today's stage - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

creekster · 07-11-2006, 04:00 PM

robbie and oscar in a sprint finish. The strange thing was all the guys that lost time. Menchov, Mayo and som others lost around 13-20 seconds off the peloton's time. Levi lost more than a minute (the report I saw said he lost 1:44!). He is oviously sick or hurting or both for him to lose that much time on a flat stage. AT this pace, don't be shocked to see Levi withdraw long before paris.

Archaea · 07-11-2006, 04:11 PM

I'm tired of these sprinters stages where nothing really happens. It's a good thing we're finally headed to the mountains.

Quisqueyano · 07-11-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

I'm tired of these sprinters stages where nothing really happens. It's a good thing we're finally headed to the mountains.

Agreed. This is when the tour really gets started. i think we will begin to see a lot of separation in the peloton. I think Landis has a good shot at finishing the day tomorrow in yellow.
We probably won't here from Robbie for a while.

creekster · 07-11-2006, 05:42 PM

ANy thoughts about why Levi is in such difficulty? Losing 1:44 on a stage like this is absolutely devstating to a guy that already gave up 6+ minutes on an ITT and was on the razor's edge in terms of GC hopes to begin with. I saw an interview where he alluded to some sort of problem, but I have heard nothing specific. Does anyone else know anything?

bluegoose · 07-11-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

ANy thoughts about why Levi is in such difficulty? Losing 1:44 on a stage like this is absolutely devstating to a guy that already gave up 6+ minutes on an ITT and was on the razor's edge in terms of GC hopes to begin with. I saw an interview where he alluded to some sort of problem, but I have heard nothing specific. Does anyone else know anything?

I haven't heard anything conclusive yet. No question he is not his real self this year. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him pull out after 1 or 2 more stages if he keeps this up.

I'm guessing illness. Could be overtraining. Even in all of the interviews I've seen, he is exuding absolutely no confidence in his chances. Could be realism, but I think he is just feeling lousy this year.

bluegoose · 07-11-2006, 10:03 PM

Velonews reported today that Levi had an "unspecified mechanical problem", leading to his lost time.

Does quadriceps insufficiency count as a mechanical problem?

creekster · 07-11-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegoose

Velonews reported today that Levi had an "unspecified mechanical problem", leading to his lost time.

Does quadriceps insufficiency count as a mechanical problem?

That's pretty silly, really. If he had a mechanical problem he would have switched bikes as soon as he started to drop off the back of the pack, if not before. Besides, why couldn't it be specified? "what's wrong Levi?" asks the mechanic. "No idea" says Levi, "but the dang bike just won't go fast enough." To which the mechanic and crew roll their eyes and drive the car a little slower.

I think BG's theory is about spot on, except I wouldn't be surprised if it is an actual physiological problem. Hopefully it's not becasue he caught a case of drug testing-itis. (which is what I have suspected about Mayo).

07-11-2006, 04:00 PM	#1
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	today's stage robbie and oscar in a sprint finish. The strange thing was all the guys that lost time. Menchov, Mayo and som others lost around 13-20 seconds off the peloton's time. Levi lost more than a minute (the report I saw said he lost 1:44!). He is oviously sick or hurting or both for him to lose that much time on a flat stage. AT this pace, don't be shocked to see Levi withdraw long before paris. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos. Last edited by creekster; 07-11-2006 at 04:43 PM.

07-11-2006, 04:11 PM	#2
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	I'm tired of these sprinters stages where nothing really happens. It's a good thing we're finally headed to the mountains. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

07-11-2006, 05:42 PM	#4
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	ANy thoughts about why Levi is in such difficulty? Losing 1:44 on a stage like this is absolutely devstating to a guy that already gave up 6+ minutes on an ITT and was on the razor's edge in terms of GC hopes to begin with. I saw an interview where he alluded to some sort of problem, but I have heard nothing specific. Does anyone else know anything? __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.

07-11-2006, 10:03 PM	#6
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	Velonews reported today that Levi had an "unspecified mechanical problem", leading to his lost time. Does quadriceps insufficiency count as a mechanical problem?