Levi's Training

acoggan said:

You have got to be kidding me...

thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

please explain your derision, for it may help me learn

thanks again for your time

531Aussie said:

thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

please explain your derision, for it may help me learn

thanks again for your time

FWIW, my derision was not in any way aimed at you, but at the notion that the medieval torture device you posted the description of could somehow be considered helpful in training for bicycle racing. Obviously, if pedaling a bike doesn't prepare your hip adductors for the demands that machine places upon them, then the hip adductors play practically no role in helping you pedal a bike.

Specificity, specificity, specificity...

fergie said:

So your telling us that Max shares all of Levis info?

No.

Didn't think any professional coach would.

HF

531Aussie said:

anyone got any more details on the 'reformer' he describes?

"this one machine called the reformer. It has a carriage that slides back and forth. One foot is on the end that's stable and the other foot is on the carriage, which is on a really light spring so it wants to spread apart. You have [light] weights in your arms and you lift them up ... and at the same time let your legs go out as far as they can. Then you bring 'em back in, and do that with your feet turned out, turned in, bent ... and by the time you're done the inside of your legs are so trashed. You're sore for like three days.

There are dozens of exercises that can be done on the reformer, many of which have little or nothing to do with the legs.

Ok.... 2nd on Stage 11 for Levi today. Anyone ready to eat crow yet?

PolishPostal said:

Ok.... 2nd on Stage 11 for Levi today. Anyone ready to eat crow yet?

Eat crow about what?

PolishPostal said:

Ok.... 2nd on Stage 11 for Levi today. Anyone ready to eat crow yet?

13th overall at 5:39 back? I'd say AC's bet is safe, so far.

It was good to see Levi back in the lead group, and I gotta give him props for at least throwing in an attack or two. Meanwhile, I was yelling at Landis on the TV to drop those chumps and put the race out of reach while they're all on the ropes. Guess I'm just too used to watching Lance... 🙁

Now that Floyd's in yellow, I guess we're in for a pretty boring TdF while he establishes himself as "a good TTer, and difficult to drop on a climb." Yippee. 🙄

frenchyge said:

It was good to see Levi back in the lead group, and I gotta give him props for at least throwing in an attack or two. Meanwhile, I was yelling at Landis on the TV to drop those chumps and put the race out of reach while they're all on the ropes. Guess I'm just too used to watching Lance... 🙁

Now that Floyd's in yellow, I guess we're in for a pretty boring TdF while he establishes himself as "a good TTer, and difficult to drop on a climb." Yippee. 🙄

Nah, I'm predicting the former mtb'er battle with Cadel Evans attacking the descents and making floyd chase.:eek:

whoawhoa said:

13th overall at 5:39 back? I'd say AC's bet is safe, so far.

Especially since Leipheimer has ruled out a run at the GC, and instead said that he's going to focus on a stage win. Getting beat by Menchov today therefore must have been quite disappointing.

whoawhoa said:

Nah, I'm predicting the former mtb'er battle with Cadel Evans attacking the descents and making floyd chase.:eek:

Sure, if Floyd doesn't have the huevos to drop those guys on the climbs, then he opens himself up to all kinds of craziness, like that. But with the lead he has now, his bulletproof tactic of just riding on the fastest guy's wheel, should prevail. I'm going to be disappointed if he wins the Tour without winning a stage.

I liked how he commented in the interview that he had to do all the work on the climb. Who else is going to, when he's the one who stands to take the yellow? I guess he forgot that it was T-mobile and Rabobank who forced the selections in the first place. 🙄

frenchyge said:

It was good to see Levi back in the lead group, and I gotta give him props for at least throwing in an attack or two. Meanwhile, I was yelling at Landis on the TV to drop those chumps and put the race out of reach while they're all on the ropes. Guess I'm just too used to watching Lance... 🙁

Now that Floyd's in yellow, I guess we're in for a pretty boring TdF while he establishes himself as "a good TTer, and difficult to drop on a climb." Yippee. 🙄

I'm not sure if Landis has quite the personality for such theatrics...remember how he was apparently satisfied to just shadow Danielson to the top of Mt. Bald? A wise tactical decision, no doubt, but based on that (and the comments of Lim about "being consistent", etc.) I wouldn't expect him throw in any scintillating attacks.

The other factor to consider is that Landis doesn't appear to have a really strong team at his disposal, as Armstrong did. Riding a bit defensively therefore may be necessary, to the point that perhaps he didn't even want to try to take the yellow jersey just yet.

acoggan said:

Especially since Leipheimer has ruled out a run at the GC, and instead said that he's going to focus on a stage win. Getting beat by Menchov today therefore must have been quite disappointing.

Clearly, but he looked to be the weakest of the three. He needs to go earlier if he expects them to let him go up the road.

acoggan said:

The other factor to consider is that Landis doesn't appear to have a really strong team at his disposal, as Armstrong did. Riding a bit defensively therefore may be necessary, to the point that perhaps he didn't even want to try to take the yellow jersey just yet.

I agree. When Honchar and the yellow jersey were dangling by a thread yesterday, Phonak could have plucked it with just a slight increase in pace if they'd wanted it.

frenchyge said:

Clearly, but he looked to be the weakest of the three. He needs to go earlier if he expects them to let him go up the road.

Or wait until the battle for the GC is a bit more sorted out, so that people like Landis, Evans, etc., are more likely to just let him go up the road.

frenchyge said:

Clearly, but he looked to be the weakest of the three. He needs to go earlier if he expects them to let him go up the road.

You think Levi is fully-recovered already from being ill? Still a factor just yesterday. Menchov chased him down twice and then sat on. Landis never attacked. The last climb was not so steep and Levi is the lightest of the last 5+ guys.

Levi needed some of my sprint today. Maybe Levi should spend more time doing 20" sprints up hill! (Hopefully, this sharing of information will not offend Hamish.)

WarrenG said:

Levi needed some of my sprint today. Maybe Levi should spend more time doing 20" sprints up hill! (Hopefully, this sharing of information will not offend Hamish.)

On that note, I thought Landis' performance in the sprint was interesting in light of Lim's comments re. changes in his 5 s power...

More telling. What was Hincapie thinking ever considering himself a GC contender. Clear case of getting very bad advice.

Hamish Ferguson
Cycling Coach

acoggan said:

On that note, I thought Landis' performance in the sprint was interesting in light of Lim's comments re. changes in his 5 s power...

I dunno whether landis was sprinting full on or not, but he may have only taken 3rd place and gotten the 8 seconds bonus on purpose -- this way it's potentially possible for Dessel to gain a few bonus seconds and retake the maillot jaune. This relieves the pressure on the Phonak team (who aren't the strongest) and gives AG2R some spotlight.

ric