Tour de France 2006

[Asylum Steve]

Bob Roll reffered to the "Lazzarus Effect" for American racers, where someone goes through some great near death experience or life changing event, just to come through it better than before...

Yeah, I caught that too, but IMO it's really just a coincidence. LeMond's situation doesn't fit with the others.

While I agree his comeback was remarkable considering how serious his injury was, truth is he was already a Tour champion when it happened, and the accident hurt him more than helped him, taking him away from the sport during his prime.

It arguably cost him one or two additional Tour victories...

[mtbbrian]

It arguably cost him one or two additional Tour victories...

You could be right about that Steve, but of course, we'll never know.
I just so want to see another American on TOP of the podium..
:thumbsup:
Brian

[Asylum Steve]

I just so want to see another American on TOP of the podium...

To me the biggest shock of the Tour so far is American Levi Leipheimer's total meltdown during the time trial stage. He is now almost SEVEN minutes behind the current GC leader, and nearly six behind rival Landis.

I really think he's suffering from something that he hasn't let on about. You could almost tell from his prediction before the TT (he sounded very pesimistic). Barring some amazing, unforseen performance in the mountains, sadly I think his Tour is already over...

[mtbbrian]

To me the biggest shock of the Tour so far is American Levi Leipheimer totally imploading during the time trial stage. He is now almost SEVEN minutes behind the current GC leader, and nearly six behind rival Landis.

I really think he's suffering from something that he hasn't let on about. You could almost tell from his prediction before the TT (he sounded very pesimistic). Barring some amazing, unforseen performance in the mountains, sadly I think his Tour is already over...

This is so true...
But I remain hopeful!
I remember watching Saturdays' TT and when Leipheimer was doing so poorly, Phil, Paul and the gang thought there was a timing problem.
The thing that gets me, is that there were only eight US riders that started this years tour!
Hincapie, Leipheimer, Landis, Freddie Rodrigez, Chris Honer, Dave Zabreski, Christian Vandvelde, and Bobby Julich. That's not even enough to make a complete team!
Had Tyler Hamilton not been stupid, he would have been nine!
Anyway...
I'm still watching!
Brian