Discovery in disarray.... ?

[musette]

I don't believe DC is in disarray, but it does seem like Bruyneel knew Popovych would have problems even before Paris-Nice started. They originally had Padrnos and Danielson riding Paris-Nice, when they first had their team outlined on paceline for P-N not that many days ago (within the last 10 days). At the start of the race, the team and the montage on paceline of all the riders participating had changed and Hammond, among others, has been added. Padrnos and Danielson have now joined the Tireno-Adriatico squad, helping Savoldelli and Hincapie.

Also, the PN thepaceline preview suggests confirms something is amiss, with respect to Popovych's current condition:

"The men on the road will be lead by Tour de France veterans Yaroslav Popovych (in his first race this year), Chechu Rubiera, Jose Azevedo, Benjamin Noval, and Benoit Joachim."

Since when have 5 riders, including usual domestiques Noval and especially Joachim, led a ProTour race, according to the DC description?

 

[whiteboytrash]

Are you ok ? You don't seem yourself....... it will be a long year.....

Also, the PN thepaceline preview suggests confirms something is amiss, with respect to Popovych's current condition:

"The men on the road will be lead by Tour de France veterans Yaroslav Popovych (in his first race this year), Chechu Rubiera, Jose Azevedo, Benjamin Noval, and Benoit Joachim."

Since when have 5 riders, including usual domestiques Noval and especially Joachim, led a ProTour race, according to the DC description?

 

[whiteboytrash]

Are you ok ? You don't seem yourself....... it will be a long year.....

Further testament that it will be a long year for Discovery is that Stijn Devolder by admission on his own website has admitted that it will be a long year… With Boonen riding every race from now until the Worlds and Petacchi looking in fine form, Fletcha riding with maturity, up-and-comers like Davies and McEwen announcing he wants to ride the classics there is little chance for a win or even a podium this year until he gets more experience… Hincapie will have the same fate in the classics… This is why is makes it all the stranger that Bruyneel wants to use Danialson for the Giro and not favorite Savodelli…. Discovery are in disarray.

 

[musette]

DC is in fine shape, but the status of van Heeswijk is also interesting. He doesn't seem like he's doing particularly well, either.

 

[patch70]

Discovery are in disarray

There is only one possible explanation.
With the departure of Lance, his personal sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb has decided to stop providing the good drugs. Any wins for DSC don't make the sales of their anti-cancer drugs go up anymore.

 

[velodrome.co.nr]

discovery win still win at least one grand tour this season and probably a major classic aswell

 

[whiteboytrash]

Geezas…. go easy on the footnoting, the examples presented and the factual information...... to much to take in at one time.....

discovery win still win at least one grand tour this season and probably a major classic aswell

 

[Powerful Pete]

discovery win still win at least one grand tour this season and probably a major classic aswell

Whoa, that is ambitious. I think you are being more 'fan' than logical... IMHO, of course.

Which grand tour? Savoldelli is not too happy with the Giro course, but then again, as opposed to last year he may actually have a team to support him this year. Will be tough.

Is Popo ready for the Tour yet? Doubt it. Maybe the Vuelta?

There are chances for a classic with people like Hincapie. Although he is up against the Northen contingent (I have recently heard about some guy named Boonen being in decent shape)... Let us remember that he has won some semi-classics and a great stage at the tour. But to take a MSR, L-B-L, or a Paris-Roubaix, or a Ronde?

 

[musette]

I believe Savoldelli, despite the tough climbing in certain stages, will podium at the Giro and he has a not immaterial chance of winning it. Depending on his condition post-Giro, Savoldelli cannot be dismissed for the TdF podium (not necessarily the yellow jersey).

 

[Powerful Pete]

I believe Savoldelli, despite the tough climbing in certain stages, will podium at the Giro and he has a not immaterial chance of winning it. Depending on his condition post-Giro, Savoldelli cannot be dismissed for the TdF podium (not necessarily the yellow jersey).

Whoa. I definitely hope that you are right... but I wonder if he can hold on in the TdF mountains, and whether Discovery will ride for him?

 

[velodrome.co.nr]

well, Savoldelli will win the tour, hammond will win Paris Roubaix and Popo will get the vuelta
basso will win the giro

 

[whiteboytrash]

Further proof that Discovery are in disarray is that Floyd Landis drilled Azevedo by over 1.15” in today stage of Paris Nice...... Discovery is in disarray.

It wasn't that much of a climb....

 

[Eldrack]

I wouldn't say that means they are in disarray, just not really in form at this point in the season. Landis is definitely in form.

 

[barnstorm]

Floyd might actually be quite good. He can TT, he can climb, strong team, hmmmmmm. And he is a little off upstairs which I am sure helps out to do that crazy sport.

 

[Eldrack]

He does seem to be in good form at the moment. Lets hope the form stays on for the Tour of Georgia, then the Giro, the the Dauphine (or Tour de Suisse) and so on...........


Also, WBT, Discovery lead the team classification at the moment during Paris Nice, not doing that badly but they won't win the GC anymore.

 

[limerickman]

DC went went in todays stage : Aczevedo Rubiera were in the chasing group
behind Landis.

Landis form in the TDF in 04 was superb.
OK 2005 was poor but given what was going on a Phonak, that's no real surprise.
Landis made a good blast for GC today - but there are 4 days to go, so it's not over yet.

 

[bobke]

DC went went in todays stage : Aczevedo Rubiera were in the chasing group
behind Landis.

Landis form in the TDF in 04 was superb.
OK 2005 was poor but given what was going on a Phonak, that's no real surprise.
Landis made a good blast for GC today - but there are 4 days to go, so it's not over yet.

Nice to see an American do well without doping, and a Phonak rider to boot.
Can't wait till the shoe drops...
Wait till Floyd keeps winning...we'll see when he gets hounded like poor innocent Tyler and slandered like Lance. Then what will you guys say?!?!
OK, it was a joke, just a joke lets move on.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Also, WBT, Discovery lead the team classification at the moment during Paris Nice, no't doing that badly but they won't win the GC anymore.

The team classification is an award for mediocrity.... means you've got more average riders in the mid-range than an other team and you don’t have a stand-out rider on GC...... its an award for sitting in the bunch and doing nothing..... the team classification card is what us T-Mobile fans would bring out when Jan was fatter than Drew Carey and didn't perform..... don't fall the same tired excuses. Discovery is in disarray.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Further proof that Discovery are in disarray is that Floyd Landis drilled Azevedo by over 1.15” in today stage of Paris Nice...... Discovery is in disarray.

It wasn't that much of a climb....

Azevedo and Chu chu will probably retire or move to another team next year.... there is little incentive for then to hang around. No big rider to ride for, no room for personal ambition and having to listen to Tom Danielson **** 24 x 7 in the press is enough to make anyone top themselves. See them both joining a Spanish outfit next year. Probably Liberty to work with Vino.

 

[bobke]

Further proof that Discovery are in disarray is that Floyd Landis drilled Azevedo by over 1.15” in today stage of Paris Nice...... Discovery is in disarray.

It wasn't that much of a climb....

The Col de Croix de Chabouret varies depending on which side you take it from.
It was 10 km @ 6.5%, thats a major climb no matter how you dice it.
When the stats say "@6.5%" that means it is mostly 7% and stretches of 8-9% averaged out with a few flat sections of 5-6% thrown in. Do the math.

The gradient listed on Alpe d'Huez fro example is 8.3%, yeah right.
There are not 100 meters on that mountain that are 8% or less except for the switchbacks, do the math.
Everything is >8 more like 9-10% the whole way.
There are long sections on Alpe d'Huez that are like 12-13% like km1-4.
And at least one section that is like 15% for 0.5 km.

Chechu will retire from Discovery.