Giro Preview

While I'm pumped about Astana getting an invite to the Giro, Slipstream-Chipotle looks strong too. Here is Slipstream's start list:

Slipstream - Chipotle, (USA)
181. Magnus Backstedt, (SWE)
182. Julian Dean, (NZL)
183. Ryder Hesjedal, (CAN)
184. David Millar, (GBR)
185. Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty, (USA)
186. Danny Pate, (USA)
187. Christopher Sutton, (AUS)
188. Christian Vandevelde, (USA)
189. David Zabriskie, (USA)

The opening stage is a TTT!!! Very good for Slipstream, Pate, Millar, Zabriskie, and Maggie are superfast. I see them placing very well in the opener. However, three weeks is a lot of racing look for Stage 19 228km Legnano to Presolana/Monte Pora, Stage 20 224km from Rovetta to Tirano (includes the Gavia), and Stage 16 13.8km from San Vigilio di Marebbe to Plan de Corones, which is an ITT to be the deciding stages. With that said, a climber will win. My favorite is Contador, however if the Spider Juan Mauricio Soler can put together some good days in the end, he may be a contender. But he doesn't have half the team help that Contador will get from Leipheimer & crew. Anyway you look at it, this is shaping up to be a very exciting race!

Tour de Georgia - Stage 6 Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald was an exciting day. The crowds were huge on the mountain and it was difficult to just find a place to park near the start of the climb. My Brother and I took the shuttle to up to the parking area and then had to walk the final section to the top. It was worth it. We were there in plenty of time to get a great spot 150m from the finish, just before the final turn. It was one of the longest views on the mountain. It must have been a good spot because a couple of photographers camped out very near us. We ended up walking all the way down because it would have taken forever to get a shuttled to the bottom.

Kanstantsin Siutsou (Team High Road) was able to sneak away from Levi and Trent in the final 300m for the victory, which lead to the overall victory.

Here's my Bro enjoying the day:


Note the "Puke Here" sign:


Go Bobby!!! Everyone loves Julich!:


The battle between Levi & Trent Lowe. Pain Anyone?:


Levi desparately trying to pull ahead...about 10 meters later he got smoked:


Next post, Brasstown Continued.....

Cycling Trivia - American Stage winners in Le Tour de France

Ten Americans have won stages in the Tour de France.

1. Lance Armstrong (retired - had 25 stage wins and 7 overall victories)
2. Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing Team Captain-after 2yr. doping suspension)
3. Andy Hampsten (retired - Won 1992 L'alpe d'Huez)
4. George Hincapie (Team High Road)
5. Floyd Landis (lost his appeal to the CAS, serving a 2 yr suspension)
6. Levi Liephiemer (Team Astana - banned from all ASO events including the Tour de France, for prior team member's doping scandals)
7. Greg Lemond (retired - 5 stage wins and 3 overall victories - PROFESSIONAL WHINER)
8. Davis Phinney (retired and watching his son Taylor Phinney develop into a strong racer)
9. Jeff Pierce (retired - Won Champs-Elysees stage with in 1987)
10. David Zabriskie (Team Slipstream-Chipotle - won 2005 prologue)


Which American will win a stage this year? Hincapie? Zabriskie? Someone else?

Whatever the case, it won't be this guy...