ToC

Bro Deal said:

Is there any word on Rock's ToC team? Is Hamilton, Sevilla, and Botero going to be there?

Cipo is supposedly in California now.

😕 I thought Cipo had given up on the entire thing. 😕

Powerful Pete said:

😕 I thought Cipo had given up on the entire thing. 😕

Vs (the TV channel) has a show on at 5:00 p.m. (EST). This should answer most of the questions.

Finally, I'll get to see some cycling again. It has been a long time.

Powerful Pete said:

😕 I thought Cipo had given up on the entire thing. 😕

He is definitely in California and will be racing tomorrow.

Hamilton, Botero, and Sevilla are on the start list.

http://cyclingfansanonymous.blogspot.com/2008/02/controversy-and-confusion-over-rock.html

Bro Deal said:

He is definitely in California and will be racing tomorrow.

Hamilton, Botero, and Sevilla are on the start list.

CN has from the recent AEG press conference (ie. after Ball's press conference) that they bent the rules to allow Cipo on the start list, but that they will not allow Hamilton/Botero/Sevilla to ride because of their alleged involvement in Operation Puerto.

AEG says "No" to Hamilton, Botero, and Sevilla.

From CN:
"At the press conference, Andrew Messick from AEG told reporters, "the only (Rock Racing) riders to start are those on the official roster. With the UCI and USA Cycling we bent a few rules to include (Mario) Cipollini. Rock Racing has five riders and five will be able to start."

Guess it wasn't just an "administrative glitch" as claimed by Ball. Tomorrow should be interesting.

kennf said:

AEG says "No" to Hamilton, Botero, and Sevilla.

From CN:
"At the press conference, Andrew Messick from AEG told reporters, "the only (Rock Racing) riders to start are those on the official roster. With the UCI and USA Cycling we bent a few rules to include (Mario) Cipollini. Rock Racing has five riders and five will be able to start."

Guess it wasn't just an "administrative glitch" as claimed by Ball. Tomorrow should be interesting.

A lot of things are just "administrative glitches" to Ball. Another example is the way his team was registered with the UCI as opposed to Ball's claim that he would want to go to some of the big races in Europe.

bicycle.netamgen tour of california prologue starting orderOpen ↗

i should be picking an american like d. z., but i'm thinking bettini for g.c.

slovakguy said:

i should be picking an american like d. z., but i'm thinking bettini for g.c.

Say what?

Leipheimer has to be the favorite to repeat, especially now that Astana has something to prove.

Tommy D. could win it.

I just watched the full Michael Ball press conference, and I have to say that he is truly one of the biggest tools I have ever seen. He is the Toolinator 3000, with the Kung Fu grip.

I would like to know what happened with Hamilton, Sevilla, and Botero. Did the organizers not explicitly tell Rock that they were not welcome? Did they strike their names from the start list, thinking that Ball would get the message without being expressly told? Did Ball think he could bring the riders to the start and the organizers would cave? Did Ball try to use his support of the race as a way to lean on the organizers?

It seems like a giant screw up on Ball's part. He's down three men and a good chance of a stage win.

Bro Deal said:

I would like to know what happened with Hamilton, Sevilla, and Botero. Did the organizers not explicitly tell Rock that they were not welcome? Did they strike there names from the start list, thinking that Ball would get the message without being expressly told? Did Ball think he could bring the riders to the start and the organizers would cave? Did Ball try to use his support of the race as a way to lean on the organizers?

It seems like a giant screw up on Ball's part. He's down three men and a good chance of a stage win.

You honestly have to wonder if he got rich just on stupid luck.

Looks like Tommy D didn't turn up very well prepared, he's been beaten by Cipo!! By 2.5 seconds!!

Eldrack said:

Looks like Tommy D didn't turn up very well prepared, he's been beaten by Cipo!! By 2.5 seconds!!

He evidently has been sick.

Is he ever well? He should drink some orange juice or something. 🙄

ToC riders diaries of Ciolek and Clarke at:
cyclingheroes.infoid1245.htmlOpen ↗

Eldrack said:

Looks like Tommy D didn't turn up very well prepared, he's been beaten by Cipo!! By 2.5 seconds!!

Cipo ain't a bad prologue rider. He is my age. Makes me feel good.

Phil is such a tool. "Don't try this at home, it is a very dangerous way of riding your bike."

Cancellara wins the prologue - was there ever any doubt? 😉

Interesting that Cavendish is the best placed sprinter and I believe within range to take the Jersey (leaders) with a 1st place tomorrow. Give High Road another thing to shoot for.