Armchair directeur sportif

[ posted by iain Monday, March 13, 2006 ]

I am beginning to reconsider my decision to put Boonen at fourth place on my top riders list last year. He has had a near perfect start to the new year and shows no signs of being affected by the curse of the rainbow jersey. I had a bit of a go at him for not being too flashy but then I guess we have been spoilt by Cipollini for the last decade. Boonen really has some class.

On the subject of World Champions and class it has been great to see Freire back on the bike and winning. it must be so frustrating to be sidelined by such an injury, I hope he manages to get a full season in this year. Less fortunate is Paulo Bettini. After a superb start to Tirreno-Adriatico he has been forced to retire hurt and is now in doubt for Milan-San Remo. The race will be a poorer event without him.

Finally a quick word about the news that Ullrich is not racing until April's Circuit de la Sarthe. Why is he taking so long to get into the racing calendar? I am no expert, but surely for someone with his big engine some early season races can only help him build a solid base on which to work for Tour de France form. He always seems to have had his best results after doing heavier schedules on the buildup and when he hasn't, he has peaked too late. In his defence this is 'bug season', so maybe he is just trying to avoid catching a cold that could take his season start even further into year. I don't believe Armstrong's prediction of a Jan walkover for a minute and, even though I would love to see him win, he is going to need all the form and experience he can muster this year.

Comments:

Iain, I just saw you linked me, Thanks! You can bet it'll be reciprocated!
By Tom Stormcrowe

Cheers Tom. I've been off the blogging for a few days but I'll be over at TASM reading how your trip went very soon.
Thanks for the link, that'll be five dollars for each wallpaper please (PayPal accepted). ;-)
Only kidding, if you want some higher res photos just let me know and I'll send them through.
I
By iain

That sounds great, Iain! gunsel2001(at)yahoo(dot)com is the email addy! Much appreciated!
By Tom Stormcrowe

the effectiveness of racing for training is 100% individual. Some athletes respond well to that, others don't.

Mags
By mags

Hi Mags
I guess he and his team must know what's best for him. So long as he wins the Tour this year. ;-)
By iain

Good news that Bettini's back in for MSR.
By iain

I agree with Mags (I really do!). As long as he knows how to gauge his own fitness (and he'd better after 16 years of racing), then I don't know that racing early in the season would really make that much of a difference.
By Caloi-Rider

I know one thing, Iain, if I ever need cycling action shots of me, I want you to take the shots!
By Tom Stormcrowe

Hey, I love the blog. I just came across it this afternoon. Roadies!

If it's okay, I've added it to my links on CyclingGeeks.blogspot.com.

Keep up the good work, I'm going to start sifting through the archives.
By Jim V

I think Ullrich is totally focusing on the tour. He hit the Tour scene right as Armstrong did, and I'm sure a rider of his caliber is sick of finishing short of the top spot on the podium.

It's amazing when you ponder how many really awesome riders have been overlooked in cycling history for the simple stroke of bad luck that they peaked during one of the sport's many dynasties (Merckx, Armstrong, Hinault, Indurain, etc.). Where would they be had there not been such a huge shadow cast by these legends at just the "wrong" time?
By Jim V

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