Merckx critical of Ullrich



C

Charles Hizark

Guest
"Although Jan Ullrich maintains that he is right on target for his
Tour de France plans, there are concerns that he is taking things a
little too easy at this time of year. In today's Rund um Köln, Ullrich
could only manage 64th place at 5'41 down from the winner, a far cry
from his 52 km solo effort to win last year.

Ullrich joked afterwards that, "In 2003 I was an outsider and I was
only able to win because the others didn't recognise me in my Coast
jersey. However, it's a long time to the Tour and I'm on the right
track."

Five time Tour winner Eddy Merckx, who is never afraid to speak his
mind, told DPA, "It seems that Jan has again not worked hard enough in
his previous preparation and is still too much overweight. Sure, he
has still over two months, but to beat Lance Armstrong in the Tour
will be harder than 2003." "

I agree with Eddy time is getting shorrt for Jan. On the otherhand I
will be interesting see what kind of shape Armstrong is in after
training in the US. Personally I think Lance is taking a big risk by
training in the US and eliminating the Dauphine Libre from his
schedule. There is the slight chance that this could open the tdf for
a outsider to win.
 
"Charles Hizark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I agree with Eddy time is getting shorrt for Jan. On the otherhand I
> will be interesting see what kind of shape Armstrong is in after
> training in the US. Personally I think Lance is taking a big risk by
> training in the US and eliminating the Dauphine Libre from his
> schedule. There is the slight chance that this could open the tdf for
> a outsider to win.

I would think that there's a good chance that he could develop a lot
stronger training in Colorado than he could in Spain or France. For one
thing the altitude is a quite a bit higher and for another, there's no media
to hound him or fans to break in his door for an autograph.
 
"Tom Kunich" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Charles Hizark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > I agree with Eddy time is getting shorrt for Jan. On the otherhand I
> > will be interesting see what kind of shape Armstrong is in after
> > training in the US. Personally I think Lance is taking a big risk by
> > training in the US and eliminating the Dauphine Libre from his
> > schedule. There is the slight chance that this could open the tdf for
> > a outsider to win.
>
> I would think that there's a good chance that he could develop a lot
> stronger training in Colorado than he could in Spain or France. For one
> thing the altitude is a quite a bit higher and for another, there's no media
> to hound him or fans to break in his door for an autograph.
I just feel that Lance should stick to what has worked for him in the past.
 
Not an option for a guy who wants to keep his kids. The ex will
definitely have lots of court ammo if he decides to prepare
exclusively in Europe.


> I just feel that Lance should stick to what has worked for him in the past.
 
David Wuertele <[email protected]> wrote:
> Robert> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3542415.stm

> "Lance Armstrong has decided to ride in this year's Dauphine Libere
> race as he prepares to go for a record-equalling sixth Tour de France
> title."

> Record-equalling?

If it had not been for that stupid french spectator who hit him in the
stomach, Merckx would have won 6 times.

Didier

--
Didier A Depireux [email protected] [email protected]
20 Penn Str - S218E http://neurobiology.umaryland.edu/depireux.htm
Anatomy and Neurobiology Phone: 410-706-1272 (lab)
University of Maryland -1273 (off)
Baltimore MD 21201 USA Fax: 1-410-706-2512
 
"Tom Kunich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Charles Hizark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > I agree with Eddy time is getting shorrt for Jan. On the otherhand I
> > will be interesting see what kind of shape Armstrong is in after
> > training in the US. Personally I think Lance is taking a big risk by
> > training in the US and eliminating the Dauphine Libre from his
> > schedule. There is the slight chance that this could open the tdf for
> > a outsider to win.
>
> I would think that there's a good chance that he could develop a lot
> stronger training in Colorado than he could in Spain or France. For one
> thing the altitude is a quite a bit higher and for another, there's no
media
> to hound him or fans to break in his door for an autograph.

Stronger training? The OP is correct. This is a risk no matter how you look
at it. He can't follow the same program because of his lifestyle changes.
This is not a calculated decision, it is a compromise. This will be the most
difficult Tour for Armstrong post-cancer.
 
"Didier A. Depireux" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> > "Lance Armstrong has decided to ride in this year's Dauphine Libere
> > race as he prepares to go for a record-equalling sixth Tour de France
> > title."
>
> > Record-equalling?
>

Is this another 'virtual' TdF win?
 
[email protected] (kaiser) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Not an option for a guy who wants to keep his kids. The ex will
> definitely have lots of court ammo if he decides to prepare
> exclusively in Europe.
>
I seriously doubt Lance will be able to have custody of his kids. How
can a judge possibly consider giving him custody when he is on the
road so much. In any case it's hard to find a better case to let the
wife have custody.
> > I just feel that Lance should stick to what has worked for him in the past.
 
Didier A. Depireux <[email protected]> wrote:
> David Wuertele <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Robert
> > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3542415.stm

> > "Lance Armstrong has decided to ride in this year's Dauphine Libere
> > race as he prepares to go for a record-equalling sixth Tour de France
> > title."

> > Record-equalling?

> If it had not been for that stupid french spectator who hit him in the
> stomach, Merckx would have won 6 times.

Dr. Lafferty's famous article from 1995 in the "Annales Contrefactuale
du Cyclisme" convinced all serious cycling historians that Lemond
holds the Tour record with six wins, since he would surely have won
in 1985 had he not been unjustly repressed. 1987 and 1988 are obvious
givens, modulo Lemond's hunting accident. Lemond is thus without a
doubt the greatest virtual cyclist of all time.

A sixth Tour victory for Armstrong would reduce the importance
of this argument and Dr. Lafferty is very protective of his
citation count, which probably explains a few things you see
going on here.
 
"Benjamin Weiner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:407da501$1@darkstar...
> Didier A. Depireux <[email protected]> wrote:
> > David Wuertele <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > Robert
> > > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3542415.stm
>
> > > "Lance Armstrong has decided to ride in this year's Dauphine Libere
> > > race as he prepares to go for a record-equalling sixth Tour de France
> > > title."
>
> > > Record-equalling?
>
> > If it had not been for that stupid french spectator who hit him in the
> > stomach, Merckx would have won 6 times.
>
> Dr. Lafferty's famous article from 1995 in the "Annales Contrefactuale
> du Cyclisme" convinced all serious cycling historians that Lemond
> holds the Tour record with six wins, since he would surely have won
> in 1985 had he not been unjustly repressed. 1987 and 1988 are obvious
> givens, modulo Lemond's hunting accident. Lemond is thus without a
> doubt the greatest virtual cyclist of all time.
>
> A sixth Tour victory for Armstrong would reduce the importance
> of this argument and Dr. Lafferty is very protective of his
> citation count, which probably explains a few things you see
> going on here.

Ergo for Lance it's just drugs.
 
Benjamin Weiner <[email protected]> wrote in
news:407da501$1@darkstar:

> Didier A. Depireux <[email protected]> wrote:
>> David Wuertele <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > Robert
>> > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3542415.stm
>
>> > "Lance Armstrong has decided to ride in this year's Dauphine Libere
>> > race as he prepares to go for a record-equalling sixth Tour de
>> > France title."
>
>> > Record-equalling?
>
>> If it had not been for that stupid french spectator who hit him in
>> the stomach, Merckx would have won 6 times.
>
> Dr. Lafferty's famous article from 1995 in the "Annales Contrefactuale
> du Cyclisme" convinced all serious cycling historians that Lemond
> holds the Tour record with six wins, since he would surely have won
> in 1985 had he not been unjustly repressed. 1987 and 1988 are obvious
> givens, modulo Lemond's hunting accident. Lemond is thus without a
> doubt the greatest virtual cyclist of all time.
>
> A sixth Tour victory for Armstrong would reduce the importance
> of this argument and Dr. Lafferty is very protective of his
> citation count, which probably explains a few things you see
> going on here.


Lemond's virtual victories count more than Armstrong's actual victories,
because Armstrong's wins are tainted by the use of a performance
enhancing disease called cancer. Before he got cancer, Armstrong was not
a GC threat in Grand Tours, but then he used the disease to drop
unwanted weight and enhance his performance in the mountains. This is no
different than using EPO or other performance enhancing products.

Therefore, Armstrong + cancer = cheating. Lemond's virtual victories are
the true record.

NS
 
Nev Shea wrote:
>Armstrong's wins are tainted by the use of a
> performance enhancing disease called cancer. Before he got cancer,
> Armstrong was not a GC threat in Grand Tours, but then he used the
> disease to drop unwanted weight and enhance his performance in the
> mountains. This is no different than using EPO or other performance
> enhancing products.
>
> Therefore, Armstrong + cancer = cheating.
> NS

I always thought this sounded better in French.
 
"Nev Shea" <[email protected]> wrote in message >
>
> Lemond's virtual victories count more than Armstrong's actual victories,
> because Armstrong's wins are tainted by the use of a performance
> enhancing disease called cancer. Before he got cancer, Armstrong was not
> a GC threat in Grand Tours, but then he used the disease to drop
> unwanted weight and enhance his performance in the mountains. This is no
> different than using EPO or other performance enhancing products.
>
> Therefore, Armstrong + cancer = cheating. Lemond's virtual victories are
> the true record.
>

IIRC, Lemond was born with only one kidney. How much does a kidney weigh?
 
Carl Sundquist <[email protected]> wrote:

> IIRC, Lemond was born with only one kidney. How much does a kidney weigh?

Are you serious? Kidneys develop (in embryo) at the same time at the outer
ears, so that there's a strong correlation between kidney malformation
(horse-shoe shape, having 1 kidney from 2 fused ones, etc) and "funny ears",
mostly ears sticking straight out. Did Pantani have just one kidney too?
Is that how he was so light?

Didier

--
Didier A Depireux [email protected] [email protected]
20 Penn Str - S218E http://neurobiology.umaryland.edu/depireux.htm
Anatomy and Neurobiology Phone: 410-706-1272 (lab)
University of Maryland -1273 (off)
Baltimore MD 21201 USA Fax: 1-410-706-2512
 
Charles Hizark wrote:
> Five time Tour winner Eddy Merckx, who is never afraid to speak his
> mind, told DPA, "It seems that Jan has again not worked hard enough in
> his previous preparation and is still too much overweight. Sure, he has
> still over two months, but to beat Lance Armstrong in the Tour will be
> harder than 2003."



Merckx is critical of Jan Ullrich. Merckx was critical of Armstrong at
Liege last year. Merckx was critical of Van Looy and Maertens.

I love Eddy Merckx and marvel at everything he has done, including ballooning-
up to well over 250 pounds, but I fear for Axel at family get-togethers.
He must receive a lashing for his palmares as he has done nothing
compared to these riders.



--
 
I was just watching the Fleche Wallone and it appears that Ullrich did
not finish. This seems to confirm that Ullrich's form is off at this
point. So unless Ullrich starts to act fast his chances of winning the
tdf will be over.

[email protected] (Charles Hizark) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Although Jan Ullrich maintains that he is right on target for his
> Tour de France plans, there are concerns that he is taking things a
> little too easy at this time of year. In today's Rund um Köln, Ullrich
> could only manage 64th place at 5'41 down from the winner, a far cry
> from his 52 km solo effort to win last year.
>
> Ullrich joked afterwards that, "In 2003 I was an outsider and I was
> only able to win because the others didn't recognise me in my Coast
> jersey. However, it's a long time to the Tour and I'm on the right
> track."
>
> Five time Tour winner Eddy Merckx, who is never afraid to speak his
> mind, told DPA, "It seems that Jan has again not worked hard enough in
> his previous preparation and is still too much overweight. Sure, he
> has still over two months, but to beat Lance Armstrong in the Tour
> will be harder than 2003." "
 
"Charles Hizark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was just watching the Fleche Wallone and it appears that Ullrich did
> not finish. This seems to confirm that Ullrich's form is off at this
> point. So unless Ullrich starts to act fast his chances of winning the
> tdf will be over.

For some reason, Jan doesn't seem to be able to concentrate on his training
in the winter and then is continuously playing catch-up in the spring. The
pictures I've seen of Jan did not show him significantly overweight as in
past years but he speed in the races he has done this year is not
impressive.

But he ALWAYS comes through for the Tour. Not being able to beat Armstrong
still leaves him as one of the most talented riders in Tour history with
more podium finishes than anyone else?
 
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