Sorry if this is old news for everyone, but I just heard one reason Floyd dropped out of the Vuelta was that he was told he would not be re-signed in 2006. It may be money problems with the team because Phonak may not sponser them next year. Floyd was disappointed with the news and could not continue racing.
I wonder if his rift with Armstrong is too big for him to return to Discovery?
I thought Armstrong was still going to be a big part of the discovery team. If Landis would have stayed with discovery he may have been their lead rider now. Since he left they will probably want to consider all their options before bringing him back. At this point they're probably the best funded team and are the team that can best support their lead rider. Landis is going to have some competition if he wants that job.
Armstrong is most definitely a HUGE part of Disco's future. He's under contract through 2006. I think when he signed that all he committed to do was one more Tour, whether it was '05 or '06. That obligation has been fulfilled. Lance has stated that he would love to be in the team car for certain races next year.
That being said, was his dig at Landis in Georgia just a competitive gesture? I think Lance would love to have a strong rider with whom he is familiar in training habits and who helped him soldier to victory in France. However, what does that say to Popo or Tom Danielson, who have been tapped as the future of Disco?
Intriguing, but I bet Floyd lands on his feet in another camp. He's a cool cat.
First, the "rift" between the two was overblown. Second Armstrong is not the team director and since no one is working for him anymore, it's not his call as to whether or not Landis rides for Disco.
First, the "rift" between the two was overblown. Second Armstrong is not the team director and since no one is working for him anymore, it's not his call as to whether or not Landis rides for Disco.
Yes the rift was overblown but don't forget the LA owns a large part of the team. He may not be the DS but he is the one of main owners of the team.
Does anyone remember the "cribs" style interview with Landis(He was showing off a couple of the team jerseys and made note of LA's sig) Was that before or after TDG?
Does anyone remember the "cribs" style interview with Landis(He was showing off a couple of the team jerseys and made note of LA's sig) Was that before or after TDG?
Landis has no worries. Someone will sign him....maybe even Bjarne Riis. people forget that CSC is an American sponsor. Landis would give good support to Basso in the Tour. I'm not sure Landis can win a Tour de France. He seems to lack the accelerations in the mountains and he is unable to crush the competition in the time trials. The way Hincapie rode this year..I would say big George could pull off a great GC ride if he could ride for himself..and have a little support.
Lance is a stakeholder in the Discovery team, and as such will continue to be a big part of their team. Landis won't be going to Discovery, at least he won't be welcome anytime soon.
Lance is a stakeholder in the Discovery team, and as such will continue to be a big part of their team. Landis won't be going to Discovery, at least he won't be welcome anytime soon.
As someone else mentioned, the two had no huge fight. It was one of those things that people totally blew out of proportion.
Landis has no worries. Someone will sign him....maybe even Bjarne Riis. people forget that CSC is an American sponsor. Landis would give good support to Basso in the Tour. I'm not sure Landis can win a Tour de France. He seems to lack the accelerations in the mountains and he is unable to crush the competition in the time trials. The way Hincapie rode this year..I would say big George could pull off a great GC ride if he could ride for himself..and have a little support.
In comparing Riis and Landis, I can't think of two people with a greater difference in training philosophy/mindset. It would be hard to imagine how that would work.
People make the mistake of thinking Landis is a GC contender. He just isn't. That said, he can be a valuable asset to a team. He can TT very well and he can climb with some proficiency. He'll hook up with someone, but it's anyone's guess right now who with.
Lance has alot of influence on the Discovery team. He has a big contract with Discovery even though he is retired. He still gets paid by them....and he is still part of the cycling team. He said he still talks to Johan 4-5 times a day...and they aint talking about old times either. Lance is still 'The Boss'
Armstrong is at least a part owner in Tailwind Sports, which is the holding company for Discovery and previously Postal or any new sponsor that might come along.
In comparing Riis and Landis, I can't think of two people with a greater difference in training philosophy/mindset. It would be hard to imagine how that would work.
People make the mistake of thinking Landis is a GC contender. He just isn't.
oh, he will be if he goes to CSC, you can guarantee that. ol' bjarne there has his ways...
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
Landis wasn't kicked off. He was told by the team manager that Phonak may not sponser a team after 2006 so if they received an offer from another team they were free to break their contracts and take the offer. As for Landis and Armstrong...Landis was heard saying "Discover this" as he passed him in the tour de georgia.
As for Landis and Armstrong...Landis was heard saying "Discover this" as he passed him in the tour de georgia.
that was clearly a toungue-in-cheek moment. what was more telling of the current state of their relationship, was when landis commented during an interview about how lance seems to think that anyone who has ever ridden with him owes him something. that seems to jell really well with what scott livingston said about being shunned by armstrong after moving over to team telekom. or about how armstrong was so put off when bobby julich took his place at cofidis. shouldn't surprise anyone who knows how much of a prick lance was before he could afford to hire people to conceal that side of his personality.
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
that was clearly a toungue-in-cheek moment. what was more telling of the current state of their relationship, was when landis commented during an interview about how lance seems to think that anyone who has ever ridden with him owes him something. that seems to jell really well with what scott livingston said about being shunned by armstrong after moving over to team telekom. or about how armstrong was so put off when bobby julich took his place at cofidis. shouldn't surprise anyone who knows how much of a prick lance was before he could afford to hire people to conceal that side of his personality.
COUGH COUGH JEALOUS! COUGH COUGH. And you know it too! Lying to yourself is a horrible thing ya know.
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Originally Posted by Laggard
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