Le Tour de France

[marshall]

Valverde was a big surprise for me. I thought he would have the chance to win the tour this year. And Ricco is very impressing in the mountains but I think his weakness is the time trial.

We do miss a Rasmussen or a Contador don't we

I'm just still missing Armstrong ...

[attilahun]

Valverde was a big surprise for me. I thought he would have the chance to win the tour this year. And Ricco is very impressing in the mountains but I think his weakness is the time trial.



I'm just still missing Armstrong ...

Of course .....Armstrong....he had only 5% chance to live and he went on to win Le Tour 7 times in a row .......great man......but what about those positive samples from the 1999 Tour.

The americans proved once again they are the best in doping and made a genuine american hero from Armstrong ( other examples of athletes who were discovered after a long period of time : Carl Lewis, Florence Griffiths-Joyner, Marion Jones, Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin )

[Wim]

Valverde was a big surprise for me. I thought he would have the chance to win the tour this year. And Ricco is very impressing in the mountains but I think his weakness is the time trial.

Yeah and it' s not the first time Valverde disappoints. The time trial is indeed in favor of Evans. But still some mega days in the Alps to come. The stages to Prato Nevoso (It) and the one to Alpe d'Huez (and Galibier) are in favor of Ricco.

[attilahun]

Yeah and it' s not the first time Valverde disappoints. The time trial is indeed in favor of Evans. But still some mega days in the Alps to come. The stages to Prato Nevoso (It) and the one to Alpe d'Huez (and Galibier) are in favor of Ricco.

I wonder if Ricco can do it ...i think he is still young and inexperienced and he is not a major contender this year

[Wim]

Of course .....Armstrong....he had only 5% chance to live and he went on to win Le Tour 7 times in a row .......great man......but what about those positive samples from the 1999 Tour.

The americans proved once again they are the best in doping and made a genuine american hero from Armstrong ( other examples of athletes who were discovered after a long period of time : Carl Lewis, Florence Griffiths-Joyner, Marion Jones, Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin )

I don't agree about Armstrong. French sportpaper 'L'Equippe' was/is still obsessed about finding evidence to use against him.
Still he was never proved 'positive' and was tested a million times during racing. Afterwards.. yeah perhaps but a little late...

[attilahun]

I don't agree about Armstrong. French sportpaper 'L'Equippe' was/is still obsessed about finding evidence to use against him.
Still he was never proved 'positive' and was tested a million times during racing. Afterwards.. yeah perhaps but a little late...

IMO and i repeat IMO, Armstrong is one of the greatest cheaters in the history of sports....he lived "the american dream".

Tell me....do u really believe that a person who was almost dead can return and win the biggest contest in the cycling world and one of the hardest events in sports (in general), 7 times in a row....without using some substances....i think this is impossible

I saw that material on Discovery Chanel about him....he was DEAD...and like a phoenix bird.........

[Wim]

IMO and i repeat IMO, Armstrong is one of the greatest cheaters in the history of sports....he lived "the american dream".

Tell me....do u really believe that a person who was almost dead can return and win the biggest contest in the cycling world and one of the hardest events in sports (in general), 7 times in a row....without using some substances....i think this is impossible

I saw that material on Discovery Chanel about him....he was DEAD...and like a phoenix bird.........

I saw Armstrong some years ago in the Tour making one the fastest climbs ever on Alpe d'huez. Quite amazing how he looked: perfectly in control on his bike, no sweating and no heavy breathing. Compared to the others he looked untouchable.
But still I give him the benefit of the doubt for the reasons I mentioned above.

[Wim]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ng/7511518.stm

So Ricardo Ricco tested positive on epo.


And also his whole team Saunier Duval perfomed extremely well on the Hautacam: I am getting very suspicious about that performance.

Anyway great job from the Tour to catch the cheaters: an example for other sports to make them more clean as well.

[PaulTheSoave]

Sorry my friend, but you are talking cr@p here. Sorry for the expression. Normally when someone recovers from the brink of death, one can come out stronger than ever before, because he has created more immunity in his body.

I am talking from my own experience as my daylights nearly went out in 2000, recovered and having a better sport condition nowadays than before 2000.
Also in sport, not guilty until proven otherwise. So, as long Armstrong has not been proven guilty he is one of the best cyclists all time. whether you like it or not.

IMO and i repeat IMO, Armstrong is one of the greatest cheaters in the history of sports....he lived "the american dream".

Tell me....do u really believe that a person who was almost dead can return and win the biggest contest in the cycling world and one of the hardest events in sports (in general), 7 times in a row....without using some substances....i think this is impossible

I saw that material on Discovery Chanel about him....he was DEAD...and like a phoenix bird.........

[marshall]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ng/7511518.stm

So Ricardo Ricco tested positive on epo.

That's no surprise, Ricco and his team was just too good in the mountains.
But it's good to see that the anti-doping-system works well.

[Caroline]

Really funny that they keep being caught day after day. To be honest, I have more faith in Armstrong rather than any other rider on the tour today.

[Wim]

That's no surprise, Ricco and his team was just too good in the mountains.
But it's good to see that the anti-doping-system works well.

Indeed and meanwhile the whole team of Saunier Duval has withdrawn from the Tour as well. Anyway congrats to our British friends for the amazing win of Mark Cavendish. The CSC train and the almost perfect setup of the blue leadout train of Quick Step with Rossler,Tossato De Jongh and Steegman didn't announce an easy win for him. No major mistake was done this time bythe Quick Steps - except a little one when Steegmans passed on the wrong side of De Jongh (wind side). But at 150 m before the finish - at the beginning of Steegmans acceleration you can see Cavendish close behind him and launching himself as a 'Rocket' towards victory. He's the best sprinter at the moment. Would be a shame to lose him in the Alps because the final stage in Paris on the Champs Elysees could his 'moment de gloire'.

[Kathrin]

The whole Tour is so ridiculous. I wait for tomorrow´s news who is the next one that is caught. Any suggestions?

[PaulTheSoave]

Yes, I agree. I used to be a tour lover, following every stage, on radio and tv. But it has become farcical. Whoever wins, there is always doubt if he has won it on proper effort. . Even I am doubting now whether, Hinault, Indurain and the so famous Dutch Raleigh equipe (who were invisible in the late 70's) never used forbidden substances.

To quote the famous Eddy Merckx:

"I did not win the tour just on peanut butter!"

The whole Tour is so ridiculous. I wait for tomorrow´s news who is the next one that is caught. Any suggestions?

[Kathrin]

And Ullrich is still denying that he used doping throughout the years. Sure, you´re a good guy. All this blood was stored just in case you get injured in an accident
I go for Cavendish to be one of those who get caught...I´ve always been good on predictions, haha