Stage 14: WTF?!
I'm happy that Jason thinks this stage proves Ullrich's mettle. he apologizes for doubting Ullrich's skill, and I think he's right in that. ullrich has proven himself to be the strongest member of T-Mobile. He's also shown himself to have the tactics of a petulant child. I'm just going to quote the offficial Tour website:
There’s no doubt that the German is strong. He was one of just four riders who could stay with Lance on the way up the Pailheres climb. Also in the mix were Ivan Basso and two more Americans, Floyd Landis and Levi Leipheimer. This quintet eliminated Kloden, Vinokourov, Mancebo, Mickael Rasmussen and Cadel Evans from the program today. Although these stars would return for the final climb they would vanish again after a bizarre scene which illustrated T-Mobile’s stupidity.
Vinokourov proved his fighting spirit by wrestling his way into the lead group before the final mountain. He then bolted ahead to repeat his role from the previous climb – namely to hit the turbo and force his team’s rivals to do the work to reel him in. Perhaps the consistent and aggressive Basso would take the bait. Maybe even Evans could have a go and chase his former team-mates down. Why not Mancebo once again? It was a tactic dreamed up to taunt Armstrong but the American didn’t need to do anything. Why? Because Ullrich and Kloden teamed up and set off in pursuit of their colleague. Huh?!
...
Bravo Totschnig, you achieved a coup. And touché Armstrong, you are indeed a unique champion. But Ullrich… why must you insist on losing this race you know you can win?
That pretty much sums it up. What the fuck? Why attack your own teammate when he attacks? Is this the bizarre Make My Teammates Want to Kill Me strategy? Seriously? What is gained by this? What is the point? Yes, I know Vino died, but perhaps his break would have either suckered Armstrong into the chase or, even better, work outright. Instaed, there was no bait and there was no break. T-Mobile gobbled up their own.
It was arguably the dumbest tactical decision I have ever seen.
And this is why Armstrong wins. Not because he is the strongest, though he is, but because his rivals insist on doing absolutely stupid things. This was the absolute perfect stage to maybe pick up some time on Armstrong. How often do you break his team before the final climb? He was isolated and alone. The nonstop attacking on Port de Pailheres robbed Lance of any support. They just couldn't respond to every single attack and set that methodical pace.
So, on the final climb, Armstrong is without his billy goats. The only riers with him are an exclusive who's who of contenders: Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Leipheimer, Mancebo, Landis, Evans, Rasmussen, Vinokourov, and Kloden (with Totschnig alone up front). I mean, that's put up or shut up time.
If any contender was going to put time into Lance and win this Tour de France, this was really the time. The situation will never be better. This was it, this was the chance to steal the yellow jersey. And they blew it. They instead spent time attacking each other and forcing their own teammates to expend energy, instead of making Armstrong react ot the attacks.
Ullrich rode not to win the race, he rode for a spot on the podium, and to keep his domestiques off of it. He made tactical decisions which will prevent him, or anyone else, from beating Lance Armstrong in his quest for a seventh maillot jaune. In the end, Armstrong didn't need any teammates to ride for him, for he had a superdomestique by the name of Jan Ullrich.
In Paris, I hope Lance thanks Jan for all of the hard work on his behalf.
There’s no doubt that the German is strong. He was one of just four riders who could stay with Lance on the way up the Pailheres climb. Also in the mix were Ivan Basso and two more Americans, Floyd Landis and Levi Leipheimer. This quintet eliminated Kloden, Vinokourov, Mancebo, Mickael Rasmussen and Cadel Evans from the program today. Although these stars would return for the final climb they would vanish again after a bizarre scene which illustrated T-Mobile’s stupidity.
Vinokourov proved his fighting spirit by wrestling his way into the lead group before the final mountain. He then bolted ahead to repeat his role from the previous climb – namely to hit the turbo and force his team’s rivals to do the work to reel him in. Perhaps the consistent and aggressive Basso would take the bait. Maybe even Evans could have a go and chase his former team-mates down. Why not Mancebo once again? It was a tactic dreamed up to taunt Armstrong but the American didn’t need to do anything. Why? Because Ullrich and Kloden teamed up and set off in pursuit of their colleague. Huh?!
...
Bravo Totschnig, you achieved a coup. And touché Armstrong, you are indeed a unique champion. But Ullrich… why must you insist on losing this race you know you can win?
That pretty much sums it up. What the fuck? Why attack your own teammate when he attacks? Is this the bizarre Make My Teammates Want to Kill Me strategy? Seriously? What is gained by this? What is the point? Yes, I know Vino died, but perhaps his break would have either suckered Armstrong into the chase or, even better, work outright. Instaed, there was no bait and there was no break. T-Mobile gobbled up their own.
It was arguably the dumbest tactical decision I have ever seen.
And this is why Armstrong wins. Not because he is the strongest, though he is, but because his rivals insist on doing absolutely stupid things. This was the absolute perfect stage to maybe pick up some time on Armstrong. How often do you break his team before the final climb? He was isolated and alone. The nonstop attacking on Port de Pailheres robbed Lance of any support. They just couldn't respond to every single attack and set that methodical pace.
So, on the final climb, Armstrong is without his billy goats. The only riers with him are an exclusive who's who of contenders: Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Leipheimer, Mancebo, Landis, Evans, Rasmussen, Vinokourov, and Kloden (with Totschnig alone up front). I mean, that's put up or shut up time.
If any contender was going to put time into Lance and win this Tour de France, this was really the time. The situation will never be better. This was it, this was the chance to steal the yellow jersey. And they blew it. They instead spent time attacking each other and forcing their own teammates to expend energy, instead of making Armstrong react ot the attacks.
Ullrich rode not to win the race, he rode for a spot on the podium, and to keep his domestiques off of it. He made tactical decisions which will prevent him, or anyone else, from beating Lance Armstrong in his quest for a seventh maillot jaune. In the end, Armstrong didn't need any teammates to ride for him, for he had a superdomestique by the name of Jan Ullrich.
In Paris, I hope Lance thanks Jan for all of the hard work on his behalf.
posted by Poseur at 8:31 PM
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