US Postal dominating Team Time Trial so far at Tour de France.

[HuckleB]

Looks like Armstrong will take the Maillot Jaune early this year, barring a catastrophe in the rain.

Hamilton's Phonak team just finished with the best time so far, with Ullrich's T-Mobile team 11 seconds behind: Average speeds at over 52 km an hour!

[Salmo Trutta]

1. Don't jinx him!

I've been watching the live updates on the web all morning.

It's been a tough day with the course being wet and a number of teams finishing with only 5 or 6 riders.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for USP.

[HuckleB]

2. He's not superstitious, and neither am I.

Besides, I'm rooting for Tyler! That would be the best thing for American cycling, IMHO.

[Salmo Trutta]

3. But the best thing for the Tour would be a 6th straight win for

Lance. Raise the bar.

I can't get updates...looks like the TDF website is getting swamped.

[HuckleB]

9. Nah.

Maybe for the tour, but not for cycling in general. The Tour is becoming too much of a be all, end all. That's not good for cycling.

[Salmo Trutta]

10. Whereas I agree with you mostly...

I think all sports should have an annual crowning competition. The TDF is that for cycling.

And, I do not think cycling has enjoyed this much popularity, ever. Despite the organizers nearly ruining this year's tour with the doping snafu, it's still one of the world's greatest sporting competitions.

[HuckleB]

13. In the states, yes. No doubt about it.

The tour has always been the biggie, but now it's more than that. I would have loved to see Armstrong try to get the Giro or Vuelta in the same year as the Tour. Now no one really tries to do that seriously, and it is hurting the other events.

[Salmo Trutta]

Oh, yeah, I can't agree more...

Armstrong's treatment of the Dauphine de Libere seemed cavalier, at best, and sets a bad atmosphere for those other races.

[Salmo Trutta]

4. Dammit...you're going to have to keep me up to date...

I can't get on the TDF website...

What's the scoop?!?

[DS1]

5. Tour updates would have sufficed.

Spoiler is as spoiler does :shrug:

[Salmo Trutta]

6. The stage isn't over yet....

[HuckleB]

16. How's that?

It's a live event, not a movie.

[DS1]

20. some of us work, and like to catch the numerous replays on OLN

that's how.

[HuckleB]

23. We all work.

I guess ome of us have our priorities straight on when to work, however.

:)

OLN is just like SportsCenter. Me thinks you're making something out of nothing just to do so.

I didn't notice you pointing fingers at those who posted about Kerry's announcement of Edwards as VP yesterday. I'm sure you would have preferred to wait to find out on the evening news, no?

Why pick on me and not them?

:eyes:

[DS1]

29. One is a major sports event in a different time zone, the other

U.S. politics. Don't tell me you're trying to bridge that gap with a straight face :eyes:

[HuckleB]

30. Yeah, I did. Don't try to tell me you're dissing me with a straight face.

'Cause that's far too funny.

I assume you turn on no radio or television all day long, so you can wait to be surprised by the OLN show? Then why would you go on the Internet? There's information there? If you want to be surprised, don't go to where the information is. That's your decision.

[DS1]

33. Amazing as it seems to you, yes I avoid the sports reports

sports sites, sports news, and the last thing I need is to see a post where the poster could have taken an extra five seconds to write "Tour updates thread" instead of being a fucking hero and wanting to be the first to post the results.

The same shit happens here with delayed newscasts, television shows, international races. "OMG Bartlett's daughter was kidnapped" - followed up by the west coast DUers thinking "Goddamn, you're a stupid ass".

This is a primarily political messageboard, it's reasonable to expect to not see sports spoilers, but hey, you still get them.

[HuckleB]

34. Thanks for working so hard to pick a nonsense fight.

You know that sports are discussed in the lounge. You find a way to avoid the results otherwise, yet you came here. Take responsibility for yourself, if you are so anal about such baloney. If you really don't want to know, don't go where sports are discussed. Sounds like you made a mistake, and decided to blame it on someone else. Nice try.

I could give a rat's ass, especially after the way you've gone about it.

You really do crack me up. You can't "spoil" something that's over eight hours before US cable even covers it. Get over yourself. This isn't a TV show. It's none of those things. Yet you think you can compare it to them, but I can't compare it to the VP announcement. Now that's truly funny.

OLN is not the race. It's a report on the race. Or haven't you actually watched it yet?

[DS1]

36. I didn't make a mistake in asking for 30 seconds of consideration

You didn't give a rat's ass before, I'm not expecting you to give one now. It's a common thing on the internet for users to be in different time zones from each other, maybe when you get your head around that simple concept you'll adjust. I doubt that'll happen.

I'm watching it now, but since you couldn't be bothered to ~think~ before you post, I pretty much know the result.

Now go fuck yourself.

[HuckleB]

40. Sorry, but this isn't common for the Tour.

This is a race watched by most cyclists on the 'Net, not on OLN, though we do check it out as a SportsCenter newsreel. That's reality. That's consideration. You chose to make something out of nothing just for the sake of it. I'm sorry that this is how you get your kicks. You chose to play the hard-ass, for no good reason. Wow! You sure do think before you post.

Do you ride? If so, how do you get home without seeing other riders who are bound to be talking about it? That's impossible.

In the end, I've got one thing to say:

Grow up.

[HuckleB]

35. Why do I have this feeling

that you don't even watch OLN in reality?

Hmmmmm.

[DS1]

37. Word of the day

Lance
Ulrich
Time Trial

You're right, I don't watch OLN :eyes:

[HuckleB]

39. Since you can't spell Ullrich, I'll have to believe you.

[HuckleB]

7. Postal with a 1:08 advantage at the last time check.

[Salmo Trutta]

8. Keep em coming!

Website is not coming up on my end.

[HuckleB]

11. Armstrong in Yellow. Postal wins by 1:12!

That's huge! Armstrong's got over a minute and a half on Ullrich and Hamilton already.

[Salmo Trutta]

12. nevermind! Congrats USP!!!

[HuckleB]

14. Well, VeloNews says USP by 1:12, but CyclingNews says by 1:07.

Yeah, the TDF site seems to be down, so I can't get an official confirmation. Either way it's a big day for Armstrong.

[HuckleB]

15. OK. It's official. The winning margin was 1:07.

That puts Armstrong up by 1:23 over Hamilton and 1:33 over Ullrich.

[alfredo]

17. 6 of the top 10 are Posties!!!

It is kind of early for Lance to take the yellow Jersey, but we will see what he does the next few days.

[northzax]

18. I'm no expert

in fact I'm talking out of my ass here, but since there are a lot of hills to come, and the big competition are stronger climbers (typically) doesn't he need to build a huge lead now?

and didn't he run the table a couple of years back?

[Blue-Jay]

19. You'd think so, based on a lot of the

recent "news" stories. The fact is that Lance has usually dominated in the mountains. They're making a big deal about the other good climbers to stir up some drama. If he's ahead this early, I don't see anyone catching him, barring a disaster.

[Redhead488]

22. In the past, Lance has normally taken the lead in the mountains

as he IS one of the best climbers. For him to have such a big lead early is kind of rare, I thought.

[alfredo]

25. The problem is, once you have the yellow jersey,

you are expected to defend it. That can be very taxing on Lance and the Team. At his age, his ability to recover from a day's ride is not as good as the younger riders. This race is not for the swift, it is for the smart.

[HuckleB]

26. He's too smart too do something stupid.

Besides, the reality is that it just fell into his lap. No one has made a serious break stick yet this year, and he made time in the prologue TT and the TTT, as expected. Postal won't chase after a non-contender for the GC, if someone makes a break in the next few days, and neither would T-Mobile or Phonak if Ullrich or Hamilton had the Maillot. They're far too cunning for that.

[alfredo]

31. Nobody does at this stage of the race. The teams with sprinters

make sure of that. The sprinters days are these days. Still the Posties have to do their job.


Hamilton is still in the hunt at 33 sec down, Ullrich 55 sec, Julich 1 min down. Mayo is way down the field, over 5 minutes behind. Hamilton's team is pretty strong, and he is no slouch in the mountains. Remember, he rode the tour with a broken collar bone, finishing 4th. Most people couldn't brush their teeth in that condition. Imagine the threat he'd be healthy. I fear him more than Ullrich.

[HuckleB]

32. I'm glad you fear Tyler.

I root for him! I'd still fear Mayo more than Ullrich in this race. Too many mountains for him to make serious time on.

[alfredo]

38. At this point Mayo is in trouble. he will have to

make up serious time in the mountains. I don't see Lance, Hamilton or Ullrich letting him get to far away.

Check this out

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/more/specials/tour_de_france/2004/07/07/wednesday.story.ap/index.html?cnn=yes


Mayo is 5'27" down, and his team is next to last. Maybe they are taking it easy now, waiting for the later stages but I doubt it. If your team sucks, then you will not get the support you need when the hammer comes down. So if the times are a true reflection of their strength, then I would say Mayo should think about next year.

I'd rather put my money on Armstrong, Ullrich, Hamilton, Julich.

[HuckleB]

41. Mayo's team is nothing but climbers.

That's why they're behind now. That and they all remained with him when he fell yesterday. That doesn't mean they suck. Not by a longshot.

I'd put my money on Armstrong or Hamilton, as well. But Ullrich isn't made for this Tour. Too many mountains, no big non-technical TT until the end. Without Vino to push Armstrong, Ullrich is in trouble. Meanwhile, Mayo can make up big time in the mountains. He did it last year, and he did it again in the Dauphine. It's unlikely, but I think it's more likely than Ullrich.

[alfredo]

42. That's what I was thinking, they were sitting back.

I didn't study the teams this year. I should have. Looks like he will have good support on the mountain stages. Will they be enough.

Let's see what L'Alpe D'Huez brings. I am sure Lance knows that climb like the back of his hand.

[BiggJawn]

21. My Heroes!

Ok, so George isn't pointing at the clock, but it's good to see him cheezing!



I'm smiling too!

Oh, BTW, you've forgotten that Lance came home for the Tour of Georgia and gave the crowd a hell of a good show.

On edit: happy now? (as he leaves to get a fresh bowl of cheerios)

[HuckleB]

24. Uh, that's heroes.

:)

Tour of Georgia. Yeah, that's a tough one for a guy of his caliber. Sorry, but that's not much of an argument, if you're joining in on the discussion of riders holding back for the tour.

[HuckleB]

27. Forgot about the new limited time gaps rule. Tyler only lost 20 seconds,

and Ullrich only lost 40 seconds.

Here's where the GC favorites currently stand:

1- ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP en 14h 54' 53"
8- HAMILTON Tyler USA PHO à 00' 36" (behind)
11- VOIGT Jens GER CSC à 00' 43"
16- ULLRICH Jan GER TMO à 00' 55"
18- JULICH Bobby USA CSC à 01' 00"
21- LEIPHEIMER Levi USA RAB à 01' 08"
26- BASSO Ivan ITA CSC à 01' 17"
29- GONZALEZ GALDEANO Igor ESP LST à 01' 29"
34- HERAS Roberto ESP LST à 01' 45"
36- SASTRE Carlos ESP CSC à 02' 02"
51- VIRENQUE Richard FRA QSD à 02' 39"
58- GONZALEZ Aitor ESP FAS à 02' 59"
70- SIMONI Gilberto ITA SAE à 03' 22"
92- MAYO Iban ESP EUS à 05' 27"
95- ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS à 05' 33"

[funkybutt]

28. I just wish they'd hurry up with my package!

ny order was shipped on the 23rd!