical part, and I wish him the best. Lance doesn't seem to think TD can do it - but let's hope Danielson keeps improving. Awesome young rider on the Disovery Team.

'Potential'. It's tricky stuff. And ultimately can mean very little. But TD would appear to be the next great American cycling hope for the near future outside of Landis and Leipheimer...

gapowermike

I hope we see more of TD this coming year. His TdG performance was fun to watch eventhough I was cheering for Floyd Landis. There's just something so likeable about the guy. I hope he can pull it together next year and put on a show for us at the Tour.

It does seem like LA is stuck on Popo getting the leadership role at Discovery and that's unfortunate for guys like TD and Hincapie. Of course, the lead man did race for TD at last year's TdG.....

Jakey

In a few years I think we will see great things from him. At least I hope so. He needs more experience before he attempts to be a GC contender in the TdF. Roberto Heras won the vuelta what four times? And he got destroyed in le tour.

EventServices

OK, TD is a really good rider, but I wouldn't refer a 4-second margin as an impressive decimation.
They didn't race on the 6th day in Georgia. If there had been a final day time trial, who knows what would have happened?

Even if he's got the strength, there are a LOT of strong up-and-comers in Europe now who are going to make it difficult for Americans to win the big tours.
The cool thing is that the future is bright for the sport. But my hopes aren't skyrocketing for American's chances.

Laggard

TDG is not the TDF.

merlinextraligh

True, and Danielson is not young. He is new to the Grand Tours though, and definitely has room to improve. Because of his late start, his window to become a GC contender is narrow. I don't think it's impossible he could win the 2007, or 2008 TDF, but it's not very likely.

bvfrompc

His posts on cyclingnews seem like they are written by a high shcool kid, cute the first year, kind of pathetic after that, you can only take star struck so far.

zakk

no.

patentcad

>>but I wouldn't refer a 4-second margin as an impressive decimation.<<

THAT wasn't the decimation. His victory on that last climb from hell at the TDG was. Tom dumped Landis so bad if you were Floyd it had to be scary. You sort of had to see it, it was an awesome display of climbing prowess. The TDG may not be the TDF, but the Vuelta isn't too far off. Remember 1998 when Lance finished 5th in the GC? Right before he WON the TDF in '99. I remember telling my pals in the local peloton that Lance could win the TDF after his showing@ the Vueta in '98. They all laughed at me.

Who's laughing now?? : )

2Rodies

Yeah he really hurt Landis on that climb and LA did his best to rub it in. Levi hung with TD for the most part. IMHO Floyd isn't the big story when it comes to GC Levi is. Floyd gets the hype because of his split with LA but Levi has dropped Floyd on every climb that matters from the TdG to the TdF.

Tom isn't a spring chicken in age but as for his years on the bike he's still very young. He has the talent but he seems a bit fragile. Disco had some big plans for him at this years Giro and his knee flared up and that was that.

The problem is not going to be if there are some up and coming American riders, there are some very talented guys coming through the ranks. The problem is that none of them will be as dominating as LA. He's set the bar so high for the casual American cycling fan that winning the TdF 6 times would seem like a failure. Unlike Euro cycling fans who would see a top five as a real accomplishment American sports fans look at second place as the first looser.

timmhaan

there is a huge difference between the TDF and every other race. and that is that everyone participating in the TDF is there to put in 100% effort. entire lives are devoted to training and racing the TDF. nobody uses it as a prep race for something else. that's why it's a very tall order to suggest an underdog will win. nothing is impossible, of course, just highly unlikely.

bigskymacadam

don't think so. the competition is too great for this talented cyclist.

DocRay

I think leipheimer has a much better chance than Danielson, and Landis just doesn't seem to be up there.

leadbutt

ohhh...you all have it wrong...

Tyler Hamilton (and his twin) are gonna re-emerge after the trial and take it all this year!!!

DocRay

Yeah, Hamilton, Heras are forming a new TDF team sponsored by Amgen.

EventServices

I did see the Brasstown Bald climb. I was in the caravan, and then on the final turn before the fences.
Floyd was without the team support to help him. Disco had him coming and going.

It was a good ride for TD, but it's apples and oranges.
Their season objectives were totally different based on on the time of year.