LA for the GIRO?
 

Let's start by making it clear I am NOT a Lance fanboy. I believe I am firmly in the other camp on this one.

I also haven't seen or heard anything that would lend even the slightest shred of credibility to what I am postulating.

So here it is: I was thinking about a thread that has since disappeared regarding JB statements about LA's number being the best January numbers EVAR.

This is most likely nonsense and just some preseason hype to keep the new sponsor in the news.

Then I was wondering how those numbers (if true) would look against his previous March numbers. This we will never know but (and here is the leap, folks) if his Jan 2010 numbers stack up against previous March numbers that would put him on track to peak way too early for the TdF.

It would put him on target for the Giro, though.

Then I started thinking what a great tactical move that would be.

LA and JB certainly are no dumbies. They have years of hard data and, if the numbers are what they most likely really are then LA and JB certainly have come to the conclusion that a TdF win (or even podium) is out of the question given the competition and the course for 2010. Finishing off the podium would pretty much spell the end for LA (in his mind) as best as I can tell.

So what to do?

LA has always been criticized for focusing only on the TdF so why not shut up the critics with a Giro win? I haven't seen the course for the 2010 Giro and a win certainly isn't a gimme but LA showing up there, in top form would definitely make him a favourite.

Also, there would be HUGE appearance fees for him from the Giro organizers and it would be a giant FU to the TdF organizers.

I know 'The Shack' is US based but do any of the other sponsors have interests in the Italian market?

That's pretty much as far as I've run with this thing as my 5 hour ride was winding down and I had to start thinking about traffic and stuff as I cooled down.

Discuss.

I think him and his sponsors are already set for the TOC, it would be a big hit for them to pull out and move to the Giro. Sounds like a good plan but I can't see it happening. That and LA doing anything but the TDF at this point would only be seen as an admittance of defeat, I don't see them doing that. Fun topic though, can't wait for it to turn into a LA / Trek hate fest with people totally ignoring your points.

:popcorn

It's an interesting idea, but I think RacerOne is on the right track by mentioning the sponsors. Radio Shack is spending a lot of cash on the team, and may be stuck on the TOC. I don't understand how they got Radio Shack to sponsor the team in the first place, though - so don't count on them to make great decisions.

LA will go wherever the money is - that's what this whole thing is all about, anyways.

sure you are.

Just like your a LANCE HATER. The fact is, you post on every Lance Armstrong thread. Jealous, just a little. Oh wait, I forgot that you have posted one time per hour, 24 hours per day, everyday for the last 4 years!!:twitchy: If each post took you 3 minutes (thinking of those quick witted barbs) that would be 1593 hours. Just think, if you had worked those hours at you Mcdonalds job, say at $6.50 an hour, that would be an extra $10,350.00 in your pocket. That would give you a nice start at a small community college learning to put more than three words together.....The more you post, the more....:roflmao2:

incorrect. again.

btw - it's you're

incorrect.

:lol:

:eek:

http://www.oscarguy.com/Reviews/Annual/1988/Rain.jpg

i do. jealous?

:eek:

you can do it, jughead. :thumb:

maybe one day i can write articles on livestrong, just like you. ;)

Route looks curvy and hilly to me:innocent:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...IC71558781.jpg

May clash - RadioShack = ToC

:lol:...

Deep breaths and less steriods there fella

The route for the race looks difficult as well.

Like him or not, LA is among the strongest competitors ever to grace the sport, especially when you consider all he has been through. He is an inspiration to many people. It would not suprize me to see him put in a superhuman effort to make a last great season....like so many of his others, lol. And even if he can't compete to win, he is good press for the sport, and IMO would be a great asset to a team.

The thing is, that no one person wins the TdF. It takes the team. You can be the best rider in the world, hands down, but w/o team support, you will NOT succeed. I haven't followed in years, and don't know how strong his teammates are this year, but IF he is hedging some bet on getting in the best shape ever, and making a strong showing it is still going to fall back on him TEAM to make wins possible.

Personally, I would love to see him win the Tour, and give all the doubters the finger, again.

what is wrong with liking Lance Armstrong?

:rolleyes:

+1

Anything that becomes too popular or too victorious tends to receive quite a bit of backlash. See: Lance Armstrong, Trek, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Bulls, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods.

Good points, Bob. I don't follow pro cycling too much beyond the TdF, but have been gaining interest over the past couple of years.

what a shame. Lance has an incredible story. I admire him very much

Lance & Co. have already announced their plans for the ToC. He's not going to the Giro. In his interview, he specifically stated that with a "big" American sponsor, and a "big" American race, it makes sense that he would stay stateside in May.

Just because he's in shape now, doesn't really have much to do with May. His periodization can be customized to assure several peak periods. LA's tentative schedule is here:http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/...lassics_103190
I'm sure there will be some other, more insignificant races added, but assuming this schedule is maintained, it's perfectly acceptable to believe that his periodization could look something like this:

Jan: Preparation
Feb: Preparation
March: Specialization
April: Specialization
May: Peak/Transition
June: Preparation
June: Specialization
July: Peak

This takes into account the fact that he's already been training well prior to Jan. Obviously, he was in a build period during the TDU. Although he took a few good pulls and showed some good power, his endurance wasn't prime. Also, in May, my thoughts are that he's going to support Levi, but be ready in case something happens. I think he's going to be amazing come July. I'm sure his competitors are hitting it hard, too, so it's gonna be 3 good weeks of race-watching.:thumb:

Not disagreeing, just saying this is how society works. [STRIKE]No one[/STRIKE] Very few like[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE] a dynasty.

a true LA fanboy would have known he aint doing the Giro this year. second, at his age he clearly lacks the "surge" or "burst" or "explosive" power that is needed to stay with the AC and Schleck's to world. later.

I liked the Rainman reference too. Funny stuff.

HABS rule, well not this year but HABS rule.

They did rule, yes, but growing up watching them win 4-5 cups a decade got real boring. Ugh. Forgot to mention the Evil Empire - the Yankees.

Lance is riding the Tour of California, not the Giro.

Correct. No Giro for Lance in 2010.

It's already been confirmed that Lance is riding ToC in support of Levi who is defending champ. Anything else is baseless speculation. If TRS fields a team for the Giro, Kloden would more than likely be the leader for TRS at that race. Now think on that, a TRS win at ToC and the Giro...

And in defense of botto (not that he needs it) responding in as few words as possible does not make someone stupid. You have two ears (and eyes) and one mouth - do twice as much listening or reading as speaking.

Also, this should be moved to Pro racing forum. Justin saying.

I actually read that. WTH? I mean does it have anything to do with Livestrong? That, and I don't believe she mentioned pineapple juice. :innocent:

I'm really thinking Pro Cycling here (aka "217")

ask whoooshhh. he's the one who did the research.

Man I loved being stationed in Italy, great sites and places to visit and the countryside isn't bad either. :p

Yeah, I forgot about the ToC move. Like I said I was nearing the end of a long ride and higher brain functions were not working too well.

If he is riding for Levi then his January number make even less sense.

Time will tell.

Oh yeah, him winning another TdF is something only a fanboy could possibly believe.

Regarding the first post I have to offer another perspective. The great March numbers are only great in comparison to other Marches, (if it is true and not just marketing hype). The numbers do not necessarily represent close to peak form. Workouts are specifically tailored so that peaking comes close to the desired time. Peaking will not occur until 2-3 weeks after a racer starts making close to all out efforts. I don't think that Armstrong will change the success formula that he has used over all these years. One thing that I have noticed is that certain racers naturally have a time that seems to suit their physiology for peaking. Part of it is trained but part is not. I think that July is LA's month.

?

I was talking about comparing January number to previous January numbers and then wondering aloud how the latest 'best evar' January numbers would stack against previous March numbers. I was wondering exactly what you point out; Why the change?

As to training methods I think you missed a build phase or two in your synopsis.