The Warm-up

On 16 Jul 2004 09:08:16 -0700, [email hidden] (Richard Adams)

Quoted message said:

IIRC the first day in the mountains isn't usually Lance's best, taking
note of his finish in stage 8 last year.

That was the exception, all the other years his first day was the best
- 1999 (Sestrieres), 2000 (Hautacam), 2001 (Alpe d'Huez),and less so
in 2002 (Mongie)

Quoted message said:

Today was the warm-up,
tomorrow should lay bare all the bluffs, those that survived today.

Basso and Kloden look like riders to take more seriously now.

Especially Kloden since he's an excellent ITT'er

"Richard Adams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

IIRC the first day in the mountains isn't usually Lance's best

Whaaaaat! Last year was the only year he DIDN'T plant the rest of his
contenders during the FIRST mountain stage. Time for a RC check-up?

matabala said:

"Richard Adams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

IIRC the first day in the mountains isn't usually Lance's best

Whaaaaat! Last year was the only year he DIDN'T plant the rest of his
contenders during the FIRST mountain stage. Time for a RC check-up?

In 2002 Lance put 7 seconds into Beloki on La Mongie and looked beat
after doing it. Then he put 1:04 into him on Plateau de Beille the next
day and looked much better at the finish. Clearly stronger in the
second day in the mountains. I think after all the flat stages even
Lance needs that first real climb to get warmed up. We'll see if this
assessment is correct in about 10 hours from this posting.