Is Phonak to weak to defend the Yellow Jersey?
2006-07-19 04:08:02 · 7 answers · asked by conservativeguyfromnc 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Well, you can always blame the team since Floyd has been relatively isolated in the mountain stages (except for that monster pull by Axel on Stage 15).
But the reality is that Floyd had a pretty bad day on Stage 16. When you bonk like he did, no team can possibly help you. Just remember Ivan Basso's epic meltdown on the Gavia Pass stage during the 2005 Giro when he lost 45 minutes that day!
But most importantly, Floyd a real man and a true leader since he accepts the responsibility for his meltdown and doesn't blame his teammates...
The good news is that with the Tour being the rollercoaster that it has been, Floyd really can't be ruled out just yet since there's another mountain stage and a time trial coming up -- he's certainly one of the better time trialists compared to the 10 riders above him in GC...
Go Floyd!
2006-07-19 11:29:43 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He just lost it :(
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I think a team is only as good as its top rider. The domestiques may be able to pull but if the leader can't hang on then it won't work. Even if there is no teammate around, he can still stay behind or follow whoever attacks which is what Floyd did in stage 15. He was unable to keep up with the attacks in stage 16 so he lost.
2006-07-19 11:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by Promdi® 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Phonak didn't have any good support riders for Landis. Axel Merckx picked him up at the end but that was just trying to cut the loses. Landis cracked himself on the last climb.
2006-07-19 11:47:06 · answer #3 · answered by Ben P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Floyd chose to give away the jersy so he didn't have to defend it in the next few stages letting the other teams have to take up the lead to try and keep it. It gave his team time to recover and not use up to much energy before the mountain stages.
2006-07-19 14:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by Mcdixon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even if you have a strong team, in the end Landis simply doesn't have the required form
2006-07-19 11:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by marceldev29 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what are your talking about? Floyd got it back on Stage 15
2006-07-19 11:23:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say yes they are a weak team
2006-07-19 11:47:49 · answer #7 · answered by impounder69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋