Discovery in disarray.... ?

[whiteboytrash]

With Tom Danielson stating openly to the media that he is the leader for the Giro and not mentioning team mate Savoldelli and Johan Bruyneel saying that he will be using Savodelli as leader but Dainalson as backup in the case if Saveodelli falters.... along with Hincapie and Popo and perhaps Savodelli as joint leaders for the Tour have Discovery lost there way ?

It appears that the riders now openly state what races they want ride and whether they will be the leader or not in addition the riders they want on their team.....

All of this leads to the point that Discovery have lost there way and Bruyneel is a figure of his former self with Armstrong riding..... he should be stamping out these media leaks and putting a gag on his riders……

It’s going to be a long year for this team if they don’t implode prior to the Giro…..

If I was Savodelli I would get out now and join an Italian team who respect what he has achieved and not make him step aside for a rider who has not proven himself on the high mountains or in the time trails…..

It appears that Armstrong who has part ownership in Discovery is thinking with his pocket…. He knows that in American an American rider finishing in the top 10 at the Giro will probably bring him more money that an Italian winning the Giro…….

What a sad state of affairs this once great team has now become……

The only satisfaction one can gain this year is watching German efficiency in action at the T-Mobile squad who has one goal and one rider and one team….. the rest is preparation.

 

[barnstorm]

With Tom Danielson stating openly to the media that he is the leader for the Giro and not mentioning team mate Savoldelli and Johan Bruyneel saying that he will be using Savodelli as leader but Dainalson as backup in the case if Saveodelli falters.... along with Hincapie and Popo and perhaps Savodelli as joint leaders for the Tour have Discovery lost there way ?

It appears that the riders now openly state what races they want ride and whether they will be the leader or not in addition the riders they want on their team.....

All of this leads to the point that Discovery have lost there way and Bruyneel is a figure of his former self with Armstrong riding..... he should be stamping out these media leaks and putting a gag on his riders……

It’s going to be a long year for this team if they don’t implode prior to the Giro…..

If I was Savodelli I would get out now and join an Italian team who respect what he has achieved and not make him step aside for a rider who has not proven himself on the high mountains or in the time trails…..

It appears that Armstrong who has part ownership in Discovery is thinking with his pocket…. He knows that in American an American rider finishing in the top 10 at the Giro will probably bring him more money that an Italian winning the Giro…….

What a sad state of affairs this once great team has become……

The only satisfaction one can gain this year is watching German efficiency in action at the T-Mobile squad who has one goal and one rider and one team….. the rest is preparation.

I can't believe you are still milking this topic. It is pretty entertaining but after a few days of the same tongue in cheek speculation, jokes about Tmo suddenly become an example of solidarity (OK, those are still funny), and so on. At least it has it's own thread now.

I am reading Lance Armstrong's War by Daniel Coyle which is about the leadup to the TDF 2004. It focuses on Lance and his three perceived rivals, Tyler, Ullrich, and Mayo. Several interesting points come out of the book which is behind the scenes at Postal. Lance was as little fun to be around, as intense, and as much of a control freak as it seems. Even his best friends got jettisoned when they disagreed or asked him for something. Second, there is a whole set of methods for checking out the asses and bellies of rivals that everyone does at the first big races. Just like we are doing in the Jan's gut thread, they do that constantly. Funny chapter. Most interestingly, the book basically argues that Carmichael is not actually Lance's coach. They are partners in the CTS business and they pretend Carmichael coaches Lance to get people to sign up for CTS training and pay for it. But Ferrari is the guy Lance relies on to test him, gauge progress, and give him workouts. The book describes in detail how Ferrari tests Lance and the other good riders on the team for lactic acid, wattage, and power to weight ratio. Lance just doesn't brag about working with Ferrari because he has been so directly associated with doping for his whole career. I think the author got the book checked out and ok'd by Lance so he wouldn't get sued which is interesting because it sure doesn't paint Lance in a very positive light. I am only halfway but it is an interesting read so far and they only are in Georgia.

The way they describe Lance's work with Ferrari in this book, I can see why some of you are so totally convinced that Lance doped his way through seven tours.

 

[MJtje]

And possibly before.......he met ferrari in 1995 after ferrari got fired as teamdoctor on the gewiss team. Remember the liege 1,2,3.........after that ferrari was a god in the peloton and everyone wanted to get epo.....

Lance couldn't stay behind so his friend the legendary merckx introduced him to ferrari...........

The rest is history.........

I can't believe you are still milking this topic. It is pretty entertaining but after a few days of the same tongue in cheek speculation, jokes about Tmo suddenly become an example of solidarity (OK, those are still funny), and so on. At least it has it's own thread now.


I am reading Lance Armstrong's War by Daniel Coyle which is about the leadup to the TDF 2004. It focuses on Lance and his three perceived rivals, Tyler, Ullrich, and Mayo. Several interesting points come out of the book which is behind the scenes at Postal. Lance was as little fun to be around, as intense, and as much of a control freak as it seems. Even his best friends got jettisoned when they disagreed or asked him for something. Second, there is a whole set of methods for checking out the asses and bellies of rivals that everyone does at the first big races. Just like we are doing in the Jan's gut thread, they do that constantly. Funny chapter. Most interestingly, the book basically argues that Carmichael is not actually Lance's coach. They are partners in the CTS business and they pretend Carmichael coaches Lance to get people to sign up for CTS training and pay for it. But Ferrari is the guy Lance relies on to test him, gauge progress, and give him workouts. The book describes in detail how Ferrari tests Lance and the other good riders on the team for lactic acid, wattage, and power to weight ratio. Lance just doesn't brag about working with Ferrari because he has been so directly associated with doping for his whole career. I think the author got the book checked out and ok'd by Lance so he wouldn't get sued which is interesting because it sure doesn't paint Lance in a very positive light. I am only halfway but it is an interesting read so far and they only are in Georgia.

The way they describe Lance's work with Ferrari in this book, I can see why some of you are so totally convinced that Lance doped his way through seven tours.

 

[whiteboytrash]

...and 49 pages of how Ullrich has lost the plot is not milking it ?

I to have read the book "War" and thought it was very well written. I did enjoy the 'fat pinching' chapter and laughed when Ullrich rocked up that he kept about 9 layers of clothing on because he was "fat" !



Back to the topic at hand.... like you say without Armstrong at the helm the team is falling away at the seems.... there are no clear leaders and every rider is jumping up and down wanting to lead the team regardless of pedigree.... this often happens when there is a vacuum left by a strong leader..... other riders are saying nothing not knowing what to do as there is no direction from Bruyneel....... Bruyneel is much to blame as anyone for this situation... he should have signed up Vino when he had the chance... I guess he was too cocky and confident that he would sign Basso.....

I can't believe you are still milking this topic. It is pretty entertaining but after a few days of the same tongue in cheek speculation, jokes about Tmo suddenly become an example of solidarity (OK, those are still funny), and so on. At least it has it's own thread now.

The way they describe Lance's work with Ferrari in this book, I can see why some of you are so totally convinced that Lance doped his way through seven tours.

 

[whiteboytrash]

It should also be noted that Ferrari costs big money..... Virenque wanted to use him but couldn't afford his fee !

I would hate to see Armstrong introduce Danielson to Ferrari.. it would ruin him..... would will probably never know as they now keep this stuff very quite.....

MJ from memory the Gewiss race in Liege was 1-2-3 but that also pumped the peleton by over 8 minutes….. after that race everyone wanted to know Ferrari….. 3 riders time trailed away from 200…… EPO works.

And possibly before.......he met ferrari in 1995 after ferrari got fired as teamdoctor on the gewiss team. Remember the liege 1,2,3.........after that ferrari was a god in the peloton and everyone wanted to get epo.....

Lance couldn't stay behind so his friend the legendary merckx introduced him to ferrari...........

The rest is history.........

 

[barnstorm]

...and 49 pages of how Ullrich has lost the plot is not milking it ?

I to have read the book "War" and thought it was very well written. I did enjoy the 'fat pinching' chapter and laughed when Ullrich rocked up that he kept about 9 layers of clothing on because he was "fat" !



Back to the topic at hand.... like you say without Armstrong at the helm the team is falling away at the seems.... there are no clear leaders and every rider is jumping up and down wanting to lead the team regardless of pedigree.... this often happens when there is a vacuum left by a strong leader..... other riders are saying nothing not knowing what to do as there is no direction from Bruyneel....... Bruyneel is much to blame as anyone for this situation... he should have signed up Vino when he had the chance... I guess he was too cocky and confident that he would sign Basso.....

I don't yet agree with your analysis. I think we are seeing Bruynell play the best cards he has with the talent he has. I think they could have gotten some different talent... Floyd clearly has more talent than I have credited him with and we will see what he is capable of. I understand from my friend that later in the book, you see how they really screwed Floyd. So if they do well this year, then they made good talent decisions and had good strategy and if they don't do well, then I will be willing to buy your theories about disarray.

Now, if they are coddling Danielson out of sponsor pressure to have a top american on the team, then that is pretty pathetic. They should just go back to one of the other talented and proven americans like floyd or levi and beg them to come back. I am not dismissing your theories, I just am not yet convinced... and have also learned from reading your posts for a while that you have a ton of fun stirring the pot of the lance worshipers by picking on him and Disco. Is there something to this one? Could be, but I am not buying it yet.

 

[whiteboytrash]

They can't just buy Floyd back..... he is on a good team now with riders who want to back him..... why go back to Discovery where is was ridiculed and mocked and not given anymore money after riding his legs off for Lance in 2004..... I'm not sure if you're up the section in the book where Bruyneel mocks Landis for riding the d'Huez time trial to hard in front the entire team….. Landis backed it up by riding is nuts off the next day on the stage in which Armstrong piped Kloden on the line after Lance hang Landis out to dry for the stage win……. (someone remind me of the stage number ?)… I was actually on the mountain that day but I can’t remember it now !

I’m not trying to stir the pot; I’m just calling it like it is….. Discovery is in disarray…. They are where T-Mobile was last year….. It doesn’t work… we all know that….. I think you will see a rider exodus at the end this season from Discovery….. maybe Discovery will sign Hamilton ?

I don't yet agree with your analysis. I think we are seeing Bruynell play the best cards he has with the talent he has. I think they could have gotten some different talent... Floyd clearly has more talent than I have credited him with and we will see what he is capable of. I understand from my friend that later in the book, you see how they really screwed Floyd. So if they do well this year, then they made good talent decisions and had good strategy and if they don't do well, then I will be willing to buy your theories about disarray.

Now, if they are coddling Danielson out of sponsor pressure to have a top american on the team, then that is pretty pathetic. They should just go back to one of the other talented and proven americans like floyd or levi and beg them to come back. I am not dismissing your theories, I just am not yet convinced... and have also learned from reading your posts for a while that you have a ton of fun stirring the pot of the lance worshipers by picking on him and Disco. Is there something to this one? Could be, but I am not buying it yet.

 

[barnstorm]

They can't just buy Floyd back..... he is on a good team now with riders who want to back him..... why go back to Discovery where is was ridiculed and mocked and not given anymore money after riding his legs off for Lance in 2004..... I'm not sure if you're up the section in the book where Bruyneel mocks Landis for riding the d'Huez time trial to hard in front the entire team….. Landis backed it up by riding is nuts off the next day on the stage in which Armstrong piped Kloden on the line after Lance hang Landis out to dry for the stage win……. (someone remind me of the stage number ?)… I was actually on the mountain that day but I can’t remember it now !

I think that was stage 17. Great stage. Lance telling Floyd to "run like you stole something," Ullrich chasing Floyd down, Lance pipping Kloden. Floyd was an animal on that stage. I haven't gotten to that point. Maybe tonight or today at lunch.

I’m not trying to stir the pot; I’m just calling it like it is….. Discovery is in disarray…. They are where T-Mobile was last year….. It doesn’t work… we all know that….. I think you will see a rider exodus at the end this season from Discovery….. maybe Discovery will sign Hamilton ?

OK, this helps. I am starting to see your point since you compared to last year's Tmo. The way you are describing Tmo earlier it did look like pot stirring because they were so pathetic for the past few years, signing all of these GCrs then having them compete within the team. That does look like what Disco is doing a bit with the multiple leader thing. If anyone can pull it off though, it will be them.

Funny, Disco/Postal in past years has been mostly up and comers and career domestiques until last year. All of the sudden they have Popo who has a GT podium under his belt, Falco with two Giros. And that was the worst I have ever seen the team look. Nothing like previous years with Heras, Chechu, Ace, Floyd riding the legs off the opposition before leaving Lance alone. Didnt' look anything like that last year. My theory was that it was because they had a bunch of GC kind of guys who had to play domestique for the first time... different kind of racing and that's why they looked so bad... except the TTT of course. That suits a team of GCs.

As for someone leaving in a huff at the end of the season. That has happened every single year so that would not be a surprise. Only a surprise if it didn't happen.

2000 - Hamilton, Livingston
2001 - Levi (right year?)
2002 - ? can't remember and don't feel like researching this right now.
2003 - Roberto
2004- Floyd, Pena

 

[barnstorm]

….. maybe Discovery will sign Hamilton ?
[/QUOTE]
LOLOLOLOLOL

 

[seriouslydog]

Landis backed it up by riding is nuts off the next day on the stage in which Armstrong piped Kloden on the line after Lance hang Landis out to dry for the stage win……. (someone remind me of the stage number ?)… I was actually on the mountain that day but I can’t remember it now !

I'm not sure we were watching the same race. From what I saw Lance gave Landis the go ahead but Landis just didn't have enough steam and so, not wanting to concede the stage to TM, Lance clipped Kloden at the line. In fact, when Ullrich caught up to Armstrong and Landis in the final stretch, Armstrong refused to pull, trying to force Ullrich to work. All in an attempt to make Ullrich expend energy, rather than drag on Floyd and steal the win.

Also, do you really feel Discovery should have gone after Vino? You created a post dedicated to Discovery in disarray and yet Vino was the source of TM's disarray last year in the Tour. He certainly wasn't riding for Ullrich. Charging ahead, cracking, falling back, digging deep, catching up to the pack, charging again... What kind of team strategy is that? He's just not someone who is going to ride for anyone other than himself.

seriously,

dog

ps I read Lance Armstrong's War as well and came away from it feeling that Armstrong would do anything to win, even if that meant taking performance enhancing drugs. Also, I gained a new found respect for Landis, especially when I read how he drank something like 14 espressos before a training ride. That rocks.

 

[limerickman]

They can't just buy Floyd back..... he is on a good team now with riders who want to back him..... why go back to Discovery where is was ridiculed and mocked and not given anymore money after riding his legs off for Lance in 2004..... I'm not sure if you're up the section in the book where Bruyneel mocks Landis for riding the d'Huez time trial to hard in front the entire team….. Landis backed it up by riding is nuts off the next day on the stage in which Armstrong piped Kloden on the line after Lance hang Landis out to dry for the stage win……. (someone remind me of the stage number ?)… I was actually on the mountain that day but I can’t remember it now !

I’m not trying to stir the pot; I’m just calling it like it is….. Discovery is in disarray…. They are where T-Mobile was last year….. It doesn’t work… we all know that….. I think you will see a rider exodus at the end this season from Discovery….. maybe Discovery will sign Hamilton ?

I was going to try to write a very earnest, but ultimately one dimensional post
,a la Musette, expounding the reasons as to why paceline.com sayeth that DC are not in disarray.

Then I saw the "maybe they'll (DC) sign Hamilton" and I haven't stopped laughing since!

 

[barnstorm]

I was going to try to write a very earnest, but ultimately one dimensional post
,a la Musette, expounding the reasons as to why paceline.com sayeth that DC are not in disarray.

Then I saw the "maybe they'll (DC) sign Hamilton" and I haven't stopped laughing since!

Dammit Lim, I have been away from my computer for over three hours and finally stopped laughing until you just got me going again.

Also, I got the part over lunch about Floyd's 14 espressos, and Lance's stern response... thanks dad.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Dammit Lim, I have been away from my computer for over three hours and finally stopped laughing until you just got me going again.

Also, I got the part over lunch about Floyd's 14 espressos, and Lance's stern response... thanks dad.

This is a serious thread... I honestly believe Discovery have lost the plot this year...... after 7 years of total domination you would have to expect them to fall from grace.....

 

[limerickman]

This is a serious thread... I honestly believe Discovery have lost the plot this year...... after 7 years of total domination you would have to expect them to fall from grace.....

You are taking the **** here, WBT?
The season has barely started, for God's sake.

Don't go down the Musette road, WBT.
Parsing one phrase and spinning an entire thesis upon that one phrase, contained in one sentence, all within one interview.

 

[whiteboytrash]

You are taking the **** here, WBT?
The season has barely started, for God's sake.

Don't go down the Musette road, WBT.
Parsing one phrase and spinning an entire thesis upon that one phrase, contained in one sentence, all within one interview.

Good point.... I need my green tea and bed.... goodnight all.....

 

[bobke]

They can't just buy Floyd back..... he is on a good team now with riders who want to back him..... why go back to Discovery where is was ridiculed and mocked and not given anymore money after riding his legs off for Lance in 2004..... I'm not sure if you're up the section in the book where Bruyneel mocks Landis for riding the d'Huez time trial to hard in front the entire team….. Landis backed it up by riding is nuts off the next day on the stage in which Armstrong piped Kloden on the line after Lance hang Landis out to dry for the stage win……. (someone remind me of the stage number ?)… I was actually on the mountain that day but I can’t remember it now !

I’m not trying to stir the pot; I’m just calling it like it is….. Discovery is in disarray…. They are where T-Mobile was last year….. It doesn’t work… we all know that….. I think you will see a rider exodus at the end this season from Discovery….. maybe Discovery will sign Hamilton ?

Yeah yeah, you were on the mountain that stage but cant remember the mountain...interesting though because Lance said in an interview that the Col de Forclaz should be renamed the Col de Floyd he (Landis) rode so well.
Lance tried to gift the stage win to Floyd in part as a gesture of thanks and to keep him on the team. Ullrich chased Floyd down. Game over.

I also read the book and do not recall Lance giving Floyd a hard time for riding the uphill time trial too hard, maybe he did. It was Floyd's job to save himself for his JOB, dude, what he gets paod for, not use the ITT to audition for other teams which was obvious to Lance and Bruyneel since Floyd had already been talking to Phonak and Tyler the whole TdF...a fact Floyd acknowledged.

Nothing wrong with Lance telling Floyd to stopp with the 14 espressos and train. It was because of Lance that Floyd got to ride with Disco, and as team leader who handpicked Floyd, he could certainly observe that his less than serious approach to training would ultimately hurt Floyd but also Lance and the team.

What is it with you girls...dont you know how teams operate?

Yeah, and ask Bobby Julich about what a great group of guys T-Mobile are and how enlightened their training and coaching are.

Ever notice that Telekom ended Kevin Livingston's career and almost did Bobby J. as well.

My son trained with Kevin L who told non-stop funny stories about the Telekom moronic lowbrow Teutonic approach to cycling, one that has resulted if facts speak to "the most talented cyclist of his generation" Jan Ullrich having a very mediocre career: no classic wins, no one days to speak of, not even a Paris Nice or LBL and a steady decline 1997-2006 in performance in the one race he claims to care about the TdF.

Disarray anyone?

 

[DV1976]

Yeah yeah, you were on the mountain that stage but cant remember the mountain...interesting though because Lance said in an interview that the Col de Forclaz should be renamed the Col de Floyd he (Landis) rode so well.
Lance tried to gift the stage win to Floyd in part as a gesture of thanks and to keep him on the team. Ullrich chased Floyd down. Game over.

I also read the book and do not recall Lance giving Floyd a hard time for riding the uphill time trial too hard, maybe he did. It was Floyd's job to save himself for his JOB, dude, what he gets paod for, not use the ITT to audition for other teams which was obvious to Lance and Bruyneel since Floyd had already been talking to Phonak and Tyler the whole TdF...a fact Floyd acknowledged.

Nothing wrong with Lance telling Floyd to stopp with the 14 espressos and train. It was because of Lance that Floyd got to ride with Disco, and as team leader who handpicked Floyd, he could certainly observe that his less than serious approach to training would ultimately hurt Floyd but also Lance and the team.

What is it with you girls...dont you know how teams operate?

Yeah, and ask Bobby Julich about what a great group of guys T-Mobile are and how enlightened their training and coaching are.

Ever notice that Telekom ended Kevin Livingston's career and almost did Bobby J. as well.

My son trained with Kevin L who told non-stop funny stories about the Telekom moronic lowbrow Teutonic approach to cycling, one that has resulted if facts speak to "the most talented cyclist of his generation" Jan Ullrich having a very mediocre career: no classic wins, no one days to speak of, not even a Paris Nice or LBL and a steady decline 1997-2006 in performance in the one race he claims to care about the TdF.

Disarray anyone?

Just a few quick points
1) WBT didn't say that Lance gave Floyd a hard time. He said that Bruyneel did and he is right I 've read the book myself. Landis was livid the next day and he almost dropped Lance.
2) Although I am not sure about Disco being in disarray, I think that your arguments are irrelevant with the title of the topic. For starters no one disputes that Disco was a well oiled machine when LA was running it. The problem is what's going on now where it seems that his lieutenants are fighting over his succession. Secondly, the fact that T-Mobile didn't work out for two American riders and Cadel Evans i) doesn't make it a bad team (there was a special topic on it) and ii) doesn't make this year's Disco any better. If it's disarray it's in disarray no matter what stories you've heard about T-Mobile true or not... And it does seem that Disco is getting ready to do a "T-Mobile" this year and go with "many options open " in the Grand Tours. And from past experience we know what a **** up this has been...

 

[whiteboytrash]

Thank-you DV for confirming my point.... I'm not saying T-Mobile haven't been in disarray in the past or that Discovery/USPS have been in disarray in the past; I'm saying now in the post Lance era that Discovery are indeed in disarray... no leader, riders shooting there mouths off, defending champions of Grand Tours being demoted to team helper duties and a disjointed team plan for 2006 = disarray. I rest my case.


As for Landis… he has never looked so good after leaving USPS and has never been paid so much money. There is no way he is going back there forget it. What do you take him for ?

Just a few quick points
1) WBT didn't say that Lance gave Floyd a hard time. He said that Bruyneel did and he is right I 've read the book myself. Landis was livid the next day and he almost dropped Lance.
2) Although I am not sure about Disco being in disarray, I think that your arguments are irrelevant with the title of the topic. For starters no one disputes that Disco was a well oiled machine when LA was running it. The problem is what's going on now where it seems that his lieutenants are fighting over his succession. Secondly, the fact that T-Mobile didn't work out for two American riders and Cadel Evans i) doesn't make it a bad team (there was a special topic on it) and ii) doesn't make this year's Disco any better. If it's disarray it's in disarray no matter what stories you've heard about T-Mobile true or not... And it does seem that Disco is getting ready to do a "T-Mobile" this year and go with "many options open " in the Grand Tours. And from past experience we know what a **** up this has been...

 

[bobke]

Just a few quick points
1) WBT didn't say that Lance gave Floyd a hard time. He said that Bruyneel did and he is right I 've read the book myself. Landis was livid the next day and he almost dropped Lance.
2) Although I am not sure about Disco being in disarray, I think that your arguments are irrelevant with the title of the topic. For starters no one disputes that Disco was a well oiled machine when LA was running it. The problem is what's going on now where it seems that his lieutenants are fighting over his succession. Secondly, the fact that T-Mobile didn't work out for two American riders and Cadel Evans i) doesn't make it a bad team (there was a special topic on it) and ii) doesn't make this year's Disco any better. If it's disarray it's in disarray no matter what stories you've heard about T-Mobile true or not... And it does seem that Disco is getting ready to do a "T-Mobile" this year and go with "many options open " in the Grand Tours. And from past experience we know what a **** up this has been...

Just a few quick replies:

1. Doesnt matter if it was Lance or Bruyneel who chastised Floyd. He deserved it for directly going against his orders for the day, which did not include showing off for Phonak. At least Azevedo could go hard to preserve his close to podium performance, coming in 4th on the uphill TT I believe. Bruyneel and Lance are Siamese twins joined at their Blackberries so it is irrelevant who said what, they BOTH ran the team.

2. A few quotes from interviews, none of which I've seen, dont make a case for disarray. From what I see of Disco, they worked seemlessly together to get the team two wins in California and George delivered the goods.

3. Only natural TomD would want to step up and try something bigger. Only natural George would also want a piece of the action. As I have said I think the team is waiting also to see if TomD can deliver. Salvodelli and Bruyneel have both said the Giro course stinks for Salvodelli but he will go as the defending champion of course to defend and Bruyneel has said the team OWES him that. But who knows what cards they will play. Obviously down the road Popo and Danielson are potential grand tour winners, this year they dont have a card to play so who knows what they will do. Probably one tactic is to keep people guessing by appearing in disarray. Nothing about Bruyneel now or as a rider would suggest anything but a skilled and intelligent tactician.

4. Disarray? When is T-Mobile unveiling Jan for the year? Its getting later and later. It is already March, at least in Aussie land, and he has no announced plans. I swear that each time Pevanage states, as he did today, that Jan is right on form, the YOU JUST KNOW it isnt true. He isnt showing up fpr Paris Nice, for Murcia, for nothing. THis is a bad sign, as Rudi Altig again stated last week. Jan is lazy and needs to race.

 

[DV1976]

Just a few quick replies:

1. Doesnt matter if it was Lance or Bruyneel who chastised Floyd. He deserved it for directly going against his orders for the day, which did not include showing off for Phonak. At least Azevedo could go hard to preserve his close to podium performance, coming in 4th on the uphill TT I believe. Bruyneel and Lance are Siamese twins joined at their Blackberries so it is irrelevant who said what, they BOTH ran the team.

I don't remember which position Landis ended up and I don't have the book handy but as far as I can remember his final placing was hardly a showing off

3. Only natural TomD would want to step up and try something bigger. Only natural George would also want a piece of the action. As I have said I think the team is waiting also to see if TomD can deliver. Salvodelli and Bruyneel have both said the Giro course stinks for Salvodelli but he will go as the defending champion of course to defend and Bruyneel has said the team OWES him that. But who knows what cards they will play. Obviously down the road Popo and Danielson are potential grand tour winners, this year they dont have a card to play so who knows what they will do. Probably one tactic is to keep people guessing by appearing in disarray. Nothing about Bruyneel now or as a rider would suggest anything but a skilled and intelligent tactician.

I don't profess to be an expert in cycling but it is my understanding that a rider can be one of two things, either a domestique or a team leader. Above you mentioned 4 riders that want "a piece of the action" which means that 4 riders aspire to become team leaders this year (under the assumption that we referring to the big Tours since all the quotes mentioned refer to those races). This would never happen with Lance in the team. I said before that I would term this "disarray" (yet) but it reminds me of the "brilliant" idea that T-Mobile had in last year's TDF...

4. Disarray? When is T-Mobile unveiling Jan for the year? Its getting later and later. It is already March, at least in Aussie land, and he has no announced plans. I swear that each time Pevanage states, as he did today, that Jan is right on form, the YOU JUST KNOW it isnt true. He isnt showing up fpr Paris Nice, for Murcia, for nothing. THis is a bad sign, as Rudi Altig again stated last week. Jan is lazy and needs to race.

You are fixated with T-Mobile... I thought we are talking about Disco here. T-Mobile's alleged (by you exclusively it seems) problems will not solve Disco's own.