I think he does, though I know he won't get it. Contador should feel lucky that Rasmussen was allowed to ride in the Tour this year.
2007-07-28 07:11:24 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
Thanks buddy, I know that Rasmussen is out.
2007-07-28 07:32:34 · update #1
OK, let's back up. Levi got dropped in the Alps and there was no guarantee that he would perform better in the Pyrenees. This is a professional sport and the team director's primary allegiance has to be to the sponsor. And most importantly he is trying to get that logo standing on the podium in Paris.
If this had been Armstrong, or Indurain or Hinault, it might be one thing to have the domestique drop the leader. But Levi is 34 years old and has never finished higher than 6th in the TdF. There was no reason for Contador to hold back and not stick with Rasmussen in the hopes that Levi would pull himself back up the GC.
This is a good result for Discovery and they played their hand perfectly in this TdF. And if there was one mistake it was Levi taking the time bonus from Contador earlier this week.
2007-07-28 14:43:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have hit upon a touchy subject. While I have to admit I haven't watched the tour (I don't have cable), I have been following the results at least.
But, here's the deal: Levi was supposed to be the head guy. Contador was supposed to be the domestique.
Contador should have pulled Levi instead of dropping him.
Now, I don't know what transpired in the director's car. Contador may have been given the green light, or perhaps Levi did.
But in the past, a good domestique would never leave the leader, even if they could take the glory.
Levi doesn't seem upset by these events...so probably it was planned out like that. Maybe they had it figured Contador was the only one that had a chance against Rasmussen. If Rasmussen hadn't been in the picture from the beginning, maybe the result would be different.
2007-07-28 13:32:56 · answer #2 · answered by powhound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's not accurate. In Stages 8 and 13, Levi was still the leader, but he lost 30 seconds and 20 seconds to Contador on those stages. Then, on Stages 14 and 15, Contador was the only one from Discovery who could keep up with Rasmussen. Levi dropped 30 seconds and a minute each to Contador on those stages. At that point, Levi justifiably lost the leadership of Discovery. Stage 16 was the only stage where Levi "dragged" Contador up the mountain -- and even then, he was still largely riding for himself, because he dropped Contador at the end, beating Contador by only about 10 seconds.
2007-07-28 09:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by Glenn N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't get me wrong, Levi is my favorite. But, he had it easy this Tour riding near the front without too much pressure. Didn't Contador have to play domestique for the first week? It is unfortunate that Rasmussen and Vinikourov got as far as they did --- it really clouds the whole picture.
2007-07-28 08:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by Menehune 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No matter who "deserves" the win, the team rides for and supports the rider who is most likely to win the general Classification. Levi is a professional and is willing to work for the team. The team worked for him in front of his home crowd in CA. He knows that Contador had a better chance of winning in the mtns than he did.
Cycling isn't like football or basketball. Its a real team sport.
2007-07-28 20:17:31 · answer #5 · answered by Life Explorer 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's the point of being a domestique. You do the work to get the lead rider in position to win. Who knows, things might be quite a bit different if Levi had gotten the 20 second time bonus for winning the stage where he got second behind Rasmussen.
2007-07-28 19:54:17 · answer #6 · answered by Obes A Lot 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i agree with you. if team discovery had given him team leader he would be way ahead of contador but since contador was a little in front of levi, they switched their efforts toward him. if levi wasnt there contador wouldnt be in first after this time trial. Levi killed everyone and deserves the win.
2007-07-28 14:21:49 · answer #7 · answered by LeTourDeFrance 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree! Levi has done wonderful this year. i really think he could of beat contador. Levi deserves 2nd place but theres nothing we can do about it.
2007-07-28 10:08:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO
Racing not only involves raw power but tactics as well!
Timing of attacks is critical, I have learnt by mistakes!!
If you want to see real tactics in action, watch racing at a velodrome, there, its absolutely imperitive that you get it right.
Cadel Evans, although a good rider has shunned the front of the peleton, look at the stats to see how well he has done!
2007-07-28 08:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by onlyme Mr G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rasmussen is out for cheating allegations.
2007-07-28 07:14:14 · answer #10 · answered by Steve C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋