Johan Bruyneel's New Book
 

He just launched his new website (http://www.johanbruyneel.com)

He will release his book "You might as well win" in the spring of 2008. You can preview the first chapter here (http://www.johanbruyneel.com/ch1.pdf)

I don't want to belittle Johann's contribution to Lance's seven Tour wins, EVERYONE was necessary for that stupendous feat and make no mistakes - every year Johann managed to use the team he had in the best possible way.

But you have to admit that it was a lot easier with someone that could win like Lance.

Let's see how Johann handles the team in the next four years.

The reason Lance won the Tour so many times is that he refused to lose. Also, he had a great team behind him that could get him to the finish or the mountains or what have you.

I'll definitley pick up the book, though.

Thanks, PolishPostal.

I don't know. Books are dangerous. They give people ideas and inspire free thinking.

You do realize that Bruyneel was the DS before Lance actually got there, right? And it was Bruyneel that convinced a recovering Armstrong that he, indeed, was good enough to win the Tour. And that Bruyneel would build a team around Lance to get that done. And that Bruyneel worked with Lance to prep him for the Tour. And that Bruyneel's tactical genius is what really propelled Postal to the first two wins (because Armstrong was still learning how to ride grand tours, since his finishing record in them, previous to '99 was, oh, not too good). And that is was really after that, that Lance got a lot more involved in the whole process.

And that if Ullrich had ridden for Bruyneel, he'd be a multi-time Tour winner. A much more talented rider with, arguably, a better overall support team (except in the leadership area).

When someone is really good at what they do, to people that don't fully understand how difficult and complex the activity is, it always looks easy.

I could have coached the Bulls to all those titles if I'd have Pippen and Jordan. Just sit back and let them play...all you have to do is get the bus to the arena on time and they do the rest...

...and with Basso, it will be so easy again...why do you think all the other teams are whining so much?

nahhh...if all you do is pick up the book, that's not so bad. It's the reading part where the trouble begins...;)

hate to type this, but I must: Incorrect.

Easy? Only if he can take his dog with him.

I know. Unfortunatley, I have a life-long addiction to knowledge. It has gotten me in a lot of trouble.

It's immpolite to tell someone simply "You're wrong." The prudent thing to do would be to add at least one sentence with what you think is correct.

incorrect.

hahaha

Yeah, wasnt Mark Gorski the DS in 2000 when they got caught with Actovegin?

JB started in '99.

Johnny Weltz was the DS prior to that, but he and LA didn't exactly get along (or so the story goes) so LA sent him packing. Useless trivia: Weltz lived in Girona, and he's the one responsible for turning it into an American ex-pat colony.

afaik Gorski was the director of the team, but never the DS.

Roadwarrior's account wasn't exactly accurate. But the core point, that Bruyneel convinced Armstrong that he could win the TDF has some truth to it.

By reported accounts Armstrong sought out Bruyneel to be DS, but Bruyneel is the guy that really convinced Armstrong to focus on winning the Tour, and played a big part in putting together the team to do so.

Thanks for the new sig line, coach.

That's wrong, what's more, last year Johan had Tom Danielson who CAN win a Tour and didn't even look good.

physically perhaps, but so far he hasn't shown that he's got psychological strength to do it.

Uhem - isn't that what we just read people claiming wasn't necessary when you have Johan Bruyneel available?

Now, like I said, I'm not trying to insinuate that Johan is anything other than a top notch Director.

I'm just saying that he isn't God because he directed 7 consequetive Tours de France. Maybe St. John though.

Incorrect

Well, it's clear he is a better DS than he is a writer.

no.