July 23, 2006
Floyd makes it eight
.
With Phonak rider Floyd Landis' Tour de France victory this morning, Americans have now dominated the world's most grueling sporting event for eight straight years.
Landis, also this year's Tour de Georgia winner, made what many consider to be the all-time greatest comeback in the history of cycling's greatest race. In Thursday's stage 16 final climb up to La Toussuire, Landis majorly bonked (ran out of steam) and slipped backwards 11 km from the line to finish a massive 10'04" down in 23rd place for the stage. "It's over for Floyd," many said, deeming quite appropriately that the overall time difference of 8'08" to get the yellow leader's jersey was insurmoutable with just three stages to go
But with one more Alps stage left Landis came out Friday morning with a vengeance. He broke clear in the early slopes of the Col de Saisies, 72 km after the start in St. Jean de Maurienne. He carved his way through an 11-man breakaway group which had gone clear after 12 km and was out front for the remainder of the 200.5 km stage.
Davitamon-Lotto racer Cadel Evans, an excellent climber for his part, told what he was thinking after the race. "When Floyd went, I just thought 'what the hell is he doing?' It tactically didn't seem like a sensible thing to do, but I didn't know he had the legs like that... nobody did! He went so fast from the start, he rode the whole peloton off his wheels! Nobody could follow."
Landis' well known descending abilities (he's a former pro mountain biker!) along with the bonus seconds he picked up en route saw him make the incredible jump from eleventh to third overall, 30 seconds off the yellow jersey, and looking like a very real contender again in advance of Saturday's 57 km time trial showdown.
When asked afterwards if he was happy with the stage win, Landis showed his focus and source of motivation. "I don't care," he said, smiling. "I came here to win the Tour, and that's what I'm trying to do."
Although finishing third in Saturday's individual time trial (aka "The race of truth"), Landis picked up the maillot jaune with 59 seconds to spare, which effectively meant all he had to do was spin and not crash on Sunday's ride into Paris.
Not bad for a guy scheduled to have hip replacement surgery in a few weeks. I say to my fellow mountain biker, "Way to show them leg-shavin' nancy boys, Floyd !!"
With Phonak rider Floyd Landis' Tour de France victory this morning, Americans have now dominated the world's most grueling sporting event for eight straight years.
Landis, also this year's Tour de Georgia winner, made what many consider to be the all-time greatest comeback in the history of cycling's greatest race. In Thursday's stage 16 final climb up to La Toussuire, Landis majorly bonked (ran out of steam) and slipped backwards 11 km from the line to finish a massive 10'04" down in 23rd place for the stage. "It's over for Floyd," many said, deeming quite appropriately that the overall time difference of 8'08" to get the yellow leader's jersey was insurmoutable with just three stages to go
But with one more Alps stage left Landis came out Friday morning with a vengeance. He broke clear in the early slopes of the Col de Saisies, 72 km after the start in St. Jean de Maurienne. He carved his way through an 11-man breakaway group which had gone clear after 12 km and was out front for the remainder of the 200.5 km stage.
Davitamon-Lotto racer Cadel Evans, an excellent climber for his part, told what he was thinking after the race. "When Floyd went, I just thought 'what the hell is he doing?' It tactically didn't seem like a sensible thing to do, but I didn't know he had the legs like that... nobody did! He went so fast from the start, he rode the whole peloton off his wheels! Nobody could follow."
Landis' well known descending abilities (he's a former pro mountain biker!) along with the bonus seconds he picked up en route saw him make the incredible jump from eleventh to third overall, 30 seconds off the yellow jersey, and looking like a very real contender again in advance of Saturday's 57 km time trial showdown.
When asked afterwards if he was happy with the stage win, Landis showed his focus and source of motivation. "I don't care," he said, smiling. "I came here to win the Tour, and that's what I'm trying to do."
Although finishing third in Saturday's individual time trial (aka "The race of truth"), Landis picked up the maillot jaune with 59 seconds to spare, which effectively meant all he had to do was spin and not crash on Sunday's ride into Paris.
Not bad for a guy scheduled to have hip replacement surgery in a few weeks. I say to my fellow mountain biker, "Way to show them leg-shavin' nancy boys, Floyd !!"
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Whoops!
Evidently there is a bit more testosterone in Landis' sample than there should be.
That was never a problem with Lance, what with not having the nuts.
Okay. That was bad.
ook ook
Evidently there is a bit more testosterone in Landis' sample than there should be.
That was never a problem with Lance, what with not having the nuts.
Okay. That was bad.
ook ook
Yes, I really hope Floyd's "B" sample will disprove the doping charge, otherwise it's hugely disappointing.
Don't be dissin' LA, chimp-boy, lest I have to slam on them faggy Euro-sport kickballers you drool over.
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Don't be dissin' LA, chimp-boy, lest I have to slam on them faggy Euro-sport kickballers you drool over.
=8:{ )>
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