I predict It won't work out that way (cooperation vs. LANCE).
They'll ride against each other, trying to protect their minor placings. The TdF is such a big deal that the directors will not risk losing GC spots reaching for the pie-in-the-sky, especially trying to beat their head against the wall in the strong support team that you mention.
Even ONCE wouldn't attack, trying to set up a teamate, competing teams will be infinitely less likely to cooperate.
Good analysis. The fact that they're talking about ganging up on Armstrong is also a concession that none of them match up well alone against him. They sound like a bunch of fattie masters talking about how they're going to gang up on Kent Bostick at nationals. Been there, done that. It didn't work.
[email hidden] (Malte Lewan Neelsen) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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Heinz Getzler said:
[email hidden] (Heinz Getzler) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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Some factors to consider:
Armstrong:Since Lance is the defending champion he has a big advantage.
USPS team: With the addition of Beltran USPS will have a team that can defend against any attacks in the mountains. I really don't think there is any team that can challenge Lance in the mountains with his team. Like I said before Lances opponents only chance is to work together and to attack Lance.
We shouln't emphasize the importance of the teams too much either. One strong rider can do a lot of damage, however 'protected' the other team leaders may be. We all know how it looks in the end of the most difficult mountain stages. Then it's man against man. Unless you have Heras at your side. :-) (ONCE-Eroski also had three strong riders last year.)
Well it does it make a big difference if you have some domestiques in the top 10 GC. In the 1985 & 1986 tdf Hinault and Lemond in 1st and second places. This gave them a incredible advantage. So losing the jersey for one day did not make a big difference for a single stage.
